PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 2:37-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The promise is for you and your children…” (Acts 2:39)
When Joel envisions the outpouring of the Spirit, children are included.
“Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders,
gather the children, those nursing at the breast.” (Joel 2:16)
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy!” (Joel 2:28)
I love the image of baptism, of a downpour of blessing.
When God pours out the Spirit, everyone gets drenched!
From saving Noah and his family, to Israel and their children.
God has always worked through households, and still does today.
The blessing of Jesus extends through parents to their children.
This does not rule out the need for a response.
But the initiative is with God, God takes the first step!
For the rest of our lives we respond with repentance and faith!
Are we as free in sharing God’s grace to all, so they can respond too?
PRAYER
Lord, you have lavished grace on me; help me not to be stingy with your grace, or to withhold it from the little children!
Hearing and responding: “those who accepted his message were baptized,” Peter’s message comes to us today – we need to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus – it is by you that we are saved. Not only must I repent but I must also be baptized be a follower of Jesus – otherwise – what’s the point, what’s the difference?? Those who heard Peter’s message were “they were cut to the heart” and they asked what they must now do. I too not only hear but also do. Help me Lord Jesus to be more like you and walk with you in all that I do! That your grace that has come to me – may be shared with others in the same freely given way!
God power.
Recognizing whose we are and what we are, God gives His presence to His people, to all who call upon Him. The gift of His Spirit is His promise to those who receive His message of life. Peter made it very clear that if you believe that Jesus is Lord, then turn your heart to Jesus and repent of your ways the Spirit will be given. May my actions be an epistle to all those around me so that they too will seek the Lord and be part of the family of God.
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts:
And let him return to the Lord,
Unto our God,
And He will abundantly pardon,
He will abundantly pardon you—
Return to the Lord.