Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Acts 2:14-47
“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:39)
It’s the second week of February, and our life routines have just about resettled themselves. From the hectic mornings to the afternoon tea cravings, life seems to have fallen back into gear after the extended break. Head down, and we diligently chip away at our daily tasks as they pile up before us. Amongst such chronos, what is our motivation to keep going? What gets us up again each morning?
As Christians, we often fail to see the grand vision and mission God has left for us. God is working out His grand plan to restore His Kingdom above all things, and somehow, miraculously, God has intertwined our lives to play a part in His plan.
Peter’s sermon is the first recorded in the book of Acts. It is placed only one chapter away from Jesus’ ascension and commission to “be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Filled with the Spirit, Peter preaches boldly the reality of God’s Masterplan that had just unfolded before his eyes.
Digging back to the prophet Joel, Peter proclaims how God had promised back in the Old Testament of a Saviour. God had long promised to humanity that He “will pour out [His] Spirit on all flesh”. God had promised that He would come to save humankind from their sin and brokenness. And now, with boldness and ecstasy, Peter points out the good news; the promised Saviour was Jesus of Nazareth, the man who had just been with them. How is that so? How do we know?
We know because death could not hold Him! Again revealing how the Old Testament had prophesied this, Peter declares how David “foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:31). Not only that, but David also prophesied that Jesus who they had just witnessed ascended into heaven, had done so to be made “both Lord and Christ” by the Father.
After seeing God’s will and masterplan unfolded before their eyes, the Jews who heard Peter asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?”. Peter responded with boldness, “Repent and be baptised 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” (Acts 2:38).
After hearing such truth regarding God’s salvation masterplan, three thousand souls returned and repented. And guess what happened to their lives from that day on?
v. 42 – 43 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles”.
As Christians, our chronos should be filled with hope and purpose because we have come to behold God’s masterplan and purpose for this world. Our days should be lived out in awe because we know that the God of Isaac, Israel, and Jacob is faithful and has fulfilled His promise to come to earth to give life. Our daily lives should be filled with zeal because we know that the risen Christ is Lord and He is working out the plan of His Kingdom.
To God’s Church, arise and take heart! Jesus who commissioned His disciples to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth is actively working our His plan. Peter, who first preached to the Jews in Jerusalem was the first account of Christ’s active work. Today, the gospel has spread across the whole globe and continues to spread. He who was working is still actively working through His Church to expand His Kingdom until it entirely comes when He returns.
May our days be filled with awe. Let us devote ourselves daily to God’s Word, to fellowship within the church, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers. Let us serve God diligently as we watch God unfold the riches of His “glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6).
Lord, please help me to see the hope and joy there is in You. Show me Your Glory. Let me get to know You for who You truly are. Rekindle in me a fire like the fire of apostle Paul and the early church. May your Spirit work to open the eyes of Your church today. May you give a zeal for Your kingdom and a trust in Your grand plan to restore all things under the Rulership of Christ. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.