I wonder if any of the disciples did a double take at seeing Peter – ‘Wait, what? Peter?!’ – addressing this massive crowd so confidently and cogently. How could the guy who only days before so timidly denied Jesus – three times for good measure (Luke 22:54–62) – now be preaching the gospel? Only by the Spirit of God. Look at Peter and see the change. What might God do in you? 

The prophecy from the Book of Joel (vs 17–21) is full of drama and portent as well as an outpouring for all – no one is left out, everyone gets to be fully involved in the life of the Spirit (vs 17,18). I’m struck by something else in this passage: the holy rowdiness and disruption caused by the overflow of the Spirit and of life (v 17). The disciples were so voluble and raucous that some observers thought they were drunk (v 15). God was doing a unique and particular thing at this time, but two key questions remain in my mind: how buttoned-down and ordered are our lives, our meetings, our churches compared to this extravagant and abundant outpouring? How would we respond if God came to us in such a way?

‘Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.’¹

As a wife of a vicar, I am always amused to look at the job pages of the Church Times to see the array of skills that parishes want from their future vicars. Many churches still view their leaders as some sort of superheroes, who can fly in and sort everything out.

In our passage, Peter stresses that we are in a new age where things are done differently. No longer is God’s Spirit given only to a few special individuals such as prophets and kings. Now it is poured out on all Christians. Peter stresses that the Spirit is for everyone: women as well as men; young as well as old; poor, not just the well-off. (‘Slaves’ is the Greek word behind the word ‘servants’ here.) God has gifted us all and wants to use all of us. This clearly has implications for how we do church and what we expect of our leaders. No one person, no matter how able, will possess all the skills needed to make a successful church. God wants us to be a team working together, using the gifts of all. 

Do we expect too much of our leaders? Are we frustrated with them over their lack of skill and success in a certain area? Rather than criticising, can we turn our frustration into supportive prayer and action? Maybe we have the skills to fill that gap. If you are a leader, do you spot and encourage the gifts of others, or do you like to be seen doing everything yourself? How good is your church at fostering the gifts of young and old, female and male, poor as well as richer people? If the Spirit really is poured out on all, then the church simply cannot reach its potential unless the gifts of all are valued and used.

Lord, help me to be a team player in your church, using my gifts and encouraging others to use theirs also.

¹ 1 Cor 12:7