The Joy and Justice of the Gospel, #5
Quick Note
:
Most weeks I preach on Sunday morning what I had just preached on Saturday evening. This week I’m preaching on Saturday evening what I preached last Sunday morning. That’s a weird rhythm for me, because usually by Monday morning I’ve moved on from the previous week. But, I’m doing so because we have a very special guest Sunday morning – Denise Anderson, the former co-moderator of the PCUSA and a wonderful, powerful speaker. And, I’m re-preaching the sermon because I just didn’t quite get there last Sunday, in my mind, and I need to take one more whack at it. You may want to come to both services.
Last week we began looking at “conversion” stories in the book of Acts, by looking at the persons who gathered on the Day of Pentecost (c.2) and who responded to Simon Peter’s call to “repent” by the thousands. We recall that the narrator described this crowd as “devout people,” not sinners, evil, lost, or however else we might often hear the beginning of a conversion story described. They were
devout
persons, a term that Luke does not use ironically or sarcastically, but a term that shows great respect for one’s relationship with God.
In other words, the people who heard Simon Peter’s message and were “cut to the heart” asking, “What shall we do?” were not people who had never heard the Word of God before. They were hearing that this phenomenon that was taking place was part of God’s plan – spoken by their own prophet Joel – and a validation of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, whom they and the Romans had killed. In response to their contrite question, Peter answers, “
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.”
Let’s make some observations about Peter’s altar call.
First, it is given to “devout people.” I keep banging that drum because this is a
inter-religious conversation
, not a call from believers to unbelievers. Don’t forget that the reason the crowd was gathered there was to celebrate Pentecost, Shavuot, a religious harvest festival, rooted in the Scriptures and all about God’s call to live with thanksgiving and abundant grace. This story does not contradict the celebration or meaning of Pentecost, it fulfills it.
Second, they are called to “repent.” One part of that inter-religious conversation is that there was a real and horrible injustice that was committed when the religious leaders conspired with the Romans to kill Jesus. As Peter puts it “this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. (v.23)” Remember, this harsh claim is not a legitimation of anti-Semitic violence like the Kristallnacht violence of 1938. If anything, this story invites Christians to speak out boldly and forthrightly to other Christians who commit horrible acts of violence and hatred in the name of their faith. That’s what Peter is calling his fellow devotees to repent about – an inordinate act of violence legitimated by faith. Perhaps that is why Peter added, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” There was a real thing at that moment which required repentance and forgiveness, not just sin in general.
Third, the repentance is for the sake of having their sins forgiven
and
for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit that Joel foretold. Between Luke, the theologian writing this story, and Peter, the preacher preaching this sermon, they make a synthetic connection between the wrongful crucifixion of Jesus and the fulfillment of Joel’s promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This conjunction of repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit is a part of this story that I believe we ought to explore more closely. It is something that we’ve often left up to Pentecostal and Charismatic congregations/preachers to own. I think that is a huge mistake on our part, because congregations/preachers who cling to an exclusivist theology and fundamentalist approach to the Scriptures are among the least equipped to appreciate what is happening in this story. I’ll explore that more in depth next week.
Until then, may your hearts be so full that people think you’re full of new wine.
Mark of St. Mark
