The Power of Pentecost: An Examination of Acts 2:17-21

Synopsis: Two thousand years ago a Jewish fisherman stood up before a crowd of thousands to explain an extraordinary event. A bewildered crowd had heard the wonders of God being declared in their own languages. Peters explanation? This was the fulfillment of the promise of the prophet Joel--a promise that in the last days people would prophesy see dreams and visions and perform signs and wonders. That extraordinary day and that extraordinary promise have shaped the church over the last two thousand years. The question before us is what does it mean for us today? This book seeks to address and answer some of those questions by examining carefully the verses in question Acts 2:17-21 and their wider context and purpose. Endorsements: In this competent and engaging study Martin Salter argues that Acts presents Pentecost as a new Sinai a regathering of Gods people under Christs rule receiving the constitutive gift of the Holy Spirit. Salter wisely proposes a third way in debates about contemporary charismatic teaching. There is no warrant to argue for the complete cessation of phenomena mentioned in Acts but norms for subsequent situations cannot simply be extrapolated from Lukes narrative. --David Peterson Author of The Acts of the Apostles (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Author Biography: Martin Salter is Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church Bedford.