While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” he told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8
The day of Pentecost did come. The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples such that they appeared to be “drunk on the new wine!” Although it was only 9:00 in the morning, they were drunk on the new wine, so to speak; for the newly-given Holy Spirit was among them — nay, he had been poured into them.
Acts 2:12-36 memorializes Peter’s incendiary speech to the crowd. Amidst the excitement and confusion, Peter stood up boldly to relay his remarkable insight. No doubt the very Spirit of whom he spoke was also speaking through him. (“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father — he will testify about me.” John 15:26.)
Peter began by referencing Joel’s prophecy from the Old Testament, “In the last days it will be . . .” God promised he would pour out his spirit on the people, “and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams . . . And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. And then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:28-32). Peter is acknowledging that this outpouring of the Spirit is also a harbinger of the “the day of the Lord”, (Restoration for some and judgment for others.)
Peter then acknowledged the staggering reality that they were all at that moment, blessed witnesses of the proof of the resurrection which David also foretold. David said his Lord would ascend to Heaven and sit with God at His throne, (Psalm 110:1). Once Jesus Christ was seated at the right hand of God, the people would receive the Pentecostal Blessing; the Spirit of God who would make them members of the body of Christ. Peter explained, “David by foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his body experience decay. This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of it” (Acts 2:29-32).
No doubt, imbibed with the Spirit of Truth, Peter closed his sermon with a most epic mic drop: “So then, exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out what you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool at your feet.’ Therefore, let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:33-36).
God has indeed poured his Holy Spirit into all who believe so that we may also experience signs and wonders as we go forth in assured joy, strengthening the body of Christ along the way.
by Jeanne Melberg
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