Former Blackout Artist

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.‘ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” – Acts 11:15-17

Back in those days, it was against The Law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile. But God gave Peter a vision through a dream, and when he was approached by some men who had been sent to summon him to come to the house of a Gentile later on, Peter knew that his dream was a sign from God for him to go.

The man who summoned him was Cornelius, a member of the occupying force from the Roman army. He was known to be generous and well-respected by the Jews, and he wanted to know Christ.

Peter would deliver the message of salvation in such a way that the Holy Spirit came upon everyone in the home. Not only was Cornelius saved and baptized, but his entire family also.

Word traveled quickly that Peter had preached the Gospel to Gentiles and that they had turned their lives over to Christ. Peter went up to Jerusalem to confirm all that had happened. A few of the Jews in attendance were not pleased upon hearing this, but Peter’s words ultimately challenged them all. “If God gave this man and his family the same gift of the Holy Spirit that He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Peter and Cornelius couldn’t have been more different. Cornelius was wealthy, a Gentile, and a Roman soldier. Peter was a Jewish fisherman turned preacher. But God’s plan included both of them. Cornelius needed Peter and his Gospel message to know the way to salvation. Peter needed Cornelius and his salvation experience to know that God’s plan included everyone, even Gentiles!

That a Roman soldier and his entire family would become so overcome by the Spirit of God that they would become saved and baptized – does a greater example of the power of the Holy Spirit exist?

Friend, Jesus never gave up on us, and neither are we to give up on others. There may be people in our lives, perhaps even within our own families, who to us seem lost causes with no real hope of getting to know Christ and receiving eternal life. But as we’re reminded in this account of Peter’s visit with Cornelius, nothing is impossible with God.

Please don’t give up. Remain willing to be God’s messenger and continue living the example that Christ has given us as a model. Give Him the opportunity to do what we alone cannot do, and then get out of His way and watch lives change around us through the power of the Holy Spirit at work.