In our chapter reading, we witness the Holy Spirit speaking, leading, and guiding Peter. He begins to tell of the vision that the Holy Spirit gave him and how He spoke to him. Peter then tells how three men, Cornelius’s messengers, came to invite him to Caesarea, and how he went with them without hesitation due to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Acts 11:12-13 says, The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, “send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all of your household will be saved.” Here we find the Holy Spirit working even before Peter’s arrival. In verse 15, Peter begins to tell how he began to speak and the Holy Spirit descended on Cornelius’s household.
It’s important to note that salvation did not enter Cornelius’s house until Peter came there with the gospel. Often times when the Holy Spirit speaks, we may question if this is the Holy Spirit speaking. The more He speaks, the more familiar you become with his voice. Sometimes, He may speak to you and it doesn’t make sense. It’s important for us to be obedient to what the Spirit is saying because although we may not know what’s going on, He does! You see here in this passage that the Holy Spirit was working on both ends. If Peter hadn’t been obedient, he would’ve missed the opportunity to be used by God in this situation. Not only was Cornelius’s “household” affected by this, but all who were under his authority – slaves, attendants, and other dependents. Look back at Acts 9, you’ll find a similar occurrence with Ananias and Saul with Saul’s conversion.
Do you want to be led by the Holy Spirit? Ask Him today to lead and guide you and to open your eyes and ears so that you too, may hear Him and be used by Him.