Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

When the day of Pentecost came,

they were all together in one place. Acts 2

All together in one place, hmmm.

Unity...that's where God commands a blessing.

A supernatural event took place.

Amazed and perplexed, the onlookers asked one another,

"What does this mean?"

When supernatural things happen, people get curious.

Then Peter stood up and addressed the crowd:

"This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.

(What was happening had a biblical reference and that's important.

The Bible keeps us on track and helps us avoid flakiness.)

Men of Israel, listen to this:

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,

which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

(Are we experiencing miracles and wonders among us?

Are we expecting miracles and wonders?)

This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge;

(It didn't catch God by surprise.)

and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

(Point:- It wasn't the Romans. It wasn't the Jews.

It was OUR sin that nailed Him to the cross.)

But God raised Him from the dead,

freeing Him from the agony of death,

because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him."

He quoted more scripture which he explained...

"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried,

and his tomb is here to this day.

But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:

God has made this Jesus,

whom you crucified,

both Lord and Christ."

No altar call given, but what happened next?

When the people heard this,

they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,

"Brothers, what shall we do?"

How many of us are being "cut to the heart" these days?

Supernatural...explained...and a challenge given, a call to action.

Peter replied,

"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.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

With many other words he warned them;

"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Quite a revival meeting!

Followup...

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone was filled with awe,

and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2

Do we want a move of God?

Are we prepared to get together in agreement and pray

and wait for the promised power of Acts 1?