—Acts
10:34-48—Peter’s Vision in which all kinds of food which would include both
clean and unclean animals (according to Leviticus 11) is depicted in the
woodcut above.
The Word of the Lord has now come to both
Jewish and Gentile believers. Gentiles had received the same gift as the Jewish
believers. This was unavoidable evidence that the invitation to the kingdom was
open to Gentiles as well as to Jews. The
early Jewish Christians failed to understand that the Gospel was for Gentiles
as well as for the Jews, and that they would share alike in the benefits of
redemption.
The mention of Gentiles “speaking in tongues” is a fulfillment of Acts 1:8. The prophecy was
given that the Holy Spirit would come and the disciples would be witnesses in
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and into the Gentile world. When the Holy Spirit was
poured out on Pentecost, the disciples spoke in other languages (Acts 2:5-12).
Acts 8:14-18 reports of an incident occurring
in Samaria. The Holy Spirit had come upon people in some noticeable way. There is no mention of tongues but Peter and
John are summoned. What had happened in Samaria was to be verified by those who
had given testimony in Jerusalem. Christianity continued to expand to new
geographic regions and include more people.
The third and final time tongues is mentioned
in the book of Acts occurred in the city of Ephesus. Paul found some disciples
who followed the teachings of John the Baptist. They didn't know about the Holy
Spirit, so Paul informed them more fully, and taught them that John told people
to believe in Jesus (Acts 19:1-4). "On
hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul
placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in
tongues and prophesied" (verses 5-6).
Now that the Spirit was poured out in a
remote place like Ephesus there is no further mention of believers who would
speak in tongues in the book of Acts. The prophecy of Acts 1 has been
fulfilled.
Collect for the Mission of the
Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to
witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your
Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who
hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[1]
05 May 2021
[1] Collect for the mission of the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Peter’s Vision’ copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
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