Читать книгу Along Bible Paths: - Henry E. Neufeld - Страница 23

July 19

3,000 New Believers

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them,...

Acts 2:14 (WEB)

A fisherman, considered to be ‘illiterate’ by the society of his time since he probably wasn’t able to read the Torah and spoke Aramaic, stood up in front of “Jews from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) and spoke! No, preached! Peter filled with the Holy Spirit did not hesitate, did not stutter or stammer. He opened his mouth – and people listened! And what did Peter say in this inspired sermon?

– Peter tried to explain what had happened. He told the crowd that neither he nor the other eleven were drunk. Why do you think the crowd thought they were drunk? Were they smiling and laughing? Were they dancing in the streets and leaping for joy? Hmmm.

– Peter quoted the prophet, Joel, reminding the Jews of God’s promises. He said that church as usual was no longer going to be the usual! There would be God’s Spirit present among the Believers and they would be seeing ‘stuff ’ that may be a little...unsettling? Would ’freaky’ be too harsh a word? And people who call on Jehovah God as Lord will be saved from eternal destruction! – God is alive! He is active and present in their lives. He came to earth and cannot be killed. He is alive!

The people “were cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37). They realized their sinfulness and repented. ’Repent’ means to turn away and not do that any more! The moment that you put down your pride and allow the truth of God to enter in...it’s overwhelming! It’s honestly seeing what you are – a sinner – and it’s also receiving that undeserved love and forgiveness...grace and mercy ...and just leaping for joy – inside and out!

Peter warned and pleaded with the people to come and make a decision to believe and live their lives for God! “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40 NIV) In other words, stop going the way of the world and choose a different path – God’s path! Peter pointed to the way to life!

I don’t know how many were there but 3,000 of them accepted what Peter was saying and got baptized and were added to the number of Believers. There isn’t a pastor or evangelist that wouldn’t be excited about bringing 3,000 people to know God in one day! WOW!

What happened next? What would your church do next if 3,000 people came through your doors and said, “We believe in Jesus Christ?” Would you know what to do next? We’ll look at that tomorrow. Meanwhile, take a few minutes and read Joel 2 for your reading today.