Thoughts for the Day

The First Converts

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This summer as we know, there have been horrendous wild-fires around our world. Acres of countryside have been eaten up by high winds and voracious flames, houses and businesses destroyed, holidays disrupted, and thousands of animals and birds have died. Fire fighters have worked tirelessly on the ground and aeroplanes have water-bombed the affected areas. The authorities have constantly had to order residents to leave their homes - to save themselves - often with only a few minutes notice, and many have lost everything they possess in the ensuing hours.

The phrase "Save yourselves!" from today's speech by Peter, as the wind of the Holy Spirit swept around them at Pentecost, would have had the same urgency. He has accused them of killing God's Son, their Messiah, the one who had come to save them, and we are told "they were cut to the heart". The Peter who denied Jesus and forsook him has gone, now He is filled with the Holy Spirit and a fierce revolutionary fervour. "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation," he shouts. "Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ". This would have been shocking, since Jews believed baptism was only for Gentiles who converted to Judaism. But the result was that three thousand people were converted that day, and they began to share all that they had - holding all things in common.

Churches around the world are often consumed with concerns over buildings, ministry share (sometimes called 'quota'), churchyards, internal differences over worship, or raising funds. But we need to wake up and smell the smoke! Christ calls us to save our souls now, before it's too late.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we have become used to hearing
the words "Repent!",
and "Save yourselves!"
We confess we often feel complacent
and see no need for urgency.
But today You call us again to turn to You,
and to amend our ways.
Help us to put You at the centre of our life,
before all other things,
so that we can see the need for change
in our life and in our Church.
Amen.