Pickin' on Peter 

 In recent years, Yahweh has once again "poured out his spirit on all flesh." Like Kefa, we run-of-the-mill Believers need not be greatly educated, good looking, or talented to receive the same endowment as he. But we must be willing to accept the several responsibilities of such power.

Spiritual Gifts Revelation 1:
Charismata Theory, Assessment, Problem-solving
Just Released!  Spiritual Gifts Revelation 2:
Miracles by the Book
Both by Jack Snyder 2008

 This was a newspaper article in the New Castle (IN) paper

 One of the most memorable moments in the Bible is Peter's Pentecost sermon as recorded by Luke in Acts, chapter 2. The Holy Ghost had been poured out on the faithful in the upper room, as evidenced by the sound of a tornado and two kinds of tongues. The historic event was witnessed by Jewish devotees, gathered into Jerusalem from all over the world on pilgrimage. They were amazed that these semi-local-yokels should extol Yahweh in their native languages. Some no doubt immediately realized the gravity of the situation, for they said, "What does this mean?" Others: "They are drunk!" Simon Peter, discerning their perplexity and overhearing their mockery, spoke up loudly with authority saying, "These folks aren't drunk as you suppose them to be; rather, what is happening is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh....'"

  The response he received from this "religious" crowd was the dream of every evangelical preacher: that the congregation might be "pricked in their hearts, saying, 'what shall we do?'" The fisher of men caught a net full this day, for thousands received his word with gladness and were baptized.

 No doubt that Simeon Kefa had a loud, commanding voice, that his countenance displayed great urgency, and that what he was saying was evidenced by miraculous manifestations. But this simple man had several disturbing drawbacks worth mentioning. In speaking up so, he became the main spokesman for a cult far left of the status quo of contemporary religion. A cult whose founder had struck at the religious leaders of the day with acid insults, calling them "white-washed tombs," "broods of vipers," and who had died a brutal death at their hands. A cult whose spiritual and moral tenets could never become popular with those in the clutches of the Judeo-Roman system.

  Simeon Kefa probably had little or no education, no M. Div. or Th. D., no commencement tassel hanging from his rear-view mirror, no holy robe. What he did have, since he was a Galilean, was a hillbilly accent: that shiftless twang so often stereotyped as a result of ignorance and depravity. Finally, his message was one of great moral conviction, soundly laying blame for the torture and death of the son of God on his hearers: "Yahshua Messiah, delivered to YOU by the determination of the Deity, YOU have taken, and with wicked hands YOU have crucified and slain."

  But all his disadvantages and shortcomings were more than offset by a singular power that had transformed his countenance, his manner, his vocalization, his intention, his very being. No longer was the fishmonger a mere man, but a regenerated power empowered by the All-Powerful Regenerator. He had become not only the instrument of divine revelation to these 3000 converts, but also the imperfect vessel God used to reveal to us the primary purpose for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost: world evangelism.

  In recent years, Yahweh has once again "poured out his spirit on all flesh." Like Kefa, we run-of-the-mill Believers need not be greatly educated, good looking, or talented to receive the same endowment as he. But we must be willing to accept the several responsibilities of such power. One such is the Commission to evangelize, remembering that evangelism does not necessarily mean conversion. It does mean "telling the good news" that Messiah not only died to set us free from sin, but that he rose that we might live in power! Yes, like Simeon Kefa, we have been called to be "fishers," not "aquarium watchers." I want to put my hand to the fisher's net! Will you yield to the Indwelling Spirit and join me?

Jackson Snyder, 1987