Thursday in Whitsuntide
Posted on May 27, 2021 by under
Scripture: Acts 10:34-48 (NKJV)
10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
44 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.
Devotion
Once again, “the Word” makes all the difference. The Holy Spirit was at work in the lives of the people in Cornelius’ household as Peter preached the Word to them. The Lord showed “no partiality,” as the Jews who had accompanied Peter saw how the Spirit worked upon the hearts of Gentiles. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached the simple truth of Christ crucified, risen, and placed as judge over all people.
Jesus, the man “who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,” is now seated at the right hand of God and over all the universe. A real, live human being sits at the right hand of God as ruler over all of creation, forever. While we do well to remember that Jesus is true God, we dare not let His being true God overshadow His true humanity. Were it not for Jesus being a real flesh and blood human being, there could be no hope for poor, miserable sinners such as we. All who trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins have the corruption of their sin blotted out from the sight of His Father, just like those of the household of Cornelius.
Prayer: O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
