While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

At times God wants to correct all of our thinking in such a powerful way that he makes an emphatic statement. He wanted the Jewish believers to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he loved the Gentiles just as much as the Jews. So he showed this love by giving the gift of the Spirit, and this gift was evidenced by the speaking of tongues, just as it was for the Jewish believers at Pentecost. This resulted in them being baptized and full of God’s Spirit.

It also resulted in the followers from Joppa being powerfully moved, as they could see God’s heart. I wonder how many Jew-Gentile friendships resulted out of this event?

How has God moved powerfully in your life? Who can you show God’s love to that is different or challenging for you to love?

Lord, thank you for the definitive way you called out prejudice in your church and opened up people’s hearts to love others who are different from them. May I be a beacon of love to every race and nationality.