Acts 2:39
Verse 39 “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Now that the people in the street were becoming alive in the revival of the Holy Spirit it was time for them to understand the bigger picture of what the Lord was wanting them to do. The buzz must have been deafening as they became more alive and we finally seeing Jesus for who He is. Can you imagine the discussions about remembering when He did this or that? Things they had seen over the time span of the Lord’s ministry on earth were now starting to come together in their minds and revealing a glorious picture of Who He really was.
They were starting to see the larger scope of things and to make sure they did see it, Peter continued his speech. This promise was for more than just those in the street that day overhearing the Holy Spirit come as the promised Helper. The message was for ages and all nations and now they were to be part of the plan in the coming days, months, and even years to spread the word about who Jesus really was.
The truth Peter was trying to help them understand may have been hard for them to grasp. It was not the way of the Jews to try to convert people to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If someone came into their midst and wanted to become a part of them they could go through the rituals and be allowed to join the nation of Israel. When the people of God had been exiled they lost some of their identity, being in other cultures caused them to struggle at maintaining their own. Of course this was because of their sin and not maintaining their godly culture in the first place. By the time Jesus came along some Jews had taken their culture too seriously causing them to murder Jesus because He didn’t fit into their thinking of what the Messiah would be.
As the Holy Spirit worked on building the Church He had to help them understand it would not be about bloodline and circumcision anymore, God’s people were going to be marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. These people were already experiencing what that could be like as they had witnessed the disciples speaking in their own languages. The disciples had experienced many miracles and unexplainable things during their time with Jesus, but they were seeing it differently now because it was the Spirit in them doing the mighty works. Things were starting to shift a bit.
Making It Personal
How open are you to sharing the gospel with people who are not like you? Are you willing to share the gospel with those who are like you? Who do you know who could use the truth about Jesus?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever talked to someone who wasn’t like you about Jesus? Why is it important to tell everyone about Jesus? Do you know someone who needs to know Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of not being willing to share You with those who are not like us. Give us hearts for all the lost and the words to tell them about You and Your mighty deeds. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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