You know some things are important in Scripture when they receive a lot of coverage. For example, very few things are covered in all the Gospels, the most important one is the death and resurrection of Jesus.

His birth is only contained in Matthew and Luke. Another incident in His life that is in all four Gospels is the feeding of the 5000.

So, when we come to the story of a centurion called Cornelius, we find that is told both in Acts 10 and repeated in Acts chapter 11.

ROMAN CENTURION CORNELIUS

Cornelius was a Roman centurion who was a devout man, one who feared God with all his household. He prayed to God, as well as giving alms generously to people. One day he had a vision and an Angelic visitation where he was told to send to Joppa for a man called Simon Peter.

Peter, on the housetop, had become very hungry. Falling into a trance, he saw heaven open, and an object like a sheet descend to him. In it were all kinds of four footed animals. Wild beasts, creeping things, and birds. A voice came to him saying, “Rise Peter. Kill and eat.”

Peter replied, “Not so Lord, for I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

Then a voice spoke to him again, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was all repeated three times. While Peter was wondering what this was all about and what this vision meant, the men from Caesarea arrived. At the same time, Peter was told by the Spirit, “Behold, three are seeking you. Arise, go down and go with them doubting nothing for I have sent them.”

So the following day, Peter and some brethren from Joppa went with them. Peter came to Caesarea and entered the house of Cornelius who at first sought to worship him. But Peter put an end to that saying, “Stand up I myself am also a man.” He also pointed out that it was unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with a person from another nation but God has shown him not to call any man common or unclean.

Cornelius then shared the story of the angelic visitation. Peter took the opportunity to proclaim Christ to them. He declared how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He preached Christ to them, however, he never got to finish the sermon. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were all astonished because the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. How did they know that? “For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” There followed a baptismal service. In chapter 11, Peter repeats what happened to the brethren in Jerusalem, finishing off by saying, “And as I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell upon them as upon us at the beginning” (i.e., on Pentecost).

A few things to note: 

  • Firstly, up until this time, the Gospel had not been declared to the Gentiles. This incident with Peter marks a major new chapter for the young Christian church. It prepared the way for Paul and Barnabas, and their missionary journeys out of Antioch.
  • Secondly, there is a link between what was now happening at Caesarea and what happened at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Peter saw it all reporting, “And as I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell upon them as upon us at the beginning” (i.e. the Day of Pentecost).
  • Thirdly, it was a sovereign act of God. The Holy Spirit fell on them and there was no ministry by the likes of Peter.
  • Lastly, it was clear that a sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was in fact that they, as the Jewish Christians, heard them speak in tongues.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AT EPHESUS

We move on to Acts 19, with Paul at Ephesus where he found some 12 disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Now obviously he considered them to be Christians for he does not ask “Are you saved” but rather he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed.” Obviously, they were believers.

After some comments about John the Baptist, Paul baptized these disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus. And then Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. What we can learn from all this? We should note that this happened 20 years after the Day of Pentecost. Many years later people were still receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was not just at the beginning but continued to happen across the years. Paul ministered to them to receive the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues.

SUMMARY

We have looked at the 5 occasions where people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.

  • Acts 2 – The Day of Pentecost: God did it sovereignly. The evidence – speaking in tongues
  • Acts 8 – The Samaritan Pentecost: God used Peter and John to minister to believers. Although speaking in tongues is not mentioned, it is probable that it happened.
  • Acts 9 – Paul at Damascus: In this case, God used Ananias to minister to Paul. Once again, it doesn’t mention speaking in tongues. Although we know Paul spoke in tongues, so it is possible, even probable, that it happened when Ananias prayed for him.
  • Acts 10 & 11 – The Roman Gentile Centurion: On this occasion, God acted sovereignly and baptized them in HolySpirit as Peter was preaching. Speaking in tongues is specifically recorded and likened to what happened on the Day of Pentecost.
  • Acts 19 – Disciples at Ephesus: Here we see Paul laying hands on these disciples for them to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They in turn spoke in tongues.

So there you have it. One can, therefore, argue that Baptism of the Holy Spirit, together with the sign of speaking in tongues, was the normal New Testament experience for Christians.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

It seems to me that the desire for the Holy Spirit to be at work in peoples lives is less than it used to be. So my prayer is that people will realize three things.

That it is what happened in the days of the New Testament church, so it can happen today.

  • That God can do it one of two ways: either sovereignly or by the laying on of hands. Both are valid.
  • That speaking in tongues is the most normal sign or evidence that a person has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
  • Remember, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is there for all believers because we all need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we might live victoriously. 

Let’s finish off with a story about receiving the Holy Spirit.

On one occasion, while ministering, I was asked to pray for a young man who was deaf and dumb. This was some what challenging to say the least. I remembered that Pentecostal pioneer David Du Plessis had a similar experience, so I agreed to pray for the young man.

God turned up and he received the Holy Spirit and yes, he spoke in tongues, because it was the Lord who did it.

Just remember that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers because we all need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we might live victoriously.