How does Acts 2:13 connect to Jesus' warnings about persecution in John 15:18-20? Setting the Scene at Pentecost Acts 2 records the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit. - The disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (Acts 2:4). - Many in the crowd were “amazed and perplexed” (Acts 2:12). - “But others mocked them and said, ‘They are drunk on new wine!’” (Acts 2:13). Jesus Warns of Hostility “18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” Direct Links Between Acts 2:13 and John 15:18-20 - Same Source of Opposition - Jesus: “the world hates you” (John 15:18). - Acts: onlookers “mocked” Spirit-filled believers (Acts 2:13). - Same Motive - Jesus: hatred arises because believers “are not of the world” (John 15:19). - Acts: the supernatural work marks the disciples as separate, provoking ridicule. - Same Pattern - Jesus: “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). - Acts: the crowd’s mockery mirrors earlier insults hurled at Jesus (cf. Luke 23:35-36). - Fulfillment of Jesus’ Promise - The mockery is immediate, tangible evidence that Jesus’ words are literally true. Mockery as Persecution Scripture places verbal ridicule in the same category as other forms of opposition. - Matthew 5:11: “Blessed are you when people insult you… because of Me.” - 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” - Thus Acts 2:13 shows that persecution can begin with words before escalating to prison or violence (Acts 4:3; 5:40). Encouragement for Today’s Believer - Expect misunderstanding when you live and speak by the Spirit; Jesus already prepared you. - Mockery confirms you belong to Christ and that His Spirit rests on you. - Like Peter in Acts 2:14-36, respond not with silence but with clear, Spirit-empowered testimony. |
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