Living 2,000 years later, it’s hard for us to imagine how seismic Peter’s explanation of events would have seemed to his audience of first-century Jews. Amazement, exhilaration, joy, awe, even fear – I’m sure a whole melting pot of emotions was present as they faced the first moments of a familiar prophecy being fulfilled. They were already surprised enough by what they saw and heard to suppose excessive alcohol consumption had been involved!  

But Peter points to a passage from Joel (Joel 2:28–32) that foretold the start of a new age in the continuing story of salvation. It paints a picture of a time in which barriers of race, status, age and gender are removed, a time when the mind of God is made known as people prophesy in the power of the Spirit. It is a time when creation creaks in anticipation of Jesus’ coming again, and a time when salvation is readily accessible to all who call on him. It’s the time between the ascension and return of Jesus, and it is filled with the beauty of divisions reconciled, deepening revelation, and divine rescue. Best of all, we live through its continuing unfolding today! 

Lord, open our hearts afresh to the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter’s message at Pentecost plays a similar role in Acts to the preaching of Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth.¹ In both events the speeches announce the central themes which will pervade the following narratives. After dismissing the charge of drunkenness against the disciples, Peter relates the events that the crowd have just witnessed to the prophetic promises of the coming of a time when the Spirit of God would indwell all his worshippers. This – the miracle just witnessed – is that – the long-promised day of the arrival of the reign of God on earth, bringing the liberation of Israel and the turning point of the ages.

The word ‘sensational’ is often misused, but in this instance it is entirely justified. Peter connects these events to the promise of Joel and, by implication, to all the biblical texts which pointed to the messianic age and the coming of God’s longed-for shalom. Notice two aspects of this announcement: first, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is no longer experienced only by people possessing a special calling, but is given without distinction to all the people of God – sons and daughters, young and old, men and women. Henceforth, all may contribute to the knowledge and well-being of the new community.

Second, this is the beginning of something that will reach to all nations and will eventually result in the renewal of the created world. This is implicit in Peter’s promise that ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (v 21). At this point, Peter may not have fully understood the implications of his own words, but the story which follows will show how he came to recognise their universal significance.

May we never cease to marvel that the kingdom of God is among us.

¹ Luke 4:14–21