A Disciple's Journeyنموونە

Peter’s Ministry by the Spirit

Remember just how afraid Peter had been only a few weeks earlier. And then think about what he stepped up to do at Pentecost. Facing a hostile, rowdy crowd of skeptics who accused the apostles of being drunk, Peter doesn’t shrink away or dissociate himself from Jesus. He steps forward and delivers a lights-out sermon, pulling no punches and explaining exactly who Jesus is and what He accomplished. Revival breaks out, thousands of people are saved, and the church is off and running!

We know enough to know by now that it wasn’t Peter. In his own strength, Peter was weak and afraid. But this was the Holy Spirit working in and through Peter. Peter quotes the prophet Joel, who had announced beforehand: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Acts 2:17–18). That’s the power that led to this reality: “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).