Gentiles Baptized

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:44-48 NLT

 

The Jews who believed in Jesus may have thought that only Jews could believe. Here in the book of Acts Peter was leading Gentiles to saving knowledge of Christ and they were being filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the next step in their Christian growth. Just before His ascension into Heaven Jesus spoke to His disciples… saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus wanted new believers to be baptized. Baptism is an outward sign of an inner change in a person’s heart and life. By being baptized a person is publically declaring their allegiance to Jesus…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:12. Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been baptized?

 

Prayer ~ (Use this prayer as guidance to accept Jesus as your personal savior—whether you are Gentile or Jewish.) Jesus, I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. I repent of my sin and know that You took my sin to the cross—for that I am eternally grateful. Your blood has washed away my sin—the mistakes I’ve made in my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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