Who receives dunamis? As we have studied, there are some conditions to receiving dunamis; one being the receiving of the Holy Spirit. We have to caution against formulas and magic words as neither are relevant. Therefore we will explore Peter’s words on Pentecost and his speech to the religious leaders. We will also explore exactly what he said to a bunch of Romans. We will notice that circumcision has nothing to do with the gift of the Holy Spirit and dunamis. We will also notice what is required of us if we wish to receive the Holy Spirit.
Peter explained the coming of the Holy Spirit to the people around them, and as it turns out three thousand people were added to the family of the Living God.
Acts 2:37-41 (KJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Peter tells the people to repent and be immersed. They weren’t near the water, but if they would do this, they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That particular day the disciples were in the temple courts when they received the Holy Spirit. Jesus received the Holy Spirit differently. Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended, alighting upon him.
Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
People saw and heard the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. The disciples had been immersed in water also at this time, a few years before Pentecost. On Pentecost people saw and heard the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples. What we want to pay attention to is that Peter was speaking to people who had not repented, nor believed on Jesus while he was alive. These people, as Peter points out, were agreeable to Pilate setting Barabbas free. Some of them may have been yelling “crucify him”, referring to Jesus.
This promise of the Holy Spirit is for as many as the Lord God shall call. It is clear that we do not know the number of people who will receive the Holy Spirit. Think about Cornelius, the Holy Spirit came as a gift upon his whole household, before repentance and immersion. What is/was the difference? We will see shortly.
After this, Peter and John healed a lame man which was a very big new story. Now the religious leaders ask how they healed this man.
Acts 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, …
The religious leaders want to know what power this was. It obviously was new to them. They thought that by crucifying Jesus the miracles would stop, but instead they were just beginning. They also ask who is the authority behind this miracle, who are they working for, and what is that one’s name? Luke makes it a point that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as opposed to Peter speaking out of his own knowledge or understanding.
It seems funny that the religious leaders were trying to punish Peter and John for a healing miracle. When Peter and John returned to the disciples they all prayed. Instead of hiding they wanted more boldness.
Acts 4:29-33 (KJV)
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Because they did not pray for protection or for help and deliverance for the persecution they were under, but instead prayed for more boldness, more healings, more signs and wonders, they received the Holy Spirit. This tells us that there were people there who had not received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. It would seem that the three thousand who were told to repent and be immersed may have been among this group. Or there could have been a whole new group of people receiving the Holy Spirit and dunamis. Now we see a distinction between the disciples and the apostles. The apostles now had mega-dunamis to witness Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
This is all happening around the temple, but the Holy Spirit was not contained to Jerusalem. As we saw last week, Peter and John went to Samaria. Peter is now living in Joppa, which is in northern Judah, along the coast and near the border of Samaria. Peter is going to go to Caesarea, 39 miles north along the coast to northern Samaria. To make this journey in one day they must have gone by horse, or horse and chariot, which would take three to four hours. In later years, this is the region where Philip lived with his daughters and Paul visited before going to Jerusalem, and then was imprisoned in Caesarea for two yers.
Cornelius was a centurion, a commander of one hundred men. He may have been stationed at the prison or at the port. He also may have heard about the other incidents in Samaria with Philip, Peter, and John. According to Greek historian Polybius, centurions were chosen by merit, deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind. They were not chosen for daring courage. Centurions were intelligent, not simply brute beasts. This is why we see centurions believing on Jesus while he was alive, at his crucifixion, and after his ascension. This is also why we see Cornelius and his household desiring to know about Jesus. Let’s note Cornelius’ character.
Acts 10:1 G435 [3man G1161 1And G5100 2a certain] G1510.7.3 was there G1722 in G* Caesarea, G3686 by name G* Cornelius, G1543 a centurion G1537 of G4686 the cohort G3588 G2564 being called, G* Italic;
2 G2152 pious G2532 and G5399 fearing G3588 G2316 God G4862 with G3956 all G3588 G3624 his house, G1473 G4160 both performing G5037 G1654 [2charity G4183 1much] G3588 to the G2992 people, G2532 and G1189 beseeching G3588 G2316 God G1275 always.
2152 LSJ Gloss:εὐσεβής righteous
Dodson:εὐσεβής pious, God-fearing pious, God-fearing, devout.
Thayer:
1) pious, dutiful
εὐσεβής
5399 LSJ Gloss:φοβέω to put to flight
Dodson:φοβέομαιI fear, am terrified I fear, dread, reverence, am afraid, terrified.
Thayer:
1) to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away)
1a) to put to flight, to flee
1b) to fear, be afraid
1b1) to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm
1b1a) of those startled by strange sights or occurrences
1b1b) of those struck with amazement
1b2) to fear, be afraid of one
1b3) to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm)
1c) to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience
For Synonyms see entry G5841
φοβέω
phobeō fob-eh'-o From G5401; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere KJV Usage: be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
1654 LSJ Gloss:ἐλεημοσύνη pity, mercy: a charity, alms
Dodson:ἐλεημοσύνη alms-giving, charity abstr: alms-giving, charity; concr: alms, charity.
Thayer:
1) mercy, pity
1a) esp. as exhibited in giving alms, charity
2) the benefaction itself, a donation to the poor, alms
ἐλεημοσύνη
eleēmosunē el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay From G1656; compassionateness, that is, (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction KJV Usage: alms (-deeds).
1189 Dodson:δέομαι I request, beg I want for myself; I want, need; I beg, request, beseech, pray.
Thayer:
1) to want, lack
2) to desire, long for
3) to ask, beg
3a) the thing asked for
3b) to pray, make supplications
For Synonyms see entry G5802
δέομαι
deomai deh'-om-ahee Middle voice of G1210; to beg (as binding oneself), that is, petition KJV Usage: beseech, pray (to), make request.
Cornelius and his household, which includes his family, his servants, and some of his soldiers, were righteous and devout. They feared God. This does not mean they cowered in a corner, but they were concerned in their thoughts and heart as to the Creator. They thought about the Creator, they wanted to please the Creator. They respected the Creator and wanted to be upright before Him. Cornelius and his people were also compassionate, doing good works. They also petitioned God. They asked and prayed. They longed for God.
If we make a comparison of Cornelius to the Jews, the Jews were unrighteous, they changed and altered the laws of Moses, and they rejected the Messiah. The religious leaders in particular did not fear God. They told God how they would serve Him, rather than submitting themselves to God. They believed God’s word was broken and no Messiah had come or was coming. The Jews were more concerned about making a show of their prayers and alms, receiving approval of men rather than being humble. They stole widows’ houses, and burdened the poor with tithes and offerings. They also subverted the laws regarding sacrifices and sold animals for sacrifice within the temple courts. The majority of Jews did not long for God, they built a religion that accommodated themselves. They endeavored to stop Jesus and resist the Holy Spirit. Isn’t this why Peter told people to repent and be immersed? Cornelius and his household were already repentant people.
Acts 10:33 G1824 Immediately G3767 then G3992 I sent G4314 to G1473 you; G1473 and you G5037 G2573 [2well G4160 1did] G3854 having come. G3568 Now G3767 then, G3956 all G1473 we G1799 before G3588 G2316 God G3918 are at hand G191 to hear G3956 all G3588 the things G4367 assigned G1473 to you G5259 by G3588 G2316 God.
Cornelius wants to hear all the things assigned by God. No chitchat, no news about the temple, no update on the other apostles. Cornelius believed Peter had something to say about salvation that was directly from the Living God.
Acts 10:34 G455 [3having opened G1161 1And G* 2Peter] G3588 G4750 his mouth, G1473 G2036 said, G1909 In G225 truth G2638 I am overtaken G3754 that G3756 [2is not G1510.2.3 G4381 3one who discriminates G3588 G2316 1God],
Now this seems odd as Peter and John were called to Samaria, and the Holy Spirit fell on people as they laid their hands on them. The mixed Jews received the Holy Spirit in Samaria just a few chapters ago. Now Peter is overtaken that God does not discriminate? Was this because Cornelius was a Roman and not a halfbreed or an Assyrian?
Acts 10:35 G235 but G1722 in G3956 every G1484 nation G3588 G5399 fearing G1473 him, G2532 and G2038 practicing G1343 righteousness, G1184 [2acceptable G1473 3to him G1510.2.3 1it is].
1343 LSJ Gloss:δικαιοσύνη righteousness, justice
Dodson:δικαιοσύνη justice, justness, righteousness
(usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness, righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness.
Thayer:
1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
1a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
δικαιοσύνη
dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification KJV Usage: righteousness.
Peter realizes something significant. The Holy Spirit is not just for Israel, but for every ethnos, every person who practices righteousness. Righteousness is equity of character, fair and impartial. It includes integrity, virtue, purity, and rightness in thinking, feeling, and acting. This is the character a centurion was to have as a leader and commander of one hundred men. Peter now understands the condition of a person receiving salvation is righteousness and fearing the Most High God. God does not discriminate by ethnicity. He does not discriminate by gender. He does not discriminate by geographical location. God discriminates based on righteousness and reverence of Him. If we ever question who receives the Holy Spirit and dunamis, it is simply and plainly those people who are righteous and who also fear God.
One who is righteous is equitable. The righteous person controls their mind, their will, their emotions, and their body. The righteous person strives for virtue and purity. The righteous person is not necessarily a religious leader. The righteous person is not of a certain genetic line. In fact if we see widespread corruption in a religious organization, there may be many unrighteous people in the group, but not all people will be unrighteous. Here we see, by job description, a centurion was to have these qualities for their job, so it is not surprising centurions connected with Jesus as Messiah and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:36 G3588 The G3056 word G3739 which G649 he sent G3588 to the G5207 sons G* of Israel, G2097 announcing good news, G1515 peace G1223 through G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3778 this one G1510.2.3 is G3956 Lord of all. G2962
37 G1473 You G1492 know G3588 the G1096 [2taking place G4487 1thing] G2596 in G3650 all G3588 G* Judea, G756 beginning G575 from G3588 G* Galilee, G3326 after G3588 the G908 immersion G3739 which G2784 John proclaimed. G*
Peter pinpoints the timing of the good news from the time of the immersions of John. Remember that Jesus and John were cousins, they were schooled in the Essene/Nazarene/Therapeutae/Zedek/Prophets school and knew each other well. Peter says this good news was sent to the sons of Israel through Jesus.
Acts 10:38 G* Jesus, G3588 the one G575 from G* Nazareth, G5613 how G5548 [2anointed G1473 3him G3588 G2316 1God G4151 5spirit G39 4in holy] G2532 and G1411 power; G3739 who G1330 went through G2109 benefiting G2532 and G2390 healing G3956 all G3588 the ones G2616 being overpowered G5259 by G3588 the G1228 devil; G3754 for G3588 G2316 God G1510.7.3 was G3326 with G1473 him.
2616 LSJ Gloss:καταδυναστεύω to exercise power over
Dodson:καταδυναστεύω I overpower, quell, treat harshly.
Thayer:
1) to exercise harsh control over one, to use one's power against one
2) to oppress one
καταδυναστεύω
katadunasteuō kat-ad-oo-nas-tyoo'-o From G2596 and a derivative of G1413; to exercise dominion against, that is, oppress KJV Usage: oppress.
1413 LSJ Gloss:δυνάστης a lord, master, ruler
Dodson:δυνάστης a ruler, potentate (lit: a man who rules by force), a ruler, potentate; also: courtier, member of the court.
Thayer:
1) a prince, a potentate
2) a courtier, high officer, royal minister of great authority
δυνάστης
dunastēs doo-nas'-tace From G1410; a ruler or officer KJV Usage: of great authority, mighty, potentate.
Katadunasteuō means downward (kata) and ruler (dunastēs) as in an oppressive master, or a tyrannical ruler. The devil exercises dominion and power over humans. Jesus, as well as the disciples, set people free. The Father appointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and dunamis. Then Jesus healed people that had been overpowered by the devil. The Father was with Jesus. Now the same applies to the children of the Living God. Jesus the Messiah set people free from an oppressive lord. Today, we do the same. We have the Holy Spirit and dunamis directed by the Father so we can heal people and set them free from the tyranny of the devil.
Acts 10:39 G2532 And G1473 we G1510.2.4 are G3144 witnesses G3956 of all G3739 which G4160 he did G1722 both in G5037 G3588 the G5561 region G3588 of the G* Jews, G2532 and G1722 in G* Jerusalem; G3739 whom G337 they did away with G2910 by hanging G1909 upon G3586 a tree.
Jesus did miracles throughout Israel and in Jerusalem, and for that the religious leaders had him killed. Peter is clear when saying this to Cornelius and his household, including some soldiers. The Holy Spirit wants people to know who killed Jesus. Although technically the Romans killed Jesus, the Romans did not have anything against Jesus. Pilate gave in to mob rule. We see a lot of mob rule in our present day, as if an angry mob should usurp laws and authorities of a nation. Mob rule crucified Jesus. The religious leaders hated Jesus and they stirred up the simple minded people to shout out “crucify him”. Emotional mobs are not righteous as they are not abiding by righteousness, which is equity, virtue, purity, and being in control of their own mind, will, emotions, and bodies. The leaders who stir up the simple minded mobs are unrighteous as well. Peter goes on explaining that Jesus rose from the dead.
Acts 10:40 G3778 This one G3588 G2316 God G1453 raised up G3588 in the G5154 third G2250 day, G2532 and G1325 appointed G1473 him G1717 [2apparent G1096 1to become];
1717 LSJ Gloss:ἐμφανής shewing in
Dodson:ἐμφανής manifest, visible manifest, visible, comprehended.
Thayer:
1) manifest
1a) fig. of God giving proofs of his saving grace and thus manifesting himself
ἐμφανής
emphanēs em-fan-ace' From a compound of G1722 and G5316; apparent in self KJV Usage: manifest, openly.
Jesus was raised up in the third day. Did Cornelius hear about this? Jesus became apparent or visibly manifested, but not to all people.
Acts 10:41 G3756 not G3956 to all G3588 the G2992 people, G235 but G3144 to witnesses, G3588 to the ones G4401 being inaugurated G5259 by G3588 G2316 God, G1473 to us G3748 who G4906 ate with G2532 and G4844 drank with G1473 him G3326 after G3588 G450 his rising up G1473 G1537 from G3498 the dead.
3144 LSJ Gloss:μάρτυς a witness
Dodson:μάρτυς a witness a witness; an eye- or ear-witness.
Thayer:
1) a witness
1a) in a legal sense
1b) an historical sense
1b1) one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest
1c) in an ethical sense
1c1) those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death
μάρτυς
martus mar'-toos Of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally [judicially] or figuratively [generally]); by analogy a “martyr” KJV Usage: martyr, record, witness.
Jesus in his resurrected body appeared to witnesses who were chosen by God, not all the people. The witnesses were then connected to the disciples and apostles who had eaten and drank with Jesus after his rising from the dead. There was a small group that Jesus ate and drank with and a larger group who Jesus appeared to.
Acts 10:42 G2532 And G3853 he exhorted G1473 us G2784 to proclaim G3588 to the G2992 people, G2532 and G1263 to testify G3754 that G1473 he G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3724 being confirmed G5259 by G3588 G2316 God G2923 as judge G2198 of the living G2532 and G3498 dead.
Jesus charged the witnesses to herald, like a public crier, and to give solemn evidence, that he, Jesus, is appointed as judge of the living and the dead. Imagine Jesus rising from the dead and appearing to a bunch of people who saw him die on a cross. He then tells them to prove to people that he is who he said he is, and that now he is in charge of judging the living and the dead. No one dies without going through Jesus. Jesus has the keys to death and hades. These are very big ideas for people to understand, especially those who are new to who Jesus is/was. Peter goes on.
Acts 10:43 G3778 To him G3956 all G3588 the G4396 prophets G3140 bear witness, G859 [2a release G266 3of sins G2983 1to receive] G1223 through G3588 G3686 his name G1473 G3956 for every one G3588 G4100 believing G1519 in G1473 him.
859 LSJ Gloss:ἄφεσις a letting go, dismissal
Dodson:ἄφεσις deliverance, pardon, complete forgiveness a sending away, a letting go, a release, pardon, complete forgiveness.
Thayer:
1) release from bondage or imprisonment
2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty
ἄφεσις
aphesis af'-es-is From G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon KJV Usage: deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
266 LSJ Gloss:ἁμαρτία a failure, fault, sin
Dodson:ἁμαρτία a sin prop: missing the mark; hence: (a) guilt, sin, (b) a fault, failure (in an ethical sense), sinful deed.
Thayer:
1) equivalent to
264 1a) to be without a share in
1b) to miss the mark
1c) to err, be mistaken
1d) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong
1e) to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin
2) that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act
3) collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many
ἁμαρτία
hamartia ham-ar-tee'-ah From G264; sin (properly abstract) KJV Usage: offence, sin (-ful).
All the prophets give evidence or testify of the dismissal of sins through his name, for everyone trusting and having confidence in him. Here are more big ideas. Freedom from sin. The Jews were a very sin conscious people in this time period. Today, many groups are sin conscious. Everyone wants to point at other people’s sins, forgetting their own. Everyone wants to measure themselves and compare themselves to others regarding sin. Everyone wants to decide for Jesus, the judge of the living, who is good enough. Everyone wants to decide for Jesus, the judge of the dead, who is in heaven or hell. The apostle John gives us a very detailed write up of sin and righteousness. But suffice to say, for the righteous, which is something one does after repentance, there is freedom from sin, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and dunamis available.
Acts 10:44 G2089 While G2980 [2 was speaking G3588 G* 1Peter] G3588 G4487 these things, G3778 G1968 [4fell G3588 1the G4151 3spirit G3588 G39 2holy] G1909 upon G3956 all G3588 the ones G191 hearing G3588 the G3056 word.
1968LSJ Gloss:ἐπιπίπτω to fall upon
Dodson:ἐπιπίπτω I fall upon, press upon I fall upon, press upon, light upon, come over.
Thayer:
1) to fall upon, to rush or press upon
1a) to lie upon one
1b) to fall into one's embrace
1c) to fall back upon
2) metaph.
2a) to fall upon one i.e. to seize, take possession of him
2a1) of the Holy Spirit, in his inspiration and impulse
2a2) of reproaches cast upon one
ἐπιπίπτω
epipiptō ep-ee-pip'-to From G1909 and G4098; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: fall into (on, upon), lie on, press upon.
The Holy Spirit embraced all the people that heard this logos. The Holy Spirit violently seized them. The Holy Spirit pressed upon them. Whichever way one looks at it, the Spirit of the Living God fell into their embrace, and they were filled with dunamis.
Acts 10:45 G2532 And G1839 [5were amazed G3588 1the G1537 3of G4061 4 the circumcision G4103 2believers], G3745 as many as G4905 came with G3588 G* Peter, G3754 that G2532 also G1909 [7upon G3588 8the G1484 9nations G3588 1the G1431 2present G3588 3of the G39 4holy G4151 5spirit G1632 6has been poured out].
The people who came with Peter, who were only distinct because of their circumcision (the physical act of their parents to set them apart) were astounded. Think about this. Those who had their foreskin cut, thought that they were special through the acts of their parents. They themselves probably did not make the decision to be circumcised. But via circumcision, heirs of Abraham became a called out people. It was supposed to be a sign of purity, a reminder of the covenant of redemption. Yet the circumcision did not cause men to behave righteously. It was simply a symbol of a family line that became a nation, and had promises made because of their righteous heirs. Circumcision did not change one’s behavior, especially since babies were circumcised at eight days old. It was supposed to remind men to behave righteously. Therefore men could be circumcised and evil, or circumcised and righteous.
Until this time the only people with the Holy Spirit on them were the prophets and Zedek priesthood. Then Jesus openly received the Holy Spirit. The disciples later received the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans received the Holy Spirt. Now some Romans received the Holy Spirit. The process leading up to this event was repentance so that one could behave righteously, and believe in Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Purity is not enforced by circumcision, it is an act of will. It makes no difference if one is genetically an heir of Abraham. Abraham now has spiritual children. And in many cases we see the spiritual seed of Abraham behaving better than the physical seed of Abraham. Here is the evidence that Cornelius, his family, his servants, and some of his soldiers received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:46 G191 For they heard G1063 G1473 them G2980 speaking G1100 languages, G2532 and G3170 magnifying G3588 G2316 God. G5119 Then G611 Peter responded, G3588 G*
1100 LSJ Gloss:γλῶσσα the tongue
Dodson:γλῶσσα the tongue, a language, nation the tongue, a language, a nation (usually distinguished by their speech).
Thayer:
1) the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech
2) a tongue
1a) the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations
γλῶσσα
glōssa gloce'-sah Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired) KJV Usage: tongue.
3170 LSJ Gloss:μεγαλύνω to make great
Dodson:μεγαλύνω I enlarge, magnify, extol (a) I enlarge, lengthen, (b) I increase, magnify, extol.
Thayer:
1) to make great, magnify
1a) metaph. to make conspicuous
2) to deem or declare great
2a) to esteem highly, to extol, laud, celebrate
3) to get glory and praise
μεγαλύνω
megalunō meg-al-oo'-no From G3173; to make (or declare) great, that is, increase or (figuratively) extol KJV Usage: enlarge, magnify, shew great.
The circumcised men heard the Roman people speaking languages that were unacquired, glōssa. To acquire a language is to learn or develop that skill. An unacquired language is a language one did not learn or develop. It is similar to what happened at the tower of Babel. Suddenly people spoke different languages instead of the one they originally spoke. In this case the people still spoke their original language, but now they spoke other languages as well, but not through their own knowledge. This is how they knew that the Holy Spirit had come upon them. This is what happened to these circumcised men on Pentecost. The Romans were now extolling the Living God in languages they did not learn.
Acts 10:47 G3385 Shall G3588 G5204 water G2967 [2to be restrained G1410 1be able] G5100 to anyone G3588 G3361 [2to not G907 3be immersed G3778 1of these], G3748 who G3588 [2the G4151 4spirit G3588 G39 3holy G2983 1received] G2531 as G2532 also G1473 we?
Now, after the Romans were speaking in unacquired languages, as evidence of the Holy Spirit and dunamis seizing them, Peter says ‘let’s immerse them, just like us’. The Samaritans were immersed first, then later received the Holy Spirit. The disciples were immersed years before receiving the Holy Spirit. In Jerusalem people were being told to repent and immerse. Then later in a prayer meeting the Holy Spirit fell on people. Now the Holy Spirit falls on these Romans because of their righteousness and fear of God, and then after they hear the Romans magnifying God in unacquired languages, Peter and friends decide to immerse them. There was no laying on of hands here, as in Samaria. All that happened was that the righteous people heard and believed Peter’s words.
Acts 10:48 G4367 And he assigned G5037 G1473 them G907 to be immersed G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 of the G2962 Lord. G5119 Then G2065 they asked G1473 him G1961 to remain G2250 some days. G5100
The Romans, the family and servants of Cornelius’ house, and some of his soldiers, were immersed in the name of Jesus. Then Cornelius asked the circumcised to stay for a few days. I’m sure there were lots of questions on both sides, the circumcision people wondering how this happened, the Romans wanting to know more about the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peter’s speech to the Romans is something we should study. It is the basis of our good news. Jesus went around healing people oppressed by the devil, yet he was crucified for it. But Jesus rose on the third day and hung around with the same disciples and a bunch of witnesses. Jesus charged people to tell others and show evidence that he is now the judge of the living and the dead.
After Peter left Cornelius’ house, word got to Jerusalem that Peter had eaten with uncircumcised people. Peter explained what had happened and how they spoke in unacquired languages just as they had on Pentecost.
Acts 11:15-18 (KJV)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Think about how sin conscious these people were to accuse Peter of doing something wrong and demanding an answer. Peter expresses it nicely when he states, “what was I that I could withstand God?” Up to this time, the now born again Jews were thinking that this dunamis was all about them. Now they recognized that it was not all about them. As we know, the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit and dunamis. Now the Romans received the Holy Spirit and dunamis. There is no longer exclusivity of race, or religion, or gender. All people can receive the Holy Spirit and dunamis. Repent so as to become righteous, fear God, and ask him for the Holy Spirit.
