READING: Acts 1-2 – Ascension, Matthias, Holy Spirit Comes, Peter Preaches, Converts, Early Church

Verse of the Day: “John baptized with water; soon, you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) 

Jesus’s disciples stood gawking into the sky; two men in white robes suddenly stood by them and asked, “Why are you looking up toward heaven? Jesus, Who went to Heaven, will return the same way He went to Heaven.” Then they returned from the Mount of Olives to wait. 

A group numbering one-hundred-twenty women and men were together as they waited. Peter suggested they choose someone to replace Judas. He said it must be one who was with them from the baptism of John and a witness of His resurrection. They picked two and prayed God would show who He chose by casting lots. The lot fell on Mattias. 

On Pentecost, a sound like rushing wind came. A large crowd came and saw tongues like fire sitting on each of them. Question: does ‘them’ here mean the Twelve or the-hundred-twenty?  Greek grammar says the entire group. All were speaking in tongues, telling God’s wonderful works, and people from every nation under heaven heard them speaking their own native languages. They marveled, but some said, “They are filled with new wine.” 

Peter spoke, saying, “They’re not drunk. This was spoken by Joel, ‘In the last days, I’ll pour my Spirit upon all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy; I’ll show signs in heaven; the sun will be dark, and the moon becomes blood before the Lord’s great, glorious day. And all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

God proved Jesus with power, wonders, and signs He did through Him, as you know. Jesus was handed over by you and by lawless men you crucified Him; this was God’s deliberate plan. But God raised Him from death. because it was impossible for death to hold Him. Then he quoted David in Psalm 16, saying, “You will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.” David died, was buried, and is still in his tomb where he suffered corruption. He spoke, not of himself, but of Messiah, whom God raised, and we are all witnesses of the resurrected Christ. 

He is exalted at the right hand of God. He received the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you see and hear this day! David did not ascend into the Heavens, but said, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘sit at My right hand until I make your enemies My footstool.’ Let the house of Israel know God has made Him both Lord and Messiah, Jesus whom you crucified.” 

They said, “What shall we do?” Peter said, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the Holy Spirit.” Three thousand responded and were added to them. 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and the prayers. 

That is a simplified church, which is what we strive for! 

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF 

 Father, My God and Creator, I marvel at how Your plan came together! Jesus returned to You, and the disciples were left gawking, yet just days later when they receive Your Holy Spirit, they knew just what to do. I pray that by Your indwelling Spirit with me, I may know just what I need to do, is my prayer in the sacred name of Jesus, AMEN! 

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for me)  

Father, I pray for all who may read these words, and for myself, that we may ponder the things the early church devoted themselves to: The apostles’ teaching is clear. Fellowship is clear, but their one-another fellowship is a lot beyond the “fellowship dinners” of most churches. The breaking of bread is certainly the Lord’s Supper He gave as a memorial for us to always remember Him. The prayers were the prayers in the Temple, prayed at the hours of prayer by the Jews. Should we have set times of praying the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray? What about other prayers that men have written? This is my prayer, in the blessed name of Jesus, AMEN!