Monday, May 25, 2015
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.
PETER'S PENTECOST SERMON: JOEL
Many were confused with everything happening on Pentecost Sunday. The signs of a sound of a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire over peoples' heads, and the ability to immediately speak in foreign languages left the populace wondering what was going on.
Peter used his trademark boldness the right way and took the opportunity to explain what was going on. And what did Peter use? The Word of God as it was recorded by the prophet Joel. For those who knew Old Testament Scriptures these signs pointed them to an event that God had promised long ago -- the coming of the Holy Spirit.
What was the point of Joel's prophecy and the signs that came with its fulfillment? It wasn't so that the early disciples could revel in their new found signs and gifts. The signs and gifts served one purpose -- to direct people to the message of salvation in God's Word. Joel summarized the purpose this way: "Whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."
When you get down to it, the purpose of all this seeming confusion was quite simple -- God achieved mankind's salvation and the Holy Spirit came to help people receive that salvation. Peter went back to the Word of God to explain the significance of these events. When you or others you know have questions about life and salvation or what may be going on in the world, follow the same procedure. God has accomplished the work of salvation and He makes the message clear.
