ONE Thing Changed - March 29 Readings: Acts 2, Pentecostal Power

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Acts 2

Through the Bible Readings: Joshua 1-2, Luke 3:23–38, Psalm 39:7–13, Proverbs 9:17-18

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

This is the birthday of the church of Jesus Christ, as the promised and long-awaited Spirit came on the church in the Upper Room and everything changed. The disciples suddenly were transformed to become the greatest missionary force in world history.

It is interesting to note that they spent over 3 years with Jesus and did not understand. They didn't get it. They loved Jesus and were willing to leave all to follow him, but they could not do what they should, understand what they were taught, or know the power of Christ they saw. '

But suddenly at Pentecost, the Spirit of God entered them and the words of Jesus came true. "It is better for you if I go away," he said. When he went away the Spirit would come and things would be better.

The Spirit of God in us is better even than Jesus with us. It is hard to believe, but Jesus said it and the facts bore it out. Jesus is the Savior and Lord we love, but it is the inner work of the Spirit who helps us experience Christ and understand what he is doing in us. 

WARNING: This devotional is a little longer than most of mine. 

Devotional: ONE Thing Changed 

Let me introduce you to two groups of men.

The Twelve Disciples

If a corporate analyst had presented a report on Jesus’ “organization” in the early days, it would have included a scathing section on the leadership selection and training process. Jesus selected twelve men to live with him, walk with him, learn from him and lead when he was gone, and for the entire time he was with them, there is no evidence that any of them ever got much of anything right. They were low-class fishermen, tax collectors, and political radicals.

And they were the spiritual equivalent of the Keystone Cops, or perhaps the Twelve Stooges – good-hearted and sincere, but incompetent. They bumbled and stumbled their way through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Their de facto leader, Peter, spent most of those days with his size 12 sandal firmly in his mouth.

Read the gospel stories. I love Matthew 16:5-7. Jesus warns the disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and they put their heads together, worried because they had forgotten t bring bread. They never got it. Jesus clearly predicted his death and resurrection, but it took them by surprise. Peter actually tried to stop the crucifixion by taking up a sword and lopping off a servant’s ear.

Jesus surrounded himself with confused, slow-on-the-uptake bozos who never understood what he was saying and who always seemed to do the wrong thing. The only thing they did right was to devote themselves to Jesus.

The Twelve Apostles

Then, there is a second group of men. They, like the first group of men, were unlearned and ignorant but committed to Jesus. But this group of men, called Apostles, turned the world upside down in a generation. They were men of wisdom and insight, who understood the message of Christ and proclaimed it clearly. Within about 35 years, they took the gospel throughout most of the Roman Empire. They wrote letters that are still devoured today for their spiritual truth.

Their leader stood before a crowd of people and proclaimed the mysteries of Christ and 3000 souls entered the Kingdom. A sermon like no other.

Two Truths

Two groups of men who were nothing alike. I would make two observations about them.

1) They were the same men. Well, Judas checked out and was replaced, but by and large, these were the same men. Peter was still Peter but he was a completely different man. John and James had not been replaced, but they had been unalterably altered.

2) Only one thing changed. As best I can tell, only one thing happened to turn the disciples into apostles. One. They did not go to seminary and get an advanced degree in systematic theology. They did not get a box with a new video curriculum from Lifeway that was going to revolutionize their ministry. They had no revelation about a new theology.

And they turned the world upside down.

Why? Because Jesus baptized them in the Holy Spirit and fire, just as John had predicted. That was the only discernible difference between the two groups. The fullness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them to wait until they were endued with power from on high. The Holy Spirit came on them, they were filled with the Spirit and power and nothing was ever the same again.

The disciples never understood anything. The apostles understood the deep things of God. The disciples were confused about the purposes of God. The apostles understood God’s agenda and served it. The disciples struggled for supremacy and greatness. The apostles laid down their lives for Christ and for others in Christ’s name. The disciples were timid and afraid. The apostles were bold and powerful. The disciples failed in much of what they did. The Apostles succeeded in doing God’s work.

We now have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. We have access to all the riches of Christ, the wisdom of Christ, the power of Christ, and the presence of Christ – all because of the work of the Spirit within.

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.  

Think and Pray:

How is the Spirit working in your life? What changes is he making?
How have you been transformed since your salvation?