Is Joel's Prophecy For The Church?
Does Joel's prophecy quoted by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:16)
apply to the Church today?
Great Question!
The prophecy of Joel (see Acts 2:16) relates to Israe
l in kingdom context (read
Joel 2:18-32), and not to the Church. When Peter quoted Joel, he quoted kingdom
language. Note the evidence of the out pouring of the Spirit of God in Joel
(2:28). Prophecy, dreams, visions, all of which are consistent with Israel in
the O.T. experience and will once again be experienced during the millennial
kingdom of Christ.
Contrast Peter's quote of
Joel 2:28 with what Paul teaches the church concerning
the filling and the fruit of the Holy Spirit (See Gal. 5:22,23). The major
difference in which the Holy Spirit will work according to Acts 2:16 in light of
Joel 2:28 is that the Holy Spirit will come upon (outwardly) all flesh. This is
the way the Holy Spirit worked in the Old Testament and will again according to
Joel's prophecy. Today, or with the Church, the Holy Spirit works inwardly (John
14:16,17; Eph. 5:18).
In Peter's address at the time of Pentecost, he spoke with outward evidences of
the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1,4). The Holy Spirit literally came upon (outwardly)
their flesh. The point is this: In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is working outwardly
with Israel and not the Church. It is not until we get to Acts 13 that we begin
to observe the Holy Spirit working inwardly in the Church.
Not to distinguish this major difference in which the Holy Spirit works will
cause confusion in churches.
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
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