Everyone?

Everyone?

Ezekiel 36:24-27

Acts 2:1–21

There are moments in biblical history when heaven and earth seem to meet.

*The giving of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai.

*The incarnation of Christ.

*Jesus’ baptism. His crucifixion and resurrection… and ascension.

*Among many others… including our lesson for today, at Pentecost… as the promised Holy Spirit descended upon God’s people, empowering them to both proclaim and hear the Good News!

Of course… we often wonder what such moments (as recorded in God’s Word) actually mean for us, today?

Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as a definitive account of Jesus’ life and the events of the first century church. And in our lesson for today, he describes the miraculous events of the Day of Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, and Peter’s sermon, that answers our questions.

Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declared that the long-promised “last days” had arrived, and with them, a call goes out to all people: a universal call to salvation; proclaiming: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

I want you to hear something this morning: are you listening?

Peter’s sermon does not begin with speculation, or feelings, conjecture… but with Scripture. He’s quoting God’s Word from the OT Prophet Joel, as he anchors what was taking place at Pentecost in the unchanging Word of God.

This is absolutely crucial for a correct understanding of what’s taking place in our lesson. In the Reformed tradition—we do not build our theology on experience, or emotions, or on fads and modern trends… but on the authority of God’s revealed truth in His Word.

Peter says, “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel.” That tells us something that’s actually quite obvious, but often overlooked. Because, it means Pentecost is not a new plan; it is the continuation and fulfillment of God’s eternal redemptive purpose. The “last days” that Joel foresaw have begun. Not because the apostles were especially righteous, but because the risen Christ has ascended and now reigns from heaven... and God’s Word has been fulfilled.

You and I have to be extremely careful to never separate the work of the Spirit from the Word of God. The Spirit confirms what God has spoken. He does not contradict or add to Scripture but brings light, conviction, and application. When we say we are “people of the Spirit,” we must also be people of the Book.

Again, Peter stresses God’s Word: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…”

Of course, this is one of the most radical declarations in the entire Bible: the Spirit is no longer reserved for prophets, or priests. Now, “all flesh” — men and women, young and old, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile — receive the Spirit - and are compelled to move, to act, to engage life thru the Spirit.

Now, don’t misunderstand: Peter does not say that everyone receives the Spirit universally, but that the Spirit is poured out upon all kinds of people. This is not universalism; it is the dismantling of the old covenant limitations. This is the priesthood of all believers. The Spirit equips every Christian to witness, serve, and proclaim Christ.

In Reformed theology, we understand this outpouring as the fulfillment of the covenant promise: as expressed in Ezekiel 36:27, when God said, “I will put my Spirit within you.” It is the internal work of grace that regenerates hearts, grants faith, and sanctifies God’s people.

This means your life is not spiritually insignificant.

If you are in Christ, the same Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation now dwells in you. You are not left to live the Christian life in your own strength. The Spirit empowers us to live holy lives, speak gospel truth, and love the church.

And that’s terribly important to understand and appreciate, because we have Good News to share! “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

What a glorious crescendo of Peter’s sermon! The Spirit comes not merely to create religious experience, but to open the floodgates of grace. Salvation is now proclaimed to all.

Notice the Reformed emphasis here on God’s initiative and sovereignty. The Spirit is poured out by God’s will. The call to salvation is grounded in His redemptive plan. Yet at the same time, there is a real and urgent call to every human being: “Call on the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.”

This does not contradict divine election. Rather, it is the means by which God brings His elect to salvation. The gospel call must go out to all people. And those whom the Spirit regenerates will respond with faith.

Have you called on the name of the Lord? Are you trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation? If not, this word is for you. Call on Him. He is mighty to save.

And if you are saved, this is your message to the world. We do not convert hearts—that is the Spirit’s work—but we boldly proclaim Christ crucified, raised, and reigning.

Brothers and sisters, we live in the last days—not in fear, but in hope. The Spirit has been poured out. The Word has gone (and is going) forth. And the invitation still stands: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Let us live in the power of that Spirit, speak the truth of that gospel, and rest in the promise of our sovereign God.

Amen.