“Listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”(Acts 2:22-34, 32-33, 36, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Forget for the moment, your presuppositions and prejudices. Rather consider for yourself the ramifications if all of the foregoing were true. How would you respond?
The “miracles, wonders and signs” were not disputed. Because they themselves knew. That the authorities had “put him to death by nailing him to the cross” was the talk of Jerusalem. Some of them had even participated in putting Him to death. And they were well aware of the rumors that “God [had] raised this Jesus to life.” Now, no longer a rumor. For those standing before them were “all witnesses of the fact.”
My Advice – How would you respond? How did they respond? “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:37–41, NIV 1984). Not just a handful, but “about three thousand.” Pretty compelling. How did they respond? They put aside their misgivings and “accepted his message.”
I ask again, how should you respond? “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation,” and accept the message.
The Brew Is A Musing 