Acts 2:38 For Everybody
“...and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39
When Jesus promised his Holy Spirit, it wasn’t just for the apostles or the 120 in the upper room; it was for everyone. Jesus gave Peter the keys to the church when Peter received the revelation of the mighty God in Christ -the rock upon which God’s church would be built (Matthew 16:13-19). He was given the keys to heaven. On the day of Pentecost, (Acts 2) after being filled with the Holy Ghost, Peter boldly preached what the prophet Joel prophesied. We are in those last days, and God has been pouring out his Spirit upon all flesh. Peter told us how we can enter the kingdom of heaven in Acts 2:38. 
We are those that are afar off. God is still calling souls to be saved. He is seeking us out to save us (Luke 19:10).
The promise of the Spirit
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The day of Pentecost
Acts 2:4
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Salvation was first for the Jews, then we see the Samaritans join the church in Acts chapter 8, and then the gentiles in Acts 10.
Cornelius was a Gentile that served God. As much as he feared God, and prayed, he still needed to obey Acts 2:38. He was a Gentile who loved the God of Israel. He had a relationship with God but he wasn’t saved.
While he was fasting and praying the angel of God visited him. God called him by name! He knew exactly who he was. He instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter and he obeyed. Why Peter? Remember, Jesus had given Peter the keys to heaven. He knew what Cornelius must do to be saved. Most importantly, it was God’s Will to change Peter. Cornelius needed a preacher to preach the gospel to him. Cornelius was not yet born again of the water and Spirit (John 3:5), but God heard his prayer.
God also spoke to Peter. You would think being Holy Ghost filled he would obey instantly. Not so. Peter limited God to his Jewish Traditions. He was committed to keeping his kosher commitments. Perhaps his hunger caused him to focus solely on food. It was a known thing that Jews didn’t really associate with Gentiles. The Gentiles were considered unclean. However, God changed Peter’s mindset. God, alone, determines who is unacceptable to him. Peter didn’t know God could use people like us. He went against Jewish traditions and obeyed God’s word. Cornelius and his household waited to hear all that God commanded Peter.
Peter realized the gospel was truly for everyone. It wasn’t just for Israel like he originally thought. THIS IS THE ONE! You read that correctly. Peter said, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. “ Acts 10:34-35
GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS! Read that again.
“While Peter yet spake those words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word.” Acts 10:44
Peter heard these Gentiles -that Roman officer and his household- speak with tongues. He then commanded them to be baptized in Jesus name.
We are still teaching and preaching the Apostles doctrine. God is still calling us Gentiles today to obey the message of Acts 2:38. Jesus commissioned the apostles to teach the gospel to A L L N A T I O N S (Matthew 18:19-20).
ACTS 2:38 is for E V E R Y B O D Y!
God’s word is settled in heaven, it won’t change on the earth (Psalm 119:89). It is FOREVER settled!
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