Acts: Go & Be Chapters 1-9Sample

What is this passage saying?

The Jewish festival of weeks was taking place in Jerusalem, meaning there was an influx of the Jewish community in the area. The large crowds you see are here to celebrate many things from Israel’s history, one being the coming of the law that we see detailed in the book of Exodus. Now Peter being filled with The Holy Spirit goes on to preach one of the clearest gospel messages ever recorded. The same man that weeks earlier denied Jesus 3 times, now has been restored by his Savior and filled with The Holy Spirit. Thus he boldly proclaims the gospel to all Jews in attendance. When the law came in Exodus, Israel broke it and 3,000 men were killed as the result of it. When The Holy Spirit came during the same time hundreds of years later, 3,000 men were saved. Though Peter was filled with The Holy Spirit, he did not neglect scripture in his message. It wasn’t a new revelation, but a fulfillment of everything that had been promises to the nation of Israel and now the entire world.

What is this passage teaching?

The move of The Holy Spirit took the early church from the upper from about 120 believers to over 3,000. Jesus’ perfect timing made for the precise time that the most Jews would have been in Jerusalem in order to get His message to the most people from the beginning. Despite Peter’s setbacks his repentance and surrender to Jesus is what allowed The Holy Spirit to move through him. When it is up to us to keep the law, we fail which leads to death, but Jesus fulfilled the law and gave us the free gift of salvation which leads us to eternal life.

How do I respond?

Repent of your sins daily and allow the power of The Holy Spirit and the scriptures to change your life.