Devotion

1 Cor. 6:11

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” 

The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts through the Bible, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.  That faith in knowing that Jesus died for all our sins and rose again to prove that we will have eternal life is a product of the Holy Spirit.

Even at creation, the eternal Spirit was already hovering over the face of the waters, and later breathing life into the first man.  He worked again in Adam and Eve to give them the hope of life after death.  

The word "Spirit" in Greek can also be translated as breath or wind.  So when Jesus said the wind blows where it will and you can't tell where it is coming from and where it is going, He was also telling us of the truth of the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gave us life, and still preserves that eternal life in us so that we can be assured that we will always be with the LORD.

The Holy Spirit continues to set us apart or sanctify us.  That means He works good works in us so that we can show others what God has done for us.  These works also will show us on Judgement Day that faith in Jesus worked our Salvation and His work brought us in good standing before God.

The Holy Spirit was also the person who through Mary made the GOD-Man Jesus who was born on Christmas.  May we always remember the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  

Our sins brought us death, but the Holy Spirit gave us the antidote, Jesus.

Devotion

Friday, May 17, 2024

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The Wait Is Finally Over

The day of Pentecost had finally arrived! The festival had been celebrated in Old Testament times, but the Holy Spirit arrived at the one we call the first Pentecost. A rushing, mighty wind blew through the house they were sitting in, and tongues like fire sat upon their heads. The Holy Spirit gave them utterance, and they spoke in different tongues.

Verse one of chapter two tells us that they were all with one accord in one place when it happened. The wait was finally over! There on that first Pentecost, after transitioning from one life-changing event to the next, the disciples were where Jesus told them to be. This would not be their final destination though. The events of the day would sweep through the city, then the country, and make its way the world over!

We now wait for the next coming of the Lord when He returns in judgement. Like the disciples at that time, and because we ourselves are His disciples, we do not wait without purpose. The means of grace have been given to us. The keys of the kingdom are in our hands. The commission to make disciples of all the nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit still rings true.

Like the disciples on that first Pentecost, we are not sent out empty-handed. They Spirit that would open their mouths is the same Spirit who dwells in you. The same resources they had—namely, the word of truth that speaks of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for sinners such as you and me—is readily available to you and for you.

And of course, the gathering of believers in one accord in one place still takes place in our churches. Jesus, now ascended into heaven, still promises to be with us. He promises that where “two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). One day soon, we will know Him better when He returns. Then we will say at last, “The wait is finally over!”

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Glory of Pentecost

In the Old Testament Pentecost (meaning “fifty”) was called the “feast of Weeks” or “feast of harvest,” since it fell seven weeks “after the waving of the sheaf” when men of Israel were required to present themselves at the sanctuary (cf. Exodus 34:22f).

In New Testament days the Christian Church celebrates Pentecost as the Savior’s fulfillment of His prophecy to send the Holy Spirit on His faithful disciples.

Nations of the world have the practice of celebrating events which played a key role in their respective histories. As far as America is concerned, later this month is Memorial Day, honoring those who served the country in wartime. July fourth is Independence Day. At summer’s end Labor Day honors the work-ethic and free enterprise system which has had a huge role in the republic. America even observes various Presidents’ Days, and  honor other key founding fathers and others.

Realizing that “our citizenship is in heaven,” as St. Paul writes (Philippians 3:20), we Christ-confessing citizens want to put and keep festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter at the very top of the list of celebrations. If the secular world observes these at all, it’s only on the surface and for all the wrong reasons.

And then there is Pentecost! As Christians we want to remember that without this festival—which refers to the Holy Spirit’s promised outpouring—the true meaning and significance of the other Christian festivals would even pass us by.

So it is that it is more than fitting for those who claim citizenship in heaven by Spirit-wrought faith in Jesus Christ to review the “glory of Pentecost” each and every church year. We do that on the basis of Acts 2—which is to Pentecost what Luke 2 is to Christmas.

Holy Spirit, ever-living
As the Church’s very life;
Holy Spirit, ever striving
Through us in a ceaseless strife;
Holy Spirit, ever forming
In the Church the mind of Christ:
You we praise with endless worship
For Your gifts and fruits unpriced.

The lesson

Acts 2

The Holy Spirit Comes on Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently.

5 Now there were godly Jewish men from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 When this sound was heard, a crowd came together and was confused, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were completely baffled and said to each other,[a] “Look, are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them speaking in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring in our own languages the wonderful works of God.” 12 They were all amazed and perplexed. They kept saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocked them and said, “They are full of new wine.”

Questions.

Peter’s Pentecost Message

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and spoke loudly and clearly to them: “Men of Judea, and all you residents of Jerusalem, understand this, and listen closely to my words. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 This is what God says will happen in the last days:

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.

Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.

Your young men will see visions.

Your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the sky above,

and signs on the earth below,

blood and fire and a rising cloud of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And this will happen: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

    will be saved.[c]

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you[d] killed by having lawless men nail him to a cross. 24 He is the one God raised up by freeing him from the agony of death, because death was not able to hold him in its grip.

25 “Indeed, David says concerning him:

I saw the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad,

and my tongue rejoiced.

My flesh also will rest in hope,

27 because you will not abandon my life to the grave,[e]

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life.

You will fill me with joy in your presence.[f]

29 “Gentlemen, brothers, I can speak confidently to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one of his descendants[g] on his throne,[h] 31 he saw what was coming and spoke about the resurrection of Christ, saying that he[i] was neither abandoned to the grave nor did his flesh see decay.[j]

32 “This Jesus is the one God has raised up. We are all witnesses of that. 33 So, after he was exalted to the right hand of God and after he received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out what you are now seeing and hearing.

34 “For David did not ascend into heaven, and yet he says:

The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand, 35 

until I make your enemies

a footstool under your feet.’[k]

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Gentlemen, brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your[l] sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

40 He testified solemnly with many other words and was appealing to them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

41 Those who[m] accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added.

The Christians Lived in Unity

42 They continued to hold firmly to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. 43 Awe came over every soul,[n] and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They were selling their possessions and property and were distributing the proceeds according to what anyone needed.

46 Day after day, with one mind, they were devoted to meeting in the temple area, as they continued to break bread in their homes. They shared their food with glad and sincere hearts, 47 as they continued praising God and being viewed favorably by all the people. Day after day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Footnotes

1. Acts 2:7 Some witnesses to the text omit to each other.

2. Acts 2:15 9 am

3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32

4. Acts 2:23 Some witnesses to the text add took and.

5. Acts 2:27 Greek hades

6. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11

7. Acts 2:30 Some witnesses to the text read that he would raise Christ, one of his descendants according to the flesh, to sit.

8. Acts 2:30 Psalm 89:3-4; 132:11

9. Acts 2:31 A few witnesses to the text read his life.

10. Acts 2:31 Psalm 16:10

11. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1

12. Acts 2:38 Some witnesses to the text omit your.

13. Acts 2:41 Some witnesses to the text add gladly.

14. Acts 2:43 Some witnesses to the text omit Awe came over every soul.

Notes