Acts 2:1-13
2: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflection
Since the time of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), the nations of the earth were divided by language, unable to come together as a result of their rebellion against God. In the Old Testament we learn that God singled out the Jewish nation to deliver his blessing to the world, and therefore the good news of God’s grace was originally communicated only in the Hebrew language. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, however, the curse of Babel begins to unravel. No longer is the gospel confined to Hebrew; it is available directly to all nations and all languages. A new age has begun! One day Christ’s reign will be fully realized, and the effects of sin will fall away completely.
The story in Acts is also our story, because we are participating in God’s story. The descent of the Spirit on these apostles is really the birth story of all who are in Christ. If this had never happened, if God had not looked on Christ’s work on the cross and said “It is good,” raised him from the dead, and set him at his right side to pour out his Spirit on his people, then we would still be dead in our sins. We would still be without the spiritual life of the new birth, lost and without hope.
1 Peter 4:1-6
4: Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
Reflection
To suffer for belief in God’s will is to follow in the footsteps of the sufferings of Christ. Peter wants believers to “arm” themselves (1 Pet. 4:1) with this reality, as they focus on “the will of God” rather than on “human passions.” While such suffering may not eliminate every sin in our lives, godly priorities establish a wholesome pattern of life (vv. 1–2).
Note that Peter speaks not simply of making better decisions but of living for something —the will of God (v. 2). Only in the gospel of grace are we given the power to surrender all our rights and live for Christ (cf. Phil. 3:7–9). Peter also reminds those who suffer that to die having lived a life of holiness is no waste. God will make all things right in the end (1 Pet. 4:5–6).
Psalm 40:8
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
The Holy Spirit is the only one who can help us gladly surrender all rights to God. Remember Christ’s surrender to the will of his Father (Matt. 26:42), and entrust your life fully into the hands of God and his ways.