Just A Thought

Let’s review. In a demonstration of victory and supreme authority Jesus had just been rejected by his own and slaughtered at Calvary only to rise from the dead (as both He and Scripture had predicted) and ascend into the clouds, in the presence of over 500 witnesses. In obedience to His instructions 120 believers (including the disciples and Mary, the mother of Jesus) had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem and were praying for the power that Jesus had promised. The power came and the “aftermath of Easter” drew the attention of thousands who were in town for the feast of Pentecost. They had heard the noise and rushed to the scene where Peter and his cohorts were worshipping God like drunken men and asked, “What meaneth this?”
Peter proceeded to explain to them that they had mistakenly called for the death of Jesus, who was the very God of the universe who had robed Himself in flesh to dwell among them. He told them of Jesus’ resurrection and told them that they were witnessing the fulfillment of the prophet Joel’s prophecies. (see Joel 2:28, 29) He wanted them to understand that Jesus did not die in vain… that the resurrection was not just a neat trick… that Jesus did not go back to heaven as an act of abandonment. Rather, Jesus overcame death and hell and ascended into heaven so that he could return to live in the hearts of people who would commit their lives to Him. (see John 14:15-20)
When the congregation asked Peter what they should do, he clearly and succinctly told them how they could be saved. Before you read his words, it is important to notice that all the disciples stood up with Peter when he told these people how to be saved. In other words, the entire leadership of the First Century Church was in agreement with these instructions:
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37-39 KJV)

What was the result of this sermon? About 3,000 people were baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost, thereby launching the Christian church. The aftermath of Calvary and the first Easter was dramatically changed lives. We are still in the aftermath; people are still being baptized in Jesus name and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in “other tongues.”