Thursday, September 16, 2021

Such As I Have Give I Thee!

There was great excitement at the Temple on the morning of the day of Pentecost in 3 BC. Jesus Christ had recently died, but was raised from death and had just ascended to his rightful position at God's right hand to be Lord of the church that was being raised and continues to be raised today on this earth. 

The events of that day are recorded in Acts 2. Peter and the apostles sat in the temple and received the gift of holy spirit.  Peter delivered the first sermon explaining the significance of the day to all that were there. He invited all who were in the temple to join in:        

38 Then Peter said unto them, "Repent (change your mind), and be baptized (immersed in the gift of holy spirit) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Acts 2:38-47
Well, we still have an untoward generation, but we who were afar off from this scene in both time and distance were invited in to look away from untowardness too and receive the same grace from God. The people were excited and gladly wanted to know more:
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized (immersed in holy spirit): and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

People were brought into the family of God and started immediately seeing grace (God's favor):

43 And fear (awe and respect) came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Of course signs and wonders popped up all over their community.  There is no formula or 'how to' to get this to happen.  God WANTS to shower us with grace . We just have to receive his love gladly:

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 PRAISING GOD, and having favour (sharing their power of God) with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (made whole).

A couple of days later Peter and John went back to the temple for prayer and a lame man asked them for help. Peter made it clear that what he himself had could be shared. Peter shared the love, grace and power of God.!!:

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  Acts 3:3-8 

This got a lot of attention round about and many people had a lot of questions and marveled at what was going on:

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; Acts 3:12-13a


No comments:

Post a Comment