This week’s topic: The Holy Spirit
At this time in history, Jewish people did not and would not have been ministering to Gentiles (non Jewish people.) God had to come and talk to Peter about even going to Cornelius’ house for he was a Gentile. (SEE Acts 10:9-23 and 27-29) Peter was preaching about Jesus to this first group of people that were Gentiles, and while Peter was still preaching, The Holy Spirit fell upon the people! The Bible tells us that the Jewish (circumcised) Believers that had come with Peter to Cornelius’ house “were astonished that THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” had even come upon the Gentiles. And how did they know that The Holy Spirit had come on them? “For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Then when Peter heard them, he stated that they should be baptized with water.
This is one of the scriptures that God used in my life to convince me that there was a baptism of water and a Baptism of The Holy Spirit. Cornelius, his family and close friends came and gathered at Cornelius’ house and was waiting on Peter to come. These people loved God, yet there was A GIFT that Jesus wanted them to have. These people that were hungry for God, were Baptized in The Holy Spirit while Peter was preaching! And we can see that this was a separate occasion than what we know happened at the day of Pentecost when those first disciples were Baptized in The Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (Acts 2)!
I remember when I used to think there was no such thing as this amazing encounter with God . . . until I received THE GIFT. I “use” my GIFT and pray in tongues when I need answers, when I need to know a direction to take, when I am in need of peace over something in my life or when I need wisdom or help in a situation . . . I pray in The Spirit, pray in tongues, every day. I am even praying in tongues at times when I am writing this, for His direction! And I pray in tongues when I just want to love on My Lord and Bridegroom, Jesus! The Gift of being Baptized in The Holy Spirit is not just for one day, it is to be utilized for your life time! Are you hungry for more of God like the people that gathered at Cornelius’ that day? Surrender your life to Jesus, and then ask Him to Baptize you in His Holy Spirit. Receive this incredible Gift from God, for this GIFT IS NOT JUST FOR ONE TIME, IT CONTINUALLY GIVES AND CONTINUALLY POURS!
CLICK HERE to read story
article copurtesy of TheStreamingFaith.com
