Introduction
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
– Joel 2:28-29
The prophet Joel recorded God’s promise to pour out His spirit on every sort of flesh. These verses reveal that this aspect of God’s spirit was not available in Joel’s day. The nation of Israel had divine favor and were being trained and conditioned to recognize and receive the Christ when he arrived. Yet they were clearly lacking something of a spiritual nature that would not be received until some time in the future.
The book of Acts records that Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost of 33 C.E. when God’s spirit was poured out on the 120 disciples of Jesus who had been praying in an upper room. (Acts 2:1-4, 16-18) This portion of God’s spirit was identified by Jesus as the Spirit of Truth that he would send from the Father:
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father— he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
– John 15:26-27
