Acts 2:17-21

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a word picture can be priceless. Verses 17-21 are a word picture painted by Joel, an Old Testament preacher. A picture of something we have not seen can lead to different understandings. This is even truer of a word picture, than it is of other types of pictures.  The Jews, gathered on the day of Pentecost, were familiar with the picture Peter held up to them in these verses. They believed it was a picture of what would take place after God had restored Israel to Glory. They believed it would take place before the Day of the Lord, and the Day of the Lord would be a day of judgment.

Peter tells them in his sermon that their understanding is not correct. There is not one picture, but two. The first picture is not of the end of days; rather it pictures the last days of the old covenant, and the first days of the new covenant that Christ wrote with his blood. That day has arrived, and God is beginning to do what he said he would do. He is pouring out his spirit on all people who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. This is not the Day of Judgment; these are the Days of Salvation.

Peter wants the Jews to know that things have changed. God still chooses them for salvation, but he is also choosing everyone who will believe. He is not going to limit his spirit to just one nation, or just certain priests or Jewish leaders. He is giving His holy spirit to all believers. Yes, “everyone” includes the gentiles.

The second picture is of the Day of the Lord, and it has not yet come. The Day of Judgment will follow it. A second coming is not our priority. The mission of the church is to save the lost. Today is the Day of Salvation, and people need to know. When we witness about Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us.