Monday, February 17, 2014

February 18, 2014

"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.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2:38-41

Peter is famous for his "Peter moment" and he is also famous for his Peter "movement".

His Peter "moment" was when he denied Jesus three times on the night Christ was arrested. Earlier, he had boasted that he would be true to Jesus if no one else was. As it turned out, he vastly overestimated himself and his arrogance led to his fall.

Failing Jesus at this crucial moment was a regret Peter carried heavy on his heart.

So, how did he go from the Peter "moment" to the key guy in launching this new movement know as "The Church"?

How do you account for the change in a guy who cowered before a young girl but then stood up in front of thousands of people and preached the powerful message that led to mass repentance.

And after he launched this new movement he was never the same. He never had another "moment" after that.

That is a major change!

Something big happened!

Peter became "the rock" that Jesus had predicted he would become!

Peter went from being a fan of Jesus to becoming a follower of Jesus.

Peter's love for Jesus changed from "brotherly love" to "godly love".

Something happened to Peter that powered him up!

That "something" was "Someone" - the Holy Spirit of God.

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1-4

When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit he was filled with the power of God!

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit?