The Second of Ten days

Acts 2:1-41

The Spirit was given to bring about the evangelization of all peoples (nations, tribes, peoples, tongues).

The Day of Pentecost is one of the most strategic moves of God recorded in Scripture. Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit empowered them to be his witnesses? Because God was going to bring people from all over the world to that city so they could hear the message of Jesus Christ (2:5-10). The timing was perfect. "God-fearing Jews" from at least 15 different regions of the Near and Middle East had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the religious feast known as Pentecost. All of them heard the gospel. But notice how they heard the message – "we hear them declaring the words of God in our own tongues (v.11)." All of these Jews most likely spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, but had adopted the Gentile languages of the regions where they lived. When the Spirit came upon the disciples they spoke miraculously in these Gentile languages. They could have spoken in Hebrew or Aramaic and the people would have understood them just as well. So why did God give the message to Hebrew people in Gentile languages? Why did God perform this miracle? God gave this marvelous outbreak of Gentile languages to demonstrate that the gospel is for everyone regardless of race, color, country, or language. This shows us that the Spirit was given to bring about the evangelization of all peoples (nations, tribes, peoples, tongues). The Spirit wants the world for Christ. He is empowering God’s people to take the gospel to every people group*, and he will accomplish that purpose. In Revelation 7:9-10 we see the scene of heaven:

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. There were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb."

On that day, there will be representatives from every people group in heaven worshiping our God. The Spirit will see to it. Will you let him use you to be a witness to the nations?

*When we speak of people groups we are speaking of what the Bible refers to as nations. The word nation comes from the Greek word ethnos. We get our word ethnic or ethnicity from it. It refers to a group of people who share a common ethnicity. This means they share a common culture, common customs, common language, and originate from the same general geographical location. Conservative estimates claim that there are over 11,000 people groups on planet earth. Nearly 2000 of these people groups are considered unreached – they have little or no access to the gospel message – but they will!

Jesus is God’s offer of Hope to the World (2:22-36)

Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry, God constantly endorsed Jesus as the Messiah. His miraculous signs and wonders (22), his death which was according to the plan of God (23), his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God (24-32, 34-35), and his reception of the Holy Spirit whom he freely poured out upon his disciples (33) all attest to the fact that Jesus is the long anticipated Messiah that God throughout the past centuries had promised the world. Verse 36 makes it clear that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ (Messiah).

What is this Messiah supposed to do? Answer: reveal to us the True God, provide forgiveness of sins bringing us into a relationship with God, give to us the abiding presence of the Spirit of God who transforms us and empowers us, and establish an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and peace that will one day be worldwide and victorious over those who would choose to remain Christ’s enemies. Not a bad Messiah! Peter addresses verse 36 to all the house of Israel. But we know from the rest of Scripture that Jesus is the Messiah not only for Jewish people, but for all people. In Luke 2 we read of a man named Simeon whom God had promised that he "would not die before had seen the Lord’s Christ." One day in the temple, Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to him and as he held him in his arms he said,

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles (literally, nations) and for glory to your people Israel.

Jesus the Messiah is salvation for the world. Isaiah records God’s words about His Messiah in Isaiah 49:6, "I will also make you a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach the end of the earth." This salvation, this hope, this light of the nations has yet to penetrate some of the darkest places on planet earth. Will you go and shine that light? Will you go and proclaim Jesus, the hope and salvation for the nations?

You, Jesus are the long awaited Messiah, the hope of the world and salvation for all peoples. You are the light of the nations, yet many live in darkness having never heard about you. Help me to never be content knowing that, but to be moved with compassion for the lost in this world. You, Spirit of God, are zealous to have the world for Christ; to see him honored and adored in all the earth. Give me the same zeal and empower me to be a witness for Christ daily. Lead me and I will follow. If you desire to send me to the ends of the earth, give me the faith to obey. For the glory of Christ’s name I pray, Amen.