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THEY HEARD WORDS
THURSDAY, JULY 16
Acts 2:5-11

1 Corinthians 14:33

 

“For God is not the author of confusion,

but of peace...”

 

THEY HEARD WORDS
 
Based on Acts 2:9-11, there were in Jerusalem, people from at least sixteen countries, as represented by their languages. With the two symbols manifesting the presence of the Holy Spirit, the powerful work of God is highlighted. The immeasurable power of God could grant ordinary people a supernatural ability to proclaim the gospel.
 
They heard: Although Greek was the official language most of the people spoke in their local dialects. The people were amazed and bewildered when they heard the disciples speaking in the other people’s dialects. We have to remember that the Apostles (as revealed in the gospels) never went out of their country to learn foreign languages. They were not capable of speaking the languages and dialects of the various countries represented in Jerusalem that day. This was God’s way of dispelling the curse of Babel where He confounded the language of the people and they became unable to understand one another’s speech.
 
Their dialect: The news of the disciples speaking in other tongues “was noised abroad” (Acts 2:6). The words “language” (Acts 2:6) and “tongue” (Acts 2:8) have the same Greek word which means “dialect.” The voices of the disciples were audible and attracted the attention of many people around. As they were heard from a distance they were probably either loud or the news of the miracle was quickly passed on to others in the city. In any case, the news spread like wildfire. The gift of tongue is the ability of the evangelist to utter words in a foreign language for people to freely comprehend the truth of God’s Word. This speaking of tongues was given so that the hearers may know the saving grace of God.
 
Do you believe that tongue-speaking refers to the speaking of ecstatic and gibberish words which no one understands? Don’t you think it is contrary to the Scriptures?
 
THOUGHT: Do I know the biblical meaning of tongue-speaking?
PRAYER: O Father in heaven, Thy works are given clearly and openly before men, keep me away from the deceptions of the enemy.

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