January 3, 2019

Yesterday, we read a powerful story about the Holy Spirit coming upon everyone present at Pentecost and giving them the ability to speak to each other in other languages. This was an amazing display of the power of God, the Holy Spirit.

However, one of my fears is whenever we think of the Holy Spirit, we only think of instances like we read about in the first thirteen verses of Acts 2. The Holy Spirit is active  in the same ways we see Him working in our passage today.

First, the Holy Spirit empowers us with a message to declare to others. In verse 14, Peter steps forward and shouts to the crowd the message of the Gospel while contextualizing the Gospel to those hearing it—Peter preaches to Jews, so he uses the Old Testament to share the message of the Gospel.

Second, the Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture for us. As Peter began to preach, he quotes whole passages of Scripture relating the Old Testament to the reality that Jesus was the Messiah. I believe the Holy Spirit shows us the meaning of Scripture, particularly how passages relate to Jesus.

Third, the Holy Spirit points to Jesus, acting somewhat like a spotlight. Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit turns the focus to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Look in this passage to the numerous references to Jesus!

Finally, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. After the Jews heard the message of the Gospel, the words “pierced their hearts.” They were convicted of their sin, so they repented and believed the Gospel.

I’m excited to study Acts with you, and I pray that God will use His Word to help us grow in our faith, grow in our love for others, and become passionate for the mission of God around the world!

By: Lucas Taylor — West Campus Pastoral Ministry Apprentice