Thursday, May 17

3000 More

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

During the event of Pentecost, when believers were given the gift of the Holy Spirit by tongues of fire, Peter gave a speech that cut hearers to the core. He explained how Jesus was the one who had been promised by David, and that he had been raised from the dead to restore Israel. The hearers of the day were amazed and frightened, and wondered what they should do next.

Peter told them to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like the apostles, baptized believers would receive from the Holy Spirit guidance concerning their work and ministry, and protection from persecution. From the 12 came 3000 more that day! Not a bad beginning for a brand new church.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Acts 2:37-42

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.