Acts 2 and the Coming of the Holy Spirit

“They’re just drunk, that’s all!” Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. (Acts 2: 13-14)

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. (Acts 2:33)

A deep sense of awe came over them all  (Acts 2:43)

How the Disciples Changed

When the Holy Spirit first came, many people were confused and even thought they were drunk because the Holy Spirit was so unknown at the time. (Read my blog HERE for a short reflection on the beginning of Acts.) Peter is quick to let everyone know they are not, in fact, drunk, and he goes on to preach to the crowd. This bold, unwavering moment of Peter is amazing because Peter denied Jesus three times before Jesus died, and now here Peter is standing up for Jesus. It gives us courage for our own faith journey, knowing that God works through all of us, denials, doubts, sins, and all. 

Peter goes on to explain the events to the crowd in his sermon, drawing on Old Testament passages. In Acts 2:16-21, Peter quotes Joel to them, showing how the prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. It is important to notice in Acts 2:17 that Peter quotes the prophet saying that God will “pour out (His) Spirit upon all people. ‘All’ people meant anyone who accepted Jesus into their hearts, both Jew and Gentile, would be saved. 

Peter then brings home another point, perhaps the true purpose of his sermon. Peter preaches using Psalms, making sure everyone knew that it spoke of someone greater than David to come, which is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Peter made sure to tell them the Gospel, the Good News, that Jesus was crucified, died, was raised from the dead by God, and now sits at the right hand of His Father. 

Acts 2 ends with a response to Peter’s powerful sermon, a response that requires movement by us all. Peter invites everyone to come to Jesus through repentance of sin, turning to God, and to receive the Holy Spirit. 

How the Holy Spirit Changed Me

The more I read about Peter, the more I see myself in him, and at the same time, I strive to be bolder like Peter, too. Specifically, in this passage, I reflect on how I share Jesus with others. Do I stand up when others misunderstand the Gospel? Do I tell others about the love of Jesus? Do I take the moments to tell of my testimony to tell others how the Holy Spirit has changed me?

The answer to those reflective questions is: not enough! But that is the great thing about the love and grace of Jesus: I have the chance to grow in my boldness for God. 

The Holy Spirit has changed me so much! My story is not an easy, pinpoint time when the Holy Spirit came to me. I don’t have a moment when I can say I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit’s voice for the first time. I don’t have a moment that I can tell you that I had a tingling or a presence for the first time, either. All I can tell you is that I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Holy Spirit is with me now.

I have had moments where I hear a voice that is not my own, and the more I read God’s Word, the more I know that it is the Holy Spirit. It is not a conscience like others may think; it is so different from my own voice and distinct that I know it is the Holy Spirit, not my own voice. This voice also usually tells me to do things over and over again because I’m stubborn and try to brush it off. Another way I know it’s the Holy Spirit is that it usually tells me to do something I feel unqualified for or that makes me uncomfortable in a good way. That uncomfortableness is because it always tells me something that goes against my human nature, and again, what the world around me is telling me, to serve others and to put God first, not myself. 

The more I talk with and am with God, the more I feel peace, and I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. Again, I do not have a single defining moment to point to. It’s more like realizing someone has quietly been by your side all along. Over time, you suddenly think, ‘Wow, this person is really my friend,’ even though you can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened. They were just there the whole time, slowly drawing closer and closer to you. The Holy Spirit’s presence is like that for me. I know right now that I feel a peaceful, comforting presence, especially when I am in nature, looking up at the sky, and talking with God. I have always loved looking at beautiful sunsets and enjoyed looking for shapes in the clouds as a child. Now I realize that the moments I enjoyed and loved were actually moments when the Holy Spirit sat quietly and patiently, waiting for me to hear and recognize Him.

So when Peter preaches to others about how Jesus came to die for our sins and how the Holy Spirit is with us, I am moved to share it with others as well. 

One Small Way I Want to Know the Holy Spirit Better

This week, I plan to sit with the Holy Spirit in God’s beauty of nature, outside (when the weather lets me!). I want to slow down, quiet the world around me, and simply sit in the presence of God. I think listening is so important for us to hear the Holy Spirit, and I know I need to slow down to do that.

Closing Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank you for ‘sneaking up’ on me! I love it when I hear you, and all I want to do is sit in Your presence. I pray that You continue to guide and speak to me. I pray that You guide and speak to all who read this as well. Amen. 

With faith,
Melanie Drews
Paws on God’s Path