Commentary on Acts 10:44-48

By Bob Myhan

⁴⁴While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

Comparing Luke’s direct narration with his record of Peter’s report to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem (11:15) of the same event, we know Peter had just begun to speak when this event occurred. Therefore, he had not yet told them what they “must do” (10:6) to be “saved” (11:14). That is, Peter had only introduced the subject by rehearsing what was by then common knowledge. It should be remembered that three years passed in chapter nine alone, between Saul’s conversion and return to Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18). If Saul was converted in A.D. 34 as many think, Peter came to the home of Cornelius in about A.D. 37-40. Besides, if Peter, at this point, had already told them that which they were to do, there was no need for him to be there at all, for they were already in possession of a knowledge of those facts (see 36-43). Having not yet heard what they “must do,” they could not have done it.

This is the third time the Holy Spirit “fell” on someone. The first was “at the beginning,” in Acts chapter 2, and the second was Samaria, in Acts chapter 8.

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"  (11:15-17)

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)

The “falling of the Holy Spirit” was neither an accident nor an act of aggression. Nor was it the salvation experience. One is saved when he obeys the commands of the gospel, having previously begun to believe the facts of the gospel. To be saved is to be in possession of the promises of the gospel—the forgiveness or remission of sins and the hope of eternal life in heaven upon completion of a life of faithful service on earth.

Each “falling” of the Holy Spirit was a miraculous event in which the Holy Spirit overwhelmed the individuals involved and imparted miraculous power. But each had a different purpose. The “falling” on the apostles was in order to prepare them to be ambassadors of Christ (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:6-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4, 42-43; 4:33; 5:32; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; 12:12). They were and are unique in the kingdom. (See 1 Cor. 12:27-30)

The “falling” of the Holy Spirit on those in Samaria was different. He did not fall on them directly from heaven but with the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:17-18; 19:1-6) to equip them to seek their own mutual and reciprocal edification in the absence of apostles and prophets. (See 1 Cor. 14; Rom. 1:11)

On this occasion, however, the “falling” of the Holy Spirit—with the resultant ability to speak in tongues—was for the purpose of convincing the Jewish saints (including Peter and the other apostles) that uncircumcised Gentiles had a right to hear and obey the gospel, for as yet no one had extended the invitation to any Gentile that had not already become a Jew by being proselyted, that is converted. (11:17-18)

⁴⁵And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

This “falling” was totally unexpected. Since Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit had not fallen directly from heaven. Since then only a few (Stephen, Phillip and the Samaritans) are said to have received miraculous power and in each case it was only after the apostles had laid hands on them. Thus, what happened here was unique since Pentecost. It was the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy with reference to the Gentiles. (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21) On Pentecost, He was “poured out” on Jews and, on this occasion, He was “poured out on the Gentiles.” There were three reasons for this astonishment— (1) there was no laying on of the apostle’s hands, (2) they had not been baptized in water and (3) they were Gentiles.

⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

This was the only evidence needed to convince the Jewish brethren who had come with Peter that the Gentile hearers had indeed received the Holy Spirit miraculously. Previous to this, they might have doubted the propriety of Gentiles being given the opportunity to hear and obey the gospel plan of salvation.

Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

Again, previous to this event, some might very well have forbidden water for the baptism of Gentiles who had not been circumcised, for such had not been baptized in the 7-10 years since Pentecost.

⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. 

Hearing no objection, Peter ordered them to submit to the one thing that stood between them and the forgiveness of sins. The fact that an angel had appeared to him, directing him to send for Peter was evidence that his heart was mostly right—he had believed the facts of the gospel. The fact that he sent for Peter indicated his repentance. Thus, Peter does not command belief or repentance. But, having been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, they was still the need for them to be engulfed, or baptized in water ‘for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

(To be continued)

“Sleep on Now”

By Morris Norman

These are the words of Jesus to His disciples in Gethsemane. He had them to watch with Him. The crucial hour of betrayal was near. He was going to His Father to seek help to face this vital trial. Eternal purposes were at stake. Until His prayer was finished, He needed their vigil. But they slept without awareness of this crucial hour. Each time He returned they slept. He reproved them but they slept on. When he had been strengthened and the crisis was over, He comes and says, "Sleep on now...the hour is at hand." He was ready to be offered and His need for their vigil was over. He could now face the agony of the cross.

Often times we sleep when there is a need for watchfulness and action. When the crisis is over it is too late to awaken; it is too late now to do what needed to be done earlier.

There are souls that are weak and in need of our encouragement and strength to remain faithful and to grow. While we sleep they may drift away. One day we wake up and realize they are gone. It is too late to salvage their souls. Satan has snatched the word from their hearts, the cares of the world have choked their faith. As far as those souls are concerned, "Sleep on now." But there are other souls to salvage. Awake, be watchful and pray.

Our children need mature, spiritual guidance. God gives them parents with that responsibility. So often, while the parents sleep, humanism and worldliness capture the minds of our youth. One day parents wake up to find that it is too late; they have lost their children to an alien force. They didn't intend for it to happen. Then it may be that it can be said, "Sleep on now." But there are other children to be saved. Awake and be watchful and pray.

While men sleep, the devil sows tares among the good seed. While men sleep, false doctrine is planted in the hearts of unsuspecting saints. We all need to be ever watchful and pray lest any of us be seduced by false teachers. Every digression from the truth has come while men sleep spiritually. False prophets come in sheep's clothing, by men we like and we trust. The only safeguard is alertness and devotion to the truth. When the damage of false doctrine has been done and souls are carried away into error, we might then say, "Sleep on now." But there will be other false teachers, other error that we need to be aware of. Awaken, watch and pray.

Almost every congregation that has divided could have been salvaged if faithful brethren had been alert to the signs. But while men sleep, divisive attitudes develop, personali­ties begin to control the situation, rather than mature spiritual concepts. When brethren let emotional situations develop personality problems, things soon get out of hand and division results. If there had been someone who was alert at the beginning, it might have been diverted. "Sleep on now." The damage is done, souls are lost, God's people are divided. Continual watchfulness is the only answer. & (Via The Somerset Sower, Volume 8, Number 8, Feb. 15, 1982)