The Day Peter Caught Fire

As Christians, many of us are very fond of Acts 2. I mean, how can you not? This is the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit comes down and fills the disciples, just as Jesus promised.

There’s a huge crowd already in Jerusalem when a mighty rushing wind comes over the place where the disciples are staying and something like tongues of fire flicker over their heads as they all start praising God in different languages. The crowd has no idea what’s going on, so they start asking, “How can this be?” (Verses 1-12.)

At that moment, Peter, along with the other eleven disciples, steps out and starts laying down some pretty heavy theology. He goes all the way back to the Book of Joel, reminding the crowd how God had promised one day to pour out His Spirit on all people and assuring them that, in fulfillment of prophecy right here and right now, that is happening before your very eyes. (Verses 14 -21)

While the crowd is standing there with what must have been mouths hanging open, Peter goes on to show them that Jesus was endorsed by God Himself through the signs and miracles He did and that Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies given by King David. If any doubt at all could possibly exist after that, Peter reminds them that God raised Jesus from the dead and they are all witnesses to this fact! There’s not even a shred of debate about that! (Verses 22-35)

And, then, (and I can see my bro Peter standing there with his finger in the air, layin’ down some some heavyweight theological power as he shouts,)

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” (Verse 36.)

Lord and Messiah! There’s no dancing around here on Peter’s part. Jesus is and was Lord and Messiah! That’s not up for debate, we’re not going to form into small groups and diagram the sentence. No. JESUS is both LORD and MESSIAH! 

The next verse says they were cut to the heart by this. All they could do was say, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Verse 37)

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”  (Verse 38 and 39 NLT)

And there it is. Peter started way back in Joel. (Probably written about 800 years before Jesus ever walked the earth.) And, with this verse, he brings us all the way out to every believer everywhere at any time who will ever answer the call of the Lord our God. Past, present, and future were standing in one spot at one time.

Peter’s words very clearly tell us that the arrival of the Holy Spirit in believers at Pentecost was the fulfillment of a prophecy and a plan that includes everyone who would ever believe –including you and me. 

From that moment on, the world was forever changed by our Lord and Messiah, King Jesus.

And He is not done yet.

Today’s Praise

Acts 2:42

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. (NLT)