I wonder if when Peter woke up that morning if He knew this would be such an exciting and incredible day. The Feast of Pentecost had been customarily celebrated by the Hebrew people. But today it would take on historical and new fulfilled meaning. The Holy Spirit came on them in a powerful way.
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:2-3)
Would we really expect anything different from a promise that had been foretold by the prophet Joel over 800 years before that day? The manifestation of the Spirit was undeniable!
Peter compelled by this new boldness, stood up and immediately addressed the crowd and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ – Jesus who had lived among them and was crucified. And Peter declared that they had been witnesses of that fact. This didn't happen 100 years ago....50 years ago....or even 2 years ago......the crucifixion and resurrection happened only 2 months ago. Right here in Jerusalem where they were all gathered...where other witnesses were still available to question or retort what Peter was saying. Even the authorities, if they could have produced a body (dead or alive) showing that the resurrection was false would have thwarted this movement which was about to take on great momentum. And before you even begin to think that the disciples stole the body....stay tuned....because no one in their right mind would have made such a claim...not in this political climate....not in the same city in which Jesus, Himself, was crucified for claiming to be God and where the resurrection took place. As you read on through the Book of Acts, you will see that the disciples endured great hardships....prison, beatings, even death. Would they have fabricated such a story for fame and celebrity? No! They may have become famous as wanted men by the authorities who began to seek ways to have them killed but they certainly would have left Jerusalem before they started making their claims. The news of the resurrection did eventually reach beyond Judea but not until after the Church in Jerusalem was born and great persecution broke out (Acts 8).
Those who accepted his message repented, and were baptized that day and received the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were added to their number that day. The movement began....
The Church was born. Big launch!
Related Posts:
How did the church survive the 1st Century?
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:2-3)
Would we really expect anything different from a promise that had been foretold by the prophet Joel over 800 years before that day? The manifestation of the Spirit was undeniable!
Peter compelled by this new boldness, stood up and immediately addressed the crowd and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ – Jesus who had lived among them and was crucified. And Peter declared that they had been witnesses of that fact. This didn't happen 100 years ago....50 years ago....or even 2 years ago......the crucifixion and resurrection happened only 2 months ago. Right here in Jerusalem where they were all gathered...where other witnesses were still available to question or retort what Peter was saying. Even the authorities, if they could have produced a body (dead or alive) showing that the resurrection was false would have thwarted this movement which was about to take on great momentum. And before you even begin to think that the disciples stole the body....stay tuned....because no one in their right mind would have made such a claim...not in this political climate....not in the same city in which Jesus, Himself, was crucified for claiming to be God and where the resurrection took place. As you read on through the Book of Acts, you will see that the disciples endured great hardships....prison, beatings, even death. Would they have fabricated such a story for fame and celebrity? No! They may have become famous as wanted men by the authorities who began to seek ways to have them killed but they certainly would have left Jerusalem before they started making their claims. The news of the resurrection did eventually reach beyond Judea but not until after the Church in Jerusalem was born and great persecution broke out (Acts 8).
Those who accepted his message repented, and were baptized that day and received the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were added to their number that day. The movement began....
The Church was born. Big launch!
Related Posts:
How did the church survive the 1st Century?