Acts 2:14-21

Today is Momma’s birthday. She would have been 89.

Jesus did not leave us orphans. He gives us Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us safely home. We live because He died in our place. Holy is His name.

Gratefully, grace finds a way to break down our defenses. Anne Lamott’s reminder “I do not understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.” And it spills… we become places for sanity and hope for whispering words of hope and affirmation. Amen. Sabbath Moments 

Acts 2:14-21

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, 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. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ The New King James Version

By the power of the Spirit, the man who had denied Jesus three times now preaches boldly before the crowd. Peter quotes Joel 2:28–32 to explain the events of Pentecost. Pour out My Spirit is the phrase that evokes old testament language associated with the final time before God’s purposes of making all things right on earth are fulfilled—which includes the Messiah’s victory and impending ultimate judgment of all, demanding that everyone repent. It marks the time when God will establish His kingdom over the earth and end oppression. 

The events of Pentecost demonstrate to the Jewish audience that the promises made to them are fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true Messiah, and that the time of the last days has begun. In Joel, God’s full and final restoration of His people involves inner transformation by His Spirit. The Spirit’s ministry and the gifts He bestows are not restricted by social position or status. Faithlife Study Bible

Peter, the first disciple to recognize the truth about Jesus, was also the first to bear witness of Him. Peter preached his sermon to men of Judea who had judged the whole episode as being the effect of too much wine. Peter began his sermon by quoting Joel 2:28–32 from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In that passage, God had promised that there would be a time when all those who followed Him would receive His Spirit, and not just prophets, kings, and priests. Peter pointed out that that time had come to pass. God would speak to and through all those who would come to Him, whether in visions, dreams, or prophecy. This was the beginning of the last days. God’s final act of salvation began with the pouring out of His Spirit. This final act of deliverance will continue to the end of this age. The NKJV Study Bible

Peter’s sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ’s resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. 

Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ’s scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions.

Joel 2:29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Joel 2:30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.