Jesus has given up His life to ransom the souls of men, but death could not hold Him. Risen again, He promises a power that will come over His people.
Despite the joy that He is alive and interceding in the heavenlies on their behalf, heartache has...
Jerusalem, over the years, had become a melting pot of cultures. No longer just the Jews lived in Israel, but there were the Samaritans, Romans, Egyptians. Despite the treachery that had taken place in that Jesus had been delivered up to be crucified, yet amongst the Jews themselves, still, God had a remnant, devout men that would come to know Him through the Word spoke to them. Only God knew who were His, and it was the job of His people to continue what He began, teaching and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and the necessity of repentance.
God is not anemic. He is not a God that is afar. He is not a God that hides in the face of adversity. They should have realized that when even in the garden at His arrest, He went forward to meet His persecutors. How else would God work but in a mighty way?
The people of God who gathered softly day after day to meet together to pour out their hearts to the Lord in prayer couldn't conceal the marvelous work of God! Nothing can stop the Lord God Almighty! The falling of the Spirit of God began to spread about, none trying to hide it. None ashamed of the power that had been given them. A boldness they'd never imagined stirred up within them, from the eldest to the youngest! This could only be the Spirit of God that gave courage to the most fearful and careful, including Mavy.
The strangers and Jews were dumbfounded. How could it be that they understand the people speaking in their language? And saying nothing but things that glorified the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of Israel and His mighty deeds! "Aren't they all Galileans? How in the world do we hear them speaking our language, our mother tongue? What does this mean?"
Others laughed snarkily, "Drunks!"
Peter had been forgiven. Not one pointed out in accusation his past sins in denying their Lord. If God could forgive, so could they.
He was always one to be quick to speak, but when he opened his mouth, a new kind of eloquence, clarity poured forth that even amazed his friends! "Listen, we aren't drunk, it's still early! This is what the Prophet Joel told of, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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