Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Acts 2:13As the true-story of the Day of Pentecost unfolds in the book of Acts, a statement is made that causes Peter to place the foolish talk of men in its proper place. Jesus spoke to the disciples before his departure and said, "Wait for the gift my Father will send". So as the gift arrives, men of no faith can not understand it. They begin to say that the manifestation of the Spirit of God, this gift that has been sent to empower the believers, that somehow what the crowd was "hearing" was invoked by wine. That's pretty funny. If anyone was to believe that "they" were drunk, it would have been the crowds who had too much wine; the ones "hearing" the Galileans proclaiming the Glory and Goodness of God in "their" language!
Whenever the Lord appears, men of no faith, men whose hearts are like stone are unable to receive what the are trying to understand with their mind alone. Somebody of faith, a representative of the Kingdom must speak out and testify what the Lord is doing. So, Peter begins to speak, reminds them of the prophecies spoken long ago, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people". (Acts 2:17) As he begins to explain what is happening, the Spirit of God is at work drawing men to himself via the testimony being shared. A work of the Spirit of God drawing men to himself, we see this unfold; "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”. That day, the Bible says that 3000 were saved! In the Book of Revelations we read about overcoming; triumphing over the enemy of our soul; "they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony". There is power unleashed from God in the spoken testimony; a demonstration of the reality and authority that is and comes from God!
"The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead". (Acts 4:1-2) Here it is again. Men threaten and unable to grasp the truth. We read, Peter filled with the Spirit begins to testify again about Jesus. The lame man is healed but the heart of flesh can not understand it. In the midst of Peter being jailed and released, more men are drawn to the Father and the number of believers increases Glory!
As Peter addresses the rulers and elders, he begins to share again about the authority of Jesus; are you upset because this cripple man is now walking? It's like saying, what is your problem--do you prefer that he stay sick; is it that your heart of flesh can not perceive the things of the Spirit?
"Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
Look at the Stone that is being rejected. It is and has become the model, the template and order by which man must conform. He will hold this structure together. On him will rest and is all Truth. He is building a spiritual house, the Living Stone, drawing men who are willing to come under his authority. "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ".(1 Peter 2:4-5) His yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30) He takes the broken and fixes us! He takes confusion and dispels it! He takes the heart of flesh and makes it pliable so that the Master Builder can work with is and assimilate it to this Spiritual House he is erecting.
The testimony, a tool used to proclaim the truth and cause the arrogance, pride and unbelief of men to be challenged. It's a struggle between belief and unbelief; pride and humility; darkness and light. He is gentle and meek. He chases after us with his love and truth.
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
