Holy Spirit - Convincing Proof

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy. Acts 2: 18

Here is an occasion which made and still makes believers stand in awe at the works of the Holy Spirit. We are shown Peter and some believers who have accompanied him, standing in the house of Gentile Cornelius. As Peter and his friends enter they are greeted with a large gathering of non-Jews. It is so glaring that Peter’s first words to them speak of this unlawful meeting. You are well aware that it is against the law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. Acts 10: 28.

We are told that Peter, a disciple who is filled with the Holy Spirit, is talking with them about Jesus of Nazareth, all that He did, how He died and rose again from the dead. He is informing this gathering of Gentiles that any person who believes in Jesus Christ, will receive forgiveness of sins, through Jesus’ Name. At this point, just like that, without warning or announcement, without any kind of indication, the Holy Spirit just came upon all the Gentiles gathered there, just as they were. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10: 44 – 46. Weren’t all these Spirit-filled Gentiles, publicizing, telling forth and publishing the Name of God through their lips and lives? Every word they spoke about God, was true in their new and changed lives.

You have been given Holy Spirit dispensation – right, authority and power – to prophesy in the Name of Jesus. You have the fullness and privilege of dispensation.

Two dictionary meanings of the word dispensation, have been brought before us. To receive a dispensation is to be given exemption from a rule or usual requirement. We know and have heard of military people being given special dispensations for various humanitarian and other similar reasons. Many of you may have had dispensations in your field of employment where you were given permission to be excused from some mandatory duty.

My mind goes to some words of Jesus to those Pharisees who were accusing Him of allowing His disciples to blatantly and publicly disobey the Jewish ceremonial law of washing their hands before eating. Jesus made reference to how they used Corban, to give exemption from obligation to father and mother. Is this not giving them dispensation from certain obligations? Does God give dispensation in such a regard?

This leads us directly into the second dictionary meaning, which will be discussed tomorrow.