Chapter Ten – The
First Uncircumcised Gentile Convert
ACTS 10:44-48:
In our last
lesson, we concluded the sermon of Peter to Cornelius and his household. The
concluding thoughts of the sermon were as follows:
Acts 10:43
“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name,
whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
In this
lesson, we will be introduced to God’s work of verification; in addition, we
will focus on how
verse 43 plays out for a clear
understanding of the Gospel’s mandates for salvation and remission of sins
(as it was in the beginning, so it will be now, and always).
Text #1:
Acts 10:44-48
“While
Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those
who heard the word.
45
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the
Gentiles also.
46
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter
answered,
47
“Can anyone
forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?”
48
And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him
to stay a few days.”
These
verses have been problems for Christians for many years; however, keeping in
mind some very simple things, it becomes very clear the purpose and actions
transpiring here.
First,
this is the first time the Gospel of Jesus Christ is going to come to
uncircumcised Gentiles! This is a key understanding; as with God all firsts
are very important as they set precedence for future events.
God
knew, that had He not given a sign to show His approval of these events, the
Jews would not accept the Gentiles as brethren in
“repentance to life”,
11:18.
We see
actual evidence of this very fact in the next chapter, when Peter would
return to Jerusalem, knowledge his fellowship with Gentiles has reached the
ears of the Jews there and they intend to contend with Peter over it (11:1-3).
Second,
the form of God’s approval would be the same as it was when the Gospel would
first be preached to the Jews on the day of Pentecost. It would come
directly from heaven and the result is that those who received the Holy
Spirit would speak in languages magnifying God (see:
Chapter 2:11).
So, the
first purpose of the sign from God in both instances was the same; to
demonstrate that God had in fact been responsible of the Gospel of Jesus as
the Christ to those who heard in both cases, without prejudice (had there
been different signs, prejudice would have reared its ugly head).
This;
however, is where the likenesses ends. As it was in the beginning to the
Apostles of Jesus Christ, the coming of the Holy Spirit marked for them
the additional baptism (complete submergence) of the Spirit of God, as was
promised to them and them alone (John
14:15-17,
26;
15:26-27;
16:13-15;
17:14-20;
Acts 1:4-5;
2:1-4,
14,
32-33).
This would allow them to complete their commission, bring us all truth, and
establish and maintain the Body of Christ until the written word would be
complete.
Third,
this sign given for the Gentiles in our text, was given in the presence of
witnesses; who Peter is directly asking if they could forbid the baptism of
these Gentiles in the face of God’s approval. These would also have to go
back with Peter and establish by their testimony that everything that has
transpired is exactly as Peter will report it to the Jews and that God
approved it!
Fourth,
the sign did not place these Gentiles into the body of Christ. The fact is
that God had mandated the same process for entrance into the Body of Christ
from the beginning to now! Compare
Acts 2:38
and
Acts 10:48!
If there
were unique entrances into the Body of Christ apart from all the rest, this
would make God a respecter of persons and unrighteous at the same time (Acts
10:34;
Romans 2:16;
Galatians 2:6;
Ephesians 2:11-18;
6:9;
Colossians 3:25;
Titus 1:1-3;
Hebrews 6:17-18;
1 Peter 1:17).
This why Peter will command that they be baptized as the conclusion to the last portion of his sermon, “Whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins”.
Summary
Here is an outline of the important points of these events:
·
The coming of the Holy Spirit and tongues (languages that could be
understood) was not for salvation and entrance to the Body of Christ –
10:48;
11:14.
·
The Spirit was given as a witness –
10:47;
11:17;
15:7-9.
·
God approved of this event, who could withstand it?
10:47;
11:17-18;
15:7-11.
·
God has now fulfilled His promise that
“All” men would receive His
blessings through the Seed of Abraham!
Genesis 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.”
Galatians 3:16
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He
does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one,
“And to your Seed,” who is
Christ.”
Galatians 3:26-29
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus.
27
For as many
of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28
There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither
male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29
And if you
are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the
promise.”
Ephesians 2:14-18
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and
has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15
having
abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments
contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man
from the two, thus making peace,
16
and that He
might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby
putting to death the enmity.
17
And He came
and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
18
For through
Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
Next: “Peter
Defends the Gospel to the Gentiles!”