Acts 2
The Book of Acts is also known as the Acts of the Apostles. However, it can also be read as the acts of the church, the acts of God as well as the acts of the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, many people feel that it is merely a historical record which we cannot really rely on too much today. It is even more shocking when we find out that some of these people are Christians themselves. As Christians, shouldn’t we believe that God is in control of everything and that history is *His* story? What’s more, we are talking about the establishment of His church here. Do we not feel that God, who never changes, will ensure that the blueprint of His church is passed on faithfully across the ages?
How then, can we not refer to this book when we are talking about the church and its beliefs?
With this in mind, let us read today’s chapter, which is chockfull of doctrinal teachings among other things.
Bible Passage: Acts 2
Do you see why I said it was chockfull of doctrinal teachings among other things?
Two of our basic beliefs are explicitly mentioned here: the promised Holy Spirit and baptism.
In fact, we can say that most, if not all of the chapter talks about the Holy Spirit and Acts 2:38 is of course, one of the first verses we always refer to when talking about baptism because it links baptism and forgiveness of sins plainly.
However, while the teachings behind these verses may be plain to us, there are some who just cannot see nor understand them. Like what God said through Isaiah,
[…] ‘ Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ (Is 6:9)
This phenomenon of a group of people seeing and hearing the same thing but receiving totally different messages or reacting in diametrically opposite ways is also seen in this chapter.
The group of devout men gather upon hearing the sound of the coming of the Holy Spirit all heard the disciples speaking in tongues but while some heard them speaking about ‘the wonderful works of God’ in their own language, other mocked them for babbling in a presumed drunken stupor.
What does this mean for us today?
While we give thanks that the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth allows us to understand the teachings in the Bible clearly, we must also be careful to maintain a humble heart so that we continue to be grounded in the truth. There are many examples of people who, due to pride and belief in their own logic and reasoning, have negated the teachings so clear to us and left the church.
Therefore, as we continue reading and studying the Bible, let us remember the acts of the Holy Spirit and rely on Him with a humble heart to guide us into all truth.
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PS
David said,”For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 2:27) David talked about his soul and the Holy One not seeing corruption.
When Peter explained the words of David, Peter said,”he, foresseing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.” (Acts 2:31)
Did Peter distort the word of David?
No, Peter expounded the inspiration which David received from God more accurately bec he had seen with his own eyes the prophercy being fulfilled on Lord Jesus Christ.
“Him, being delivered by the determined purposes and forever knowlegde of God,
you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death,
because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (Acts 2:22-23)
“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32)
Would these eye-witnesses not die one day? God left behind His own written evidence, the bible.
“Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)
Two thousands years later, we can believe that Lord Jesus resurrected, ascended and is now at the right hand of God bec we now see and hear and receive the Holy Spirit too.
We continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine bec Lord Jesus Christ is our true and living God.