ACTS 1:8
Before Jesus ascends to heaven, He gives his disciples some final instructions. Acts 1:8 reads
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth”. Jesus has set the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and that is to be
witnesses to people of ALL nations. (Mathew 28:19) Everything we as Christians do and
attribute to being led by the Holy Spirit led has to line up with that mandate- to be a witness or
ambassador for Christ. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down individually on each
person- indicating the kind of relationship that God has with each one of us. We are being
prepared to be witnesses through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The bringing of the gospel message to Cornelius the Roman Centurion and his family (Acts
10) is one of the watershed events in all of history. Up to this point, the gospel was preached to
the Jewish nation. As children of God, we are equals and the ground is said to be level at the
foot of the cross. That brings us to the story of Peter and Cornelius. Cornelius and Peter
experienced visions from God, and despite Peter’s reluctance, the two came together so that
Cornelius could hear what Peter had to say. God accepts men from all nations. God accepts
those who fear Him and do right thing. Those, like Cornelius, with a desire for holiness, a heart
for benevolence and a love for God can receive everlasting life because of Christ. Everyone who
believes in God receives forgiveness of sins through His Name. The Gospel is open to all people.
This is the message of the cross; that everyone receives the offer of forgiveness; it is only for
them to accept it. Sometimes, like Peter, we assume we have a relationship with Christ that is a
bit exclusive to those who think like us, act like us and share the same ideals. This leads to
stifled outreach as we only reach out to those with whom we are comfortable; those who are
of the same social and financial group. The rest of the community is on their own.
Children of the Most High God, we must submit to the leadership of God and the
Holy Spirit and not think so highly of who we invite to the household of God or who we regard
as lost and irredeemable. The Gospel is not to be restricted to any group; it is a joy to the world.
white or black, educated or illiterate, healthy or sick, incarcerated or free or any other group. It
is joy to the world. It is universal joy.
PRAYER POINT. Our Father and our Lord, we ask you for the fresh filling of your Holy Spirit, for
your power and love to fill us and that you establish our lives firmly in your love.