The exulting joy of these Spirit-anointed people was accounted for by some through charging them with drunkenness. Peter dismissed the charge as absurd, seeing that the day was yet young. With a readiness that the Spirit had inspired, he declared it to be a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. This is that, Acts 2:16. Alas, we cannot say as much! This might be that; this shall be that-these are all that we can affirm. Shall we ever be able to say, This is that?
In the pre-Christian times the Spirit was given to mountain-top saints, but from Pentecost onward, sons and daughters, old and young, servants and hand-maidens, were to participate in His gracious influences. It is for the democracy of the Church, for the whosoevers who call on the name of the Lord, for the valleys as well as the hills.
Notice that God's determinate counsel and pre-arrangement did not take away the guilt that lay upon the murderers of the Christ. The hands that slew Him were wicked ones, Acts 2:23. But God vindicated Jesus by the Resurrection, which reversed the judgment of men and proved Him the Son of God with power, Romans 1:4. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 2
1The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages, 12are admired by some, and derided by others; 14whom Peter disproves; 37he baptizes a great number who were converted; 41who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together; 43the apostles working many miracles, 46and God daily increasing his church
Greek Commentary for Acts 2:21
Shall call on [επικαλεσηται] First aorist middle subjunctive of επικαλεω epikaleō common verb, to call to, middle voice for oneself in need. Indefinite relative clause with εαν ean and so subjunctive, punctiliar idea, in any single case, and so aorist. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 2:21
1 Corinthians 1:2Call upon the name [ἐπικαλουμένοις τὸ ὄνομα] Compare Romans 10:12; Acts 2:21. The formula is from the Septuagint. See Zechariah 13:9; Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4; Psalm 115:17. It is used of worship, and here implies prayer to Christ. The first christian prayer recorded as heard by Saul of Tarsus, was Stephen's prayer to Christ, Acts 7:59. The name of Christ occurs nine times in the first nine verses of this epistle. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 2:21
First aorist middle subjunctive of επικαλεω epikaleō common verb, to call to, middle voice for oneself in need. Indefinite relative clause with εαν ean and so subjunctive, punctiliar idea, in any single case, and so aorist. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 2:21
Compare Romans 10:12; Acts 2:21. The formula is from the Septuagint. See Zechariah 13:9; Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4; Psalm 115:17. It is used of worship, and here implies prayer to Christ. The first christian prayer recorded as heard by Saul of Tarsus, was Stephen's prayer to Christ, Acts 7:59. The name of Christ occurs nine times in the first nine verses of this epistle. [source]
A Pauline phrase, only here in Pastorals. See Romans 10:12, Romans 10:13, Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 1:2. See also Acts 2:21; Acts 9:14; Acts 22:16. [source]