TEXT: JOEL 2:28-32;MATTHEW 3:11,12;ACTS 1:4,5,8;JOHN 7:37-39;ACTS 2:14-21. The baptism with Holy Spirit has specific objectives explained by Christ Jesus. "But ye shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea,and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Peter who denied Christ with oaths and curses about fifty days earlier has now courageously bore record to the death,resurrection and exaltation of Christ Jesus. He was no more fearful, timid,he evangelised to the crowd of religious Jews with conviction,compassion and courage. The Lord had promise him to offer him the keys of the kingdom of heaven and now we see him handling the keys of Gospel-evangelising to open the door of faith for multitudes to enter into the kingdom. Having seen thousands of Jews assembled, imagining the sight and sound they saw and heard,he stood to offer the true and scriptural interpretation that the Spirit of God had been poured out on the disciples of Christ as stated by the prophet Joel. The baptism with the Holy Ghost offered the recipients illumination, inspiration,revelation, interpretation,power,courage, zeal and wisdom.Peter at the same time,quoted from Joel and Psalms and issued the explanation as it relates to Christ and then applied the scripture with persuasive and penetrating effect.
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