Acts 2:14-41 - The Gift of the Spirit

Last Sunday afternoon, we heard from Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:13-41. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out abundantly into the hearts of God’s people. Surprisingly, however, Peter actually spends more of his sermon talking about Jesus Christ than he does talking about the Holy Spirit. Peter reminds us of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Critically, Peter ties the pouring out of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ work. It is the risen, ascended Lord Jesus who pours out the Holy Spirit on His church. This reminds us that as Christians, we can only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit because of all that Jesus has done for us. Although not every detail of Pentecost maps directly onto our situation today, we can be confident that, as Christians, we have received the promised Holy Spirit because of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit not only encourages and empowers us to live for God day-by-day; He is also the down payment of our future inheritance, assuring us of the coming resurrection of our bodies. This week, take some time to re-read Acts 2 and thank God for all the spiritual blessings He has given us.