Jean Ann Williams | Author

“‘As I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them [the man and his household in Cesarea] just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 11:15, 16 ESV). Father, more good […]

“‘And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me [Peter] from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand […]

“‘But I [Peter] said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’  But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven’” (Acts 11:8-10 ESV).  Father, Peter is having a difficult […]

“But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ‘ I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and […]

“Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles [this is anyone other than Jewish] also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them’” (Acts 11:1-3 ESV).  Father, help us to spread the […]

“For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days” (Acts 10:46-48 ESV). […]

“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). Amen and amen, Father. A new era […]

“‘And he [Jesus] commanded us [disciples] to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name’” (Acts 10:42, 43 ESV). Lord, thank […]

“‘And we are witnesses of all that he [Jesus] did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us [disciples] who had been chosen […]

“‘You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him’” (Acts 10:37, 38 ESV).  Father, please help us […]