What is God upto?

 

 

Rachel Peterson a missionary to Cuba received word that the village in Manacas was burning. Fire had started in a cane field near the village. The missionaries went to find out whether the Bible school located close by was in danger. When they got there they found that the wind was carrying the fire through the cane plantation. The village which had thatched houses was in flames and within no time most of the houses were reduced to ashes.

It seemed likely that a large portion of the village and the Bible school would burn. When everything seemed to get hopeless, the Christians marched forward to the centre of the buildings. They stood on the streets and lifted their hands up crying to God to stop the winds.  They knew that there was a hand that could stop the wind.  Within minutes the wind stopped, it became calm and the fire was contained.

In Acts 2 we read “and there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews...from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language... the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

On the day of Pentecost Jerusalem was packed; Jews had gathered from all parts of the earth. Suddenly God turned on a great siren and called them all together. They came rushing into the temple. When they arrived they were bewildered, each one heard Galileans speaking in his own language. These people were compelled to drop everything else they were doing to come, look and listen.

They heard the peasants from Galilee speaking in over sixteen different languages. God had chosen these peasants to start a movement that would spread and cover the whole world. Someday the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of  the Lord, as the water cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). Just before he ascended Jesus told this small group " you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

God did not choose philosophers or orators or men of wealth and power to start the most important movement there will ever be on earth. He chose the base things of the world so that no man should boast before him (1 Cor. 1:27-29). He put his treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to him and not to men (2 Cor. 4:7). God is the best judge of what men and what measures serve the purposes of his glory.

The people said “we hear them speaking in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” The original word translated here “mighty” is used only here in the New Testament. It is used in Deuteronomy 11:1-7 to describe the amazing things that God did in Egypt. The only other use is in Psalm 71:19 where we read "you who have done great things; O God, who is like you?"

They were using known languages (Acts 2:6,8). The Church had not had the opportunity to learn languages then and so a supernatural mean was provided to meet the need. We do not have the supernatural tongues today, but we have the opportunity to learn the languages. God never makes up by miraculous intervention what man lacks through laziness.

They were all amazed and perplexed. They were in the presence of a mystery they could not figure out. They said to one another, “What does this mean?” These men were compelled to come to conclusion. Some concluded that God was up to something. But another group immediately dismissed the phenomenon with ridicule. They said, “ they are drunk!”

Even though what was happening was clearly supernatural, it did not convince the mockers. The Book of Acts is a record not only of mighty conversions, but also of fierce opposition to the preaching of the gospel. This mocking begun with ridicule; then afterwards it proceeded to questioning (Acts 4:7); to threats (Acts 4:18); to imprisonment (Acts 5:18) and finally to murder (Acts 7:58).

It is interesting that the mockers should accuse the believers of being drunk, for wine is associated with the Holy Spirit  in Ephesians 5:18 -20.  Paul says “do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to  the Lord always giving thanks to God the father for everything.

Paul’s analogy in Ephesians 5 captures the exuberance associated with being under the influence. The joy and expression of being filled with the Holy Spirit mirror this enthusiasm, but with a source that transcends temporary pleasures. The joy of the Spirit is enduring and rooted in a deeper spiritual reality, bringing a profound sense of fulfilment.

Intoxication often removes nervousness, causing individuals to act more freely. Just as consuming too much wine profoundly alters a person’s behaviour, Paul suggests that being filled with the Holy Spirit can similarly transform one’s actions. The Spirit possesses the power to guide believers towards a life that mirrors the character of Christ.

While intoxication with wine can lead to loss of control and impaired judgment, being filled with the Holy Spirit results in a controlled and purposeful influence. It is surrender to God’s guidance, leading to wise and discerning choices in alignment with God’s will. Unlike the foggy and confused thinking associated with drunkenness, the Holy Spirit brings clarity of thought and understanding.

Believers are guided by divine wisdom that surpasses human reasoning, helping them make decisions that align with God’s truth. The transformation resulting from being filled with the Holy Spirit is positive and life-giving. It leads to the development of godly virtues (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s marked by a profound and lasting joy that surpasses the fleeting pleasures of the world. This transformation leads to a rich and meaningful life.

Peter stepped forth before this Jewish crowd in the city of Jerusalem, where Jesus had been killed just over seven weeks earlier and delivered the sermon that launched the Church. The Jews had crucified Jesus for declaring he was God. And now only some 50 days later Peter says to them “know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

Peter did not flinch, what on earth happened to him? In some 50 days he has changed from the whimpering coward we saw in the high priests’ courtyard to the brave and outspoken preacher portrayed in this chapter. This is clear evidence of the supernatural boldness given to him by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled Peter was a different man from the Peter who, a few days before this, denied even knowing Jesus.

In Matthews 26: 31-35 Jesus told his disciples, “this very night you will all fall away on account of me’.  Peter replied, “even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Peter denied Jesus with an oath; he called down curses and swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” When he denied him the third time, immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken and he went outside and wept bitterly (Matt 26:69-75, Luke 22:54-61). Why didn’t Peter hang himself like Judas? Earlier Jesus had told him “Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

Satan could not do whatever he wanted against Peter, he had to ask God for permission. Satan desires that in the sifting process all (like Judas) will be blown away like chaff. Peter was not blown away completely because Jesus had prayed for him. Peter’s faith would falter but not fail. Jesus did not see the temporary lapse that was to come as a failure of faith, because He knew that Peter would return to Him.

Peter’s private resurrection encounter was transformational (1 Cor. 15:5). We are not told the content of Peter’s encounter with the risen Jesus; the occasion was perhaps too personal to record. One thing is sure, six weeks later he was a changed man. In the first chapter of Acts, we see him as the leader of the disciples, urging the election of Matthias and displaying that he had been deeply immersed in the Scriptures ( Acts 1:15-22).

The honor to be the first Christian preachers was reserved for Peter. He had been prepared for it for three years. He had passed through fame and praise. He had passed through rebuke and correction.  He had been given priceless privileges: walking on stormy water, the brilliant heights of the Transfiguration and the darkest shades of Gethsemane's garden.

All the phenomena that transpired in Acts 2:1-13 was preparation of the people to hear Peter's sermon. The sermon specifically answered the question the crowd posed in verse 12 “what does this mean?” Good sermons need good introduction to reel in the hearers, but in this case the Spirit of God provided a supernatural introduction.  All this sets the stage for a wonderful message delivered by the apostle on this occasion.

The work of the Church is to be Spirit filled, amaze the city and make people listen. The psychic moment for preaching comes when the city is amazed as the result of the living testimony of the spirit filled church. Then upon the astonished ears of the amazed people the word will fall as thunder and results will be wonderful. The trouble too often is that the world is not at all amazed because there is nothing to amaze. 

Perhaps we need less emphasis on understanding and more on experiencing God. You can believe in God without having answers to every question. Many things cannot be "proved," but the weight of evidence can be persuasive. The tremendous enthusiasm of an overwhelming conviction is what the city needs to produce the amazement which creates the opportunity for preaching.