I Will Pour Out My Spirit

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Announced Out Pouring

2. The Actual Out Pouring

3. The Alleged Out Pouring

Remarks.

1. In this lesson today we will be discussing the theme: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” It will be clear at the conclusion that this prophesy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. We are under the conviction that the scriptures will support there was only one “pouring out of the Holy Spirit" in the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy.

2. First, we will consider Joel’s prophesy regarding the announcement of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. He says: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I will pour out my spirit,"Joel 2:28-29.

3. Next, we will consider the actual out pouring on the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost at which time Peter said: "This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my spirit; and they shall prophesy," Acts 2:14-17.

4. Finally, we will address with kindness the argument regarding the alleged second pouring out of the Holy Spirit as seen at the house of Cornelius some 10 to 11 years after the day of Pentecost. It is our believe and conviction that this was not a second out pouring of the Holy Spirit. But, an empowering of the Gentile to speak in "tongues and magnify God" as a means of convincing Peter and those Jew that accompanied him to Cornelius'; house, that they were fit candidate for the gospel, baptism and the church without circumcision. We do not mean to offend or cause contention regarding this issue, but merely to speak the "truth in love." Will you open your hearts and your bibles as we investigate this matter?

BODY OF LESSON

I. THE ANNOUNCED OUT POURING

A. Administrator of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel writes by the power of the holy spirit these word: “and it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit,” Joel 2:28-29. Here, Jehovah announces that he would be the administrator of the promise: that is to “pour out of his spirit upon all flesh…or upon all the nations.” Looking closer at this prophesy we see several other important items regarding this announcement. Joel mentions the time in which it will occur: that is (“it will come to pass in latter times or in the last days”). He also mentions the recipients of this out pouring of the spirit: that is the audience (“I will pour out my spirit on all flesh – all the nations.”) Finally, he speaks of the signs which will tell us of its fulfillment: that is the manifestations of the spirit (“and they shall prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions.”)

B. The time of the event. “And it shall come to pass afterward…” other translations say: “in the latter days.” This has reference to the “dispensation of grace,” Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:1-7. Pentecost, was the beginning of the “last days, or latter days,” Hebrews 1:1-3.

C. The promise of the event. “I will pour out my spirit,” Joel 2:28-29. “Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God,” Ezekiel 39:29. Notice also Solomon: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you,” Proverbs 1:23.

D. The recipients or audience. “Upon all flesh.” Here Joel speaks of all nations. Both Jew and Gentile. The term “all flesh;” means all nations. I might mention that “all nations were assembled upon the Day of Pentecost” in the city of Jerusalem, Acts 2:5. Let’s be clear here, the Holy Spirit was made available to all nations on Pentecost. However, only the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on that day.

E. The signs of its fulfillment. “And they shall prophesy, dream dreams and see visions.” Here clearly will be the signs that God had fulfilled this promise. They shall prophesy, they shall dream dreams, and they shall see visions both Jew and Gentile alike, Acts 9:11-19; Acts 10:1-6; Acts 10:9-17; Acts 21:8-9.