The Holy Ghost and the Grace of God

Acts 15:6-11

In consideration of Paul’s rebuke to Peter for his double standard concerning Gentile fellowship, one might think him an unlikely candidate to defend the liberties of the Gentile believers. Yet, when the question of circumcision was raised to the Jerusalem council, it was Peter who stood up to remind the elders of the first Gentile conversion experience.

In recounting the events of Cornelius’ household conversion (Acts 10 and 11), Peter notes that they would hear the word of God by his mouth and believe. In acknowledging their faith, God gave them the Holy Ghost the same way he gave it to the apostles. The common experience of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost bound the Jewish and Gentile believers together. And Peter wraps up his argument by saying that we (Jews) believe that we will be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, even as they (Gentiles).

All people, Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our example of such salvation is the Gentile believers who received the same experience as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost, which is stated in this passage as God’s gift of His Spirit. When we receive grace, we receive the gift of God’s spirit, which is the power of God unto salvation. If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, look to receive his grace in the outpouring of His Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39).