"They were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." - Acts 2:1-4 NASB
Impetuous Peter--always a man of action, quick to make promises. But he faced reality after he denied Jesus three times. Instead of being bold, he ran away in fear.
Knowing he had denied his Master, Peter must have felt like a real failure. But Jesus knew Peter had fallen short because he depended on his flesh. He needed the Holy Spirit!
After His Resurrection, Jesus commanded Peter and the other disciples to wait in Jerusalem "for what the Father had promised"--to "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (vs. 4-5). Questions must have flooded Peter's mind. Why did they have to wait? We can imagine how much he wanted to take action and do something. But, obeying Jesus, he and the others waited.
When the Day of Pentecost came, they still were waiting. They were in one place, united, seeking God together. Then, without warning, everything changed as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, the waiting must have made sense, for they were baptized into a new dimension of power. They had acted according to God's timetable, and now they were equipped and ready for ministry.
Everything turned around for Peter and the early Church. Why? Because they waited on God. They were prepared for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and He changed everything.
Today, God still changes lives through His Spirit. Make sure that you surrender your life to Him. Seek Him. Wait on Him. Listen to His voice. Seek unity with other Believers. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, and follow His leading. Prepare to be used by God!
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I seek to move according to Your will. I need You. I wait on You. Fill me with Your power. Use me to spread the Gospel and impact lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 2
1 comment:
Great set of scriptures, Sarah! I love reading about the first church in the book of Acts. All the powerful outpouring of the Spirit of God to his people... or those that where willing and waiting for the promise as stated in Joel 2:28-29;
28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
I am a firm believer that it is still changing or turning around lives today. And is there for who are willing to recieve the gift of God... His Spirit. For this promise is for all and everyone.
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
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