Acts 10:44-46a 44While Peter was still saying these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And the believers from among the circumcised who had traveled with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out also on the Gentiles. 46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
The Holy Spirit does not come upon people accidentally or arbitrarily but purposefully and consequently. Something in Peter’s sharing sparked faith in those gathered in Cornelius’ house, as assumed in the word heard. Hearing the gospel involves more than listening to a speech, like some people do to sermons, but responding in one’s heart and mind by accepting the claims of what is said and choosing to respond in the way the proclaimed words call for. The word of the gospel was shared, the listeners were convicted and believed, and the Holy Spirit responded by bringing new life.
The actions that followed the coming of the Holy Spirit echo the day of Pentecost when the Spirit came upon the gathered disciples in chapter 2. Indeed, the coming of the Spirit upon Cornelius’ household is often called the “Gentile Pentecost” because of the similarities. Verse 45 notes the amazement and surprise of the circumcised, referring to the Jewish believers, and Peter that such an event would even happen. What were they expecting? They had not realized experientially yet that the word of the gospel can powerfully change anyone, including Gentiles. Their vision was still too narrow and limited. God had to shake them up from their protectionism and limited perspective about the power of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
To convince everyone, including the Jewish believers, that God’s presence was there through the Holy Spirit and that the message about Jesus was true, the Holy Spirit enabled the Gentiles to speak in tongues and praise God, like the disciples in chapter 2. The question of verse 46 is what the tongues (glōssais) involved. Were these known languages, like chapter 2? If this event were parallel to Pentecost, then the tongues would have been known human languages. Luke could also simply refer to speech full of praise to God for what was happening. There is not enough textual support to claim that this was any form of angelic or ecstatic tongues, as some charismatic groups claim. When the Holy Spirit comes in convicting and transforming power, the result will often be emotional and obvious, leading to praise and worship. The speaking and praising were proof to everyone that God was doing a new thing.
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