THIS IS THAT

June 4

Bible Reading: Acts 2:14-21

Acts 2:14-16, “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel…’”

One thing that we’d do on our mission trips to Uganda was to invite pastors from village churches to Bible Conferences.  We held many such conferences and taught on a variety of Bible-related themes.  Invariably, we’d reserve time for a question-and-answer session, in which Pastor Bob Emrich or I would endeavor to answer questions the pastors had.  Those questions ran the gamut of topics—God, sin, salvation, church matters, finances, marriage, relationships, etc.  It was our practice always to avoid speculation, but to go to relevant passages to provide answers.  And it was our goal not just to deal with the particular question they asked, but to show that no matter the question, the Bible held the answer.

The miraculous working of the Spirit in the Apostles by which he enabled them to speak in foreign languages bewildered the crowd.  They were “bewildered, amazed, astonished, and perplexed” (Acts 2:6-7, 12).  Some were asking, “What does this mean” (Acts 2:12)?  Others, mocked the Apostles, saying, “They are filled with new wine” (Acts 2:13).

Peter’s response was to turn to the Scriptures, citing the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32).  “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel,” he declared to them all (Acts 2:16).  Joel preached to Judah in the ninth century BC, warning in the context of a natural event (a horde of locusts) of both a coming judgment and a future one.  Now, many centuries later, Joel’s prophecy regarding a coming “Day of the Lord” was, at least in part, being fulfilled.  “The Spirit had been poured out” (Acts 2:17).  And, God had set in motion a plan, through Christ’s death and resurrection, such that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

The Apostles weren’t drunk with wine, as some supposed.  The Spirit filled the Apostles, and Peter, guided by the Spirit, directed his audience to the Scriptures, for that’s where we find true answers to our questions, no matter how big or small.  Make it your habit to search the Scriptures, for it alone holds the answers to all life’s questions.

You’ve got questions; the Bible has answers!

ANCIENT WORDS
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

[Chorus:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart

[Chorus]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Copyright 2001 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Media, Inc. 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695.)