God’s Gift for All People
When Peter preached the Good News about Jesus to Cornelius’ household, “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” Even after all that Peter heard and experienced, he was still amazed that God would give the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. Ethnocentrism, the idea that a particular ethnic group is better or more deserving than others, is hard to overcome. Sadly, this would not be the last time Peter struggled with ethnocentrism. Through it all, God would continue to condemn ethnic prejudice and pride, by showing the church that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for people of every nation, tribe, and language. (Scripture: Acts 10:44-48)