There is nothing like starting your day off with a story of a healing! You can’t help but let your heart be filled with joy over hearing how someone who couldn’t walk before can now leap and dance! This is what happens at the beginning of Acts chapter 3, but we’ll get back to that in a moment.
Acts 1
The beginning of Acts picks up where John lets off. Jesus taught for 40 days after His resurrection. Then He ascended to heaven and everyone waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit to come true.
Jesus’ family came to know Him as Savior!
Jesus’ mother, sister, and brothers were with the disciples waiting in the upper room. His brothers didn’t believe He was the Messiah in John 7:5. If Jesus couldn’t save His own family when He was alive, then how much hope is there for me to help my family know Jesus? Somehow His brothers came to believe in Him! I was so encouraged knowing that His brothers were there waiting for the Holy Spirit too. There is hope that my family will be saved too.
Acts 2 – The Promise is Fulfilled
The Holy Spirit comes to live on earth. The Holy Spirit didn’t sneak in unannounced. He shows up in a big way!
2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
The people in the street could hear the wonders of God being told in different languages by the local Galileans. They were amazed and perplexed. Many thought they they were drunk, but it was only 9:00 in the morning.
You will be Jesus’ Witnesses to all the Earth
Jesus did say in verse Acts 1:8 that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Those in the upper room received the power to be Jesus’ witnesses by speaking in other languages. We have the Holy Spirit today and He has enabled us to be witnesses too! He not only helps us cross cultures, but gives us the words to speak in our own culture!
Peter stood up and explained the situation. He quotes the prophesies of God and explains how Jesus fulfilled them. He then encourages the crowd to, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (verse 38.)
About 3,000 people repented and were saved that day! Revival came to Jerusalem that day. The rest of the world was yet to come!
The Acts 2 Community
I had to spend one whole morning of study just to learn from the Acts 2 community. I love these verses explaining their unity. They were together and had all things in common. That in itself seems a miracle! The devoted themselves to learning from the disciples, to prayer, and eating together. Then they got radical. They sold their possessions and shared with those in need. They praised God together and had favor with the people.
I love this example of how the church should act. How much more people would be saved if the church could really show what loving one another looks like. We need to remember not to be so stingy with what God has given to us. We need to remember to praise Him for everything!
Acts 3 – The Crippled Beggar
There was a crippled beggar that was being carried to the gate called, Beautiful. All he seemed to have was his life and the care of the people who carried him to the gate. He begged for money from Peter and John when he saw them. I love the boldness of Peter. “Look at us!” The beggar looked at them and Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He then grabbed the beggar’s hand and made him stand up! The beggar was instantly healed and began praising God while jumping through the court. Saying that the beggar was just a little excited is an understatement. He will forever be grateful for this miracle.
The joy of the beggar filled my own heart this morning. There are many things that God has done in my own life that I could jump up and down and shout and be thankful for. I will remember those things this week as I continue on with the story of the gospel in Acts!
What has God done in your own life that would warrant public shouting and jumping in praise? What do you think is the role of the Holy Spirit today? How do you think you receive the Holy Spirit?
