“Rejoice When Others Also Receive The Holy Spirit!”

“Rejoice When Others Also Receive The Holy Spirit!”
The historic conversion of Cornelius, a centurion and all who were with him was the breakthrough and eye opener to the circumcised Jews that the gospel was universal.
Yesterday we read that the people of Samaria were baptised but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Peter and John were commissioned by the apostles in Jerusalem to go pray and lay hands on them for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
In the story of today, the reverse is true.
Peter had been invited by Cornelius to come to his home. Peter would not have gone if God had not converted him in a vision by telling him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made pure.” In the home of Cornelius Peter was still testifying about Jesus the risen Lord when “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” Peter didn’t see any reason why these Gentiles could not be baptized since “they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” Peter then asked them to “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Ironically as my people say, “the bucket becomes jealous when it realises that the basket can also hold water.” When the Holy Spirit came on Cornelius and all who heard the message, the circumcised believers were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even to Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48).
It did not end at mere astonishment. When “the apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God…the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went to the house of an uncircumcised man and ate with him.” Peter had to explain himself to them recounting the vision he had before going to the house of Cornelius (Acts 11:1ff).
The reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit by Cornelius and other Gentiles demonstrates that Jesus Christ is without borders. Also, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on them in which they had the same Pentecost experience – “speaking in tongues and praising God” – is to let us know that the Holy Spirit is received by anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has received forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
My friend, as you rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit which you have received, do not be a stumbling block for others when they too are blessed with the same gift! After all, their blessings takes nothing out of yours. The Holy Spirit is sufficiently abundant to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ teach me to be thankful when others receive the Holy Spirit and his accompanying gifts. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!