Radical Christianity

Acts 2:14-18

14 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. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.

Reflection:

There comes a time in a Christian's life that he or she must go beyond being "lukewarm". A time when you and I are "tired, of being sick and tired". God is calling for a generation of Christians that are no longer afraid of what people think, nor are they afraid of confronting a culture which is spiritually deprived. We are so hungry to see God, and his love being poured on his people and sinners alike that we will confront sin, and love the sinner through the preaching of truth. A truth that is anchored in love!

Peter had gone through his discipleship, and now it was time to stand up for what he had just witnessed for the last three years. Peter could not deny the miracles and the power of his Savior as he stood before him after the resurrection. He could no longer deny that he had witnessed the greatest sacrifice ever known to mankind. His friend, his Savior, his God had been mutilated with the pounding of insults, whips and curses let alone the crucifixion on a cross. He had come to a place in his life where he would have to make the most powerful gesture or motion which would transform the world and launch the very first Church in the bible. Peter stood on his feet, in this posture he stood up for what he had believed and witnessed. He was empowered by on high to speak like no other man had preached before, so powerful was his words that three thousand (3000) souls were saved moments after his five minute utterance.

Standing is a posture of warfare, a posture of conviction, a posture of action. God never requires of his servants to sit down, nor lay down but to stand in the midst of adversity, to stand in the midst of trial, and to stand in the midst of war. For he will go before us, and he will defeat our enemies, just stand!