Rev. Don Campbell
Joel 1-3
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 13, 2019
“CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD”
Peter states that the Old Testament prophets understood that they were not just prophesying about current events involving judgment and deliverance of Israel the fleshly kingdom of Israel, but about a future salvation, a salvation that was not revealed until after Acts chapter two (1 Peter 1:10-12). Therefore, when Joel spoke of a day in which God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh and all who called upon the name of the Lord would be saved, he did not understand what is clearly revealed to us through the apostles (Joel 2:28-32).
The same Holy Spirit that guided Joel, guided Peter in quoting and interpreting Joel:
“But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Acts 2:16-21).
Peter went on: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33).
Thus far we see Joel’s prophesy of the outpouring of the Spirit being confirmed. Second, that outpouring was connected to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the one whom they had crucified. Upon hearing this, they asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
Uninspired men will say, “Just believe Jesus is your personal savior.” However, they will add something, knowing must surely that more is required. “Pray the sinner’s prayer,” they will say. But there is no such prayer in the New Testament.
Let Peter answer: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38-39).
CONNECTIONS
1. How did those to whom Peter spoke respond? (Acts 2:41)
2. What does Paul call the Spirit in Romans 8:15?
