Astonished at the Holy Spirit

We read from the NT book of Acts. It records how eyewitnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection proclaim Jesus’ victory in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The long name is: The Acts of the Apostles, but it might be more accurately called the “Acts of the Holy Spirit”.

We didn’t read the whole chapter. If you have a chance, read Acts 10 later today, starting at v. 1. It’s astonishing how the HS intervenes so that the Apostle Peter and Cornelius the Centurion connect.

Cornelius has a vision of an angel from God. The holy angel tells this officer in Roman army to bring Simon (aka Peter) to Caesarea. He sends 2 messengers and a soldier. Note: 3X so you don’t miss it.

As the messengers approach Joppa, Peter is praying and his stomach is growling . Waiting for lunch, Peter fell into a trance. He sees the same vision 3X!

He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Acts 10:11–15 (NIV)

This is the start of a big shift among Jesus’ disciples. Jews like Peter were very careful to keep kosher. They carefully obeyed the dietary laws from the OT.

They also kept to themselves. Like certain foods, contact with impure and unclean Gentiles would make them impure and unclean. Peter caught the implications of this vision: all plants and animals have been given as food AND Jesus’ victory over sin and death should be shared with all people.

It’s a new thought. On their own, the apostles never would have thought of inviting Gentiles to trust in Jesus, certainly not a Roman - not even a generous, devout, God-fearing Gentile like Cornelius. But: proclaiming Jesus as the rescuer of the whole world is a major theme in the Acts of the Apostles, in the NT, and throughout the Bible as a whole. Maybe you recall this verse from John’s gospel:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

Pause & marvel: God loves the whole world. His rescue plan is designed to give all people eternal life through Jesus: regardless of language or nationality, height or weight, gender, age, or the colour of their skin.

The way Peter’s appointment w/ Cornelius is described, you’re invited to marvel at the work of God, particularly the person of the Holy Spirit. On June 5, we marked Pentecost. Pentecost is a celebration of the way the Father and the Son sent the HS on Jesus’ disciples in power. We see the power of the HS in Acts 10.

Cornelius’ vision

Peter’s vision

And most surprising of all: as Peter is speaking, “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” They heard the message, put their faith in Jesus, and were baptized.

Sometimes it seems like the miracles and astonishing events we hear in the Bible don’t happen among us. Tammy’s PoF and Braxton’s baptism are evidence that’s not true. The HS is active. God is on the move! The gospel is going out with power and everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name.

That’s the urgent message that God wants Cornelius and family to hear. Peter explains:

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 (NIV)

The thought of judgement is challenging. Nobody likes the idea of being judged; especially when we’re afraid we don’t measure up. If you’re a perfectionist, like me, it’s esp. frightening b/c we don’t always live up to our own standards, let alone other peoples’ standards.

God created the world good and humankind was judged to be very good . . . until our first parents disobeyed and hid from God’s judgement.

Being judged is a frightening idea . . . if we take it out of context. Judgement doesn’t arise until Peter has described how Jesus was judged.

They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. Acts 10:39b–41 (NIV)

When Jesus was killed, he died on the cross as a substitute for you. God the Father placed all your guilt and shame on Jesus Christ. He died, so that you can be cleaned and purified from sin and guilt. Jesus rose again as the first of many children of God who have received life with Jesus!

That’s the good news that Peter tells Cornelius and all his family and friends:

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts 10:43 (NIV)

Can you beleive it? It sounds almost too good to be true!

Maybe you also feel the HS at work w/in you. I don’t know if any of us will speak in tongues this morning, but I suspect many of us are prepared to praise God.

We have heard Tammy’s testimony and profession of faith.

We have experienced the sacrament of baptism.

We have heard the gospel - which is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” Romans 1:16b.

The gospel’s power is visible in the life of Cornelius and his family. We’ve seen the HS bring the power of the gospel w/ in our congregation. If the HS is moving you to grow in faith, talk about it - with me, with Tammy, or with one of the elders or mature Chr.

We also get to experience the sacrament of the LS.