Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 19, 2022: SOAP #4703: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Acts (NIV) 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

OBSERVATION:  It was a vision of unclean animals that Peter was commanded to “kill and eat;” of course, Peter, a Jew in good standing, refused.  They were unclean.  But God had made them clean.   Those three visions prepared Peter’s heart and mind to accept the invitation to go to an “unclean” Gentile’s house. 

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, in the same way as upon the Jews on the day of Pentecost, was proof to the Jews present that these Gentiles had been accepted by God.  When the testimony was shared back in Jerusalem, it prepared the hearts and minds of the whole church leadership to agree.  If God had accepted the Gentiles and given them the gift of the Holy Spirit in the same way as he had done for the Jews, who were they to reject the Gentiles as believers!  

APPLICATION: I have had the privilege and joy to share fellowship and ministry with other Holy Spirit-filled believers.  We did not agree on every doctrine, but we shared the life of the Spirit and enjoyed the sweet fellowship in the presence of Jesus.  One fellow bus driver and I share our common faith almost every day. 

I believe the Holy Spirit is still at work making me acceptable to other believers, and other believers acceptable to me. 

The gift of the Holy Spirit is not something I remember from my past, but something that keeps me full of God’s presence every day.  Oh, I can tell you when, but I would rather tell you about now.  I have many testimonies of what God has done in my life, but I would rather talk about what the Holy Spirit is doing today!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, continue to do in me what you did on the day of Pentecost and at Cornelius’ house in Acts 10. Keep me full of your love and power.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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