On the Day
of Pentecost Peter preached, and 3,000 were added to their number!
A small
group of believers were gathered as the Holy Spirit came in a powerful way with accompanying
winds and sounds from heaven. A
divinely-energized Peter boldly warns those (who several weeks earlier had
taken part in the crucifixion of Jesus,) that the day of judgement is near,
while setting out the hope of salvation through Jesus the Christ.
Many had
come from countries bordering Jerusalem.
They heard the mighty works of God proclaimed in their own native
tongue. The sincere wanted to know the
meaning of what they heard, while others mocked, attributing what they heard to
excessive drinking. Promptly Peter addressed
the mocking accusation that those speaking in tongues were drunk. He replied,
“It is too early in the morning for that!” Acts 2:14.
Boldly Peter proclaims that
Jesus is the risen Messiah, that He is Lord!
He cites the prophet Joel as historical reference to the out-pouring of
the Holy Spirit. “And in the last days
it will be, God says, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved.” Joel 2:28-32
The new body of Christian believers,
“the church” had a definable and replicable model.
They devoted themselves to the Apostles
teaching, to intimate fellowship of love for each other, (self-giving,
sacrificial love.) An authentic family
was born of the believers of the congregation through faith, breaking of
bread and steadfast prayer. They were
unified in love and belief of one God, one Lord, one Holy Spirit, one church,
one faith, one baptism and one hope.
They were a church on fire emblazoned by
the Holy Spirit, "and the
Lord added to their numbers daily, those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
No comments:
Post a Comment