Acts 10:44–48 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While
Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even
on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Holy Spirit demonstrates to the Jewish believers that God indeed desires to pour out His Spirit on “all flesh” (2:17), even Gentiles. The water, the Word, and the Holy Spirit go together. So Peter urges that the Gentiles be baptized
right away, without concern for circumcision or ritual purity according to the old covenant. These blessings of Word and Sacrament abide with us today.
I pray: Lord,
give us Your Word, that our thankfulness points many to Your grace. Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1856.