Spirit, will do more to give us a correct interpretation of what this feast means in the outworking of the purpose of

God than all the traditions of men. There, the quotation from Joel occurs in a setting of restoration. God says:

`I will restore to you (Israel) the years that the locust hath eaten' (Joel 2:25).

Verses 26 and 27 end up with:

`Ye shall ... praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you ... ye shall know that I

am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and My people (Israel) shall never be

ashamed'.

Then immediately follow the words which the Apostle Peter quoted in Acts 2:16.

The prophecy of Joel reveals the restoration and rich blessing of Israel after judgment for her sins and God's

punishment of her Gentile oppressors. No wonder the disciples asked the Lord, `Wilt Thou at this time restore

again the kingdom to Israel?' (1:6). The words of Joel are divided by the expressions `I will pour' and `I will show'

with seven points relating to each:

I will pour out My Spirit



(1) upon all flesh



(2) Sons

 Sevenfold

(3) Daughters

 beginning at

(4) Old men

 Pentecost

(5) Young men



(6) Servants



(7) Hand maids

I will show wonders



(1) Heavens



(2) Earth



(3) Blood

 Sevenfold

(4) Fire

 conclusion

(5) Pillars of smoke



(6) Sun



(7) Moon

Acts 2 records the beginning of the Spirit's outpouring on Israel as the Old Testament prophets had predicted.

Had they responded the second set of sevens touching the physical creation would have followed and the day of the

Lord would have led to the Second Coming of Christ and the setting up of the kingdom. What was only partially

fulfilled at Pentecost will be completely fulfilled at the end of this age, for God's Word cannot fail in any particular

(Matt. 24:29,30).

Those who were saved at this time were a nucleus of the coming kingdom - a `firstfruits' as James expresses it

(James 1:18). We now come to the third chapter of the Acts and there is no doubt that this is one of the most vital

chapters of the New Testament. Its import has been missed by so many which is quite amazing considering that its

testimony is so clear. It commences with the healing of the lame man outside the Temple who had been in this

condition since birth. At Peter's word he was instantly and wholly healed. This was a great miracle, for the man

was well known, and even the rulers of Israel had to admit that `a notable miracle' had been done (Acts 4:15,16).

The result was the gathering together of a great audience to see the man who was now walking, leaping and praising

God (Acts 3:8-11 and cf. Isa. 35:5,6).

Peter used this opportunity to deliver a most important speech which extends to the end of the chapter. He

addresses his hearers as `Ye men of Israel' (3:12) and `brethren' (verse 17). His authority comes from `the God of

Abraham, and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers' (verse 13) and in closing he reminds them that they are

`the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers'.  This was the great

unconditional one made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning the seed and the land. Israel indeed were lame