Anointed to Proclaim

The day of Pentecost happened on the 50th day after resurrection of Christ. It marks the birth of the New Testament Church. The Early Church the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The promised Holy Spirit would be need catalyst to start the Church.

Its here that Peter preaches his first sermon. He stands up in defense of those who were touched by the Holy Spirit and were now speaking in what the word calls unknown tongues . Which actually means languages that were not their own. The miracle was not so necessary that they spoke in unknown tongues but that they were understood by those who were not of their own language. This manifestation of the Holy Sprit was to show the oneness of the Spirit and the Spirits ability to unify. Similar to what occurred in Acts 10 When Peter declare who can deny these men baptism? 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Ac 10:44–47).

Can you just imagine the Unification of the people of of this world through the Holy Spirit? Well if its going to happen it will only happen through the Holy Spirit.

So its here in chapter 2 of Acts that the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all flesh. Well why is this significant? This is what they had been waiting for. We know Jesus had told them 10 days earlier to wait for the Power of the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses. But the believers read in Joel 28  “And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions.

29  Even on the male and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit (Joe 2:28–29).

I am sure some recalled Isaiah 32 15  until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,

and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,

and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.

16  Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,

and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. (Is 32:15–16).

Or Ezekiel 36  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.(Eze 36:27–28).

So today the same Spirit is available to us and it is poured on the saved. Yes poured on us as Isaiah said to be fruitful and as Ezekiel said said so we can obey God word.

For even Jesus said If you love me you will keep my commandments. I am understanding more and more I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!

So Peter quotes Joel on the day of Pentecost so we would know that we have received the Holy Spirit.

What does this scripture tell us?

First

The Spirit will be poured out on all flesh

The Spirit is available not only the Jews but the Gentiles. Not only to man but woman. This actually settles who can speak for the Lord. Joel made it clear that all can receive the Holy Spirit.

In Luke 4:18

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.(Lk 4:18–19).

I like the English Standard version because it uses the word proclaim. We too can be anointed to proclaim the Good News. As a matter fact we have already been commissioned to do so. Both Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mk 16:15–16). Its a clear message. The word proclaim means to announce. to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing : ANNOUNCE

Prophecy is available to men and women.

Look at verse 2:17 and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy (Ac 2:17). One who prophesies does so by the power of God if it is truly prophesy. Luke said that Peter refers to Joel who said that your sons and daughter will prophesy.

We cant allow our ism or phobias cloud our ability to accept that God decides who he will use and how he will use them. The old testament speaks of woman Prophetess Mariam , moses sister and Deborah a judge who went to battle with Barak. Our mis education have blocked the modern day pulpit from prophetic voices that just happen to be women.

Acts 11 shares of one who was a gentile Agabus

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Ac 11:27–30). (2016). Just imagine if they did not receive his prophecy because he was not a Jew? They would not have been prepared.

The question we need to ask Is there a word from the Lord?

The Bible says 18  even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. (Ac 2:18).

The Spirit will show us signs and wonders

We cant doubt what God is doing in this season. What are signs and wonder?

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; (Ac 2:19).

How often have we heard eyes have not seen, nor ears heard what the Lord has in stored 1 Cor 2:9 actally reads this way: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. This verse emphasizes the incomprehensible and extraordinary blessings that God has in store for those who love Him. It suggests that our human senses and understanding cannot fully grasp the depth of God’s goodness and the blessings awaiting us. It’s a beautiful reminder of the limitless love and grace God extends to His followers.

The is so much good news to share. I dont care how it looks now If you love God victory is on the horzon. If you love God blessings are on the way. If you love God your break hough is coming. If you love God the unimaginable is about to happen.

Finally all who call on the name of the Lord shall be Saved

We need to proclaim salvation is still available. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! (Ro 10:13–15).

Just imagine if we stood up like Peter and say repent and be saved! If we take time to share how much God loves everyone that he sent His son to save us. This story of compassion that says while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!

What a beautiful message to share that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

I believe that will connect with someone who is feeling no love. I believe that will connect with the marginalize, ostracize, the oppressed. Those without hope.

Jesus loves you! simple but sweet. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

In times like these we'll need a savior In times like these, Lord, we'll need a friend But be very sure, be very sure, Lord Your anchor hold and grip a solid Yeah, grip a solid rock [Verse 2] You know, that rock is Jesus Yes, He's my only friend That rock is Jesus Lord, you my blessed friend But be very sure, be very sure, Lord Your anchor hold and grip a solid Yeah, just grip a solid rock [Instrumental Break] [Outro] But be very sure, be very sure, my Lord Your anchor hold, halleluiah, and grip a solid Yeah, grip a solid rock