5 Smooth Stones

was taught. Peter seemed to be more concerned with the Jewish customs which made it unlawful for him to enter into a gentile’s home. (Act 10:28). But because of the direction of the Holy Spirit and the undeniable coordination of events by the Lord, Peter broke new ground by taking the gospel to the gentiles for the fi rst time. The gentiles received the Holy Spirit, and, for the fi rst time since the fi rst out-pouring on Pentecost with tongues of fi re, the holy spirit was received without the laying on of hands. Acts 10:34-36 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all” Acts 10:44-46 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God..” Because of the revolutionary nature of this occurrence apostles and leaders in Jerusalem were gathered to consider the events and the e ff ects, as well as how it appeared to contradict their understanding of the Tora. They concluded that the events and results were the activity and the will of the Lord and summed up their fi ndings. Acts 11:17 “If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glori fi ed God, saying, then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." This is also an example of how the Lord has called apostles to set things in order in the Church (1 Corinthians 11:34; Titus 1:5). This often includes discovery of the things which are out of order so correction may be interjected. There is a di ff erence between the anointing of the ministry and the gift itself. The anointing which is present with a true apostle will often reveal things that are out of order without any apparent e ff ort by the apostle. However, it requires the ministry of the apostle to put things back in order. The anointing goes with the person. At times, just the presence of an apostle can be like tossing a rock in a pond. There will be ripples, or even waves, that go out simply from the presence of the anointing. However, as Jesus said, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a pro phet shall receive a prophet's reward” (Ma tt hew 10:41), and so it is with other 96