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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; |
Bible Question:
Dear Searcher, Greetings again in Jesus' name! Honestly, who cares who Peter was talking to? Regarding the Bible, who is God talking to? I am of the opinion that the Lord is addressing me (and YOU!), and all that call upon His name! To say that the Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost is not for us today, and that his quote from the prophet Joel is only for a certain race of people is ludicrous. This is akin to saying that the words of Jesus were only for His audience at any particular time. For instance, only Pharisees, only the Twelve, only the Jewish multitude, only hypocrites, only lepers, etc. The entire Bible is for Christians, now, and until He returns. I cannot compartmentalize parts of books or prophecy or sermons to suit my doctrine, but must use the whole counsel of God to teach me His ways. Either the Spirit of God is, and always has been, active in the church, or He is not. We cannot deny the Spirit to suit our needs, or because some abuse His name. Again I ask, "Do you mean that Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost was only for those of Jewish descent?" This is much more important than which parts of Joel are for a specific situation. Blessings and peace in Christ Jesus, charis |
Bible Answer: Dear Charis, I agree with Searcher. It is absolutely necessary to identify who is being addressed. The subject may be "universal" and apply to all readers, but it may also be "specific" and apply to the immediate audience only. You stated that "Honestly, who cares who Peter was talking to? Regarding the Bible, who is God talking to? I am of the opinion that the Lord is addressing me (and YOU!), and all that call upon His name!" Is it not of paramount impotance to identify to whom Jesus is speaking in John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father." A less obvious example is Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Those to whom Jesus is speaking to is often misinterpeted as being the jews in general. But if carefull attention is paid to the context, we will find that Jesus is actually addressing the religious leaders. It was the leaders who were attempting to prevent the children from hearing the teachings of Christ. Eventually, in order to silence Him they resorted to murder. So, knowing the audience can radically affect our interpretation of Scripture. John |