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by Sandy Shaw
We are studying the opening verses of Acts Chapter 2, where Dr Luke tells us how The Church of Jesus Christ was launched and birthed. Some were baffled, amazed and perplexed. Only God would have used such a radical method - and in such a setting - the Temple in Jerusalem.
Peter rises to his feet to explain what Jesus Christ had done, baptising these 120 disciples in the Holy Spirit, where the consequence was that all spoke in tongues as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Each overflowed in Praise and Prayer. Now, are we clear on this?
In Peter's explanation, verses 14 to 36, we have a message packed with the central truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is good when a man can explain what God is doing, and how God is moving.
What happened to these disciples of Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of prophecy. There is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in these consequences - speaking forth words, which are given by God. Peter refers to cosmic happenings, and people calling upon the Name of the Lord Jesus and being saved from their sins.
There comes that moment when a man or woman has to call upon the Name of the Lord, and on the Day of Pentecost it began within an hour or so of Peter speaking these words. Remember, this is why Jesus came into the world - to save people from their sins.
At times, it may not always appear very dignified, but better to lose your dignity and be sure of your salvation. This is a day of mercy and opportunity - a day when we have the opportunity to receive the mercy of God. Peter speaks about JESUS. He speaks about the arrest, the crucifixion and the resurrection. Having spoken from the written word, in the prophets, Peter now points the people to the Living Word - Jesus Christ, who was approved or accredited by God. God approved of everything He did. Blind eyes were opened. The lame walked, lepers were cleansed, and were people were set from demons.
In verse 23, speaking to the men of Israel, Peter uses very strong language, indicating that leading up to the crucifixion, you enlisted the help of wicked people to help you with your dirty work. Men would not allow Jesus to live. God would not allow Jesus to remain dead. Peter sees in this the fulfilment of Psalms 16. David knew the Messiah would not remain dead, and "we are eyewitnesses of the fact".
Witnesses must always keep to the facts. Jesus is risen from the dead. We saw Him ascend. He returned to His Father and He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit. He has poured out the Holy Spirit as He said He would and that is what you now see and hear.
This crowd that had gathered around the 120 disciples of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem at nine o'clock in the morning saw something and heard something. People need to see as well as hear. Peter wants the whole of Israel to KNOW with certainty that "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ".
Many did not know what to make of all this. They had observed strange new unusual happenings that day. The crowd was amazed, bewildered, confused, perplexed, displaying a range of emotions, but Peter is reassuring them that Jesus is in control.
Peter has experienced what was prophesied in the Scriptures. Those listening realised they had crucified - killed - the Messiah! They sensed deep conviction of sin, and many wanted to get right with God. "What shall we do?" Each is told what to do to have this serious situation rectified. Repent and be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit.
In the book of ACTS this is the pivotal point. Everyone who comes to see who Jesus is and who comes to believe in Jesus, must go through these specific stages, with no exceptions, and receive forgiveness for the past, and power for the future. This is how people were born again in the New Testament. Having come to believe in Jesus, they repented towards God, were baptised in water, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter spoke many other words, and we do not have them all, but we have all the words which God wanted us to have.
Make sure you have these four essential elements in your spiritual foundation - Repent, Believe in Jesus, Be Baptised in water, and Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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