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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 16 April 2024:
Acts 2:6 — And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered….
Once again, the power of the Holy Spirit in your life is not intended just for you but that you might reach others. You have been empowered to go into the world and make disciples.
Acts 2:17 – And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams….
The Spirit works in all genders and all age groups.
Acts 2:21 — And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The Gospel is for everyone. Calling upon the name of the Lord is more than just uttering words; it is turning to God in your heart.
Acts 2:28 — You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.
Jesus said, “I am the way,” or the “Path of Life.” Knowing Jesus is eternal life (see John 17).
Acts 2:38 – And 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.”
God’s basic invitation is repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. Repentance leads to forgiveness, salvation, and receiving the Spirit into eternal living now.
Acts 2:37-40 — Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And 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 for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’”
God’s message to a fallen world remains unchanged, and it starts with the word “Repent.” In the Old Testament, “this is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…. The Redeemer will come to… those… who repent of their sins,’ declares the Lord (Isaiah 30:15, 59:20).” John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 3:2).” Then, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17).” In fact, the Bible says the Jesus, yes Jesus, denounced the cities that refused to repent (Matthew 11:20, 12:41, 21:32). Repentance means to have genuine remorse for sin which results in a changed heart and mind (a reversal of attitude toward sin). Repentance is not just saying, “What have I done (Jeremiah 8:6)?” It is turning from sin and to God with fear and trembling, seeking His mercy and grace.
Repentance comes with a correct perspective of sin, understanding, not just the earthly consequences of sin but more importantly, the seriousness of the offense committed against the Sovereign Lord who utterly hates all sin (Psalm 5:5). Genuine repentance requires an understanding of the need for salvation, not from earthly consequences but rather from God’s wrath. However, today we are losing perspective on the seriousness of sin. In fact, we have all but done away with the concept of sin and guilt. Now there are none that are guilty, only victims. Sin is explained away as a psychological problem, a chemical imbalance, a genetic disposition, a “natural” response to abuse, or simply a lack of education. We don’t need God, we need therapy. Even our churches have been conditioned to avoid the words sin and guilt, preferring to preach a “more positive and uplifting message.” In fact, if you speak of sin today, you will likely be labeled as ignorant and hateful. However, the Bible would say otherwise:
- Leviticus 19:17 — Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
- Jeremiah 15:19 — Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
- Proverbs 24:11 — Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
- Ezekiel 33:8 — When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
The Good News is that through faith in Jesus Christ there is forgiveness of sin, justification and righteousness. By accepting God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus, “we [can] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).” Justification means to judge or regard as righteous and worthy; righteousness is to be “right” in the eyes of God. No one can make himself justified (“just-as-if-I’d… never sinned”) and righteous before God. Only by Jesus crediting (attributing) His righteousness to us can we be acceptable before the Lord. However, in the pride of their hearts, people refuse to accept the free gift of salvation that comes through Jesus, and they continue to “suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (2 Chronicles 32:26; Romans 1:18). People attempt to replace true justification through Jesus with self-justification, declaring themselves to be “good people.” They have no need for Jesus because, in their own minds, they are already righteous (or at least “good enough”), which is what Jesus was referring to when He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).” Despite the clear evidence of the fallacy of the “goodness of man” and of “the enlightenment of man”, “No one repents of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle (Jeremiah 8:6).” Despite continued rebellion, God says,
- Ezekiel 18:32 — For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
- 2 Peter 3:9 — The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- Romans 10:9-15 — If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Acts 2:37-47 – “Brothers, what shall we do?” And 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….” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2 demonstrates the Great Commandment of love and the Great Commission in execution and should serve as the model today. Acts 2 also shows us the indicators of a true church – love, presence of the Holy Spirit, faithful preaching of the word, leadership, administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), membership, giving, witnessing, evangelism, ministry, worship, discipleship, individual/corporate prayer, and regular growth.
The power of the Holy Spirit was evident in this church, which was full of believers who proclaimed the Gospel to sinners. As discussed above, these believers first proclaimed the need for repentance, a word rarely heard today. Those who accepted the Lord were immediately baptized and then entered into true community with other believers, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to instruction, fellowship, and prayer (true discipleship), not every Sunday but every day! They cheerfully took care of the tangible needs of everyone in the church, even selling their possessions to do it, and they gave immediately – “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” (Proverbs 3:27) What was the consequence? “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” And those added represented many cultures – “devout men from every nation under heaven…. the multitude came together,” a Holy Spirit reversal of the Tower of Babel curse and a representation of God’s Kingdom restoration yet to be fulfilled in completeness. (Acts 2:5–6; Genesis 11:1-9)
- Revelation 7:9-12 — After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Does your church experience resemble the Acts 2 experience? If not, why not? Some might say that Acts 2 describes a “special” move of the Holy Spirit reserved for the inauguration of the church. However, I see nothing to indicate that God intended to limit His Spirit after these days – “The Lord is… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8, 9) But the Bible does say that we can “quench” the Spirit, “grieve” the Spirit, and get out of step with the Spirit. Perhaps, we are limiting the Spirit. Let’s pray for revival in the church.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 16 April 2024: Pray for revival within the church.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 