This chapter begins with some Jewish men from Judea to Antioch, teaching the Gentile people. This teaching did not sit very well with Paul, or Barnabas. Paul began to travel and give a full report of what happened when the Gentiles turned to the Lord. In giving a full report, Paul undoubtedly included an account of the persecution as well as the miracles. We can be sure also that he told of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the confirmation of the faith of the Gentile believers. Later we find in verse 8 that Peter gets up and reminds them of what took place earlier with Cornelius’s household in Acts 10. “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith”.
Be thankful that it doesn’t matter what our background is, whether we are rich or poor, a pastor or a theologian. God knows our hearts and if we have asked Jesus to come into our hearts, He has accepted us and the Holy Spirit is for us too. He doesn’t discriminate! The Bible says that He will pour out His spirit on ALL flesh! (Acts 2:17) Although we may not have the same background, God desires for all of us to experience all that He has for us. Share his grace today and let others that don’t know him realize, that they too can come as they are and experience him.