Abide Together: Reflections on Acts 2

In Acts 2, Luke records what happened on the Day of Pentecost while the apostles and others were waiting in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.  Suddenly the Holy Spirit came into each one of them (baptized) and filled each one.  They began to speak in languages they had never studied to the Jewish people in Jerusalem who had come from all over the known world for Pentecost.  The people were either amazed or scoffed at them.  Peter stood up and explained what was going on by pointing back to what the Lord prophesied through Joel concerning the last days. He said that those who called on the name of the Lord would be saved from God’s wrath.  Then Peter explained that Jesus was Lord and that they must repent and trust in Jesus’ payment for their sin and then be baptized as a sign of their repentance and faith.  3,000 people responded positively and they began to live selflessly for the glory of God.  I am struck by the immediate love that these people had for each other as they put others before themselves.  This is a great testimony to the watching world.  Lord, help me love the body of Christ well, so that others may know that You are at work.

– Bryan McKenzie