Reflecting on Acts 2:14-41“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)
On this momentous occasion, about 3000 Jesus followers were baptized that day.
These were believers and their children, gathered for the Pentecost Feast.
These were families, old and young, from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5).
I try to comprehend the logistics of baptizing this many people.
Especially when I consider my church’s policies for baptism.
There was no vetting of converts based on beliefs or lifestyle.
There was no extended catechizing prior to approving their baptism.
Those who heard about Jesus and believed it were baptized.
This was an outpouring of the Spirit of grace, lavished on the many.
And this would not be allowed to happen in many churches…
The church has complicated grace by making it into a system and formula.
We’ve added limits, barriers, hoops and qualifiers to protect the ‘faith’.
This radical outpouring of the Spirit is a reminder of how we are to be.
A community of outpouring gracious love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.
A place for all people without distinction to be immersed in God’s lavish grace!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, our theology cannot produce an outpouring like this, but Your Spirit can. Blow our systems and formulas out of the water with Your lavish love, and may thousands be added to Your family again!