Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 10:44

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word." — Acts 10:44 (ASV)

As Peter was “speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” Most likely “these words” refer back to “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Luke suggests that it was this phrase that struck like a thunderbolt into the consciousness of the assembled Gentiles, releasing their pent-up emotions and emboldening them to think that they could believe and so receive the blessings promised to Israel. With their reception of that inclusive message, the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentile congregation gathered there, just as he had come upon the disciples at Pentecost.