We Are A Part of the ' Afar Off'.

Touched by a twin flame, spiritually mark but not burned. Imagine if you will, you see a tongue of flame, a small, maybe two, three inches high flame floating mid-air. You heard me, floating. This small twin tongued flame is hovering, not attached to any bigger fire. And in case someone says they were just embers from the firepit, let me ask you this, have you ever seen little tongues of flame hovering over a hundred and twenty people at the same time? Then, not only hovering but set down upon each of those people? This was supernatural! This was a miracle! This was almost unbelievable, except it happened. The flames appeared and then touched each of these people- these Christ followers,  but it did not burn them with a painful wound. The flames touched and enlightenment was instantly given to each of them. They were given the ability to speak in a foreign language.  The Holy Spirit gifted them in this way as a special show of miraculous power. This gift was given in such a way that ultimately three thousand people would give their hearts to the Lord Jesus as their Savior! Three thousand people!

The twelve Apostles were each touched by a flame of spiritual empowerment. They tarried with the other waiting for the Comforter to come. They'd been instructed to wait in Jerusalem until that power came to them and there it was, leaving no doubt as to its source. The Comforter was sent of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ- and the Comforter would not have ever come to the Christ followers if Jesus hadn't died and days later ascended to heaven to live with His Father as His heavenly ministry dictated. A promise was made, and a promise was kept. From then on Christ followers would have this gift from God- God in the Holy Spirit.

Let's read what more Peter had to say after being touched by the unburning Flame.

Act 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 

Act 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 

Act 2:24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 

Jesus, precious Jesus of Nazareth, a man of God- a miracle worker, a sign giver, a wonder maker working solely through the power of God the Father. This Jesus who had a three year long ministry was well known. It was Him the people were now listening to Peter speak of, and witnessing the miracle of the Flame, the wondrous speaking of a multitude of languages by the unlearned in languages, He was the reason for it all. Jesus who was murdered by the listeners, they were complicit in the crucifixion and more than likely some, if not most, took part in crying out along with their revered Jewish leaders, for His killing.

Jesus was murdered and then buried in a tomb but God the Father raised Him up from death! He couldn't be held by the death He could never deserve.

Now lest you sit there nodding your head in agreement as if being raised from the dead is a typical thing, it is NOT. Upon death, Jesus did not float away in spirit form with all his current and foreknowledge intact as many supposes happens at death. Jesus didn't leave His body and then return to it a few days later. Just as Lazarus, Jesus' friend that Jesus raised from the dead wasn't stripped of his heavenly reward by being forced back into his body to live upon earth once more enduring all its agonies. If you think about it, that would be a horrific thing to do to someone.  Jesus was raised from the dead - His body given the breath of life that had returned to God- the essence of life we all have. And when His body received that breath of life once more His heart began to beat, blood filled every cell, and His mind filled with the memories of His life before death's sleep.

Jesus died- His thoughts ceased.

Psa_146:4  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Psa 104:29  Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 

Job 14:10  But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 

Job 14:11  As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 

Job 14:12  So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 

Job 14:13  O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Death- not being awaken from death's sleep until heavens be no more. Hidden in the grave. Man won't live again until the appointed time, and then the change would come.

Jesus tasted death's sleep but His appointed time was three days later. He wasn't to remain in the grave - even as David - beloved of God remained in His grave.

Act 2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 

Act 2:26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 

Act 2:27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Act 2:28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 

Act 2:29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 

Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 

Act 2:31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 

Act 2:32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 

Act 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 

Act 2:35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

Peter was making a point! David, a patriarch of the Jewish faith, revered for many things and known to belong to God, was still in his grave, not ascended to heaven, and Jesus, who was God with them- The LORD said to my Lord-  The Father said to His Son,  GOD said to God…  David KNEW that Jesus would come and would die, then be raised. David KNEW that the Lord would live among them and be put in a grave but He wouldn't be left there to decay, Jesus would be raised up. Jesus, Lord and Christ. 

And Jesus, Lord and Christ kept the promise of the Father about the Holy Spirit being received by them- it was that miracle the multitude of people were witnessing.

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

They believed! Their hearts were pricked with belief. The Holy Spirit power filled followers of Christ were proof of the Son of God and His great sacrifice!

They had their answer to the puzzling reason for all of them to be hearing their native language spoken by these common, unlearned folk. It was a true miracle and now they wanted to know what they should do. They had known of Jesus, they knew their part in His death- they'd had a hand in the murder of the Son of God!  What should they do?!

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

REPENT.

BE BAPTIZED … all in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.  Then they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

But get this, the promise of the Holy Spirit was for them, their children and to ALL afar off, as many as the Lord God would call.

That's US! We are a part of the 'afar off'! By the grace and mercy of our Lord we are gifted with the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 

Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

How wondrous! Such holy power! Praising God!

We are a part of this… we share in their history and by the grace and will of God more on this tomorrow!

All through the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!