Miracle of Tongues
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Acts 2:5-13 … Verse 5 states, “dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation.” The speech miracle demonstrated the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. It was impossible for Galileans to speak
in all those native languages. The response of the crowd to the miracle reveals that God set the stage for what He was about to do—build a church. Verse 12 … “Whatever could this mean?” Verse 13 … “They are full of new wine.” Some wanted to know more; others were skeptics. It was a typical response to the good news. God used the event to attract the crowd. He had the fish on His gospel hook. Peter preached, pulled them into the boat, and the church grew. Another reason the miracle of tongues was to authenticate the message. Remember, Jesus was rejected by the very Jewish leaders all these people followed. What is the point? The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost signaled four realities regarding the church. First, the church was empowered for its mission. The witness of the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ began. Verse 41 … those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added. Second, the harvest of the mission field began. Pentecost was the festival of the first fruits of the wheat harvest. These are the first fruits of the Holy Spirit. Third, the spiritual harvest only began there. What happened that day was only first fruits. It spread in ever-widening circles. Fourth, the spiritual harvest signaled the end times. It is the final period in God’s plan of salvation—He used Jesus to create a people for Himself. What part are you playing in this plan of God’s? We must call all people to faith in Jesus Christ while there is still time.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
