L12 – This Promise is for All God's Children

[39] For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself. [Isa_57:19; Joe_2:32.]

Please Note: Please read the Book of Acts as a prerequisite for Lessons 9 trough 14.

One hundred and twenty of God's children just received the Promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, spoken of by Jesus and John the Baptist! Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit to be the spokesman for the group and He has just delivered a powerful message as the Spirit was giving it to him. ( Act_2:14-36 ). Let us keep in mind that the power and wisdom with which Peter spoke was actually God the Holy Spirit, not Peter. He was just the yielded vessel through whom God was speaking. It is extremely important that this fact be firmly established in our minds. For whatever reason, we take the position in our minds that this was Peter, one of the twelve apostles, not just any man. This could not be farther from the truth! He was just like any other man! As we studied in the last lesson, he had just recently denied that he even knew Jesus! If that isn't normal, what is? Jesus chose ordinary men because He knew that the adequacy is of God. ( 2Co_3:4-6 )

The most that God requires of us to be used by Him is a yielded spirit, will, and tongue. ( See Joh_5:19 ; Joh_5:30 ; Joh_8:28 ; Joh_14:9-11 ; Jam_3:2-12 ) Jesus freely admitted that He was not able to do anything without the Power and Authority given to Him from the Father, via the Holy Spirit. It is the hight of arrogance for us to take any other position than the one that Jesus himself took. He also said to His deisiples (and us), "apart from Me you can do nothing." ( Joh_15:5 ), but He also said "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." ( Mar_10:27 ).

With God! This is what we are seeing taking place on the day of Pentecost. Ordinary people being controlled and empowered by the Almighty, All Powerful God! Yielded vessels, in the hands of Almighty God!

Special Note: A word of caution for those who are used of God. Unless, after we are used of God, pride takes over and we should take any credit for what God has done, we need to remember Balaam's donkey ( Num_22:27-31 ) and Herod ( Act_12:20-24 ). God spoke through a donkey. When we think that we are something special, we need to remember that He can use even a dumb animal. And Herod. Herod didn't give God the glory and God set the record straight. He would probably not be so drastic with us, but it did happen to remind us of the importance of giving Him all the credit for what He does in our lives.

The Response of the crowd to God's message through Peter was positive. They recognized this to be the voice of God and "they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" ( Act_2:37 ) Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit? "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" ( Joh_16:8-11 ) We see another fulfillment of Jesus words here in the convicting power of God's Spirit through a human vessel.

Peter responds to the plea by saying, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." ( Act_2:38-39 )

Peter states that they need to repent of their sins, be baptized in water in the name of Jesus, and once they are converted, they are eligible for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is "for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." ( Act_2:39 ) This timeless message means us as well as them! Everyone who believes in Jesus, repenting of their sins and is converted is eligable! It is not only available to us, it is mandated by Jesus. He told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit's batism, and His message is for us today. Wait for the Father's Promise and "you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." ( Act_1:5 )

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Previous Lesson: L11 – The Disciples Filled with the Holy Spirit

Next Lesson: L13 – “What Will it be Like When I Receive?" Part 01.