Adventures through the Holy Bible - Week of December 3
God Knows…When I Want to Get Ahead – Part 1
How can we get ahead in life? Well, how does a car get ahead in an auto race? First of all, it must have power. That’s exactly what the followers of Jesus needed to spread the good news of Jesus’ love to the whole world.
One of the last things Jesus told His followers before He left them to return to heaven was to stay in Jerusalem until they received power from on high. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to give them power to be Christ’s witnesses.
Power Comes
About 50 days after the Passover, was time for the Pentecost (meaning “The Fiftieth”). Crowds had come to Jerusalem from all over to celebrate. God’s supreme power was soon to be witnessed by all.
One day, as 120 of Jesus’ followers were gathered to pray and talk together, they heard a sound like a mighty rushing wind. Like flames of fire, the Holy Spirit came to each person. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples extraordinary language ability, so that all the visitors from various countries could hear the wonderful story of Jesus In their own language! When this news spread, a crowd gathered around the disciples. “Aren’t these people who are speaking all from Galilee?” they asked. “How is it that each one of us can hear our own language?”
With power and clearness Peter spoke about the death and resurrection of Jesus. He showed that Christ’s death was no accident. It was part of God’s plan. Peter spoke of David, one of the biggest heroes of the people. David had foretold that Christ would be raised from the dead.
“Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ,” Peter declared.
The people were profoundly moved by Peter’s messages. They asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter had a powerful answer for them. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit convinced hundreds of listeners that Jesus of Nazareth was the Savior and Messiah. They became willing to repent. “Then those who gladly received [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them! Day after day others joined the group which were to become known as Christians—followers of Christ.
Your Story Hour
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Berrien Springs, MI 49103
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info@yourstoryhour.org
For more information about this ministry please visit their website YourStoryHour.org or listen to their radio program on OnePlace.com.
