The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

17 It shall be in the last days. By this effect he proveth that the Messiah is already revealed.¹ Joel in deed doth not express the last days: but for as much as he entreateth of the perfect restoring of the Church, it is not to be doubted but that that prophecy belongeth unto the last age alone. Wherefore that which Peter bringeth, doeth no whit dissent from Joel his meaning: but he doth only add this word for expositions sake, that the Jews might know, that the Church could by no other means be restored, which was then decayed, but by being renewed by the Spirit of God. Again, because the repairing of the Church, should be like unto a new world, therefore Peter sayeth that it shall be in the last days. And surely this was a common and familiar thing among the Jews, that all those great promises concerning the blessed and well ordered state of the Church, should not be fulfilled, until Christ by his coming should restore all things. Wherefore it was out of all doubt amongst them, that that which is cited out of Joel, doth appertain unto the last time. Now by the last days or fullness of time is meant the stable and firm condition of the Church in the manifestation or revealing of Christ.

17 It shall be in the last dayes. By this effect he prooueth that the Messias is alreadie reuealed.¹ Ioel in deede doth not expresse the last dayes: but for as much as he entreateth of the perfect restoring of the Church, it is not to bee doubted but that that prophecie belongeth vnto the last age alone. Wherefore that which Peter bringeth, doeth no whit dissent from Ioel his meaning: but he doth onely adde this word for expositions sake, that the Iewes might knowe, that the Church could by no other meanes be restored, which was then decayed, but by being renewed by the Spirit of God. Againe, because the repairing of the Church, should be like vnto a new world, therefore Peter saieth that it shall bee in the last dayes. And surelie this was a common and familiar thing among the Iewes, that all those great promises concerning the blessed and well ordered state of the Church, shoulde not bee fulfilled, vntill Christ by his comming shoulde restore all thinges. Wherefore it was out of all doubt amongst them, that that which is cited out of Ioel, doth appertaine vnto the last time. Nowe by the last dayes or fulnesse of time is meant the stable and firme condition of the Church in the manifestation or reuealing of Christ.