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THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION
34
The emphasized quotation from Joel, Peter introduces with the words, `This is that'. This Pentecostal gift of
tongues is the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Difficulties there may be, but there is no difficulty in the words of
the inspired apostle. He quotes at length, and the careful observation of quotation and fulfilment will supply the key
to the place of Pentecost in the dispensational plan. Fourteen definite items are prophesied by Joel and quoted by
Peter; yet some of them, e.g., the sun and the moon turning to darkness, etc., did not take place, and will not take
place until the Book of the Revelation is in fulfilment. The words of Joel are divided by the expressions `I will pour'
and `I will show'; the first series received fulfilment at Pentecost; the second series awaits the end, when Israel shall
repent and be fully restored. We shall see this more plainly if set out thus:
A I will pour out My Spirit.
1 Upon all flesh.
2 Sons.
3 Daughters.
The last days. Seven-fold
4 Old men.
beginning at Pentecost.
5 Young men.
`The powers of the
6 Servants.
age to come'.
7 Handmaids.
B Present interval.- Israel not repentant.
B Future day.- Israel repent and look upon Him Whom they pierced.
A I will shew wonders
1 Heavens.
2 Earth.
3 Blood.
Seven-fold conclusion.
4 Fire.
Wonders.
5 Pillars of smoke.
6 Sun.
7 Moon.
Joel's word `afterward' (2:28) is interpreted for us by Peter as meaning `in the last days', and therefore needs no
further explanation. The occurrences of Acts 2 were in `the last days'. John writing later says, `Little children, it is
the last time' (1 John 2:18). When the Lord Jesus came to earth nearly 2,000 years ago, it was in `these last days'
(Heb. 1:2). It was `the fulness of the time' (Gal. 4:4). In Hebrews 9:26 we see that:
`He abrogated the sin offering by the sacrifice of Himself, when He appeared at the sunteleia ton aionon - the
gathering point, just before the telos, the end of the ages' (Author's translation).
The day of Pentecost, therefore, was the introduction to the day of the Lord; the spirit was poured out, but Israel
repented not. Had Israel repented, the remaining series of wonders in heaven and earth would have followed. As it
was, Pentecost fell into line, dispensationally, with the place that the Feast has in the series, a firstfruits before the
harvest, `the remnant whom the Lord shall call' being saved. Peter, immediately upon finishing the quotation from
Joel, proceeds to its application, thus, `Ye men of Israel, hear these words'; and speaks of `Jesus of Nazareth, a man
approved of God unto you, by mighty works and wonders and signs'. His death and resurrection were the fulfilment
of the divine plan, according as David said of Him in Psalm 16. The point which Peter makes of this quotation is
that:
`David ... being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins,
according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ TO SIT ON HIS THRONE; he seeing this before spake of the
resurrection of Christ ... whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and
having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost (Spirit), He hath shed forth THIS, which ye now see
and hear ... Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ' (Acts 2:29-36).
We should expect an inspired speaker to have a real, definite message to give, and the most effective method of
presenting it. What is Peter's object? We believe the whole of his speech is an exposition of his opening words,