ACTS 2
The transforming power of the New Birth is an amazing thing.
The people that Peter preached to on Pentecost were guilty of treachery--of the worst variety. However, conviction, repentance and the New Birth can create mind-boggling change. We really can become new creations. Peter reminded them of their acts: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain...Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:22,23,36). Peter, in his message also reminded them that He was their long-awaited Messiah, and everything that happened and was happening had been foretold by the prophets--they were aware of the truth of the message; it was verifiable. That brought conviction.
I'm certain their minds went back to the weeks, months and even the three years prior when Jesus walked among them, teaching them, healing them, and delivering them. They knew He had never posed a threat to them, but to the perversion of the Law. He hadn't come to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it--in essence, the Law and Grace are the same, but how they are carried out in us changed. No longer are we dependent upon ourselves to perform righteous acts, but the power of God has come to enable us to live godly, and keep the Law--living out the Fruit of the Spirit, without looking over our shoulder for sin at every turn, or sacrificing the blood of bulls and goats. Jesus finished the sacrificial act, once and for all at Calvary. The bloody picture, once blurred by shouts of "Give us Barrabbas!" and accusations against the Messiah was now becoming clear, and tremendous guilt and shame was the result. So gracious is God that He doesn't leave us there!
As soon as the guilty "were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?", the answer came. God forgives lavishly and His mercy endureth forever. Peter knew exactly what to tell them, because he had been filled with that explosive power of the Holy Ghost--no longer was Jesus walking with them in the flesh--but He was now living in them, filling Peter's mouth with the words of truth and life. Peter stood with the rest of the apostles that day, and said, "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.
For 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.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
And, it worked. They came by the thousands, bringing their guilt and laid it at the Savior's feet, asking for forgiveness and seeking salvation. They followed the directions of Peter and the disciples--the precise ones that Jesus gave them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:45-49. They followed them to the letter--the water, and the Spirit, just like Jesus said to be born again (John 3:5-7). They had been listening. And, the New Birth changed lives.
These people who had violently taken the life of the Innocent Christ (although it was according to prophecy) and who were living their lives focused on themselves metamorphosed into a new people.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
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."
That was the first successful mission. It led to total transformation--not only on the surface, but within the very depths of the heart. Everyone was equal, loved and cared for and their loving fellowship drew many more.
The people that Peter preached to on Pentecost were guilty of treachery--of the worst variety. However, conviction, repentance and the New Birth can create mind-boggling change. We really can become new creations. Peter reminded them of their acts: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain...Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:22,23,36). Peter, in his message also reminded them that He was their long-awaited Messiah, and everything that happened and was happening had been foretold by the prophets--they were aware of the truth of the message; it was verifiable. That brought conviction.
I'm certain their minds went back to the weeks, months and even the three years prior when Jesus walked among them, teaching them, healing them, and delivering them. They knew He had never posed a threat to them, but to the perversion of the Law. He hadn't come to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it--in essence, the Law and Grace are the same, but how they are carried out in us changed. No longer are we dependent upon ourselves to perform righteous acts, but the power of God has come to enable us to live godly, and keep the Law--living out the Fruit of the Spirit, without looking over our shoulder for sin at every turn, or sacrificing the blood of bulls and goats. Jesus finished the sacrificial act, once and for all at Calvary. The bloody picture, once blurred by shouts of "Give us Barrabbas!" and accusations against the Messiah was now becoming clear, and tremendous guilt and shame was the result. So gracious is God that He doesn't leave us there!
As soon as the guilty "were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?", the answer came. God forgives lavishly and His mercy endureth forever. Peter knew exactly what to tell them, because he had been filled with that explosive power of the Holy Ghost--no longer was Jesus walking with them in the flesh--but He was now living in them, filling Peter's mouth with the words of truth and life. Peter stood with the rest of the apostles that day, and said, "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.
For 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.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
And, it worked. They came by the thousands, bringing their guilt and laid it at the Savior's feet, asking for forgiveness and seeking salvation. They followed the directions of Peter and the disciples--the precise ones that Jesus gave them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:45-49. They followed them to the letter--the water, and the Spirit, just like Jesus said to be born again (John 3:5-7). They had been listening. And, the New Birth changed lives.
These people who had violently taken the life of the Innocent Christ (although it was according to prophecy) and who were living their lives focused on themselves metamorphosed into a new people.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
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."
That was the first successful mission. It led to total transformation--not only on the surface, but within the very depths of the heart. Everyone was equal, loved and cared for and their loving fellowship drew many more.
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