in one place. And suddenly there
came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven
tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost."--Acts 2:1-4.

We will presently consider the testimony of the apostle Peter with
reference to this experience at Pentecost, but will first notice the
experience of

Cornelius And His Household

This brother was a devout man; he feared God with all his house; he
prayed to God always and gave much alms, which were accepted of God and
were had in remembrance in his sight; he had a good report. God heard
his prayers, accepted him, and answered his prayers; and he and his
household were all anxious to hear the preaching of Peter, testifying,
"Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things
that are commanded thee of God."--Acts 10:33.

This was not a company of sinners. Peter did not preach repentance to
them. Although they were Gentiles and did not have the privileges that
many others had and were not acquainted with the apostles, they were
acquainted with God. Peter expressed his surprise at this, saying, "Of a
truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every
nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with
him." Acts 10:34, 35. Here Peter testifies both to the righteousness and
to the acceptance with God of this household.

From Peter's statement in Acts 11:14, in his testimony to the church
concerning this event, a doubt might arise as to this company being
saved in the full New Testament justification. He refers to the words of
the angel in his message to Cornelius, instructing him to send for
Peter, "Who shall teach thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall
be saved." But this statement in itself cannot be interpreted to mean
that this company were not already justified. We have a parallel
statement of Peter in his testimony to the church upon another occasion,
when he again refers to the grace of God to the Gentile world, saying
(Acts 15:10, 11), "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon
the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
shall be saved, even as they." The term "saved" in both these instances
signifies more than justification; for truly Peter and the di