32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)
PLAYING WITH FIRE
Over the last couple of years, wildfires have become a very real danger for certain locations in our country. Wildfires are characterized by their uncontrollable nature and ability to spread rapidly across vegetation and combustible materials. They can be devastating and present numerous challenges for firefighters in their attempts to contain and extinguish them.
A controlled burn, or prescribed burn, on the other hand, has quite the opposite effect. It is a specific and strategically managed fire aimed at controlling vegetation and minimizing the risk of wildfire. It can restore ecosystems and, in that sense, be life-giving. For any fire to burn, there must be three things, known as the “fire triangle”: fuel (something to burn), heat (an ignition source), and oxygen.
When Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost and passionately explains the preceding events and their significance in this week’s passage, he provides the divine nudge for many listening to accept Jesus and become the first Christians.
It did not stop there. The chapter continues to describe how this new group of believers were selling their possessions to care for one another’s needs, attending the temple together daily, breaking bread, and praising God (Acts 2:42–46).
The Holy Spirit had made a dwelling place among these new believers, just as Jesus had promised (Acts 1:4–5). The fruits of the Spirit were already evident in this group of believers. They were living selflessly and generously, and they were continually praising God.
When we heed God’s call on our lives, we can live with this kind of irrevocable joy because our joy rests in something we cannot lose—Jesus. The ultimate source of joy resides in all who believe in Him.
The Spirit took hold in this early church and, just like a fire, it began to spread. The believers were so convicted and passionate that they were selling possessions and attending the temple daily. The unbridled joy they had in Jesus surpassed any other aspect of life they had known before Him.
In their fervor, they created their own version of the fire triangle: they had fuel (the call to the cross), an ignition source (Jesus), and oxygen (the very breath in their lungs!). As long as they were living on this side of heaven, they were focused on serving Jesus. And through them, it says, “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
What an incredible testimony to the commitment of the early church. Let us all find such unshakable joy in Jesus!
Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.
