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The Outpouring of God's Spirit in the Last Days: Sinners Receiving Salvation through Faith in Jesus of Nazareth by the Holy Ghost According to the Book of Joel (KJV).

This study explores the prophetic words of Joel concerning the outpouring of God's Spirit, tracing its fulfillment in the New Testament and understanding the pathway to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the reception of the Holy Ghost.

1. The Prophecy of the Latter Rain

1.1 Joel's Vision of the Spirit's Outpouring

Verses: Joel 2:28; Joel 2:29
  • God promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days.
  • This outpouring would include sons, daughters, old men, young men, and servants.
  • It signifies a universal availability of God's presence, not limited to a select few.

1.2 Signs Accompanying the Outpouring

Verses: Joel 2:30; Joel 2:31
  • Wonders in the heavens and earth would precede the great and terrible day of the Lord.
  • The sun would be turned into darkness and the moon into blood.
  • These signs emphasize the significance and urgency of the prophetic fulfillment.

1.3 The Call to Repentance Before the Day of the Lord

Verses: Joel 2:12; Joel 2:13; Joel 2:32
  • God calls His people to turn to Him with all their heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
  • He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.
  • Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.

2. The Fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost

2.1 The Manifestation of the Spirit

Verses: Acts 2:1; Acts 2:2; Acts 2:3; Acts 2:4
  • The disciples were all with one accord in one place when the day of Pentecost was fully come.
  • A sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind filled the house.
  • Cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues.

2.2 Peter's Explanation: Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled

Verses: Acts 2:16; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:18
  • Peter declared that the events witnessed were the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy.
  • This was 'that which was spoken by the prophet Joel'.
  • The outpouring of the Spirit was for all flesh, as God had promised.

2.3 The Identity of the Giver of the Spirit

Verses: Acts 2:33; John 14:16; John 14:17; John 14:18
  • Jesus, being by the right hand of God exalted, received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost and shed it forth.
  • Jesus promised to send 'another Comforter', the Spirit of truth, and stated, 'I will come to you'.
  • The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Jesus, sent by Him to dwell within believers.

3. The New Covenant and the Spirit's Indwelling

3.1 The Promise of the Holy Ghost for All Flesh

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 2:39
  • The promise of the Holy Ghost is unto all whom the Lord our God shall call.
  • It is for those afar off, even as many as the Lord shall call.
  • This promise is a central part of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.

3.2 The Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Jesus

Verses: Romans 8:9; Romans 8:10; Romans 8:11; Galatians 4:6
  • If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
  • The Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in believers.
  • God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

3.3 The Purpose of the Spirit's Indwelling

Verses: John 16:13; John 16:14; Acts 1:8
  • The Spirit of truth will guide into all truth, glorify Jesus, and show things to come.
  • Believers receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon them.
  • The Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses unto Jesus Christ.

4. Receiving the Spirit and Salvation's Plan

4.1 The Apostolic Pattern for Receiving the Holy Ghost

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 10:44; Acts 10:45; Acts 10:46; Acts 10:47; Acts 10:48
  • Peter commanded repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  • While Peter yet spake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word, and they were baptized in the name of the Lord.
  • The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

4.2 Water Baptism in Jesus' Name for Remission of Sins

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5
  • Baptism is commanded in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
  • Early believers were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
  • This baptism signifies identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

4.3 The Evidence and Experience of the Spirit-Filled Life

Verses: Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 5:19; Galatians 5:22; Galatians 5:23
  • Believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, speaking to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
  • The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
  • Living in the Spirit leads to a transformed life that glorifies Jesus Christ.