The words pop from the page. And almost immediately I’m struck with a thought of how little I am able to really enter into the jaw-dropping amazement of what happened in that house on that day. But as I pause over those words, and chew on those words, I start to get an inkling of the awe Peter and his cohort of Christ-followers experienced as they came to more fully realize what it really meant that “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34).

Peter’s been called to the house of a centurion of the Italian Cohort (Acts 10:1, 5, 17-21). Maybe Peter was relieved that he was not being called before the Jewish Council again (Acts 5), but he was also a little disoriented — missing lunch, falling into a trance, and participating in a heavenly vision can do that to a guy (Acts 10:9-16). And though Italians weren’t normally the folks he’d hang with (like never and not at all), God had shown him that he “should not call any person common or unclean” (Acts 10:29). And so, Peter goes to the Italian’s house. And so, the Italian and his family gather. And so, the gospel is preached (Acts 10:34-43).

And then . . .

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

(Acts 10:44-45 ESV)

Even on the Gentiles . . . those are the words that popped.

The Holy Spirit fell just as He had descended with tongues of fire back in Acts 2. Just as He had with that company of Jews (a somewhat “expected unexpected”), so came the Spirit of God upon this family of Gentiles (a definitely unimagined unexpected).

And those who were witness to this mini-Pentecost were amazed. They were besides themselves. Astounded. Their minds blown. Almost unable to believe what their eyes and ears were taking in. Because the Holy Spirit — the guarantee and seal of God’s steadfast love and eternal favor (Eph. 1:13) — was poured out. Even on the Gentiles.

Even on a people thought to be outside the promises (though they never were, as God’s covenant with Abraham had always promised “and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3b)). Even on the least of these and those thought to be the last of these. Even on those who didn’t look like them, talk like them, or by default think like them. Even on those without any background nor any standing within their circles. Even on those with no hope and those finding hope in the wrong things.

Oh, to perceive — and believe, like really believe! — that God shows NO PARTIALITY. That He is no “respecter of persons” (KJV). That God plays no favorites (MSG).

That when Jesus says, “God so loved the world” (Jn. 3:16), that God really does love THE WORLD. That when Jesus pleads, “Come to me all who are heavy and labor” (Matt. 11:28), that Jesus really means ALL who are burdened.

Oh, that the people of God might exhibit the broad heart of God towards not only their church but even to their community. Not only to their tribe but even to those who would test their tribe. Not only to their race or to their countrymen, but even to the rest and to those created in the image of God. That we would show no partiality to people, but that we would believe in the fullness of the gospel as the only power of God for saving EVERYONE who believes (Rom. 1:16).

The Holy Spirit was poured out . . . even on the Gentiles.

Fall afresh, O God! Fall afresh.

By Your grace. For Your glory.