Through The Bible in a Year - August 25, 2026

“And Peter said to them [the Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem], ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’” - Acts 2:38-39

Peter ends his Pentecost sermon with one of the most expansive invitations in all of Scripture: “The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off.”

You. Your children. Those far away. Everyone the Lord calls.

He is speaking to crowds of people that must include those who crucified Jesus. People who shouted “Crucify Him.” People who mocked our Savior as He died. People who turned their faces rather than turned to him. Yet, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to promise God’s grace to those who will repent in Jesus’s name. The same Spirit who had just filled Peter and the disciples with power—offers God’s grace to those who had rejected God’s Son.

Consider all the matters that do not limit the Spirit’s grace. Distance doesn’t disqualify. The Jewish pilgrims come from far away nations. Ethnicity doesn’t disqualify—Jews and proselytes and Cretans and Arabians and Egyptians and many more all hear in their own language. Shameful history doesn’t disqualify—the crucifiers are invited to receive the One crucified.

The promise is for everyone the Lord calls by the Holy Spirit. And if the Spirit is stirring in your heart as you read this, you are being called despite your previous distance, associations, or background.

The way the Holy Spirit worked at Pentecost was not entirely new. Peter proclaims that the Holy Spirit had been working across centuries to bring to fulfillment this prophecy made by the the Old Testament prophet Joel. Similarly, the Spirit had worked through a thousand years since King David to bring to reality the promises of the psalms. All had built toward this moment. The Spirit didn’t rush. He didn’t forget. He worked across generations and distant nations to bring people to the point of hearing, and responding to, the gospel of Jesus.

Our God writes long stories. The fact that he has not quickly resolved a problem or pain in your life is no evidence of his lack of power or care. The Spirit works to bring relationships and circumstance to a culminating moment that will best display and empower His gospel purposes. Instead of complaining or despairing about our difficulties, the realities of how the Spirit works are meant to provide us endurance and encouragement in the midst of difficult relationships, circumstances, and events.

Respond: Even if you have not previously walked closely with the Lord, you are not disqualified from having the Holy Spirit’s perfect timing apply to you. Peter’s proclamation of the gospel at Pentecost was for all kinds of people. Not just those who had acted justly or courageously or with religious correctness. Not just for the people who had more faith and less sin. The Holy Spirit is working for your spiritual good—exactly as you are, wherever you’re coming from, however far you feel from God.

Consider that the promise that Peter described at Pentecost is personally addressed to you. Say out loud: “The promise is for me. The Spirit is for me. I repent that I have not always believed that, but now receive His promise with faith that He writes long stories for my eternal good.”

Prayer: Father, I hear Peter saying the promise of the Holy Spirit’s work is for people like me—and part of me can hardly believe it. At times, I’ve been far off. I’ve drifted away from your purposes. I’ve turned my face from Your Son with my rejection and neglect of His love. But You extend the same promise to me that You extended to those who put Your Son on the cross. You promise your love will work through the power of the Holy Spirit on behalf of those who put their faith in Him. So, I repent of my unbelief and ask you to give me faith to receive the perfect timing and plan of the Spirit. I repent. I believe. Pour out Your Spirit on me as You promised. Give me the hope and strength that comes from believing your promise is for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.