“To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.”
— Author Unknown
Read About It
“As I began to speak [to Cornelius, along with his family and friends],” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'”
Acts 11:15-16 NLT
Look It Up
1 Peter 3:15 and Matthew 3:11
Think About It
Jesus promised his disciples that the power of the Holy Spirit would help them become witnesses to people all over the world (Acts 1:8). Luke emphasized that Jesus kept this promise, and made clear his acceptance of new groups of people, through the coming of the Holy Spirit. At this God-designed intersection of grace and God-seeking Gentiles, once again Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit, this time on Cornelius, his relatives, and friends – all of whom were Gentiles. The Good News message included Jewish people from all over the world on Pentecost (Acts 2:5-12). Now, by showing his favor through sending the
Holy Spirit, Jesus was leading his disciples to include non-Jews.
One of the great functions of the Holy Spirit is to open new pathways
for Jesus’ disciples to reach people never reached.
But, are we praying and expecting the Spirit to do that today?
Pray About It
Lord Jesus, I ask that you pour out the Holy Spirit with power and guide us to the groups of people whose hearts are yearning to know the hope that is in Jesus. I pledge to you, O Lord, that I am waiting in expectation to do what I can to reach them with your love and grace. But, Lord, I believe that we need your help to awaken us to our opportunities and your promise to use us as witnesses. Amen.
Ken Crawford 