Joel’s Prophecy
January 8, 2012
The Prophet Joel ministered in Israel hundreds of years (possibly close to a thousand) before the coming of the Messiah. His most famous prophecy, however, would predict what would happen in the days after Jesus’ ascension back to the Father. He wrote about the coming of the Holy Spirit and the effect that this event would have on humanity.
Joel, quoting the Lord, pens, “‘And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days’” (Joel 2:28-29). This Jewish prophet proclaimed the coming of the One who would bring the power and fire to believers in the last days.
Here is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Luke writes, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1- 4). Jesus told His followers to wait in Jerusalem, after His ascension, for the Holy Spirit. And by their obedience, they were all filled, and the Church of Jesus Christ began on that glorious day.
Some would say, however, that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was for the 1st century church only, and that it has no meaning for today. That could not be farther from the truth. The Lord wants every believer to be filled with His Spirit. Yes, when we are saved, we are given a “measure” of the Spirit. But we are not “filled.” I guess I would compare salvation and the Baptism in the Spirit to placing one’s toe in a swimming pool versus diving in headfirst. It is for us today. John the Baptist, speaking of Jesus, said, “‘I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’” (Mark 1:8). Joel’s prophecy is being fulfilled right now. The growth in Christianity, throughout the world, is coming in Spirit-filled, charismatic and Pentecostal communities. And the reason we are to be filled with the Spirit is that we might have the power, ability and desire to share the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So what I say to one, I say to all, “Be filled with the Spirit.”
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Amen and amen! God always keeps His promises!
God bless you, Patricia.
Your AG teachers have served you well…
Yes, Pastor Robin and Pastor Phil have been wonderful mentors.
I agree that there is something which we experience when we give ourselves over completely to the Spirit that is above the dipping our toe in the water moment. I’ve had the Spirit come over me several times in my life. Once was in a church in Guatemala when everybody was talking to God at the same time and I just started talking too in words that weren’t my own. I don’t know how to describe what that reality felt like other than that it was something like what Isaiah described in Isaiah 6. There have been two or three other times that has happened. It’s funny because I’m the last person in the world who would get caught up with this kind of stuff. I tend to be very cynical and intellectual about things like this. And so I’m still having trouble figuring out what to make of it, whether it’s a gift I’m supposed to use or just some foolishness of my own. I’m pretty sure it’s God but I don’t want to mock Him. He hasn’t compelled me to do it in church yet. I guess He’ll make me do it if it has a purpose for Him.
Hi Morgan,
The experience that you had was the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. What you were doing was praising God in a language other than your own (it could be a heavenly tongue or an earthly language). Let me encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12:7–11 (the gifts of the Spirit). Also, find a good Christian bookstore with material on the gifts of the Spirit. May God continue to fill you and bless you, brother.
Scott
I just nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger Award. Read about this http://inlovewiththelord.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/my-kreativ-blogger-award-confessions-and-nominations/
Thank you, Martha, for the nomination, and God bless you.
congratulations! you have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award. I hope you will accept it. Please see details below:
http://waltbrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/versatile-blogger-award/
Congratulations on the nomination, and thank you for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award.
AMEN! I have a hard time thinking that there are Christians who don’t believe we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. It makes me very sad. Jesus came so we can have FULL life – life full of Him, of His Spirit within us. We are His body in which He dwells…How does He dwell in us if not by His Spirit? Great post! I pray many will read this and seek after MORE Jesus! God bless you, Scott.
Yes, “We are His body in which He dwells.” God bless you also.