The story of Pentecost in Acts 2 has sometimes perplexed me as I have tried to make application of this awesome experience to my own life today. There have been no visible tongues of fire in my experience (I did learn to speak Spanish rather quickly when I lived in Peru, but I'm not sure that counts for speaking in tongues). I've never had 3,000 converts resulting from any of my sermons. So what's the parallel to Pentecost for me? 

Well, I found an ah-hah moment this morning as I read Acts 2:36. It may not seem profound to you, and it may not be profound at all, but it caught my attention. The insight that came to me is this: I can't have Pentecost because I am not at Pentecost. It’s not 2,000 years ago. I can't preach the message that was preached then because I am not living with people some of whom literally killed Jesus. My preaching may never yield 3,000 converts because that may not be my audience. And tongues of fire and speaking in tongues may never fall on me as they did on the disciples if that’s not how God chooses to work with me today. 

The three dots in the title verse, above, indicate that something was left out. What I left out was this: "whom you crucified." The point is: that was then; this is now. Jesus was not crucified less than two months ago. The eyewitnesses of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are not here today. Things will not be exactly as they were back then, but they can be as good if I have the same attitude those early Christians had and allow God to decide how He needs to work through me to accomplish His goals for today.  

"God made Jesus . . . both Lord and Christ," Peter preached. For me, the application is this: "Christ" means Savior. "Lord" means master. I need for Jesus to be both Savior and Master in my life. Not only has He saved me, He wants to be my Master every day. Whether or not I have the gift of speaking in tongues or experience tongues of fire flaming up on my head, that message never changes.  

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.