Believe It 3

Wednesday, August 29

Acts 2:36-38

The Spirit of God is a mysterious thing which can move unpredictably in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. Many who hear the gospel message are brought to their knees the first time. Even as a lifelong Christian believer there are times when a Bible passage or a message or a song moves me to tears, even though I have heard it all before.

In today’s reading Peter has taken the opportunity of the Pentecost experience to preach. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and gave them power to speak in different tongues. Now Peter stands up and preaches (Acts 2:14-36). This is not a story they know and have heard before.

How does Peter conclude? How does this sermon affect the hearers? What does Peter instruct?

Those hearing the message were smitten with the truth of Jesus Christ. In hearing this they were moved emotionally to respond in some way. Their lives MUST change; the old was gone, the new was here.

The first thing they were told to do was to be baptized. This ritual was a two-fold act for these people. It not only symbolized a cleansing, it also marked a new beginning. This action would not be an empty ritual, but would be something full of meaning to these people. They were ready to believe in Jesus.

And now, what about us? Are we ready to truly embrace the message of Christ? Are we ready for the old to fall away? Are we ready to commit ourselves to a new relationship with the Messiah in Christ Jesus?

So often our worship and our walk of faith can become old and tiresome, habitual and empty. The message has never changed. What needs to change is our attitude, and our ability to listen and hear.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you hear the familiar story of Jesus with a new attitude, as if hearing it for the first time?