Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel." —Acts 2:14-16
Biblical examples of the move of the Holy Spirit teach us this: the Holy Spirit does not appear to be overly concerned about our reputations. The outpouring of the Spirit didn't do much for the respectability of those in the upper room. "These men are not drunk, as you suppose," said Peter. Some people seem to be drunk as a result of the filling of the Holy Spirit. I can imagine Peter preaching his Acts 2 sermon while still feeling the effects of some of the holy hilarity of heaven himself. Peter directed his first sermon to the out-of-town visitors who were in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. Many of those were the people who were amazed and perplexed at hearing praises to God in their own language (Acts 2:8-12). But Peter also preached to those who were the most religious of all, the Hebraic Pharisees of Judea who, being offended in their minds, scoffed, "They are full of new wine" (v. 13, NKJV). The disciples' behavior might have seemed out of order to these religious leaders, but it was, nevertheless, the work of the Holy Spirit.
{ PRAYER STARTER }
Forgive me, Holy Spirit, for being concerned about the appearance of my response to Your anointing. Forgive me for judging others for their responses to You. I will allow You to work in any way You choose.
The Holy Spirit does not appear to be overly
concerned about our reputations.
