Library
<< Joel 2:31 Joel 3:1 >>
Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain Joel 2:32:
Joel 2:28-32
Excerpted from: 'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church on the Day of Pentecost foreshadows a greater global outpouring yet to come. Actual evidence of God's Spirit is seen in a life of repentance, humility, and Christ-like service. And when the Holy Spirit did come and Peter stood up to preach his first great sermon, he began with the most critical text about the coming of the Holy Spirit in all the Old Testament. Peter quoted from Joel 2:28-32 about God's Spirit being poured out on all flesh, which is the central prophecy about God pouring out His Spirit. Peter's sermon on Pentecost in Acts 2 connected this prophecy to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon a people that God calls and who answer that call.
At this turn in the prophecy, as Joel begins to speak comforting words, the verses that became Peter's first sermon on Pentecost occurred. Peter referred to this text first because it was the most straightforward and obvious Old Testament prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then with clarity and urgency, Peter linked it to what everyone in Jerusalem noted, namely the clear, powerful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone in their own language, and Peter contended, "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel."
Peter did not say that Pentecost fulfilled the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 because the signs and wonders predicted had not occurred. So when you read Joel's prophecy in context, you see that it deals with the nation of Israel in the end times in connection with the Day of the Lord. However, Peter was led by the Spirit to see an application to the church in the prophecy, and he said, this is that same Holy Spirit that Joel wrote about. It is here. Such an announcement would seem incredible to the Jews because they thought God's Spirit was given only to a select group of people, such as the patriarchs. So Peter's audience enjoyed the blessing of the same Holy Spirit that had empowered Moses, David, and the prophets. It was truly the dawning of a new age—the church age in which God would intensify His plan of salvation for humanity.
Although the heavens are mentioned first, the following order is one of ascending emphasis, beginning with events on earth, blood, fire, and smoke, and moving to signs in the sky, the sun and moon. So God will perform mighty transformations in the heaven and on earth, and it will be the great and fearful Day of the Lord. Nevertheless, the outpouring of the Spirit will result in salvation for those who call on God. And there will be those who call upon the Lord for physical deliverance and whom God will call to spiritual salvation.
So Joel emphasizes the universal nature of this gift because he shows that it is for all people as opposed to being for some only, as it had been previously. Therefore, to avoid missing this, the point is explicitly stated. It will be for the young, that is, your sons and daughters, and the old, your old men, and the strength of the nation, your young menservants, even on My servants, both men and women.
Now this is a clear and distinguishing mark of a person filled with the Holy Spirit, and it is the sense in which the words in Joel must be taken. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, or will preach or will teach. There may be prophecy in the sense of foretelling things to come. Peter, John, and Paul and some others did that. But in the sense that all will prophesy, what is involved is a proclamation of God's truth concerning Jesus as Savior. And how can a person proclaim such a thing if he or she is not living the way Jesus Christ lived, and lives?
Joel 2:30-32
Excerpted from: 'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'Although the heavens are mentioned first, the following order is one of ascending emphasis, beginning with events on earth, blood, fire, and smoke, and moving to signs in the sky, the sun and moon. So God will perform mighty transformations in the heaven and on earth, and it will be the great and fearful Day of the Lord. Nevertheless, the outpouring of the Spirit will result in salvation for those who call on God. And there will be those who call upon the Lord for physical deliverance and whom God will call to spiritual salvation.
Joel 2:32
Excerpted from: 'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'Although the heavens are mentioned first, the following order is one of ascending emphasis, beginning with events on earth, blood, fire, and smoke, and moving to signs in the sky, the sun and moon. So God will perform mighty transformations in the heaven and on earth, and it will be the great and fearful Day of the Lord. Nevertheless, the outpouring of the Spirit will result in salvation for those who call on God. And there will be those who call upon the Lord for physical deliverance and whom God will call to spiritual salvation.
ArticlesAs In the Days of Lot
Blood and Soil: The Persistence of Anti-Semitism
Peter's Trumpets Message—on Pentecost
Peter's Trumpets Message—on Pentecost
What Is Joel 2 Really About?
Where Is the Promise of His Coming?
BookletsThe Plain Truth About the "Sacred Name"
EssaysWhat Is the Prophesied 'Pure Language'? (Part One)
SermonsLest We Forget
The Book of Joel (Part Two)
The Book of Joel (Part Two)
The Book of Joel (Part Two)
Refuge! Refuge! (Part Two)
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part One)
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part One)
Psalms: Book Four (Part Three)
Preparing While Waiting For God
Preparing While Waiting For God
A House Left Desolate
Lift Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet
Why the Last Great Day?
Trumpets: Soon To Be Fulfilled?
Peter's Pentecost Sermon
The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades
The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades
<< Joel 2:31 Joel 3:1 >>
Join 138,365+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.