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Baptism, death and new lifeTuesday, April 14, 2009
Acts 2:36-41 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call."
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
This is just the beginning. When Jesus pointed to Peter and said, "Upon this rock I will build my church," he envisioned just such an explosion of believers. The disciples may have been surprised, but Jesus wasn't. "You will do greater things than I have" (John 14:12), he told his disciples. They didn't believe him. They couldn't have believed him. Now his words were coming true. When Peter and the others touched the lame they walked, when they touched the blind they could see. And their words broke through the spiritual cloud that hung over Jerusalem. More light, more light, more light! These people shared their possessions, their time, their space. They seemed to lose interest in privacy and independence. They lived together, ate together, prayed together. No doubt they fought together sometimes. Peter called them to repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And they found Jesus together. I sing with joy to you, Lord, a new song, and shout for joy. Your words are true, and the earth is full of your unfailing love. Your plans stand firm forever. |
On the day of Pentecost Peter and the other disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter knew God wanted everyone to have the same gift. He preached his heart out, and thousands of people responded.