Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 SING TO THE LORD

 Acts 2:1-12

V. 12: Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, what does this mean?

 

           The only, historical data about the first twenty years or so of the early Christian church is found in the book of Acts. We can find the history of the church from its beginning until the good news reached Rome through the apostle Paul. Luke the writer, narrated the events that occurred in the early church in the light of God's grand scheme of salvation for humanity.  Luke divided the history of salvation into three periods. The first one was the time of Law and the prophets. The second one was the time of Jesus when He worked through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The third was the period, at the time of the early church when the actual holy spirit worked through the early Christian community and its leaders.

           Luke wrote the day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of the prophecy from prophets, Joel, and Isaiah. Acts 2 strongly states that the spirit of God was poured out on all the people present in Jerusalem, as prophet Joel foretold.  It was only partial on the day of Pentecost, and complete pouring out of the Spirit will only happen at His second coming.  The day of Pentecost came on the 50th day after Passover, and as per the law, every Jew must present a cereal offering to the Lord. All the God-fearing Jews who lived in the diaspora, came to Jerusalem to fulfill their religious obligations.

            God used this time to pour out His spirit to all those gathered there, who were filled with spirit and heard the message of the gospel which is about the crucified Christ and His resurrection. Spirit of God came on all, like a violent wind, and they started speaking in tongues, which clearly described the divine presence, and it was also associated with the coming judgment. People's minds were completely under the control of the Holy Spirit, as well as the hearts and minds of Peter and other disciples.  All those who were present in Jerusalem heard the apostles speak in languages native to the different places they came from. The believers started declaring God's intervention and Jesus's salvific mission to all the people gathered for the Passover. It was time for them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that will liberate them from eternal damnation.


Prayer

Lord Jesus, strengthen our mind, body, and soul with the power of the holy spirit as it was in the early church and empower us to be your witnesses to the world around us. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Pentecost signals the dawning of the age of the Holy Spirit, and the fullness of the spirit in God's people, which will empower them for witnessing to all the nations.


Dr. John K. Thomas
Tabor Mar Thoma Church, NY

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