Tongues - Part 4

 

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.

One day, while Cornelius was fasting and praying to God, he had a heavenly vision. Although by appearance Cornelius was saved, he had not been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of his sins, nor had he received the Holy Ghost.

Because Jesus loves us all so much, He went to great lengths to bring a man of God, a preacher of the gospel, with the message of salvation to Cornelius. (Acts 10:3-23)

When Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, all his family and close friends had come together. Cornelius told Peter, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” 

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

How did Peter know that they received the Holy Ghost?

Because he heard them speak with tongues and praise the Lord.

Here is another example of where people that received the Holy Ghost spoke in tongues as the sign that God had filled them with His Spirit. Peter testified to those in Jerusalem, telling them Cornelius and his household received the Holy Ghost just as they 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 that they be baptized in Jesus name. They received the gift, but had not entered into the covenant of Jesus’ baptism! 

"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