Acts 2:37-39
(37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Three Responses to Conviction:
- Ignore it
- Kill the messenger
- What shall we do?
The Ark of the Covenant, where the Glory of God was manifest:
- Had become a legend of mythical status by 63 BC when the Roman general Pompey the Great conquered Jerusalem.
- It is said that he entered the Temple, looked around, entered the Holy of Holies, touched nothing and left.
- History records that he said he didn’t understand what the big deal was, it was just an empty room.
- The Ark was gone.
- It disappeared about the time the Babylonians conquered the Jews in 586 BC.
- Perhaps, Jeremiah hid it in Mt. Nebo. Nevertheless, it was gone.
Empty ritual, dead formalism, right doctrine, BUT…
No Power! – No Presence! – No Glory!
Without the Holy Spirit we are helpless
We need to learn to get back to waiting – “wait in Jerusalem until”
Turn your face to God
Receive His Power – Linger in Presence – Seek His Glory
Are you curious and hungry?
John 3:1-8
(1) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
(2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
(3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
(5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
(8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Luke 24:45-49
(45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
(46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
(47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things.
(49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 2:1-4
(1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
(3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Two responses:
- Go on as usual with ritual, habit and going through the motions
- Fall on your face and seek God’s Presence, Glory and Power
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 