ACC ~ Acts 2 v17 - 18

BREATHING FORTH OF SPIRIT. BEDE: The word effusion shows the lavishness of the gift, for the grace of the Holy Spirit was not to be granted, as formerly, only to individual prophets and priests, but to everyone in every place, regardless of sex, state of life or position. The prophet subsequently explains what all flesh may be, saying, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” and so forth, and “I will give prodigies in heaven above and signs on the earth beneath.” The prodigies in heaven were given when with the Lord’s birth a new star appeared, and with his ascending of the cross the sun was dimmed and heaven itself was covered with darkness.The signs on the earth were given when, with the Lord’s breathing forth of his spirit, it [the earth] trembled violently, broke open sepulchers, split apart rocks and brought forth alive again the bodies of many of the saints who had fallen asleep. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2.17.

THE SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH. ORIGEN: I see, however, that the special coming of the Holy Spirit to people is declared to have happened after Christ’s ascension into heaven rather than before his coming into the world. Before that time the gift of the Holy Spirit was bestowed on prophets only and on a few others among the people who happened to have proved worthy of it. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.7.2.

Acts