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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Acts 2:38-39
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every 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. The Promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”
That is that.
Peter had changed, dramatically. The one, who in the shadows, denied being with or knowing Jesus; the one who decided to go fishing, back to his old life after Jesus died, this same Peter was now standing up in front of thousands of people that morning, in broad daylight, and preaching with such vehemence it convicted the people. He said, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom YOU crucified, both Lord and Christ” (2:36).
Wow! He has suddenly come out of the shadows with a vengeance. So too had all the disciples. In John we read that they were gathered together in one place – behind closed doors – “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).
What had happened? There were 12 apostles there at Pentecost. But not Judas. He had committed suicide but as Luke tells us in Acts 1, they had appointed Matthias in his place. The people thought the disciples were drunk with wine (because they were talking in all sorts of different languages), but as Peter pointed out, it was only 9 o’clock in the morning (see v 15).
“No, (says Peter – this is that…) this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people’” (Acts 2:16-17). In the Old Testament we had evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. He was there at creation (Genesis 1). We saw various individuals filled with the Spirit, e.g., Bezalel for work (Exodus 31); Gideon for leadership (Judges 6); Samson for strength (Judges 14-15). But the heart of God was that it should be for all – just as Joel had prophesied (see Joel 2:28).
Ezekiel 47 tells us that it would be like a river – coming straight from the Throne of God, the Temple (at Jerusalem), and would flow so wide and deep that all would and could be embraced by it. Jesus continued this theme in John, as we saw yesterday. So the power of the Spirit – would flow like a river from God Himself. Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink” (John 7:37) - I am God and I will give you of My Spirit. Jesus said, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
Pentecost was the outworking of the beginning of the fulfilment of the ‘Promise of the Father’. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus. He is an equal person of the Trinity.
What happened at Pentecost? The Holy Spirit came, not as a dove on Jesus, but as a strong wind and with tongues of fire. He totally and dramatically changed all those He baptised. They were never the same again. The disciples were longing and waiting. They were obediently waiting in Jerusalem and they were thirsty for the Spirit. He came – gave them new languages, new authority, new boldness, and new power.
Luke records that about 3,000 people were added to the church on that one day. “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43).
Listen. “The Promise is for you and your children and for all those who are far off” (2:39). Today – the Promise is for you and your children. Peter was saying – “Look, in the past it was for individuals, for specific purposes. Now it is for all of us and our children. For Jews and Gentiles alike.”
The Holy Spirit is saying to you today – The Promise is for you and your children.
Whoever you are, the Promise is for you.
If you have never been baptised in the Spirit – you can be today. If you are really thirsty, ask God to baptise you now with His Holy Spirit and claim the promise.
If you have been – why not ask for a new filling so that you can be refreshed, experience more of His joy, and be empowered to be an even more vibrant witness of the Lord Jesus Christ?
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