Tags

, , , , ,

Repent

Why this is important: it is a historic day in the history of the church of Jesus, our Messiah. He promised the power of the Holy Spirit would immerse them and fill them. That stunning declaration of Jesus was fulfilled.

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Acts 2:37–41

Peter told them how to be saved: they had to repent of their sins and believe on Jesus the Messiah. They would give proof of the sincerity of their repentance and faith by being baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah, thus identifying themselves publicly with their Messiah and Savior.

Only by repenting and believing on Christ could they receive the gift of the Spirit, and this promise was for both the Jews and the “far off” Gentiles.

So, what was the effect of the power of the Holy Spirit being poured out?

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 2:43

Good news: The promise of the power of the Holy Spirit is for us today! That is the promise of God’s word. This is the promise of Jesus. Ask Him for more power from the Holy Spirit.

What are we to think of spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit in the church today? The Apostle Paul lays out a great summary in his letter to the Corinthians. The purpose of these gifts of the Holy Spirit is to build up the church. These gifts of the Holy Spirit continue in the church today.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Master; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. [1]

Source: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Here are the nine gifts that Paul outlines:

  1. Utterance of wisdom
  2. Utterance of knowledge
  3. Faith
  4. Gift of healing
  5. Working of miracles
  6. Prophecy
  7. Ability to distinguish between spirits
  8. Various kinds of tongues
  9. Interpretation of tongues

This is how the church should function. These gifts are reinforced in many places in the New Testament. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are real and are to be encouraged. My guess is, regardless of your denomination, you know people who have some of these gifts of the Holy Spirit.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 12:1–11.

Source:

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 410.

We have good news! Want to know how to be saved? Click here or here for more.

Advertisement