September 30, 2026 - Acts 2

Some quick thoughts.  “When the day of Pentecost arrived . . . they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:1-4).  Of course!  Jesus had instructed and promised, “Wait for the promise of the Father . . . you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (1:4-5).  He does what he promises.

“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven” (2:5).  A foreshadowing of Revelation 5 & 7!  “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (7:9).

Peter preached, “It shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (2:21).   And this is so because of “Jesus [whom] . . . God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (2:23-24).

That’s the good news that is proclaimed to every generation.  This is the good news that was prophesied from the beginning, a promise that God has fulfilled.

The strife is o’er, the battle done;

the victory of life is won;

the song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,

but Christ their legions has dispersed.

Let shouts of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,

from death’s dread sting thy servants free,

that we may live and sing to thee.

Alleluia!   --Francis Pott (1861)