Commentaries:
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Acts 2:14-21
It is interesting that Peter does not say that this was the fulfillment of what Joel prophesied. This is because much of Joel's prophecy was not yet fulfilled. It is easily seen that Peter understood this. He knew that it was only the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy because God's Spirit was not being poured out on all flesh. The sun and moon had not changed their appearance, and not everybody that "called on the name of the Lord" was being saved. This is something similar to what happened when Jesus quoted Isaiah 61 in Luke 4, as He began His ministry in Nazareth. He left out parts of the prophecy. Likewise, Peter recognized that the events of Acts 2 only began to fulfill Joel's prophecy.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Pentecost and the Holy SpiritRelated Topics: Holy Spirit | Holy Spirit as Gift | Holy Spirit as Power | Holy Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh | Joel's Prophecies | Pentecost
Acts 2:14
Here, on the day of Pentecost, many people saw and heard what was happening, but who stands up and speaks? Apparently, all the apostles spoke at one time or another, but it is only Peter who is singled out in Scripture as the one who gave the keynote address.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of LeadershipRelated Topics: God's Pattern of Leadership | Pentecost | Pentecost Witness | Peter the Apostle | Peter's Responsibility
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What Does Acts 2:14 Mean?
Peter does not claim that these events fulfilled Joel's prophecy, because much of what Joel foretold remained unfulfilled. He understood that Pentecost marked only the beginning of that fulfillment, since God's Spirit was not being poured out on all flesh, the sun and moon had not changed, and not everyone calling on the Lord's name was being saved. This parallels Jesus quoting Isaiah 61 in Luke 4 at Nazareth, where He left out parts of the prophecy. Though many witnessed the events of Pentecost and all the apostles apparently spoke at various times, only Peter is singled out in Scripture as the one who delivered the keynote address, standing up with the eleven to address the crowd.