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 Bro.
Turner:
Will
you please comment on "this is that" of ACT.2:16.
Reply:
The
obvious point, of course, is the contrast of Peter's truth, with
the Jewish mocking. This (miraculous speaking, so that all
understood in his native language) is not the result of
alcohol-befuddled minds, but is the result of an out-pouring of
the Holy Spirit, as promised by Joel.
But
the extended quotation from JOE.2:28-32 and the use which Peter
made of this language in his address, convinces me that there is
something more than the single out-pouring of the Holy Spirit
(per se) in this.
First,
consider "that" which Joel spoke. (1) It is Jewish
redemption or restoration prophecy, one among many scattered
throughout the works of Old Testament prophets. It calls the
time of vindication (enemy overthrown, and Israel triumphant)
the "day of the Lord" and depicts this as a
heaven-shaking event. (See JOE.2:10-11; ZEP.1:14f) (2) A
"remnant" of Israel, (who will "call on the
Lord") will be saved. (ISA.1:9, 4:2f, 10:20f) and (3) With
the "remnant" the Gentiles shall also be saved.
(ISA.49:5f) See AMO.9:8-12, which James clearly relates to
salvation in Christ, to all nations. (ACT.15:13-18)
The "that" spoken by Joel was a prophecy of the coming
of the Christian dispensation; and it was signaled by the
out-pouring of the Spirit. (see ISA.32:14-15, 44:1-5 for other
prophecies that make this same relation of
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Spirit to new dispensation.)
Peter
connects all these points of Joel's prophecy to salvation in
Jesus Christ. He says Christ is on David's Throne; the promise
is to "all that are afar off" or "whosoever"
will. I conclude, therefore, that Peter's "this" has a
wider reference than to the single out-pouring is but the
beginning of a dispensation in which "daughters" and
"handmaiden" will also prophesy (See ACT.21:9) and the
Spirit shall be poured upon Gentiles. (ACT.10:44f)
The
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit signaled the beginning of the
Christian dispensation, and "accompanied" the
believers. (MAR.16:17) This does not mean that every believer
would work miracles. But every believer was blessed by the fact
that the Spirit of God was manifested among them. The confirming
signs wrought by the Apostles and New Testament Prophets, are
our proof as well as theirs. (JOH.20:29-31)
Although
this goes somewhat afield from the original question, I suggest
that "he that believeth" in JOH.7:38f has the same
limited application as I have indicated above for MAR.16:17.
These passages refer to the Apostles, (inspired men) from whom
the truth would go forth (rivers of living water) to the whole
world. All "believers" (the "church") would
benefit by such blessings — great "power" would be
in the church — although this does not mean that every member
would have some miraculous measure of the Spirit. (1CO. 12:1f)
The Christian age is the age of the Spirit.
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