“You men of Israel,” Peter’s voice
booms out. “This is what is happening. These people you
hear speaking in your own tongue are NOT drunk. They are
filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The scoffers become quiet. The smirk suddenly disappears
from their faces. Silence reigns.
“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.”
Acts 2:38
Peter’s Sermon: Acts 2:14-47, Joel 2:28-32
Peter begins his sermon, speaking first to the locals, to
the men of Israel.
“Listen, oh you men of Israel. Remember the words of Jesus
of Nazareth. You witnessed His miracles. You saw the wonders
and signs that God did through Him. You all know what is
spoken in the Scriptures. Remember what Joel said? He told of
this outpouring of Christ’s Spirit upon all flesh. He
predicted that your sons and daughters would prophesy; your
young men would see visions; your old men would dream dreams.
He promised that He would pour out His Spirit upon all men. He
foretold of signs and wonders in the earth. This is what is
beginning to happen this day.
“Christ promised that whoever would call on His name would
be saved. ‘Be saved. I have come to seek
and to save that which is lost.’ For this purpose
Christ died. You did not kill Him. Oh yes, He was crucified by
your hands, but you did not kill Him. He gave up His life
willingly that you might be saved from your sins. Can’t you
see this? Believe! ‘Repent and be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ’” Peter went on: “This
same Jesus, the one you put to death, He is Lord and Christ.
‘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’.”
Peter now speaks to the crowds.
“All you devout men and women who have come from afar for
this festive season of first fruits, listen to
what God has to say. He is speaking to you, each in your own
tongue, through His followers. These men are not drunk.
Christ’s Holy Spirit has descended upon them. It is He who
speaks, through these men. Listen to what you are hearing.
This is an individual decision that you have to make. Christ
came to save each and every one of you. You cannot be saved by
listening to your leaders. You cannot be saved because your
parents say you must. Each one must come individually and cast
yourself before the Lord who was crucified and rose again. You
have heard what happened to Christ, how He was crucified and
rose again. He is here, amidst us, through His Holy Spirit.
Deadly silence descends on the crowd. The scoffers become
still. The words: ‘Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
(forgiveness) of sins,’ echo through the air.
Families huddle together. Fathers, as the leaders of the
household, lead the way, mothers and children follow. As if
with one body, thousands of men, women and children rush
toward Peter, confessing their sins and clambering to be
baptized. Three thousand souls are added to the number of
believers. This is the day of Pentecost. God’s Spirit
is poured out upon the people. A community of believers is
formed. Christ’s Church is born!
This new community of believers, the church of Christ,
is now the responsibly of the disciples to organize and to
teach in the doctrines and fellowship of Christ. They must
instruct them in the breaking of bread, explaining to them the
importance--that it represents the sacrifice of Christ’s body
and the shedding of His blood for the sins of mankind. They
must tell them of the importance of prayer, how each of them
must come to God for his own individual needs and growth.
Fathers, as heads of the households, are not the ones to tell
the members of his family what God wants for them. Each must
make his own decision.
This new church community is now like one big family. They
have become aware of each other and of the needs of those not
as well off as they. Possessions and goods are shared equally
with one another, with those who had little or nothing.
The believers went from house to house in the newly formed
community, breaking bread and fellowshipping. Their witness
was so strong that many who once scoffed were drawn to their
testimony, and numbers of believers were added each day.
Acts 2: 46-47 - ”And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with
all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.”