The Apostle Peter’s words “this is that” linked the phenomena of Pentecost to a prophecy by Joel that God would pour out His Spirit upon “all flesh” — everyone, everywhere. However, Joel had spoken of this happening “afterward”; that is, after God had intervened to save Judah and Jerusalem from an invading northern army. It would be “in those days and in that time” (Joel 3:1) that God would give His people lasting freedom. Joel’s prophecy was that this would take place “afterward” – after the event – but Peter applied “the last days” to his days (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).
Peter’s application of Joel’s prophecy to his own time indicates there are elements in prophecies which are applicable to events outside their historical context. The spirit of a particular age may be a sample of an age far greater. It is in this sense that the writer of Hebrews refers to “signs and wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit” as “the powers of the world to come” (Hebrews 2:4; 6:5). Inspired writers and preachers have seen evidence of future events in current visitations.
Despite such acceptable variations in time and place, if “this” is really “that” – at least in part — certain guidelines must apply, not least the relevance of all Pentecost-type outpourings to God’s plan for Israel and the climactic events preceding the realization of Israel’s Hope – the appearance of Messiah and the Resurrection. The first of these to the church will be his reappearance, and the second its “blessed hope” (Acts 26:6; Titus 2:13).
Claims of spiritual manifestations and supernatural miracles of the kind posted on Facebook and YouTube ought to be examined in the light of this. Non-charismatic Christians – in the main evangelicals – tend to be sceptical of such claims because they view them as not relevant to Christ’s return and the Resurrection. In this sense, “this” often turns out to be not “that” – and in fact nothing like it.
What should we look for in outpourings of the Spirit of God during revival meetings?
1. Overwhelming conviction and deep repentance followed by personal assurance of sins forgiven and acts of restitution. These are evidences of the Spirit of God at work. Conviction of sin leads to deep repentance, the new birth, restitution, and the restitution of broken relationships: e.g. stolen goods, and property gained through fraud. Look for broken hearts and a renewed sense of the fear of God (awe and respect for the Almighty) among long-term Christians present in the meetings.
2. Supernatural “signs and wonders” – pointers to God saying things in strange and unusual ways. One man, not long converted, went to the men’s room in the hall where we met and lit up a cigarette – only to have it pulled from his fingers by an unknown force and thrown down into the urinal. A woman thrown upwards and backwards by the Spirit of God later told me that she communicated with the dead, and had come to our meeting to test God’s power. (She never returned.)
Peter’s shadow healing the sick laid in the street was a special miracle, as was Paul’s work-apron, which healed the sick when cut pieces of it were laid on them. The working of various spiritual gifts is also scriptural evidence that God is at work.
3. The Spirit of God “falling” on a meeting and Christians down on their knees, asking the Lord to forgive secret sins and prayerlessness; and softened hard hearts are evidences of genuine revival. The voluntary sacrifice of time and money are proofs of the scripture: “Your people shall be willing in the day of your power…” (Psalm 110:3)
Revivals are not circuses. Miracle-working evangelists are not spiritual trapeze artists, performing increasingly difficult feats for the entertainment of Christian audiences. Nor should well-known ministries balance their accounts while walking on financial high wires, courtesy of your hard-earned money. Nor should evangelists to Africa be perceived as the spiritual equivalent of explorers alone in the wild with nothing to protect them but their bibles. Some will view a two- star hotel as their greatest challenge.
“This is that” said Peter, identifying the outpouring on the day of Pentecost with Joel’s prophecy, and although that prophecy awaited greater fulfilment, Peter saw in it the spirit of what was happening around him. He would see it again more than a decade later, in the house of the Roman centurion Cornelius — minus the annual Jewish aspects of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
The most significant signs in our day are those that point to the coming of our Lord Jesus and our being caught up to meet him in the clouds. His kingdom will be established on earth tangibly when this event takes place – and until then spiritually in many outpourings of the Spirit of God around the globe. I have experienced some of them, and although not “that” which Joel prophesied, they were evidence — samples, if you will, of what is to come, and were unforgettable!
When Peter said, “This is that” he was right in the sense that it was the spirit of what was and remains a future event. So, enjoy it when the Lord visits your church or crusade, while readying yourself for The Big One!