THE POWER OF THE BLOOD AND THE SPIRIT

Acts 10:44- 46 – While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles.

What was Peter preaching that day at Cornelius’s house? He was preaching what he always preached; the power of the blood of the cross, the resurrection, and Christ seated at the right hand of God. The shedding of the blood was critical and intimately connected to the outpouring of the Spirit. When Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem the Holy Spirit was poured out to such a degree that the priests could not physically stay on their feet, they all fell to the ground under the power of the Spirit. If you read the passage in 2 Chronicles about the dedication something amazing stands out, Solomon offered 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep in that one day. Why the excessive and very expensive sacrifice? It was a picture of the priceless blood of Christ. This was the message of the apostles, Christ shed His blood for our sin so that we could receive the gift of God, the Holy Spirit. Here is how Matthew Henry describes this passage in Acts.

“When the Holy Spirit fell on them — while Peter was preaching. This is how God witnessed what he said and accompanied it with divine power. The Holy Spirit fell on others after they were baptized, to confirm them, but he fell on these Gentiles before they were baptized, to show that God is not restricted to one method and does not confine himself to external signs. How it was seen that the Holy Spirit had fallen on them: They spoke with tongues. When they spoke in tongues, they magnified God; they spoke about Christ and the benefits of redemption, which Peter had been preaching. Whatever gift we are endowed with, we should honor God with it, especially the gift of speaking and all its uses.”

Peter had been preaching about the redeeming blood of Christ when the Holy Spirit fell on everyone gathered at Cornelius’s house. It is the shedding of the blood of Jesus that opens heaven up for all of us today. Look to Jesus on the cross, thank Him that He took your sin and shame at Calvary. Before you know it you too will be filled with Pentecostal power.