Insiders and outsiders. The Apostle Peter had lived his life as an insider; a Jewish person growing up in a Jewish community, seeking to faithfully follow God as he had been taught. But when Jesus called Peter from his nets to follow him, this was the beginning of a long journey from inside to outside. Jesus showed through his words, his love and compassion, and ultimately through his cross, that there were no longer insiders and outsiders, but God wanted all people to become members of his kingdom.
Pentecost Day was the next big step on this journey for Peter. He and the other disciples declared the wonders of God in the tongues of the many nations who were present in Jerusalem that day. Peter explained what was happening through the words of the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And so began the outward move of the church, from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, as Jesus commanded his disciples before his ascension.
