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May 26, 2023
Happy Birthday to the Body of Christ
(This Sunday, May 28, 2023, is Pentecost)
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 NLT)
My child once Jesus was eating with the disciples before His death, He commanded them ‘not to leave Jerusalem until the Father sends them the gift He promised, ‘John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4 NLT) So they went to the upper room and waited and when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force-no one could tell where it came from. (Acts 2:1-2) It filled the whole building. Then, like wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. (Acts 2:3-4)
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own language in tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various languages of tongues? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; even Cretans and Arabs! “They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!” (Acts 2:5-11)
Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?” Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.” (Acts 2:12-13) That’s when My disciple Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk-it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. God, My Father is pouring out His Spirit upon ALL flesh. (Acts 2:14-21) You can receive this wonderful gift from Me today that will Empower you to be Bold and accomplish the great plan I have for you! (Acts 2:22-38) June 5th is Happy Birthday to the church, the body of Christ because we are the church! Celebrate! May you and your family have a Pentecost experience!
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