By Timothy W. Burnett
As recorded in Acts 2:21, Peter taught that speaking in tongues was spoken of by the prophet Joel, "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Please note that Joel's prophesy included information about the end times. He prophesied of men and women being filled with holy spirit and being able to prophesy. He also spoke of future events that relate to nature. He then concluded that part of the prophesy by saying, "...before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (verse20). The next verse referred to calling upon the name of the Lord. In order to rightly divide this scripture it is necessary to distinguish between the administrations or periods of time appointed by God. In short, the day the holy spirit was poured out in the temple began a completely new administration. From that time on it would be available for anybody to be filled with holy spirit. They could prophesy. Keep in mind that during the Old Testament times only certain people had holy spirit. They were not filled with holy spirit, but instead they had holy spirit upon them.
The new administration would continue until the "great and notable day of the Lord." This will be the day that the Lord Jesus who was beaten and killed and raised again from the dead, would return to the earth as judge. The book of Revelations gives more detail on this subject. But our focus will be on another administration that was kept secret since the beginning. See Ephesians 3:2-6, "If you have heard of the dispensation [administration] of the grace of God which is given me toward you. How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery: (as I wrote before in few words, whereby when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ). Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the spirit. That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel."
On the day of Pentecost a new sub-administration began. It was called the adminstration of the grace of God. This was not known by any of the prophets throughout the past administrations. It was first revealed to Paul, who was called to teach others. The administration of the grace of God will end when Christ returns for the body of Christ. This return will only end the grace administration. But it will not conclude the administration of the "great and notable day of the Lord." During that administration it will still be available to be filled with holy spirit as saints. Yet, it will no longer be available to speak in tongues unto becoming joint-heirs with Christ Jesus as God's beloved children.
Now we can read Peter's words in Acts 2:17-21 with a little better understanding. When they were filled with holy spirit they became God's saints. They were cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. They could prophesy by the spirit of God. They could heal the sick and much more. When they began to speak in tongues they became joint-heirs with Christ Jesus, as God's beloved children. They obtained a very precious salvation from suffrage during the period of time recorded in Revelations.
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