Fan the Flame - a Journey Through ActsSample

Day 3 - Peter's Speech at Pentecost

I will never forget being at an event where a world-famous evangelist was preaching. I had high expectations of this person, but as he shared, I was wrestling with my sense of being underwhelmed. While the words of the evangelist were persuasive and passionate it was not the clear presentation of the Gospel message I had expected. As the preaching continued, I wondered to myself, “Lord, will anyone respond to the Gospel invitation today?” Then the moment came and the invitation was given to come to the altar, to repent and be born again. Before my eyes, hundreds and hundreds of people got out of their seats and rushed to the stage. Many dropped to their knees, face to the ground. People were weeping as they were led through the steps of repentance and as they declared their faith in the saving work of Jesus. As a young preacher, I remember being amazed at what had taken place. I was humbled as I processed the move of God I had witnessed. What I had seen was beyond mere human ability; something extra was at work, it was a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

As crowds gathered following this amazing scene in Acts, we are reading today where God sent his Spirit, there was a mixed response. Peter grabs hold of the opportunity with boldness and presents to the crowd God’s amazing plan for salvation. He points to prophecy and then leads them to the revelation that this was God’s plan all along (v23). Thousands must have been present, as we read that on that day, around 3000 were added to the number of believers.

As I read this scene, I am impacted afresh by both the power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. As Peter masterfully points people to Jesus as God’s plan for redemption, confused observers become repentant followers. The text says that “the words cut to people’s hearts (2:37)” and they were moved to respond. Peter connects the dots, understanding that what had just taken place was what Jesus had instructed them to wait for and what Joel had prophesied many years before (Joel 2:28-32). He also understood that this gift of the Holy Spirit would be for all followers of Jesus moving forward.

In a world where so many are confused, we can trust in both the power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. When was the last time you witnessed a demonstration of God’s power? What would it look like for you to see more of the Holy Spirit at work through you today?

Let’s pray that we will see the opportunities like Peter did. Maybe they won’t look like what we expect. I imagine Peter hadn’t seen this coming. Let’s have faith that the Gospel can still touch people’s hearts. Let’s trust in the work of the Holy Spirit, the promised gift, that continues to empower followers of Jesus everywhere.

Written by Dan Perkins