INTRODUCTION
Outline.
An Analysis of Joel’s Prophecy
Introductory Remarks.
1. In this lesson, we will analyze Joel’s prophecy regarding the “outpouring” or the “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh on the Day of Pentecost. Many consider this event to be the “pouring out of the Holy Ghost” upon the Jews only.
2. Some argue that the event in Caesarea, at Cornelius’ house, was a second “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentile nations.
3. In this analysis, we will investigate these two events. After our analysis, it will be apparent that there was only one “outpouring” of the Holy Ghost upon “all flesh” for both Jews and Gentiles, and it occurred on the Day of Pentecost.
4. The event at Cornelius’ house was a “manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit” as He “fell upon all of them who heard the word... For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God,” Acts 10:44-46. With this brief introduction, let’s begin our analysis of these two events.
BODY OF LESSON
ANALYSIS OF JOEL’S PROPHECY
A. The Promise. Before digging deeper into Joel’s prophecy and its fulfillment, we need to consider the promises regarding the Holy Spirit. Notice:
1. First, John said: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire,” Matthew 3:11. John predicts it would be Jesus Christ, the Messiah; that would be the person who will baptize with both, “the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”
2. Further, Jesus said: “But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” John 14:26; John 15:26-17; John 16:13-15. Consider also:
a. After Christ’s resurrection, He told His apostles: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:49. They were to go to Jerusalem and wait for this promise.
b. Before His ascension into heaven, He promised them again: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:5-8. [Text shortened for brevity].
3. Finally, Luke penned that the Holy Ghost Baptism took place on the Day of Pentecost, the first after the suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ into the heavens, Acts 1:8; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:1-4.
4. A summary of the Holy Ghost baptism on Pentecost. Notice:
a. First, it was given ONLY to the 12 apostles.
b. Further, it DID NOT include either of these audiences:
1) The 120 disciples gathered before Pentecost, Acts 1:14-15.
2) The multitude that commented on the events on Pentecost, Acts 2:6.
3) The 3000 souls converted on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41.
4) Nor on any woman gathered in the “upper room” before Pentecost, Acts 1:13-15.
c. Therefore, the baptism of the Holy Ghost took place on the Day of Pentecost, and this was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy regarding that: “Jehovah would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh,” Joel 2:28-29. Peter began his sermon by affirming that the Holy Ghost’s work on Pentecost fulfilled Joel’s prophecy of Jehovah “pouring forth His Spirit upon all flesh.”
B. The Day of Pentecost. As he begins his sermon and defends their speaking in different languages, Peter says: “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel,” Acts 2:17-18. This event on the Day of Pentecost fulfilled the foretelling of God’s promise: “The pouring forth of His Spirit upon all flesh (or nations),” Joel 2:28-29. Notice:
1. This is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let’s be clear: Peter DID NOT SAY: “This is a part of Joel’s prophecy.” No, he said: “This IS THAT which was spoken of by the prophet Joel.” This completes Joel's statement concerning the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:16-18.
2. This event is the complete and total fulfillment of the: “Outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh.” The ENTIRE portion of the Holy Spirit was “poured out on that day; not a portion of the Spirit.”
3. Joel wrote: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God.” Paul refers to the “last days” in Hebrews 1:1-2. Pentecost, therefore, was the beginning of the “last days.”
4. Jehovah said: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” This was, therefore, fulfilled on Pentecost. Jehovah “poured forth His Spirit upon all flesh,” Acts 2:1-4. All flesh was meant upon both the Jews and Gentiles. Recall, “All nations were gathered in the city of Jerusalem” on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:5; Acts 2:8-11. Notice:
a. First, “There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, and devout men, out of every nation under heaven,” Acts 2:5.
b. Further, there were gathered: “Strangers of Rome, Jews, and proselytes,” Acts 2:10. These were also called: “Jews and religious proselytes,” Acts 13:43.
c. Jesus spoke of the scribes and Pharisees.’ Their attempts to make “one proselyte,” Matthew 23:15. The word proselyte, in Gr. is proselytes, which means from the alternate of an arriver from a foreign region, i.e. (mainly), an acceder (convert) to Judaism ("proselyte"): —proselyte. See Ester 8:17; Zechariah 8:20-23.
d. Proselyte: “A newcomer; a stranger, alien; one who has come over from a Gentile religion to Judaism,” Acts 6:5. Note:
1) All nations, or people from all nations, were gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Luke wrote: “Many of the Jews and proselytes, (Gentile converts to Judaism); followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God,” Acts 13:42-43; Isaiah 66:18.
2) Therefore, the promise of Joel's prophecy that God would: “Pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh” on both Jews and Gentiles, He has fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:17-18.
3) God’s promise of “pouring forth His Spirit upon all flesh” included both: “Jews, and devout men;” or “Jews and proselytes,” Acts 2:5; Acts 2:10.
5. Peter concludes his sermon: “Therefore being a prophet (speaking of David) ... He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ... this Jesus hath God raised, of which 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, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear,” Acts 2:33-34; Acts 2:36. Consider the fulfillment of God’s promise regarding these events. Notice:
a. First, Peter says: “He (God) hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear,” Acts 2:33. What were they that they had seen and heard?
1) The “fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.”
2) The “outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh.”
3) The preaching of the “ministry; suffering, death, burial; and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
4) The revelation “that Jesus Christ himself was the Messiah spoken about in the Old Testament Scriptures.”
5) That Jesus Christ has ascended into the heavens to: “Sit on the right hand of God, on David’s throne,” Acts 1:9-11.
6) There to begin his rule over the kingdom of God, Daniel 7:13-15; Acts 2:34-36; 1 Peter 3:22; and 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
b. Further, Peter said: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Fathers this promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye NOW SEE AND HEAR,” Acts 2:33.
1) We find a similar language in Christ’s promise to shed his blood “for the remission of sins.” The word shed, in Gr., is ekchéo, which means (to pour); to pour forth; to bestow: —gush (pour) out, shed (abroad, forth), to spill.
2) Jesus said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20.
3) Christ has shed his blood for the remission of sins, once and for all time, Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:12-18.
c. Finally, because these actions have already occurred, they are not required to be duplicated. The blood of Christ was shed once for many, and it is not required to be repeated. Also, God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh on Pentecost, and it was not repeated at the house of Cornelius.
d. Conclusion: Peter’s statement: “This was spoken of by the prophet Joel.” Therefore, Joel’s: “This is that;” meant that: “This is the end of that.” Poured forth once, for all, for all times. The benefits of the Holy Spirit are available for all in every generation.
C. The house of Cornelius. However, some argue that there was a second “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit. They insist that the Holy Spirit was later “poured out on the Gentiles” when Peter visited Cornelius’ house in the city of Caesarea in Acts 10:45. Notice:
1. First, the words of Peter on Pentecost, that God hath “poured forth of His Spirit,” does not imply that a part of the Holy Spirit was given to the Jews on Pentecost, and then the remaining of the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles, at Cornelius’ house. This, “out pouring forth,” was done once, and for both Jews and Gentiles, on the Day of Pentecost. Consider:
a. The words “poured forth” are from Gr. ekchéo, which means to pour forth; to bestow: - (pour) out, shed (abroad, forth), to spill forth, Acts 2:17-18. We notice the same word in Matthew 26:28. Jesus: “shed forth His blood for the remission of sins.”
b. “poured forth” indicates a one-time action with continual benefits afterward. The Hellenistic form of Gr., echo, "to pour forth," is also translated as "gushed out," as in the bowels of Judas Iscariot in Acts 1:18.
2. To shed forth. Peter states of Christ: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear,” Acts 2:33; Acts 10:45.
D. Recipients of the Holy Spirit. Joel promised, and Peter’s preaching was that this “pouring forth of the Spirit” would be given for all flesh or all people. Joel wrote:
1. The sons and your daughters. Peter went further, stating: “And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams,” Acts 2:17. The Holy Spirit was to be given to the “sons and daughters” of the Lord. He said also:
a. Young men shall see visions, Acts 16:9; Acts 18:9-10.
b. Old men shall dream dreams, Acts 10:19.
2. The servants and handmaidens. Peter concludes: “And on my servants and my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy,” Acts 2:18; Acts 21:9.
a. These would be the servants in the house of many Jews and Gentiles, just like Cornelius’ house, Acts 10:7.
b. God will not choose a person’s status in life but on their decision to become a “servant of Jesus Christ” through obedience to the gospel of the Son of God. Even the poor and disassociated from modern society were worthy to become children of God and, thus, to have the “gift of the Holy Spirit” in their lives, John 1:11-12; Galatians 4:3-7; Hebrews 2:1-4.
c. The Holy Spirit would give “gifts” to all men as He wills, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
d. The apostles would give gifts to believers, Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-7.
E. Peter said the Holy Ghost: “Fell on them (Gentiles), as on us in the beginning.” As we move to a conclusion, we must address the last critical arguments of those who insist there are two “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit (one on Pentecost, the other at Cornelius’ House). Let's review Peter’s defense for his actions with the brethren in Jerusalem. Notice:
1. First, after Peter and the seven arrived back in Jerusalem, some contended with him: “Saying, Thou wentest into men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them,” Acts 11:1-3; Acts 10:28.
2. Further, Peter’s defense: “But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them.” He discusses all things in order:
a. His vision in Joppa, at Simon of Tanner’s house, Acts 11:4-6.
b. The Holy Spirit orders him: “Peter arise, kill and eat,” Acts 11:7- 10.
c. The visit of the men from Caesarea, Acts 11:11.
d. The Spirit bade him to go with them, doubting nothing, Acts 11:12a.
e. His arrival with seven brethren to Cornelius’ house, Acts 11:12b.
f. Cornelius’ rehearsal of the angel’s visit and instructions: “Send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell you words, whereby thou and thy entire house shall be saved,” Acts 11:13-14.
3. Next, in Peter’s sermon, he said: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,” Acts 11:15-16; Acts 10:34-44.
4. Finally, Peter concludes: “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what (who) was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,” Acts 11:17-18.
5. Summary: Now, let’s consider the event in Caesarea in light of the event that happened on Pentecost in Jerusalem. Notice:
a. Events at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Holy Spirit:
1) Came with a heavenly sound, as a rushing mighty wind.
2) Filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3) Appeared unto them (who were sitting) as cloven tongues, like as of fire.
4) Cloven tongues sat upon each of them (the apostles).
5) They were FILLED with the Holy Ghost.
6) They began to speak with tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts 2:1-4.
b. Events at Caesarea, in Cornelius’ house. Holy Spirit:
1) FELL ON ALL THEM who heard the word.
2) They of the circumcision were astonished.
3) That on the Gentiles also was POUR OUT THE GIFT of the Holy Ghost.
4) They heard them (Cornelius and his house) speak with tongues and magnified God.
c. Peter’s statements while in Cornelius’ house, he said:
1) Can any man forbid water, and should these be baptized?
2) Which have received the Holy Ghost as well as us?
3) Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
d. Peter’s rehearsal of the events in Jerusalem, he said:
1) As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them.
2) As on us at the beginning (on Pentecost).
3) I remembered the Lord's words: “John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,” Acts 11:15; Acts 1:5.
4) Forasmuch as God gave them THE LIKE GIFT, as he did unto us (at the beginning).
5) Who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ?
6) What was I that I could withstand God?
6. Conclusion: As we conclude our analysis of these two events, we can now see the similarities and differences between the Pentecost event and the event at Cornelius’s house. Notice:
a. The event on Pentecost:
1) The Holy Ghost “FILLED THE APOSTLES,” and they “BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
2) This all happened “in the beginning.”
3) The apostles were “baptized with the Holy Ghost” on the Day of Pentecost.
4) The Lord gave them the “gift of tongues” when He “filled them with the Holy Spirit.”
5) The Holy Spirit was “poured out upon all flesh,” both Jews and Gentiles on the Day of Pentecost.
6) The multitude “Were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our tongue, wherein we were born? ... We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God,” Acts 2:6-11.
b. The event at Cornelius’ house:
1) The Holy Ghost “fell on them,” and they “began to speak with tongues and magnify God.”
2) Peter likens this event to that which happened “in the beginning” – on Pentecost.
3) Peter remembers the Lord’s word: “John indeed baptized with water; but YE SHALL BE baptized with the Holy Ghost,” Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16.
4) The Lord gave Cornelius and his house the “like gift of tongues” when the Spirit “fell on them,” Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15-17.
5) They of the “circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God,” Acts 10: 45-46. The question before us now is this: “When was the Holy Ghost poured out on the Gentiles?” Note:
a) Remember earlier in this lesson, we stated that the “pouring forth of the Spirit upon all flesh” happened on the Day of Pentecost?
b) How did we learn that this “pouring forth of the Spirit” had occurred?
c) Recall what Peter said concerning the promise: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he (God) hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear,” Acts 2:33.
d) The seven that accompanied Peter to the house of Cornelius are witnesses to the things which had occurred in Caesarea, Acts 10:45-46.
6) Peter commanded them to be “baptized with water” those “which had received the Holy Ghost’s gift of tongues,” Acts 10:47-48; Acts 11:17.
a) These uncircumcised believers now needed to be baptized in water that they might receive the “remission of their sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43; Acts 22:16. That is, the “indwelling of the Holy Spirit” just as those did on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32.
b) The Holy Ghost might “fall upon” and manifest His presence to all without “filling” the subjects?
c) The Holy Ghost did “manifested” His presence to approve Peter’s actions in preaching to these uncircumcised Gentiles the “word of God.” In completing His promise to provide unto Cornelius “words whereby he and his entire house might be saved,” Acts 10:16; Acts 11:13-14.
d) As I wrap up this analysis, let me answer the last objection. This came to me from one of a group of holiness preachers when I was preaching in West Germany. He contended that " no one can prove they are truly converted without being baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with the evidence of speaking in tongues.” He cited Cornelius and his house as his authority for this claim.
i. I reviewed some of the points I discussed in today's lesson with him.
ii. He insisted that I was not a Christian or truly converted because I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit, with evidence of speaking in tongues.
iii. In my rebuttal, I asked: “Would you, therefore, conclude that any which spake in a tongue was filled with the Holy Ghost?” Knowing his answer, he said: “Yes.”
iv. I asked him to turn in his bible to Numbers 22:21-35. I began discussing the story of Balaam's mule. I picked up my reading: “And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” See Numbers 21:28.
v. I asked the preacher if Balaam’s mule was “Filled with the Holy Ghost when it spake in the tongue of a man?” See 2 Peter 2:16. He replied: “Of course not.”
vi. So I will conclude: “If the Lord can open a mule's mouth to speak in a tongue without filling it, then it would be no great thing for Him to cause a man to speak in a tongue, without “filling” him. As the preacher's argument failed with this conclusion, so did those who questioned the power of the Holy Ghost.
vii. Therefore, I conclude that Cornelius and his entire house were NOT FILLED with the Holy Ghost. But, instead, He “fell on all of them” and caused them “to speak with tongues and to magnify God” Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15; Acts 11:17. This was a great manifestation of the power of the Holy Ghost upon Cornelius and his house.
e) Conclusion: If God so wills, a person or persons can speak with a tongue or prophesy by His power or the Holy Spirit without being "filled with the Spirit," Acts 10:44; John 11:49-52. Again, God has shown no difference in giving “gifts of tongues and prophesying to Jews and Gentiles alike, without the “laying on of hands by the apostles,” Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-7. May God bless you and help you understand His will and incredible power! With this certainty, let me review what we discussed in this lesson...
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
An Analysis of Joel’s Prophecy
B. Remarks
1. In this lesson, we analyzed Joel’s prophecy regarding the “our pouring” or the “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh on the Day of Pentecost. Many consider this event as the “pouring out of the Holy Ghost” upon the Jews only.
2. We determined that the event in Caesarea, at Cornelius’ house, which some argued was a second “pouring forth” of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentile nations, was not the case.
3. In this analysis, we investigated these two events. After our analysis, it was clear that there was only one “outpouring” of the Holy Ghost upon “all flesh” for both Jews and Gentiles, and it occurred on the Day of Pentecost.
C. Invitation.
D. Persuade.
E. Motivate.
It was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on 8/23/2024.
