Joel 3:1, 5 Then afterward I will pout out my spirit upon all mankind... Then everyone shall be. rescued who calls on the name of the Lord.
In this restoration, God seems very generous. He wants to pour out his spirit to EVERYONE. Not just select people in a select religion. In the Old Testament, he seemed very selective, choosing specific men to pour his spirit into (Joseph, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Saul, David, etc). But now, he is looking toward a new covenant and wants to do things a little differently.
Acts 2:1-12 tells us the first time God sent his Spirit was after Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven, when his followers were all gathered in one place. The followers received the Holy Spirit and at once was able to speak many languages. People heard and came to see what was going on and was able to understand the men in their own native languages. The followers were accused of being drunk. Seems right. Something different is happening, and the easiest explanation is there was too much wine. These men were nobodies. God wouldn't select them for anything special. But Peter set the onlookers straight using Joel's prophecy from Chapter 3. Everyone who receives God in faith can receive the Holy Spirit.
We now honor the day that the holy spirit came down on Jesus followers as Pentecost, which is this Sunday, May 31.
No comments:
Post a Comment