Unstoppable! 'Make No Mistake!' — Acts 2:11-16

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

[In response to the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' followers, the crowd responded:] "And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!" They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other.

But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, "They're just drunk, that's all!"

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ..."

— Acts 2:11-16 NLT

Key Thought

Peter wanted everyone to know that what happened on this Pentecost had nothing to do with drunkenness. God's prophet, Joel, had predicted these events (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32). The phenomenal, powerful signs that the people witnessed attested to the Holy Spirit's ushering in a new era in salvation history. The inclusion of young and old, men and women, emphasizes the Spirit's desire to use and reach all kinds of people. The Spirit gave the believers the ability to speak in various languages so that people with different native languages all understood the message in their own language (Acts 2:4, 11). Luke wanted us to know God's desire to reach all people and groups. God's new era of salvation was available to everyone — and still is (Acts 2:38-39). Peter would not allow the work of God's Spirit to be assigned to drunkenness.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, please give me a hunger to experience your work through the Spirit rather than being skeptical about things I cannot explain. At the same time, Father, I don't want to be duped by false emotionalism. So, please help me ground my experiences in Scripture and in Jesus' desire to save others. You are Sovereign, dear Father. Use every way you deem effective to save all peoples. Please use me, as well, to welcome new believers and help ground them in the truth of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Joel 2:28-32
  • Romans 10:9-13

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 2:11-16 NLT — [In response to the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' followers, the crowd responded:] "And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!" They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other. But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, "They're just drunk, that's all!" Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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