“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]” Acts 2.14-21
This is perhaps one of the most liberating words in Scripture not only for women, but for all people to know and experience God.
For women and girls, it affirms that God’s Spirit is for all people. The prophet Joel proclaimed, ”your sons and daughters will prophesy…” and ”Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit…” There is no difference in who can receive the Spirit of God. It’s not only on men, but women as well. And lastly Joel affirms, ”Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The pouring out of God’s Spirit was what Peter was explaining, along with the eleven disciples, to all who were in the crowd, both the visiting Jews and those living in Jerusalem. He was helping them understand that what was happening was not drunkenness, for it was still morning! It was the gracious gift of God to all of God’s people. To everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. Those who call upon God’s name will receive the Spirit of God, both men and women.
Some might think this whole speaking in tongues and prophetic words thing is something of the past. But I disagree. I believe God’s Spirit is as alive and active today as He was back then on the day of Pentecost. The proclamation of the Gospel continues to go forth through all people — all who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus.
The only question I have is when he talks about the ”last days.” I would think that ”last days” would be a few years, perhaps a decade or so, but two thousand years? I don’t understand it. Why wait so long for the Messiah to return? Are we living in the last days? Certainly! Are the last days a longer period of time then I might imagine? Perhaps. But maybe God’s last days allow for our ”first days.” Our first days to encounter Christ. I wouldn’t be sitting here knowing and enjoying God’s presence had the last days been only a decade. Two thousand years have gone by so we might know Christ.
And maybe Jesus intends for the world and earth to continue it’s existence so many more might believe. What great leaders, followers, disciples, moms and dads, preachers and teachers have yet to be born who will know and proclaim Christ? What books have yet to be written, sermons have yet to be preached, movements of the Spirit have yet to take place? God is allowing the last days to continue so that his Spirit might continue to be poured out on men and women of faith who will grow up men and women of faith.
Although I don’t understand God’s time table, I am grateful for the opportunity to live in this time and bear witness to the greatness of our God and to know the depths of his love through Jesus Christ. I celebrate that all people can give a prophetic word of grace, both men and women, glorifying the One who saves our souls.
“O Lord God, I sit on a beach in Mexico about to return to the states where tomorrow I will see Kingdom shaking worship as young people will gather to bear witness to your name. I will help lead a camp for students where the spiritual worlds will collide. Where good will win over evil, where people will be set free from the darkness of their sin-disease, and walk into the wonderful light of your love. Come Lord Jesus, have your way with us. Allow the power of your Word to penetrate our hearts and fill us with your goodness and your gladness. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen