Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Acts 2:17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' says God, 'THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE [divinely prompted] VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM [divinely prompted] DREAMS; |
Subject: Who is God talking to? |
Bible Note: Dear Searcher, Blessings in Jesus' name! Indeed, my friend, we might just have to wait until heaven to see I is right! :-) Sorry, but I see the phrase you use, "agree to disagree" to be a cop-out. This thread began by my asking if this passage from Acts and the reference to Joel were signifying the "church age." I think it is pretty obvious to most of the subsequent posters that I was speaking of relevance to Christians now. A year and a half later, you said, "No, it's only for Isreal." Perhaps my questions have not been clear, but I must ask for clarification. Are you speaking of Israel (the audience at the time) as being the unregenerate race of people, who constantly spurned God's commandments, had many factions, selfish rulers, traditions in place of the word of God, who ignored the prophets, and even persecuted them, who were obstinate and sinful? If so, doesn't this ALSO sound like another religion we all know? Or are you saying that Peter was talking only for the benefit of 'Messianic Jews?' ('Jews-for-Jesus,' et al) Because I think we can agree that the New Testament is addressed to ALL that believe in Christ Jesus, regardless of race, name, tribe, or former religious affiliation. Because a certain passage is specifically addressed to a certain audience, are we (non-Jews) to simply ignore that passage? And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" Acts 2:40 NASB The above clearly is speaking to "them," the Jews, right? How about: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 NASB It is rather obvious that Jesus is speaking to the (Jewish) disciples, leaders, multitude throughout the Gospels, so are the Beatitudes none of our business? The entire Sermon on the Mount, too? None of these were addressed to Greeks or Gentiles, as far as I can see. Paul very specifically spoke to the church in Galatia, Corinth, Rome, etc. The author of Hebrews wrote to, guess who? So I don't need those books in my Bible? And the Lord spoke to John in the Book of Revelation many 'specific' words of exhortation to different churches. Well, I've never even BEEN to Laodicea, so I can ignore that prophecy? Based on audience context, very little of the Bible is 'specifically' pertinent to ME! Yet I read and believe that ENTIRE Bible. Let us not so glibly assign large portions of Scripture to 'irrelevancy.' Searcher, believe it or not, I understand the concept of context. But to make statements such as you made, then just say, "Well, I see it this way, so let's agree to disagree," is not in keeping with the bulk of your excellent contribution to this forum. If this is the extent of your participation in this thread, I guess that's all I have to say, too. :-) Peace and joy in Christ Jesus, charis |