April 26, 2017 - "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;" (Joel 2:28) "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Joel 2:32)
Jesus promised this Holy Spirit of God would come and be with us forever as he prepared his disciples for his coming death and resurrection. He tells the disciples; "If you love me you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him." (John 14:15-17) "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)
"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Jesus left the disciples with these words just before he ascended back to heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem as he had directed and waited for the power of the Holy Spirit to come to them.
"When the day of Pentecost arrived they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:1-2)
Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit came and filled them and the city being full of travelers, many heard the sound and came to see what was happening.
"And at this sound the multitude came together and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?" (Acts 2:6-8)
Peter began to speak to the masses. Telling them that the apostles were not drunk as some suspected, but that indeed they were fulfilling the prophesy of the prophet Joel.
Peter went on then to tell them what they had done when they crucified the risen Lord.
"Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know - this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." (Acts 2:22-24)
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36) When they heard these words they were in panic mode and asked Peter what they could do. He answered 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." (Acts 2:38)
This gift is still available today for all who will step forward and accept it. Jesus died for the sin of all people and accepting him as Lord and Savior gains us the gift of the Holy Spirit just as it did the thousands who were saved on that first day of the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Ask him and he will forgive you and save you today, forever.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day...
