by Jim W.
A study of The Beginning of the Last Days was the theme of this morning’s discussion as we focused on Acts 2:14-21. Pentecost has come and Peter filled with the Holy Spirit addresses the men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem. His opening salvo to the amazed and perplexed crowd of people who spoke many languages but all heard the disciples in their own native tongue was that the speakers were not drunk since it was only 9:00 a.m. Peter points out that instead of being drunk, the speakers were experiencing what the prophet Joel described in Joel 2:28-32. Pentecost was the start of what Joel described as the Holy Spirit filled those men speaking to the crowd.
Controlled by the Holy Spirit, the speakers modeled what Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, when he wrote “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” (ESV Version) Out of a negative illustration, Paul draws a positive message relevant today . When one is drunk, one is under the control/influence of the alcohol. When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, we are under the control/influence of the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 sums it up: “…those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (ESV Version)
A study of The Beginning of the Last Days was the theme of this morning’s discussion as we focused on Acts 2:14-21. Pentecost has come and Peter filled with the Holy Spirit addresses the men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem. His opening salvo to the amazed and perplexed crowd of people who spoke many languages but all heard the disciples in their own native tongue was that the speakers were not drunk since it was only 9:00 a.m. Peter points out that instead of being drunk, the speakers were experiencing what the prophet Joel described in Joel 2:28-32. Pentecost was the start of what Joel described as the Holy Spirit filled those men speaking to the crowd.
Controlled by the Holy Spirit, the speakers modeled what Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, when he wrote “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” (ESV Version) Out of a negative illustration, Paul draws a positive message relevant today . When one is drunk, one is under the control/influence of the alcohol. When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, we are under the control/influence of the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 sums it up: “…those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (ESV Version)