The Portal

A Series on Spiritual Turning Points: A Watershed moment
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Acts 1:1-11 and Acts 2:1-13 

[God is always at work in our life – drawing us to him, helping us to become the person he created us to be and leading us to opportunities to serve him. In this series we will look at spiritual turning points in the lives of real people, and words that help us to understand how God works in us and through us. Sometimes this happens suddenly, sometimes gradually, but always with purpose.]

 

Since 2018, the NCAA transfer portal has transformed college sports into the wild west where almost anything goes. In fact, it’s not unusual for an athlete to have played for 4 or 5 different schools. In my opinion, it’s ruining the college game!

 

However, from a player’s perspective, it gives them a new opportunity to make more money, gain more playing time or to just have more control over their career. In some cases, it has changed their lives dramatically!

 

For instance, in 2025 Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana University. As their starting quarterback, he led them to winning the 2026 national championship. In addition, he won the Heisman Trophy Award and was the first pick in the NFL draft. His decision to enter the portal was a watershed moment.

 

The disciples also experienced a watershed moment. For three years they had faithfully followed Jesus throughout Galilee as he ministered to thousands of people. It was a very public ministry, and they participated in it without fear.

 

But, when Jesus was arrested, all but John deserted him. And Peter, his most vocal follower, disowned him three times. Even after Jesus had been resurrected from the dead, the disciples still feared the religious leaders as they hid behind locked doors.

 

But then on the day of Pentecost, when they were all together, something phenomenal happened that changed their lives forever.

 

² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  NIV    Acts 2

 

Because of the pilgrimage for Pentecost, there was a huge number of devout Jews in Jerusalem from all over the world. When they heard the sound, a crowd gathered to see what was happening. They were amazed because each of them heard their own language being spoken despite all the disciples being from Galilee.

 

Then Peter and the disciples stood, and Peter spoke boldly to the crowd. He clearly explained that the crowd was responsible for the death of Jesus. This is the same Peter who had deserted and disowned Jesus and hidden behind locked doors.

 

On that day, 3000 people believed and were baptized. What made the difference in the disciples? It was the following promise that Jesus had previously made to them.

 

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”            NIV    Acts 1

 

Jesus’ promise to receive the Holy Spirit is still true for us today. All we need to do is enter the portal. Thankfully, the portal is defined in the Gospel of John. Jesus spoke about it in the context of being the good shepherd.

 

⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.                                                     ESV    John 10

 

This is our watershed moment.

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com