Acts 2:14-21

“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.” vs. 17

Luke understood the Day of Pentecost as being a great Spirit-filled revival with Peter as the principle preacher. Peter, in addressing this diverse crowd of Jews, used a passage from the prophet Joel to describe what was happening. This outburst of excitement and enthusiasm was nothing less than the outpouring of God’s Spirit and a promise of a new and glorious day. All flesh would be touched by the Spirit and even the dreams of the old would come to pass.

Pentecost-like revivals have been a fixture in the life of the Church ever since that auspicious beginning, and the Spirit has been poured out upon all flesh. In recent months our country has begun to link that call for revival with the 250th anniversary of the United States. But this call is not being generated by evangelist leaders like Peter or Paul. Instead it’s billionaire politicians who are leading the way, encouraging people to think of our country as a Christian nation under God. 

For some this is good news, a sign of hope in troubled times. But others wonder! The teachings of Jesus are indeed a message to be embraced, but what Jesus taught has nothing to do with waging war, neglecting the poor, or the deportation of refugees. Is this really how the Spirit works?

Thought for the Day: Where do I see outpourings of God’s Spirit?