2:16
Peter then goes on to explain what was actually happening, and he goes back to the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32). The New Testament is firmly rooted in the Old Testament, it is the fulfilment of the promises found in the Old Testament. Any notion that the New and Old Testaments are somehow in conflict is deeply flawed. Indeed, anytime you hear someone speaking and they place the Old and New in opposition, then this is a pretty clear indication that they do not know what they are talking about.
2:17-21
What they were seeing was the realisation of the promise in Joel. The Holy Spirit, often referred to as the promised Holy Spirit, is being poured on all people. This includes young and old, male and female. Notice that both men and women will prophesy. Indeed, there is a very close linking in these words between the pouring out of the Spirit and prophecy. This does not mean predicting the future (though it may occasionally include that) but declaring the truths of God, and it applies to all people, men and women. We need to be wary of getting too carried away in interpreting verses 19 and 20. He may be pointing forward to the end times, or it may just be symbolic. The key thing is that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
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