Part 4 Tongues and Cornelius the Gentile

There was a devout man, pious and godly, that was a gentile. He was a God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generous donations to the needs of the Jewish people. He faithfully prayed to God. (Acts 10:2) Anyone that knew Cornelius must have thought he had a special place in heaven.

Yet, Cornelius was not saved.

Because Jesus loves us all so much, Jesus went to great lengths to bring a man of God, a preacher of the gospel, with the message of salvation to Cornelius. One day, while Cornelius was fasting and praying to God, he had a heavenly vision. God told him to send to Joppa for a man named Peter. (Acts 10:3-23)

Cornelius gathered all his family and close friends together at his house, in anticipation of Peter’s arrival. When Peter arrived, Cornelius told him, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

As Peter preached the gospel, the Holy Ghost fell on all those which heard the word. (Acts 10:44)

How did Peter know that these gentiles had received the Holy Ghost?

Because Peter and those brethren that had come with him heard Cornelius and all his household speaking in tongues!

Peter later testified to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, telling them Cornelius and his household received the Holy Ghost just as they had received the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.

"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." - Acts 11:15

When Cornelius and his household received the Holy Ghost, Peter COMMANDED them that they be baptized in Jesus name. They had received the promised gift (the Holy Ghost), but they had not entered into the covenant! They needed to enter the covenant by being water baptized in Jesus name!

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:47

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:48