“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).
TEXT — Acts 2:29-40
Message
Flowing from the impact of the Spirit of God he just received, Apostle Peter admonished his listeners in that immediate congregation, especially, the young converts to avoid the danger of negative influence from the unbelieving people around them. He raised concern about the negative influences and ungodly conducts of the people around them.
Is our own generation different in any way to the period Peter first gave the message? Peter preached this stirring message that brought about 3000 new converts unto the Lord Jesus Christ. This group of new converts were admonished to keep themselves from the corruption that prevails in the world. They joined other believers, were taught by the Apostles and participated in prayer meetings and fellowship. These new believers in Christ desired to know more about Christ and it became obvious that they were experiencing the desired growth. The timely admonition assisted the converts to watch their association and relationship with the people around them lest they become polluted again. If you have just come to know the Lord, the exhortation will help you to become strong in the faith. If you are mentoring young converts, it is important to encourage them to guard their faith jealously in order not to allow the unbelieving populace around them to derail them. They must be taught to separate from old friends and acquaintances that can easily lure them back into their old lives.
A life not regulated by the dictates of the word of God stands to succumb easily to the pressure of this untoward generation. Our affection should be set on things above and not on things on earth.
Thought for the day
The true Christian passes through the world without smelling worldly.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
