The Jews were astonished because God was doing something totally new—saving Gentiles—which had never happened before.
These were six believing Jews who came with Peter, and they had never seen Gentiles come to a knowledge of salvation. God proved this new work by giving the Gentiles the gift of tongues, speaking in known languages, causing astonishment.
Acts 10:45 — This verse directly states that the circumcision believers were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles.
In Acts 10, Peter goes to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word, and the believers of the circumcision—Jews who came with Peter—were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles. They knew this because they heard the Gentiles speaking with tongues and magnifying God. This was a clear, visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence.
Les Feldick emphasizes that these Jews were not unbelieving; they were believers who had recognized Jesus as the Christ. Yet, even ten years after Pentecost, they were astonished that Gentiles could be saved. This astonishment arose because it had never happened before. God proved His new work by making the Gentiles speak in known languages, not an unknown tongue, as a sign to these Jews that salvation was now being extended to the Gentiles.
The Jews heard the Gentiles speaking with tongues and magnifying God. These were known languages, not unknown utterances, proving that God was at work. This visible evidence left no doubt in the minds of the seven Jews that God was doing something new.
In Acts 2, under Peter's preaching to Jews, they had to repent and be baptized before receiving the Holy Spirit. But in Acts 10, the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit while Peter was still speaking, before water baptism. This reversal was another sign that God was doing something entirely different with Gentiles.
Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10
Oh, my. Where am I going to start? Verse 25? No, verse 24. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church. Now, you remember a few weeks ago I delineated the different terms for church, and Paul almost always uses that term, the body, which is his church, or vice versa, the church, which i…
Six Jews Astonished
Les explains that the six Jews who came with Peter were astonished to see Gentiles believing the salvation message, and God proved this new work by giving them the gift of speaking other languages.
Why the Church Age Is Hidden in the Old Testament
They think that somehow or other, Gentiles have been saved now, if not at John the Baptist, at least at Pentecost. No, they weren't. It's all Jewish. And for a Gentile to be saved, it was an astonishment. I've got one minute. Let me show you. Come back to Acts, quickly, quickly. That would be chapter 11 now. In chapter 10, he goes to the house of Cornelius, and it's in verse 45.
Proof Through Tongues
Les shows that the Jews knew the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit because they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God, proving that God was doing something they had not thought possible.
Holy Spirit Before Baptism
Les notes that the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles before they were baptized, showing these seven Jews that God was doing something totally new—saving Gentiles.
Astonishment Ten Years After Pentecost
Les highlights that even ten years after Pentecost, believing Jews were astonished because they had never seen Gentiles come to a knowledge of salvation, except perhaps proselytes who had religion but not salvation.
Known Languages, Not Unknown Tongues
Les clarifies that the manifestation was in known languages, not unknown utterances, as the Jews heard the Gentiles magnifying God in understandable speech.
Contrast with Acts 2 Order
Les contrasts the order in Acts 2, where Jews had to repent and be baptized before receiving the Spirit, with Acts 10, where the Spirit fell on Gentiles while Peter was still speaking.
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 is the key verse showing the Jews' astonishment at the Holy Spirit being poured out on Gentiles.
Acts 10:46: For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
This explains how the Jews recognized the Holy Spirit's presence—through the Gentiles speaking in tongues.
They were astonished because they had never seen Gentiles come to a knowledge of salvation. Even ten years after Pentecost, it was something completely new, and God proved it by giving the Gentiles the gift of speaking in other languages.
They heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. These were known languages, not unknown utterances, which provided clear evidence of the Holy Spirit's work.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10