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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: Friends and colleagues, is this scripture talking about the 'church age?' After reading Peter's sermon explaining their behavior, it seems that his quotes from Joel and David are talking about the 'church age' until the last days. Peter testifies that Joel's prophecy was about then and now, and until the return of thew Lord. Comments? |
Bible Answer: charis, How one defines their terminology determines how one translates this and other verses. If we begin with a presupposition that the term "Church Age" is actually a legitimate biblical term, then we must of necessity be able to comprehend that entirely from the Bible. Since the Bible never uses any such term, we can only conclude that it is a man-made term and whose definition of "Church Age" are we willing to accept as the definitive answer? The term "church" refers to the body of Christ, that is, all who have been called by the Father, circumcized by the Spirit and recevied by the Son. If we relate this only to those after Christ's resurrection, then we rule out Abraham and any other person from ever being saved or we are creating a dual mode of salvation of which the Bible also does not speak. I think the Bible is very clear that the church is made up of all who have been saved (the same way) of all ages, past, present and future. Therefore, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to say the Bible teaches a "Church Age" that is referring to only a specific period of time. If that is true, then there is no such thing as a "Church Age" in the Bible unless it is referring to all the saints of all ages. Let me know what you think. Sam Hughey |