3 May. Peter explains the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
“Peter stood up with the eleven apostles, and in a loud voice he spoke to the crowd: ‘My fellow Jews, and all of you who are in Jerusalem, listen to me. Pay attention to what I have to say. These people are not drunk, as you think; it is only nine o’clock in the morning!’”
“'But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today: "God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. At that time I will pour out my Spirit also on my male slaves and my female slaves… Then anyone who calls on the LORD will be saved." [Joel 2:28-32]'”
“'People of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special man. God clearly showed this to you by the miracles, wonders and signs he did through Jesus. You all know this because it happened right here among you. Jesus was given to you, and with the help of those who don’t know the [Jewish] law, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross.'”
“'But this was God’s plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen. God raised Jesus from the dead, and set him free from the pain of death, because death could not hold him…'”
“'Jesus was lifted up to heaven, and is now at God’s right side. The Father has given the Holy Spirit to Jesus as he promised. So Jesus has poured out that Spirit, and this is what you now see and hear…'”
“'So all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus – the man you nailed to the cross – both Lord and Christ [the Messiah].'”
“When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What shall we do?'”
“Peter said to them, ‘Change your hearts and lives and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, for your children and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself.'”
“Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptised. About 3,000 people were added to the number of believers that day. They spent their time learning the apostles’ teaching, sharing, breaking bread and praying together.”
(Acts 2:14-42)
On the Day of Pentecost, at 9 o’clock in the morning, Peter explained to the Jewish crowds how God had promised to pour out his Holy Spirit on all who believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins (see Joel 2:28-29).
About three thousand Jews – including both Aramaic and Greek-speaking Jews – accepted the message and became followers of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost.
But the Day of Pentecost was not JUST a historical event that occurred 2000 years ago. What happened then is just as relevant today as it was then. Jesus's followers need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit TODAY in order to spread the kingdom of God in our tragic world.
Peter summed it up like this: "Change your hearts and lives and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you WILL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you for your children and for all who are far away (i.e. US!). It is for EVERYONE the Lord our God calls to himself.'”
The indwelling power of God's Holy Spirit is available TODAY for ALL of Jesus's followers? Do you ask Jesus to fill you to overflowing EVERY day with his Holy Spirit?
Don't delay - do it TODAY! Now!
The photo shows the Saxon preaching cross in the churchyard at St Swithin's Church, Barston, Soilihull, UK.
You can discover more about the momentous events on the Day of Pentecost @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/the-believers-are-filled…/