Peter speaks to a crowd on the first Pentecost
Bible Accent
Saint for Today: St. Magdalen
Puzzle
Peter speaks to a crowd on the first Pentecost
The apostles and other followers of Jesus were together on the day of Pentecost. Out of the sky came a sound like a driving wind with filled the house they were in. Tongues of fire appeared over them and the men began to speak in different languages, as the Holy Spirit directed them.
Many people were in Jerusalem for the holy day, visitors and residents, and they heard what was happening. They were amazed because they heard the men praying in their native languages at the same time. Other people thought the men had just had too much to drink.
To explain what was taking place, Peter stood up to speak to the crowd. “You who are Jews,” he said, “indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. These people are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.”
Peter recited a passage from the book of the prophet Joel, and then he said, “You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.”
In order to convince the people he was telling the truth, Peter quoted from the Scriptures again, the Psalms of David, when he said, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Peter explained that David was dead, but that Jesus was very alive. “God raised this Jesus,” he said, “of this we are witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear. … Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
When Peter said this, many of the Jews regretted what had happened to Jesus. They asked, “What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter gave them a simple and direct answer. “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.” After that God worked many wonders and miracles through the apostles. They praised God everyday for the blessings he had given to them.
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Acts 2
Q&A
1. What holy day were the Jews celebrating?
2. What did Peter tell the Jews to do to receive God’s forgiveness?
Bible Accent
The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, and is a very important record of the beginning of the church and the work of the first Christians. Jesus had told his apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit to come from the Father. The story of the coming of the Holy Spirit can be found in chapter 2 of the Book of Acts. Life was not easy for the early Christians. Many of them were arrested and put in jail. Some were even killed. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian church. One of the Jewish officials who wanted to punish the Christians was a man named Saul, who we are more familiar with as Paul. God showed his power to Paul, and Paul became one of the most important men of the early church. Some of his letters to churches and individuals are included as part of the New Testament. The Book of Acts also tells the story of Cornelius, the first Gentile to become a Christian.
Saint for Today: St. Magdalen
Magdalen (1774-1835), after the death of her father and the remarriage of her mother, was turned over to be raised by her uncles. Although the uncles cared for her, the governess who was in charge of her was very mean to her and her three siblings. Magdalen decided to become a nun, but returned home a short time after entering the convent. While in Venice, Italy, to escape the Napoleonic wars, Magdalen saw a vision of Mary leading six religious figures into a church, a hospital and a hall filled with children so poor they were dressed in rags. Mary told her to work with all three groups, but especially the children. Upon return to her home town of Verona, Italy, Magdalen was able to begin this work in hospitals and with poor children. Her work spread to other cities under the name of the Daughters of Charity. We honor her prayerful and charitable life on May 8.
Puzzle
