Sunday Acts 2:14-21

Peter addresses the crowd at the temple.

Click here for an online Bible. Acts 2:14-21

The people in the temple area were astounded that the followers of Christ were proclaiming the wonders of God in all of their native languages. Some scoffed and accused the Christians of drunkenness. It is an odd accusation since no matter how liquored-up you get, you don’t speak unknown foreign languages. But Peter addresses the concern. He pointed out that it was only 9 AM. The Jews did not break their fast on festival days until 10 AM.

An interesting change has occurred in Peter over the last seven weeks. He was afraid to admit that he knew Jesus on the night of His betrayal. But, here he is boldly speaking in front of a large and potentially hostile crowd. How did he undergo such a change? There are two huge events that have taken place in Peter’s life in the last 50 days. First is the resurrection of Jesus. Second is the coming of the Holy Spirit. Peter was a faithful follower of Christ before, but now he has been radically transformed. He knows the truth of the gospel and how it relates to life and death. He has been empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Peter explains that what has happened was prophesied by Joel hundreds of years earlier. In Joel 2:28-32, the prophet predicts an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people of God. He also predicts miraculous astronomical events occurring. Part of this prophecy obviously has been fulfilled with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

But what about the parts that were not fulfilled? The sun was not darkened. The moon did not turn red. Peter began his speech with the phrase, “In the last days, God says…” Many people (including me) understand the “last days” to have begun at the first coming of Jesus. They will end at the second coming of Jesus. Some of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at the beginning of the last days and others will be fulfilled at the end of the last days.

Even Peter did not have a grasp of what he was saying. All of the believers thought that Jesus would come back very soon. They had no concept of the last days going on so long. Also, he did not fully understand Acts 2:17. He said that God would pour out His spirit on all people. Yet he did not understand that God meant that it also included the Gentiles until the events of Acts 10.

God’s plan is still in progress. We are in the last days and Joel’s prophecy is still in play. However, the last days will end and there will be judgment. It is up to us to boldly proclaim the gospel with the same empowerment as Peter in the meantime.