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I. WHAT IT IS. "The Holy Ghost fell," i.e., "descended" —

1. As lightning, flashing conviction suddenly, startlingly, effectually.

2. As rain, gentle, refreshing, fertilising.

3. As cataracts and water floods, destroying and bearing away all obstacles.

4. As fire consuming stubble, purifying dross, and turning the true metal into its own nature. The Holy Spirit thus convinces of sin, prepares the heart for the Word, vanquishes unbelief and self-will, consumes sin and inspires enthusiasm.

II. WHAT IT ACCOMPANIES. The preaching of the Word. "While Peter yet spake."

1. The Spirit honours the instrument of His own making. "Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," and what they said He reinspires, and makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation. Sometimes He works directly, sometimes with other instruments — prosperity or adversity, sickness or restoration, the commonplace or extraordinary events of life, life or death, for "the wind bloweth where it listeth"; but usually it is by the Word.

2. Let men not dishonour this instrument.

(1) The tendency is to disparage preaching and exalt devotion, but without preaching there will be few converted worshippers, although there may be many who draw near with their lips whose hearts are far from God.

(2) If preaching is to be tolerated it must be short. But this usually comes from people who can sit out three hours at a concert or a play, whereas they tire with half an hour of the "words of eternal life."

3. The preacher's duty is to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men will hear or not. But let him so preach as to win the ear; then he may expect the same results as Peter had. "My Word shall not return unto Me void."

III. WITH WHAT IT IS FOLLOWED.

1. On the part of the beholders — astonishment.

(1) It was astonishing in itself. It ought not to have been in the case before us, for we have the record of three similar manifestations, of which these spectators must have heard from Peter, if they were not actual witnesses. Let us not blame them, for nothing would surprise an average church today more than a revival, although "we have heard with our ears and our fathers have told us," etc.

(2) It was astonishing in the subjects of it. Yet it ought not to have been, for it had been clearly predicted, as Peter announced at Pentecost. But we must not judge them harshly, for the Church today, with a wider knowledge, throws up its hands in wonder at the conversion of any one of more than ordinary depravity.

2. On the part of the subjects.

(1) Testimony. They spoke with tongues — miraculously endowed in this case. But when the Spirit comes, does He sanctify the heart and not the tongue? Our modern proprieties permit the use of every other instrument, but lay an embargo on the tongue. But the Scripture saith, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."(2) Praise. They magnified God the Author of this good and perfect gift. If conversion does not lead to rapturous thankfulness, it may well be suspected.

(3) Baptism — obedience to Christ's particular requirement, and involving all else in the way of duty.

3. On the part of Peter —

(1) Continuous instruction (ver. 48).

(2) Vigorous defence of his policy (Acts 11:1-18).

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

WEB: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.