Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miraculous 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.” 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.”
– Acts 2:14-15, 22-24, 32-33, 36-38
Devotion
Peter preaches the first evangelistic sermon in the history of the church. This ordinary fisherman explained to the Jewish multitudes what happened to Jesus, including His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. He called the Jewish pilgrims to repent and be baptized. On that day some 3,000 confessed Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. They were baptized and immediately embraced by the community of disciples.
The Big Question
Peter was no scholar, but he knew Jesus and was able to articulate what had transpired in Jerusalem. Through this simple message, 3,000 souls were added to the church that day. Do you feel as though you don’t know enough theology to be a witness for Christ? Do you know Jesus? If so, you are fully equipped to share the Good News with those in your sphere of influence. So, who is in your top three?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.