Refreshed by the Spirit

Read Acts 2

1. What significant events are taking place prior to the audience asking the question?
   • Pentecost
   • Apostles speaking in tongues
   • Peter preaching on behalf of Jesus
2. What did Peter say to spark this desire in knowing what to do?
   • He used scripture to explain what is taking place (Acts 2:17-21, 25-28, 34-35)
   • He rebuked them on what they had done to Jesus (Acts 2:22-24, 36)
   • He brought up the passages are about Jesus and His resurrection (Acts 2:29-33)
   • He elevated the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 17, 18, 33, 38)
3. What was the result of Peter’s response to the crowd’s question?
   • 3,000 were Baptized (Acts 2:41)
   • People sold their property and possessions (Acts 2:45)
   • They were continuing to break bread day by day (Acts 2:46, 47)
   • Other.

How do we respond when the Word of God confronts us? Do you feel uncomfortable when the Spirit is very present in another person? Do you question how spiritual you are? In this story, scoffing at what God was doing with those in the upper room, was the initial response. Usually a response like this is because they were uncomfortable in the presence of the Spirit. That may be why Peter brought up that they were not drunk (Acts 2:15). Another response could be curiosity which leads to the question, "what do I do now?" That is what the audience said in verse 37.

We are to confess our need of being cleansed to God (1 John 1:9). Upon confession comes repentance - a desire to change our ways leads to actual steps to change our practices) happens. As a result, people demonstrated this transformation by being baptized. The Holy Spirit worked on their hearts to lead them to Christ and continue to grow us in the image of Christ. If we allow the Spirit to lead us, it will be noticeable.

Peter preached. There seemed to be no sign of him preparing the message. Be ready to speak on your convictions. After being accused of being drunk, Peter could have lashed out at the crowd for their ignorance of what had just happened. You could tell that Peter had grown in his faith and understanding of God’s plan for him. Instead of going “eye for an eye” with the crowd, he “went the extra mile” and gave them grace instead. He spoke with great conviction, full of the Holy Spirit, and told the story of Jesus. Peter gave testimony of who Jesus was. He refreshed their memory of the events of the last month and a half. The story of the crucifixion of Jesus most likely was a story most people had heard. Peter tells people the story from what he experienced. He was an eyewitness and let people know who Jesus was to him and what Jesus could be to them. Peter confronted the crowd with the truth of who Jesus was.

The people responded. People responded, “now, what do we do with what you just told us?” What would you tell people if they asked that question? Invite them to church? Get your pastor to visit them? Or follow Peter’s example. Right then and there, Peter gave them a clear invitation. Repent and be baptized. Repent is an invitation to change the direction of your life. Baptism is a public confession of your faith.