NEW TESTAMENT
ACTS CHAPTER 2
Scripture
Today I will summarize Acts chapter 2 where Luke wrote about what happened on this specific day of Pentecost and what Peter said to the people immediately after that important event.
All the disciples were together in one place and suddenly there was a noise from Heaven that sounded like a violent rushing wind. Everyone outside the house where this happened heard the sound and came running to see what was happening.
Tongues of fire appeared about each one of the disciples. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They began talking in different languages. Ones they did not know before and everyone who gathered around was shocked. The people were shocked because they were all hearing the great and mighty deeds of God in their language, many different languages.
The people were from many different parts of the world like Libya and Asia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Each person heard their language being spoken. Most people were amazed at what was happening but a few people were laughing and said that the disciples were drunk.
Then Peter stood up and began preaching. Peter began that if a person gets drunk, he or she doesn’t magically start speaking in different languages that people can understand anyway it’s early in the morning. Who gets drunk in the morning?
Now what you see here is a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Prophet Joel wrote about when he said in the last days God will pour out his spirit on all mankind. They shall prophesy. Blood, fire, and smoke will be signs on the earth, the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon will be turned into blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord and whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Peter continued, listen to me the man Jesus who did many miracles in front of you all was crucified by wicked men. This was part of God the Father’s plan. He raised Jesus from the dead just as David said, in the Psalms,” You will not allow your Holy one to undergo decay.”
David died and was buried but he was not speaking about himself. He was speaking about Jesus. Now Jesus is exalted and sitting in heaven at the Father’s right hand. He is Lord and the Christ that was to come. After hearing this many people who heard Peter believed and said,” What shall we do?”
Peter told them that they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for forgiveness of sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, 3000 souls were added to the number of Christians that day.
OBSERVATION
The thing I think the Lord wants us to understand after reading this chapter is that when the people heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostle’s men and brethren,” What shall we do? “Then Peter told them to repent and all to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and we shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and began speaking in other languages that they did not know but other people understood what they were saying clearly. People were amazed at this and listened to Peter’s sermon telling them that they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and that they would receive the Holy Spirit as well. God wants us to know that even with these undeniable miracles happening in front of them there were still wicked people who mocked and criticized the disciples and they did not believe.
Are you like those people who saw miracles and asked what they needed to do to be saved? Why don’t you do what Peter said a thousand years ago? Why don’t you repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Repent for your sin and turn to the Lord for salvation today. Jesus humbled himself and died on the cross for you and me and the Father raised Jesus from the dead. God said that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that the Father raised Jesus from the dead you would be saved. Why don’t you do that right now?
PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
God grant me the gift of wisdom
That I may not despise the perishable things of this world and aspire after the eternal things.
The spirit of understanding
To enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth.
The spirit of counsel
That I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven.
The Spirit of Fortitude
That I may bear my cross with you and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation.
The Spirit of knowledge
That I may know God and know myself.
The Spirit of Piety
That I may find the service of God sweet and amiable.
The Spirit of Fear of God
That I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way, to displease Him. Amen
Come Holy Spirit, Come and renew the face of the earth!
