Acts 2:14-21

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.

Acts 2:17

So it will be universal in character and scope. But does this "all flesh" mean for all believers, Israel, or mankind generally? We know that all true believers receive God's Holy Spirit. It distinguishes us from the world. From the context and the prophetic teaching of other portions of the Old Testament, we know that all Israel eventually receives God's Spirit in the Millennium, and the Gentile world will have access to it as well. So age differences shown as young and old, sex shown as sons and daughters, or position shown as menservants and maidservants will not constitute barriers or hindrances to this gift of the Spirit.