Peter Forever Changed

Reading: Acts 2:13-41

Today, we will see Peter speak to the crowds in the power of the Holy Spirit. But first a quick review for those of you who have not following. In the last two posts we looked at Peter's life with Christ before He received The Promise. In Peter Before the Out Pouring; we see him as very human, aware of his sin in light of the glory of Jesus. Later the Father revealed to Peter who Jesus really was... The Christ, the Son of the living God.  Peter was also there when Jesus was transfigured in amazing light and glory. In Peter Before the Out Pouring -2 we see Peter's human determination to follow Jesus no matter what. But that failed him when he denied that he even knew Jesus, three times. Then Jesus came to Peter after His resurrection to restore him and to charge him to lead His Church.

In God's Spirit Poured Out, we see:

"On the Day of Pentecost all the believers 
were meeting together in one place... 

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, 

as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability." 

Acts 2:1-4 NLT

"At that time there were devout Jews 
from every nation living in Jerusalem. 

When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running,

and they were bewildered to hear 
their own languages being spoken by the believers. 

They were amazed. "How can this be?" they exclaimed. 
"These people are all from Galilee, 

and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages... about what God has done!" 

They stood there amazed and perplexed. 

"What can this mean?" 

Acts 2:5-12

In this moment of awe and amazement, there were some in the crowd, the skeptics who ridiculed them saying, "They're just drunk, that's all!" Now we see Peter rise to the occasion to powerfully speak this amazing call to salvation in the power of the Holy Spirit. Here are some quotes and summary; but I highly recommend that you read the text yourself from your own Bible, so you don't miss a thing: 

"Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk... Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. No what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel 2:28." Peter continues by quoting the scriptures from Joel to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit:  

"'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. 

Your sons and daughters will prophesy. 

Your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams..." 

Acts 2: 17 NLT 

After explaining what just happened Peter powerfully speaks of Jesus "People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene, by doing powerful miracles, wonders and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip." Peter quotes King David "'... For you will not... allow your Holy One to rot in the grave...' God raised Jesus from the dead, and now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today... So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah! Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?' Peter replied, 'Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles - all who have been called by the Lord our God... Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day - about 3,000 in all" Acts 2:22-41 NLT

Powerful, powerful message that he spoke to these people. Peter used prophecy from Joel to explain the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. He spoke of the endorsement God gave of Jesus through miracles. He wasn't afraid to confront their sin, what ever involvement they had in Jesus crucifixion... "you nailed him to a cross and killed him".  He spoke of His resurrection as prophesied by King David and His exaltation. Then he said : "God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah! Peter's words pierced their hearts", other versions say that "they were cut to the heart". Oh the anguish they must of felt to realize that as a people they crucified their long awaited Messiah, their longing and hearts desire! But through the power of the Spirit they were brought to repentance and everlasting salvation in Christ, their Messiah.

In the upcoming posts, we will follow Peter, the other disciples and the surprising transformation of Saul.

A Deep Sense of Awe

Reading: Acts 1: 12-15, 2:1, 42-47,

Going back a little to right after Jesus ascended into heaven. What did His apostles do right after He ascended? And what did they do after the out pouring of the Holy Spirit?

"Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives... When they arrived, they went to the upper room of the house they were staying... during this time... about 120 believers were meeting together in one place... On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place, (with one accord NKJ) Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven..." Acts 1: 12-15, 2:1,2 NLT

It was at this point that the Holy Spirit came upon them in power with the baptism of fire. What does this mean that they were with one accord? They were in agreement with each other, having a unity of one mind and purpose. They lived in a harmony that lead to action. * After the outpouring of the Spirit, Peter spoke with great anointing moving the hearts of 3,000 people to repent of their sins, turn to God and be baptized. After this the believers formed a community and a vital church grows through the power of the Spirit moving in hearts fully committed to Christ. 

"All the believers devoted themselves (steadfastly) to the apostles teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (in the breaking of bread, including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. Then fear came upon every soul, (a deep sense of awe) and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 2: 42-47 NLT/NKJ

This is their response to the miracle of the Holy Spirit, Glory of God being poured out upon them; fear came upon every soul, (a deep sense of awe). This section is not a formula to replicate at the will of man for church growth. It is a work that begins in the heart of an individual a soul longing for God. Then God, in His perfect timing, poured out His Spirit; giving His disciples in the kind of power that moves hearts. And His signs and wonders gave authority to His spoken words. "Fear came upon every soul, a deep sense of awe".  As I read this my heart is drawn to Him... I don't want to leave this place. For me it is the deep sense of who God is, and to be in His Presence. He puts everything into perspective. In His Presence we recognize our own faults, we see our own need for Him as He calls us to repentance. There are many examples in both New and Old Testament. Isaiah comes to mind in Chapter 6 where as he stands before the presence of God, He revealed the sin in Isaiah's heart. See the post Woe is Me, also,  In Awe of the Risen Christ, and other posts on being Poor in Spirit. 

 Some time ago I asked a dear friend why we don't see the signs and wonders anymore in the church. I will include her reply:

Cindy said...

As I have sought the Lord, I have seen this time we are in as one of purging and testing, a time of reckoning--He is drawing those that will to Himself in a way that will bring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. A time that will bring understanding of His Word and the ability to KNOW God. This awakening, if you will, is a work of His Spirit in the willing heart, a quiet work between God and His Beloved... the passionate, persistent, pursuer of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior by His Holy Spirit which brings His transformation in the inner man.

Do you see the church His Body transformed like Peter was? He has called us to new birth in Him. Jesus Christ is the author of a faith which purifies and gives victory over sin.

His timing is perfect, who can hold the Glory of the Lord that brings forth the anointing which will bring His signs and wonders that will follow His Word (truth)... We see in Acts, as they all waited in one accorded seeking the Lord, having relinquished all to Him, the Lord brought to them the baptism of fire that brought forth the power of God through them.

With all my heart, I believe that we shall see the powerful, anointed move of God through His Body, His Church, the question is to all of us is... what or who has your heart? 

Oh, my heart is moved as I consider the state of our country, the state of our world. Lord, what is to come? What are we to do? How are we to live in such a time as this; the time that we are appointed to live in? Two things come to my mind and heart... first and foremost is true humility and repentance before God and secondly, to meet with other people who are of this mind and heart to seek our God's mercy for His people. This beautiful call from God comes to mind:

"...if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray 

and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ

How do we truly humble ourselves? We come to Him in prayer,  seek His Face through the Word of God. Behold Him and allow the fear of God to come upon your soul, allow a deep sense of awe to grasp your heart and bring you into repentance.


 The deep question Cindy asked is what or who has your heart? Be in prayer my brothers and sisters. Come to God in humility, pray and seek His Face, turn away from your sin and toward the God who loves you, then our revival and restoration will come, then the anointing and glory of His baptism of His Holy Spirit will come with fire and great power... in His time.

*From Word Wealth Acts 2:1 in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

God's Spirit Poured Out

Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit coming, especially on His last night with his disciples before  He was crucified and also after He resurrected. A collection of many of these verses are found in the post The Promise to Come and Jesus Ascends to Heaven. After His resurrection, Jesus instructs His disciples:

"I am going to send you 
what my Father has promised; 

but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." 

Luke 24:49 NIV

"Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 
John baptized with water, but in a just few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit... 
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

And you will be my witnesses,rt telling people about me every where... 
in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 
Acts 1:7,8 NLT

Peter Before the Out Pouring - 2

 Reading: John 13:36-38, Luke 22: 52- 62, John21

In spending so much time with Jesus for a few years, Peter knew who Jesus was. And in the most noble place in his heart he just "knew" that no matter what, he would follow Jesus. But Jesus knew Peter, He knew Peter's heart better than even Peter did. The same is true of us today as well. God knows us better than we know own ourselves. He knows everything about us past, present and future; and He knows places in our heart that we don't even see.

Jesus had been predicting His death and that He would be leaving. But the disciples did not understand. One day "Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot not follow Me now, but you shall follow me afterward.' Peter said to Him, 'Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.' Jesus answered him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." John 13:36-38 NKJ  Peter must have been devastated, hurt that the Lord would think that he was not loyal. Yet at the same time, Peter knew that Jesus knew all things.