The descension of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles brought two distinct reactions on the day of Pentecost. Luke writes, “So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?’ Others mocking said, ‘They are full of new wine’” (Acts 2:12-13). Some did not know what to make of the events. Others made up their own story.

In an act of mockery, some “know-it-alls” in the crowd shouted, “They are full of new wine.” The “new wine” mentioned here, according to many resources, means “sweet wine” and is associated with the fresh juice from the grape. Some commentators add their opinion that it was intoxicating, but it is hard to harmonize how fresh grape juice could possess the alcohol needed to make one drunk. It seems as they are sarcastically saying, “Yeah, right, these guys have been drinking a little of the Welch’s™.” The deriding nature of their statement was a clear implication that the Apostles were drunk—or so they thought!

Peter was having none of that foolishness. And so, “…standing up with the eleven, [he] raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:14-16). Peter made it clear they were wrong in their assumptions and needed to hear the truth of the matter.

Brother Winkler firmly believed in setting the record straight. During the class from which this lesson was taken, he asked the question, “Where are all the sermons on misconceptions?” People in our world are confused. They hear so many differing doctrines in regard to their eternal salvation. Where are the lessons on misconceptions regarding God’s plan of salvation, His grace, Christian living, the judgment, heaven, and hell? Where are the sermons clearing up the misconceptions many have in regard to the church of Christ?

In bygone days, these topics were discussed at length from the pulpit. Like Peter of old, men of character sought to clear up the misconceptions held by many as they openly debated those who promoted such unbiblical and ungodly notions. Brother Winkler strongly encouraged the buying and reading of the great debates of yesteryear. He also urged his students to outline these books and learn both the arguments for the truth and the error being discussed. And may I just add a personal note. Little did this writer know then just how helpful doing this would be in years to come as he encountered men and women who had been misinformed in regard to church and other important matters.

Preacher friend, in a day when so many in our society believe one opinion is as good as the next, make sure you do your best to set the record straight. It was not true that the Apostles were drunk. Peter would not allow them to think such a thought without challenging it. The message of salvation they were about to preach was too important to allow it to be dismissed because someone spread a false rumor. Souls today are still too valuable to let them be lost if we can correct a misconception, misunderstanding, misinterpretation, misreading, or a misbelief.