ACTS 2:1-21

THE BACKGROUND

Some weeks after the resurrection of our Lord, the disciples were in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Pentecost.  Jewish pilgrims came from everywhere—from far ends of their world.  They came to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of the weeks.  God first directed His people to celebrate this festival in Leviticus 23:15-22. Originally, it was a harvest festival, but by Jesus’ time it was a celebration of the giving of the Law of Moses. The Holy Spirit chose this time and place to make its dramatic entrance. 

THE DETAILS

  • Something special and very supernatural occurs.  Luke has a hard time describing it clearly, so he uses metaphors—“
like the rush of a violent wind”, and “
Divided tongues, as of fire
”  Something incredible has happened, and it was difficult for him to describe.  (vv. 1-3)
  • Suddenly, the disciples begin speaking in the languages of the countries of all the pilgrims present in this place.  The pilgrims are astonished.  They say “Are these not Galileans?”  (In other words, “aren’t these guys uneducated country bumpkins?”)  (vv. 4-11)
  • I find it humorous that when the disciples are accused of being drunk, Peter doesn’t say no because they are men of God.  Instead, he says that it’s too early.  (v. 15)
  • Peter quotes the prophet scripture (Joel 2:28-32) to explain that what was happening was the fulfillment of a prophecy.  (vv. 16-21)

 

THE TAKEAWAY

This is first time, when the Holy Spirit comes to the believers. We celebrate this day, and remind ourselves of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.  In the Gospel reading two weeks ago, Jesus promised that the Advocate would come and be with us forever.  This is the Advocate, the Holy Spirit of God.   The Holy Spirit still comes to us, to continue the work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes:

  • To the whole world. 
  • Speaking our language.
  • To help us understand and know God.
  • To give us strength to do God’s work with those around us.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3b-13

THE BACKGROUND

The Christian church in the city of Corinth was a mess.  The Holy Spirit had done what the Holy Spirit does—bless the believers with many spiritual gifts.  There were a whole variety of gifts given.  Those who had the spiritual gifts of “speaking in tongues”*, believed that they had a superior gift! Those with that gift claimed to have a spiritual superiority over the others.  They were causing division within the church.   Paul rushes in to correct the problem by putting things into perspective.  In the process, we also get a great lesson about the inner workings of the Holy Spirit.

* “Speaking in tongues” means speaking in a foreign language which one was never taught.  The ability to do so was given by the Holy Spirit, just as is was on Pentecost, as we read in today’s first lesson.

 

THE DETAILS

  • The passage begins by explaining that everything comes from the Holy Spirit, even something as simple as claiming that Jesus is Lord.  (v. 3b)
  • We are told that all of these gifts come from God, so we shouldn’t be doing any bragging.  (vv. 4-6)
  • We are given a short list of spiritual gifts.  (There are many more gifts, to be sure.)  But one thing is clear—all of these gifts are given “for the common good”.  (vv. 7-10)
  • All these gifts come from the same Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit decides who gets what. (v. 11)
  • The gifts are given in order for us to use them together as one community.  One body. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we do, we are all baptized into the one body of Christ! (vv. 12-13)

 

THE TAKEAWAY

Verse 3 states that anybody who says “Jesus is Lord!” has the Holy Spirit in them.  That is you and me!  Furthermore, the “test” is not having any one particular gift.  All spiritual gifts are given so they can work together for the common good. 

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Ask yourself “Which spiritual gifts have I been blessed with, and how shall I use them?  Am I using them for the Glory of God?  Am I using them for the common good?”

 

JOHN 20:19-23

THE BACKGROUND

In the Gospel of John, this is Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to the apostles (other than Mary Magdalene).  It is “the first day of the week”, in other words it is Sunday.  They were in a locked room, most likely the same one that they had celebrated the Passover with Jesus.

THE DETAILS

  • Jesus suddenly appears, and tells his disciples “peace”.  I’m sure they were alarmed, excited, distressed, doubting, and in awe.  They must have been, because he tells them twice to be at peace.  (vv. 19, 21)
  • He begins by telling them to touch his wounds.  This would do two things.  First, it would verify that he had a real body, and wasn’t a ghost.  Second, the wounds would have verified that he truly was their crucified Lord.  (v. 20)
  • Jesus tells them that they are being sent into the world the same way that the Father had sent the Son.  (v. 21)
  • He gives them the Holy Spirit.  (v. 22)
  • He says something interesting about forgiving or retaining the sins of “any”. More on this below.  (v. 23)

THE TAKEAWAY

Some churches point to verse 23 as giving priests and pastors the authority to grant or withhold forgiveness of sins.  It is called “The Office of the Keys”.  Maybe there is another meaning.  Consider the words of the Lord’s Prayer, where we say “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”.  Maybe in verse 23, Jesus is saying we have the power to forgive others, or not forgive them.  Maybe He also means that if we don’t forgive others, we might also not be forgiven. Seems fair.  What do you think?

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