10 25 07 A Clear Voice
“Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language?” (Acts 2:7-8)

At a time when so many were gathered in one area, so much being said, so much activity going on, each person, whether from Greece, Ethiopia, Egypt, or Rome, heard the voices IN A CLEAR VOICE……in his very own known language and dialect. It wasn’t a garbled voice, one they had to pick out from a crowd or have interpreted as at the United Nations. It was clear and understandable!

It was just past the time of the Passover (50 days later) and coming upon Pentecost. The third hour was the time of Morning Prayer, the Jews were still fasting, so it is very doubtful anyone was drunk. They heard clearly what was being said and those speaking! It was A CLEAR VOICE coming from the mouths of many, but very specific and very direct. It got the peoples’ attention! Then Peter began to speak and explain the Gospel in a way everyone apparently received IN A CLEAR VOICE as well! Thousands responded in repentance, receiving the Holy Spirit and followed by baptism into the Body of Christ. They heard, they understood, they responded in belief and they obeyed. Oh yeah, then they were one!

There is no better day than today to respond to the call of the Gospel, for the first time or as a time of renewal. We hear His words resonating loud and clear in every language, on the radio, on TV, everywhere we go. Though we hear and even understand what we hear, we do not always immediately respond and obey. We put it off: maybe tomorrow; when I have some time; when I get through school; when I am ready. What does that mean anyway? Here’s a question: who’s ready to go to hell for an eternity? Or another one: who’s ready to face God’s disappointment for ignoring His direction?

If you have not yet decided to answer God’s clear call to repentance, time is running out. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone; just listen to the news today! If you have been born-again and received His Spirit of reconciliation and the promise of eternity, what are you doing with His plans for you? Hear, understand, respond, and obey: it was a plan for the early church and it made them one.

There is A CLEAR VOICE calling our today: from the heavens, from the churches, from evangelists, pastors, missionaries, and Sunday School teachers, from the Word of God: repent and be baptized; then continue in the doctrine, fellowship, and praying with one another (Acts 2:42-47). Many we leave out the last part, concerning our fellowship, and we do not grow. We so desperately need to be one, in Spirit, in fellowship, in doctrine, and in A CLEAR VOICE shutting out to a dying and hurting world: Repent and be baptized!