Pentecost
By Timothy Glover
On this day, one of three annual festivals, Jews from all around the world were present. Only seven weeks ago, the Romans crucified Jesus upon the insistence of the Jewish leaders.
The disciples of Jesus were there, according to his orders, and suddenly a sound from heaven like rushing wind was heard and tongues of fire were seen sitting upon them, and they began to speak in the very dialect of the various Jews present. Jesus had promised them the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
While the multitude was amazed and marveled trying to explain their actions, Peter spoke out so as to be heard by all. This sermon would be a prototype of the message the Apostles would preach.
Peter explained the reason for this display as a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17). He, then, presented the six facts regarding Jesus. (1) They knew that he had done signs and wonders in their presence. (2) The Romans had crucified him upon their request. (3) God raised him from the dead according to the prophecy of David. (4) The apostles could testify the proof of his resurrection. (5) Jesus was now at God’s right hand. (6) "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36)
Peter’s sermon pricked their hearts and they cried out in remorse for their sins. Their cry evidenced that they already believed in Christ. Thus, Peter does not tell them to "believe". Rather, he says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ..."
Repentance is a change of heart. It is the point at which one decides to turn his priorities and allegiance in another direction. Jesus illustrates this by telling of two sons whom the Father told, "Go work in my vineyard today! One said, "I go sir, and went not." The other said, "I will not, but afterward, he repented himself and went." You will notice that when one changes the mind, the actions will follow suit.
Second, Peter told them to be baptized "for the remission of sins". We know there is no mystical power in the literal water. Redemption and forgiveness are through his blood (Eph. 1:7,8). Yet, as a cleansing agent must contact that which is dirty in order to benefit it, so must the sinner immerse himself in the blood of Christ (symbolically). Rom.6:3,4 describes this baptism as a burial by baptism into the death of Christ. When we obey that form, we are freed from sin (Rom. 6:17). We must pass through this avenue to have sins forgiven through the blood.
The same phrase, "for the remission of sins" is found in Matthew 26:26 where it is said that Jesus’ blood was shed for the remission of sins. Now, did Jesus die so we might be saved or because we were already saved? In exactly the same way and using the same phrase, we repent and are baptized so we might be saved and not because we are already saved. Next week, we will continue.
| Pentecost | Ethiopian | Simon | Saul
| Cornelius
| Jailer
| Samaritans
| Non-conversions
| Saul-2
| Lydia
| Faith of Abraham
| |