Suddenly something unanticipated and wonderful occurred while Peter was sharing the gospel with the Roman Centurion and Gentile named Cornelius and the people gathered in his home.
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. Acts 10:44 (NLT)
When we share the gospel with people, most of our listeners probably will not erupt in spontaneous tongues as did Cornelius, but we should expect to see some evidence of the Holy Spirit’s operation.
The preaching of the gospel relies upon the hidden work of God’s Spirit inside our listeners if we are to see results.
Jesus spoke about this.
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! Matthew 11:25-26 (NLT)
Paul taught us that God uses the “foolishness of preaching” (1 Corinthians 1:21-24) to bring people to Christ. Preaching works because there is power in the words of the gospel and because of the hidden operation of God’s Spirit in those who hear. If we do our part, we can depend on God to do his by drawing people to Christ and opening their hearts to the message.
Jesus said:
For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:44-45 (NLT)
