Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:14a, 36-41 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Verse 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Verse 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Verse 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." Verse 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Verse 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Devotion
Peter’s Pentecost sermon proclaims to the people assembled in Jerusalem the gospel of God’s good news present in Jesus Christ. Peter draws upon the prophetic words of Joel, which proclaim God’s promise "to pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” This promise has now been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified, but whom God raised from death and who now is seated at God’s right hand. This reigning Lord and Messiah is the one who has poured out the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Cut to the heart by Peter’s word that this Jesus is the one whom they have crucified, they ask, "What should we do?” The response of Peter is direct: repent, turn from your ways, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the gift of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. Peter’s sermon is promise for all who hear. If three thousand were baptized on that day of Pentecost, this gift of God’s empowering Spirit is present for all today.
Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord, with all your graces now outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart, your fervent love to us impart. Let none but Christ our Master be, that we in living faith abide. (v.1 & v.2, LBW #163, "Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord") Amen.