Yes, the Jews were astonished because it had never happened before.
The believing Jews who came with Peter to Cornelius's house were astonished because this was the first time they had seen Gentiles saved, and it was completely unprecedented. The Holy Spirit fell upon these Gentiles even before they were baptized, proving that God was doing something new and He was accepting Gentiles directly.
Acts 10:45 — This verse directly states that the Jewish believers were astonished when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles.
In Acts chapter 10, the apostle Peter is called to the house of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. While Peter is preaching, the Holy Spirit falls on all the Gentiles listening. The Bible records in Acts 10:45, "And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." This astonishment is significant because, up to that point, the gospel had been preached primarily to Jews, and this was the first clear instance of Gentiles receiving salvation and the Holy Spirit directly, without first becoming Jewish proselytes.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the astonishment of the Jewish believers was because this had never happened before. In ten years since Pentecost, they had never seen a Gentile come to a knowledge of salvation. Even though some Gentiles had been proselytes, they had religion, not true salvation. The miraculous giving of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues, was God's way of proving to these seven Jewish witnesses that He was doing something entirely new. Les also points out that the Jews were jealous of their special relationship with God and could not reconcile that Gentiles could be fellow heirs without becoming Jews. God sovereignly used this event to open Peter's eyes, which later allowed Paul's ministry to the Gentiles to be accepted.
Les explains that when the Gentiles began speaking in other languages, it served as a sign to the believing Jews who accompanied Peter. This miraculous manifestation was not for the sake of the Gentiles themselves, but to prove to the seven Jewish witnesses that these Gentiles were truly receiving the Holy Spirit and were being saved by God, without the requirement of Jewish customs.
Les underscores that without Peter's experience at Cornelius's house, Paul's ministry to the Gentiles would have been rejected. The Jewish believers at Jerusalem were upset that Peter was preaching to Gentiles, but because God had shown Peter this truth, the door was opened for Paul. Paul himself later reveals that God had a mystery hidden for ages: that Gentiles would be fellow heirs with the Jews, part of the same body.
Paul speaks of a mystery that is now revealed: that Gentiles, along with Jews, can be saved simply by believing in the finished work of the cross. This is a salvation that is without works, without religion, and without ritual. It is a free gift that makes believers joint heirs with Christ. This was beyond human comprehension and was hidden from past ages.
Peter's Surprise at the Holy Spirit Falling on Gentiles
Les describes Peter's flabbergasted reaction when the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius's household before they could be baptized, showing this was not the expected order.
Ten Years After Pentecost, Astonished
Les points to Acts 10:45 and explains that even ten years after Pentecost, the believing Jews were astonished to see Gentiles saved, because it had never happened before.
Astonishment at the Holy Spirit Poured Out
Les emphasizes that the astonishment was because Gentiles received the Holy Spirit, a unique event signifying a new work of God.
Speaking in Tongues as a Sign to the Jews
Les explains that God gave the Gentiles the gift of tongues as proof to the seven Jewish witnesses that He was doing something new with the Gentiles.
The Mystery of Gentile Inclusion
Les reveals the glorious mystery that Gentiles can be saved and become joint heirs with Christ, a truth hidden for ages.
Israel's Fall Opened the Door for Gentiles
Les explains that because of Israel's rejection of the Messiah, God turned to the Gentiles with a free gospel of grace, which was beyond human comprehension.
Peter's Eye-Opening Experience
Les highlights that God sovereignly used Peter's experience to open the door for the gospel to go to the Gentiles, which was essential for Paul's ministry.
Gentiles as Fellow Heirs – The Hidden Mystery
Les explains that the mystery revealed through Paul is that Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise, a truth hidden from the beginning of the world.
Acts 10:45: And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This verse directly records the astonishment of the Jewish believers.
Acts 11:18: When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
This verse shows the response of the Jewish church in Jerusalem, acknowledging that God had granted salvation to the Gentiles.
Ephesians 3:6: That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
This verse reveals the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in the body of Christ.
According to Les, there were proselytes, but they probably did not have true salvation. They had religion, but not salvation, as seen with the Ethiopian eunuch.
Les explains that the speaking in tongues was a sign for the Jewish witnesses. It proved to them that the Gentiles had truly received the Holy Spirit, confirming God's new work.
Watch the Teaching: Why Gentiles Don't Need the Law of Moses — Acts Chapter 15 Explained