Soap Box 33- Peter, Pentecost and the Prophet

John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples all preached the message concerning the coming Kingdom of Heaven/God. Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7 There is no record found in the Gospels of a reference to the prophet Joel, speaking about the pouring out of the Spirit, as is found in Peter's first sermon on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:16-21.
Peter begins to explain what is the meaning of the unfolding events occurring in the midst of those gathered in Jerusalem to keep the feast. Peter and the others were in a house on that day, 2:2 There are at least two options as to who was with Peter in that house. There could be the same number as counted in the upper room in Acts 1:15, about 120. The other option could contend that the context of Acts 1:26, could mean that the group consisted of the twelve apostles.

That group was filled with the Holy Ghost. 2:4 They all began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak out. The multitude was gathered together and were confounded, because everyone heard this group speak in the many languages of the crowd. The group was identified as Galilaeans. 2:7

Peter begins to answer the question asked the most : What meaneth this ? Peter also refutes the sarcasm and criticism of some mockers, who stated that these men, the group, was full of new wine. They were not drunken, it is only the third hour of the day. It is too early for this to be a fact.

Peter then, states this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. The listeners understood Peter. Many who interpret Peter and this passage, do not.

Many would contend that this is 'prophecy and fulfillment'. Others would contend that here is an example of a partial fulfillment, because all that Peter quotes, certainly did not come to pass, appear, or be visible. The wonders in heaven above and the signs on the earth beneath did not appear 2:19-20.

Actually, notice, of those things mentioned in Joel's prophecy as listed below, none were being fulfilled, nor does Peter make this claim. (only his interpreters, who err here).

'your sons and your daughters shall prophesy'
'your young men shall see visions'
'your old men shall dream dreams
'on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out my spirit; and
they shall prophesy'
'I will shew wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath:
blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke'
'The sun shall be turned to darkness'
'The moon into blood before that great and notable day of the Lord'

The fact of the matter is that there was no prophesying, no visions seen, no dreams dreamed and no wonders in the heaven and no signs on the earth beneath ( as mentioned in Joel's context.)

That which, John the Baptist, Jesus, Jesus' disciples and Joel the prophet, had in common was the pouring out of the Spirit. Cf. Matt. 3:11; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:33

Joel does not mention speaking with tongues. Peter never claims that he does, either. But the ability to speak with tongues came from the Spirit, 2:4. This is that, is that which Peter links together- the happening on Pentecost, with the prophet Joel and the preaching and promise made by the Lord..

Note: The 'all flesh' as found in 2:17 is a contrast between times when the Spirit came only upon certain ones for certain tasks or performances. Now, in Joel's prophecy, all flesh' in contra-distinction to just some, would have the Spirit poured upon them, such as sons and daughters, young men, young women, old men, servants and handmaidens. This is a real contrast to the workings of God in the earlier times among the people of Israel, when God gave the Spirit upon prophets, priests, kings and other servants and workers.
The 'all flesh' does NOT refer to all peoples namely, Gentiles in this context. This is a reading into the text. This may be a sincere effort, but it is sincerely wrong.

Note: At the end of Peter's sermon, Peter responds to those asking, what shall we do ?
He states that the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39 Many over extend this promise by including Gentiles, also, here. Their logic rests upon a case of connecting Ephesians 2:13 and 17, with the happenings here at Pentecost in Acts 2. It is 'natural' for those who would teach that the church, which is Christ's Body, began, here in Acts 2 and would include those nigh/near and those far off that are mentioned by Paul as the same as those referred to by Peter. Those who look closer, see more distinctive and dispensational differences.

But, here is another contrast between Peter and Paul. Peter is speaking about those who are afar off geographically. He is referring to those Jews of the Diaspora. He is looking back to Daniel 9:7. He is speaking horizontally, with a circle of outreach that concerns
(in this context) the scattered people of the promises and the covenants Thus, he is not looking forward, in anticipation of the future as to what Paul would say.

Eph. 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were
far off are made nigh by the blood of the cross.
Eph. 2:17 – And came and preached (through Paul ) to you
which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Paul, on the other hand, speaks about a nearness and a farness that is horizontal and vertical. Horizontal, as there was a wall of separation between Jew and Gentile, that is broken down as revealed through new revelation given to Paul concerning the cross. Cf. Eph. 2 It is vertical also, since this nearness and farness relates to the access and approach to the one true God, that Jews had, but the Gentiles did not. [ In a larger picture of Paul's entire teaching, Israel is brought to the level of the Gentiles, in order that God might have mercy upon ALL. Cf. Romans 11:32 ] This is significant. There is a dramatic and distinct difference comparing Peter's ministry to Paul's. One word covers a developed unfolding of these comparisons : dispensations.

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