Scripture to Read: Acts 2:14–21
When God goes to work, He uses His children to carry out His work (Ephesians 2:10). God showed up mightily through His Holy Spirit, and the crowd gathered. Some wondered while others mocked, and when the mocking began, God gave Peter His boldness (Ephesians 6:19–20) to speak (Acts 2:14–15). God had Peter first answer those who mocked the disciples as being drunk with wine. Peter told the crowd that it was only 9:00 AM, so thinking they were drunk was ridiculous. Then, God used Peter to quote directly from His Word in Joel 2:28–32. We must be careful here because Peter said, “this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel,” but he did not say, “what Joel wrote is now fulfilled.” God fulfilled what He had Joel record in Joel 2:28, “It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind.” The “last days” include the Messiah’s first coming as a humble servant and His second coming in all His glory. Jesus had already come as the humble servant (Philippians 2:6–8), and Peter and the other disciples lived expecting His glorious return at any moment. God used Peter to quote Joel 2 because the Holy Spirit had been poured forth on all the disciples. Before Pentecost, the Holy Spirit only came upon people, but not to permanently live in them. Finally, Peter quoted Joel 2:21, telling the crowd that salvation was offered to “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD.” This was incredibly great news. Also, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Challenge & Application
• Knowing God has filled every believer with His Holy Spirit, what differences should we see in believers’ lives?
• Since mockers will always scoff at the things of God, what are you doing to prepare for the mockers you might face?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!