Scripture to Read: Acts 2:14–21
When God goes to work, He chooses to use His children to carry out His work. God came through His Holy Spirit, and the crowd was gathered. Some wondered while others mocked and when the mocking began, God gave Peter His boldness 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 it was ridiculous to think that the disciples were drunk. 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.” What God fulfilled was Joel 2:28, “It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind.” The “last days” includes 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 knew His glorious return could happen at any time. 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 on all flesh to dwell in them. Last, as Peter quoted Joel in Acts 2:21, Peter told the crowd that salvation was offered to “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD.” This was indeed very good news.
Challenge & Application
Knowing God has poured out His Holy Spirit on every believer, what differences should we see in believers’ lives?
Since mockers will always scoff at the things of God, what are you doing to be prepared when it happens to you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!