Of the 1189 chapters in the Bible, I would have to put Acts chapter 2 in the top 100. (It may even be in the top half of my top 100…) This is the place where Luke tells us about the incredible events of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From here on, the church was on fire for God.

While we could easily spend several devotionals on this chapter, there is one section that calls me back often.

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. Acts 2:37-42

This is a loaded passage. It speaks of the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit which is promised to those who believe in Jesus. It tells us about the focus of three thousand and more who became a part of the church. (They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.) And then there is something in the middle that we shouldn’t lose sight of.

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. Acts 2:39

There’s a statement of God’s love for our children. That trend pops up again in Acts (and I’ll no doubt point it out when we come to it.)

When our first son, Thomas, was born, he was in NICU for several days. I worried about his health, but I never worried about his little soul. I believed in Jesus as my Savior, and I trusted that even in Thomas’ first few difficult days of life, God’s promises and love were for me and for him (“This promise is for you, for your children, for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”)

It’s amazing to me how words of comfort are tucked into many of the 1189 chapters of God’s Word to us.

Prayer

Loving God, keep me seeking Your direction and care in Your Word. Amen.