Acts 2:38-39, “38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
One of the most beautiful things about the “gift of the Holy Spirit” according to Peter in today’s passage, is that it is a promise for “all whom the Lord our God will call.” In other words, the gift of the Holy Spirit is a promise that God gave without an expiration date to the church.
For as long as God calls people to salvation, He promises to give them the same gift of the Holy Spirit that He gave the first disciples.
Whenever a person is born again by the Spirit they can also be assured that God desires to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. God’s promises do not change, what He said He will do, He will do. Now until Judgment Day, all who receive the gift of salvation are promised to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Peter makes it perfectly clear how everyone can be saved and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in verse 38, “repent and be baptized.” The only real prerequisite is salvation, which comes through faith and repentance. Then after being saved, one is baptized as an outward sign of the inner transformation. There are examples such as Peter’s encounter at Cornelius’ house where we learn that people were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues before being baptized (Acts 11:45-48); however, the consistent pattern is first salvation, baptism in water and then the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-17 & 19:5-6).
Baptism in water was something the early church would do in the same day of people’s salvation at the nearest body of water (Acts 8:36). And repentance is turning from unbelief and sin with a faith-filled confession that declares, “Jesus is Lord!” Once again, God will not withhold the gift of the Holy Spirit until you are water baptized, but you should desire to be baptized in water directly after being saved.
According to Peter the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in new languages, was for all of them, their children and for everyone Jesus would call to salvation. Therefore, if you have been called by Jesus and are currently saved, the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you. Don’t delay or refuse your free gift from the Father, receive by faith God’s great gift today; the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Reflection
Action
- Ask God to give you the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Speak in other tongues as the Spirit enables you.
- As you preach the gospel, like Peter, let everyone know they too can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lester Sumrall wrote, “I believe that anything that has been given to us was given to us from God to share.”
