I was stirred when I read Acts 2 again this morning for my daily reading.
The Holy Spirit came upon all the apostles. This is what we would usually refer to as the Pentecost.
At that moment, boldness and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit came upon them that they started in different languages not native to them.
Concurrently, Peter, with extraordinary boldness preached to the crowd about Christ and what He accomplished at the cross. (Remember, just a few days before that, he was cowering in fear, denying Jesus three times.
It was interesting what the following events were.
1. People thought they were drunk, even crazy.
When we decide to follow Christ and get baptized by the Holy Spirit, many will not quite understand what is taking place. Many times, we also don’t. But that’s what it means to ‘go against the flow.’ They’ll think you’re crazy for not being like everyone else.
2. Signs and wonders followed.
God did ‘extraordinary miracles‘ on their behalf. You’ll notice this throughout the book of Acts. The whole book is actually the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.”
As you put your faith in Jesus and get filled with His Spirit, expect miracles to happen in your life. Beginning miracle? Your salvation.
Jesus didn’t die to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.
3. People responded to the gospel.
Signs are exactly what they are – SIGNS.
Standing by a sign going to Baguio doesn’t mean you are already in Baguio. It just points you to the direction going to Baguio.
Many get stuck in the signs (and wonders) that they camp there. Signs should point not just to the miracle but to the Miracle Worker (Jesus).
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit… (Ephesians 5:18, NLT)