The Way - Day 026 (Acts 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 2:1-39
The book of Acts is the second writing of Luke and describes in detail the events following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus had recently been put to death but then victoriously rose from the dead proving He was truly God. But before returning to heaven, Jesus spent a little over a month (1:3) teaching and instructing His followers about their responsibility once He departed. He commanded them to spread the message of forgiveness and salvation through His sacrificial death on the cross and to also be witnesses of His miraculous resurrection to all people (1:8). Their passion to share salvation with the world would be empowered through the Holy Spirit who had been promised by Jesus; however, they were told to wait for His coming before they began spreading this message (1:4-8). Their waiting led them to the upper room in Jerusalem where they chose Matthias to replace the betrayer, Judas (1:12-26).

Luke then writes, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there cam a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting" (2:1-2). This supernatural occurrence continues and Luke describes what happens next: "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [known languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance" (1:3-4). The event Jesus had told them to wait for had finally come and now the Holy Spirit filled each follower of Christ. This sign was evidenced by the apostles speaking in languages in which they had no formal training. Their words were not gibberish, but true languages. This fact is confirmed when those who were nearby heard the apostles speaking in languages other than their native tongue (2:5-5-6). People from every language declared, "Are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born...we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God" (2:7-11). The miracle of speaking in tongues was that the apostles were speaking of the work of God through Jesus Christ, but each person was hearing in their own language. God enabled them through the Holy Spirit to do this so that the message of Jesus was accessible to all without language being a barrier.

The people who witnessed this phenomenon were confused and even thought the apostles were drunk (2:12-13), but Peter stood up with the other apostles and proclaimed, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day" (2:14-15). Peter goes on to describe that the coming of the Holy Spirit was prophesied in part by the prophet Joel (see Joel 2:28-32) but most importantly that "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (2:21). When they are saved, they will receive the Holy Spirit. As Peter is preaching to the people, He goes on to describe Jesus Christ as the One sent by God whom "you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it" (2:23-24).

Peter continues pointing to the Old Testament prophets and refers to David "knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades [place of the dead], nor did His flesh see corruption" (2:30-31). For hundreds of years, men of God had been prophesying that these things would take place and now their words have finally been fulfilled. Jesus was the Messiah and God miraculously raised Him from the dead. In a bold conclusion to these people who had witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as well the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter said "let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (2:36). "When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said...'what shall we do?'" Peter responded, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (2:38).

Peter reveals the key to having a relationship with God - repentance. Repentance is a change of mind about sin and God. Our sin separates us from God and is only forgiven through death (Romans 3:23). So, God sent Jesus Christ to take our sin upon Himself and stand in judgment for the things we had done (2 Corinthians 5:21). His sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God upon our sin and enabled Him to grant forgiveness to those who repent and believe (Romans 10:9-13). The message of the church is still the same as it was 2,000 years ago. Repent of sin and believe that Jesus alone died to grant us forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16).

Acts 2:40-47
So far the book of Acts has proved to be eventful. Already the reader has experienced Jesus' final instructions before He ascended into heaven (1:1-11), the choosing of another disciple to replace Judas (1:12-26), the Holy Spirit coming to dwell inside believers (2:1-13), and finally Peter preaching Jesus to those who had gathered (2:14-39). Although this was a sad time for Jesus' followers because they missed His fellowship, they found new strength in the very presence of the Holy Spirit who now dwelt inside them. Instead of wasting their time mourning Jesus' departure, they immediately began the work to which Jesus had called them (1:8). As Peter finished his first sermon (2:14-39), those who were listening responded to his message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Luke writes, "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them" (2:41). The reaction of the crowd to Peter's message was incredible, but let us consider that he was enabled by the power the Holy Spirit. As Jesus had reminded them before His death on the cross, "without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

At this point the church is born and three thousand people begin to provide a picture of what that early church looked like. Luke paints a picture for us:
- Scripture was their foundation for faith and practice (2:42a)
- the Lord's Supper or Communion was celebrated (2:42b)
- they prayed together (2:42c)
- great miracles were performed by the apostles (2:43)
- money and possessions were used to meet the needs of others (2:44-45)
- they were joyful (2:46)
- they were unified through Jesus Christ (2:47a)
The result of the church's passion for God and each other allowed Him to add people to the church (2:47b). As the church focuses on the mission which God has given (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), His presence accomplishes much and the lives of people are changed. Again, we must recall the words of Jesus before He was put to death on the cross, "he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:12-13). Jesus told His followers that they could accomplish greater things than even He did here on earth. Jesus was not referring to the miracles which He performed, but rather the power to spread the gospel to all people through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As a result of their willingness to be used by God, many who were far from God would be brought near through the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

The church's goal is not to build bigger buildings and bigger crowds to be recognized by the world around them; however, the goal of the church should be to build worshippers of God who are seen by the world around them. When Jesus preached His sermon on the mountain (Matthew 5-7), He spoke these words which should apply to the church: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Peter also adds, "having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles [unbelievers], that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation [judgment]" (1 Peter 2:12). David wrote something similar in the Old Testament in Psalm 40:3: "He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." The church should take special note of what made this early church great.

Dear God, fulfill Your plans in the life of the church and may we be submissive to Your mission and not our own. Let us learn from the early church that we might also see Your works done in this generation.