The Most Important Events of the World

A group of believers was meeting together - not only the disciples of Jesus but also the women who loved Him and believed in Him, including Mary, His mother, and His brothers. Fifty days had passed since Jesus was raised from the dead, and His promise had not yet been fulfilled: I will ask the Father in heaven and He will send you another Counsellor to be with you forever. He will guide you into all truth.

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus had said to His disciples, You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

All of them stayed in Jerusalem as Jesus had commanded them, awaiting the arrival of the promised power from above. This tremendous force was to strengthen and encourage them to witness in the whole world about all they had heard and seen from Him. Ten days after Jesus ascended to His Father in heaven, the promise was suddenly fulfilled.

At the time, there was a big feast in Jerusalem, called Pentecost (the Feast of Firstfruits). Huge crowds of different peoples from different places gathered to celebrate and give offerings in the temple.

In the early morning, there was a joyful noise filling the streets of Jerusalem, as the masses of worshippers went together to the temple.

Suddenly, a strange thing happened. A hush fell over the crowd, and the people looked around, listening. They heard the roar of a mighty wind yet there was no storm! Everyone asked his Neighbour, What in the world is happening? This sound was coming from a certain house, so all the people rushed to it, to see what was happening.

And what did they see? The disciples of Jesus were all standing in the house with gleaming flames, like fire, above their heads. Yet it was not fire, for their hair was not burned. At the same time, the disciples changed: Their eyes also brimmed over with joy, and their faces lit up with glee; they were receiving overwhelming courage and boldness.

The disciples began to exalt God with loud voices, praising, worshipping, and showing gratitude for His wonderful deeds.

People hurried from all around to see what was happening and to listen to the words of the disciples. The people who came from Egypt were surprised when they heard one of the disciples speaking fluently in the Egyptian language. Another man from Italy was astonished when he heard a disciple praising the Lord in the language of Italy. It was the same with the other people from other countries. Everyone heard in his own language what the disciples were saying about the great works of God. But they wondered,What is happening? What does it mean?

The crowds were confused. One person asked another, "Are not these the men who were just speaking Hebrew? Then how is it that each of us hears his own language?Some people made fun of them and said mockingly, They have had too much wine - that's why they are acting so strangely!

None of the people understood what God was doing. Some were puzzled, and others became critical. But at this point, the crowd was still only curious; they were not yet changed in their attitudes or personalities.

But the same question kept arising: What does all this mean? They wondered how to interpret these events and what the consequences would be?

The crowds grew bigger and bigger until Peter, one of the disciples, stood up fearlessly before everyone. The Spirit of God had filled his heart with courage to confront the crowd. He said clearly: Dear brothers, listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk as you suppose. It's only nine o'clock in the morning! It is nonsense to say that they are drunk! Rather, consider what the Lord has revealed to us through the Prophet Joel: "I will pour out My spirit on all people, even on My servants, both men and women, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.As you can see, God has poured out His Spirit into our hearts.

All were listening attentively. Peter continued: "It is the Spirit of God who caused us to speak in these foreign languages. He has also opened your ears so that you can understand. All these things have happened through Jesus of Nazareth whom you crucified. Through Him, God is doing these great things, for He did not stay in the grave; God has raised Him from the dead. We are all witnesses to this fact. We have seen Him go up into heaven and sit exalted at the right hand of the Father, ruling with Him over all people. Thus, He has fulfilled His promise and poured out His Spirit on us as you have seen. Let it be known to all of you that God has raised Jesus, whom you crucified, and made Him both Lord and Christ over the world.

When they heard this, they trembled with fear. Now they understood their great mistake. They had murdered the Lord of heaven and earth. What could they do now? Would there be any mercy for them after this horrible crime?

As soon as Peter had finished his speech, the crowds rushed towards him and the other disciples, asking: "Brothers, what can we do? How can we be made right in the eyes of God?"

The only glimmer of hope they received came from the Spirit-filled disciples who guided them to the way of mercy; otherwise, they would have gone hopelessly astray.

Peter answered the people clearly. The answer is still true for us today. Filled with the Spirit, he said: Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in your hearts and lives, and he will make you new people.

Only when we hear the message of truth, confess our sins, repent, and ask for forgiveness, we will find a clear answer from the Word of God.

We must remember Peter's message to the people.

To confess and leave our sins is the only way to be forgiven, the only way to receive God's Spirit in us. Only then can we be changed so that we can live lives pleasing to God.

Peter again spoke to the people: "Save yourselves from this Evil generation. " With many convincing words, he urged them to choose the way of salvation. But everyone must decide for himself , because God gives man the freedom to choose.

What do you think the people decided? What choice will you make, dear reader?

We read in the book of Acts (2:41): They received his word with joy and were baptized, adding about three thousand to their number that day.

And what do you think happened after Pentecost?

All those who were baptized met daily in the temple, very eager to know more about the teachings and deeds of Jesus.

The disciples told those who joined them about the wise sayings and parables of the Lord, so that they might tell the message of salvation to others.

The followers of Jesus were so committed to one another in love, that they shared their belongings. No one was needy. They gathered in each other's homes, ate together, and joyfully praised God with clean hearts. Every day new people were added to the fellowship of believers.

The believers had unity and singleness of purpose. They shared everything and helped one another whenever necessary. They were happy followers of their Lord, living at peace with God and their neighbours, through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Because of their peaceful ways, they were honoured and respected by others. God also gave them the power to perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus.

One day, while Peter and John were standing before the temple, they saw a man crippled from birth. He was being carried to the temple gate, where he begged daily.

This man asked Peter and John for money, when they passed by. Noticing him, Peter said: "Look at us.So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said to him, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!

Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong instantly.

Then he went with the two disciples into the temple courts, jumping, running, and praising God with loud voice. All the people saw him, and they recognised him as the same man who used to sit at the temple gate, begging. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter and John explained to the onlookers that it was not by their own power, but through faith in the name of Jesus Christ and His strength that the crippled man had become well. As a result, many people believed, and their number reached about five thousand persons.

The Spirit of God that dwelt in the disciples will also dwell in us if we leave our evil ways and receive Jesus Christ as Lord in all the areas of our lives.

The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into the life of fellowship with Jesus Christ, so that He can bear His fruit through us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentle ness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

The Apostle Paul showed us how to be joyful and effective witnesses for Jesus:

Serve in the new way of the Spirit(Romans 7:6).

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord"(Romans 12:11).

Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature"(Galatians 5:16).

Be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being"(Ephesians 3:9).

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God(Ephesians 4:30).

Be filled with Spirit on all occasions, and with all kinds of prayers and requests"(Ephesians 6:18).