| The birth and launching of the Church of Jesus Christ | | | | and were people were set from demons. |
| teaches us today some crucial significant letters must | | | | In verse 23, speaking to the men of Israel, Peter uses |
| never be evaded nor avoided. It would unwise and | | | | very strong language, indicating that leading up to the |
| irresponsible to do so, yet there are people who | | | | crucifixion, you enlisted the help of wicked people to |
| compromise on what is taught in the scriptures. | | | | help you with your dirty work. |
| In the opening verses of Acts Chapter 2, where Dr | | | | Men would not allow Jesus to live. God would not |
| Luke tells us how The Church of Jesus Christ was | | | | allow Jesus to remain dead. Peter sees in this the |
| launched and birthed, we have elements and | | | | fulfilment of Psalms 16. David knew the Messiah would |
| characteristics were are absolutely vital. | | | | not remain dead, and "we are eyewitnesses of the |
| Is this exaggeration or accurate? Some people were | | | | fact". |
| baffled, amazed and perplexed when Jesus Christ | | | | Witnesses must always keep to the facts. Jesus is |
| poured out the Holy Spirit, baptising these women and | | | | risen from the dead. We saw Him ascend. He |
| men. Only God would have used such a radical | | | | returned to His Father and He has received from the |
| method - and in such a setting - the Temple in | | | | Father the promised Holy Spirit. He has poured out the |
| Jerusalem. | | | | Holy Spirit as He said He would and that is what you |
| Peter rises to his feet to explain what Jesus Christ | | | | now see and hear. |
| had done, baptising these 120 disciples in the Holy Spirit, | | | | This crowd that had gathered around the 120 disciples |
| where the consequence was that all spoke in tongues | | | | of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem at nine o'clock in |
| as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Each overflowed | | | | the morning saw something and heard something. |
| in Praise and Prayer. Now, are we clear on this? They | | | | People need to see as well as hear. Peter wants the |
| praised God in languages they had never learned and | | | | whole of Israel to KNOW with certainty that "God has |
| every time we read of new believers in Jesus Christ, | | | | made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and |
| this continued to happen and it continues to happen | | | | Christ". |
| today. This was the experience I had in March 1969, | | | | Many did not know what to make of all this. They had |
| and it has lasted. | | | | observed strange new unusual happenings that day. |
| In Peter's explanation, in verses 14 to 36, we have a | | | | The crowd was amazed, bewildered, confused, |
| message packed with the central truths of the Gospel | | | | perplexed, displaying a range of emotions, but Peter is |
| of Jesus Christ. It is good when a man can explain | | | | reassuring them that Jesus is in control. |
| what God is doing, and how God is moving. | | | | Peter has experienced what was prophesied in the |
| What happened to these disciples of Jesus Christ is | | | | Scriptures. Those listening realised they had crucified - |
| the fulfilment of prophecy. There is an outpouring of | | | | killed - the Messiah! They sensed deep conviction of |
| the Holy Spirit, resulting in these consequences - | | | | sin, and many wanted to get right with God. |
| speaking forth words, which are given by God. Peter | | | | "What shall we do?" Each is told what to do to have |
| refers to cosmic happenings, and people calling upon | | | | this serious situation rectified. Repent and be baptised |
| the Name of the Lord Jesus and being saved from | | | | and receive the Holy Spirit. |
| their sins. | | | | In the book of ACTS this is the pivotal point. Everyone |
| There comes that moment when a man or woman | | | | who comes to see who Jesus is and who comes to |
| has to call upon the Name of the Lord, and on the Day | | | | believe in Jesus, must go through these specific |
| of Pentecost it began within an hour or so of Peter | | | | stages, with no exceptions, and receive forgiveness |
| speaking these words. | | | | for the past, and power for the future. This is how |
| Remember, this is why Jesus Christ came into the | | | | people were born again in the New Testament. |
| world - to save people from their sins. | | | | Having come to believe in Jesus, they repented |
| At times, it may not always appear very dignified, but | | | | towards God, were baptised in water, and received |
| better to lose your dignity and be sure of your | | | | the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter spoke many other |
| salvation. This is a day of mercy and opportunity - a | | | | words, and we do not have them all, but we have all |
| day when we have the opportunity to receive the | | | | the words which God wanted us to have. |
| mercy of God. Peter speaks about JESUS. He speaks | | | | Make sure you have these four essential elements in |
| about the arrest, the crucifixion and the resurrection. | | | | your spiritual foundation - Repent, Believe in Jesus, Be |
| Having spoken from the written word, in the prophets, | | | | Baptised in water, and Receive the gift of the Holy |
| Peter now points the people to the Living Word - | | | | Spirit. |
| Jesus Christ, who was approved or accredited by | | | | Laying a sound foundation is essential if you wish to |
| God. God approved of everything He did. Blind eyes | | | | build and accomplish something that will last. |
| were opened. The lame walked, lepers were cleansed, | | | | |