“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontusand Asia,[b]10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Acts 2.5-13
Yesterday I discussed speaking in tongues at Pentecost as well as some of the arguments for and against. I also spoke about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Today I’ve titled the post ”tongues” because these different languages are mentioned specifically. The gift was given to the disciples and friends gathered in the open room with the coming of the Holy Spirit. It was at this point that these common, unlearned Jews began to speak in languages unfamiliar to them.
The languages spoken were heard by the following groups — “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontusand Asia,[b]10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs.” The photo image for today’s blog represents where the people groups lived. It was not only brilliant of God to bring all these Jews to Jerusalem for this time, but strategic. The gospel was going out like a blast to the world. Although some did not view the speaking in other languages as evangelistic but as drunkenness. Some, according to vs. 13, said, ”They have had too much wine.”
No matter what God does, there will always be opposition. The gift of tongues was a gift of God himself to the world. In his book, “The Pursuit of God”, A.W. Tozer writes, ”Religion, so far as it is genuine, is in essence the response of created of personalities to the creating personality, God.” In other words, the purpose of religion, of the gospel, of Pentecost and of the early and later gift of tongues is to know God and give him glory. Tozer quotes John 17.3, ”This is life eternal, that they might know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.”
One of the best trips I’ve taken was to the region in the nation of Turkey to Cappadocia. This area, in the central portion of this state, was one of the places where Jews who were at Pentecost and received the gospel of Jesus Christ lived. They heard the gospel, believe, and returned to Cappadocia to worship the Lord and make disciples. These first century Christians worshipped in cave churches which I visited. It was an unbelievable site to witness the early growth of the Gospel. It was because of their faith that we are able to hear and believe today. (For more on this visit https://www.cappadociahistory.com/churches).
So at Pentecost, two thousand years ago, the Spirit flooded the hearts of believers who retold the story of Jesus in the languages of those present from dozens of regions in the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond. God poured out his Spirit on these people so that they might hear and believe.
Have you heard? Have you believed? Have you shared the Gospel with others?
“O Lord God, you continue to want your word to go out to the world. Wherever we go, we are like sheep among wolves, taking your word to a lost generation. And with each generation, discovery of your power and love begins anew. Each new day is a new dawn where people comes to know the depths of your love and the power of your voice. Come now, awaken your people. Revive your land. Help us find strength and solace in your Spirit. Send us forth as your ambassadors to the world. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen