October 4

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

The church is born. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, not a strategic planning process or constitution writing committee. The church is the creation of God. Interestingly when the Holy Spirit is poured out on the disciples, people hear in their own languages. They speak in other languages and they are understood. That is the miracle. Martin Luther in his explanation of the third article of the Apostles’ Creed makes it clear that I do not understand the gospel by my efforts. It is the Holy Spirit who calls, gathers and enlightens each of us through the word and sacraments.

It has been that way since the first day of the church’s life. The Holy Spirit is poured out on all believers. It is each one of us called, gathered, and enlightened that are witnesses to these things. Peter makes the proclamation and the others are speaking so that each one hears in their language. In this moment every Christian is ordained an evangelist. In our “professional” church we forget that we are all inspired by the Spirit to speak and act on the gospel as missionaries of Jesus Christ.

Salvation comes by calling on the name of the Lord. We are back in the relationship mode. Salvation comes in the work of the Spirit, who gives us a faith that trusts God will keep God’s promises. Salvation is not a code of conduct that makes us good nor is it intellectual assent to doctrinal propositions. Salvation is trusting God through Jesus to be sufficient. It is trusting God. That is the work of the Spirit

Reflection questions:
1. How is God using you to proclaim the mighty acts of God?
2. What gifts of the Spirit do you share with your congregation?
3. Who spoke the faith in a language that you understood?