“14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since its only nine in the morning. 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

“17 ‘And it will be in the last days,’ says God,

that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

and your old men will dream dreams.

18 I will even pour out My Spirit

on My male and female slaves in those days,

and they will prophesy.

19 I will display wonders in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below:

blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord comes.

21 Then everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

Acts 2:14-21

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On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover celebration and the resurrection of Jesus, we see the arrival of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has enabled the Apostles and disciples to speak in different languages that they had never learned, testifying to the power of God and drawing the crowd that Peter now addresses. 

Not a moment of what is going on is meant to elevate or glorify a human individual. This isn’t done so that Peter becomes famous, or so Andrew gains a following or that Thaddaeus gets a book deal. No. This is all done for the glory of God, to draw the hearts of men toward Him. This is so that His truth is proclaimed, and His will accomplished. 

Peter begins preaching to the crowd, filled with the Holy Spirit, as a willing vessel. He is used by God in this place, in this moment, so that hearts are drawn to Him, so that the truth is planted in the hearts of men. Again, this is not for Peter’s glorification and fame. This is all about God. Peter’s glory comes from Christ being glorified in Him above himself.

And this is all so that people might be saved, turning to God, calling on His Name. God’s compassion, mercy and grace are on display for all to see, for all to hear. This is the blessing of Penetecost, that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit would be shared, spread and passed along. No more gathering at the temple to have a single man stand as mediator once a year, but the constant, daily presence of God with His people, not just with them, but in them. This should still amaze us. This should still humble us and point our hearts toward Him. This is amazing love! This is wonderful, beautiful and intimate beyond our full understanding. 

As we continue the work that Peter began, we GoLove in Jesus’ Name with the same Holy Spirt within us that emboldened & inspired him. And it is still for God’s glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. We are baptized in the water and in the Spirit, and so we identify with Christ and are upheld by Him as we do His work.