“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”“ (Acts 2:38-39, NIV)
This is Peter’s conclusion to his Pentecost sermon (which we’ll be studying Sunday in our series “Unfinished”). I love it because it includes me. As you probably guessed, “all those who are far off” includes us. Salvation in Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life are still accessible. These weren’t relegated to that first generation of Christians.
Fifty generations later and salvation is still available…and so is the work of the Holy Spirit. Earlier in the passage, Peter outlined the Spirit’s ministry from the Old Testament prophet Joel (Acts 2:17-21). This ministry includes prophecy, visions, dreams, signs and wonders, and salvation freely offered.
The Apostles walked in those things and we can, too. Because we are the church, these are ours for the asking – a “gift” and a “promise” from God. It is high time the church returned to walking in power. [Join us Sunday at New Life Church for more]
