Peter the Preacher, Acts 2:14-21

 

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

Something that has never happened, just happened.

The Holy Spirit came like a rushing mighty wind, and tongues of fire.

All those waiting as one, as Jesus commanded, were filled with His Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues.

And then something that always happens, happened.

Peter stood up and raised his voice.

Like the time in…

Matthew 14:28. Peter stood in the boat, in the storm, raised his voice. Jesus, if it’s really You, call me to walk on the water too. Jesus called and Peter walked, until he sank, like his namesake—rock.

Matthew 16:22-24. Jesus had just told them God’s plan about Him being arrested, crucified. Peter stood, raised his voice, and rebuked Jesus. Far be it from You, that will never happen. Jesus rebuked Peter. Get behind me satan.

Matthew 17:4. Jesus is glowing, speaking with Moses and Elijah. Peter, not knowing what to say, but had to say something; so he interrupts. Lord, it’s good for us to be here, do You want me to build three tabernacles; one for You, one for Mo, and one for Elijah? God interrupts Peter, and basically tells him to shut up, sit down, and listen to Jesus.

We could go on. We haven’t even mentioned the three times he denied Him.

Peter stood up, and spoke up and messed up… a lot. And yet, he kept getting back up.

Jesus knew this, and saw this, because He sees the end from the beginning. And He told Peter, “satan desires to sift you like wheat; but I’ve prayed for you. After you return, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31.

And there’s the time Peter rose up, and spoke up, and said, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:16. (That revelation came directly from God.)

Proverbs 24:16. Though the righteous fall seven times, yet shall they rise again…

Don’t give up, get back up.  

God specializes in making messengers, out of messes.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Some heard in their native language, the wonderful works of God being spoken by those who were speaking in tongues.

However, others may have heard them speaking in tongues; and mocked, claiming they were drunk.

Peter stood up, spoke up, (of course), and said, it’s too early to be drunk, it’s only 9:00 (for some—that’s not a very convincing argument).

 Nevertheless, on the birth day of the Church, this is how the very first sermon began.

So, the very first sermon title for all Christianity might be something like this:  

Listen Up, We’re Not Drunk.

Which sets a precedent.

The Church is to be different.

If you’re saved, filled with His Holy Spirit—you change. You act different, talk different, walk different, think different, look different. You are different.

2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

By the Holy Spirit, be bold and courageous. No liquid courage needed. God is love and perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:8-18.

By the Holy Spirit, Love with no inhibitions. Mind numbing spirits, unnecessary. Ephesians 5:18; Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:

This is that…

To silence the critics, and bring clarity to the situation, Peter says, this is that, and points back to the writings of the prophet Joel 2:28-32.

Then, like a master theologian this redneck fisherman gracefully glides through Scripture, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Peter not only silenced the critics, by wielding the Word, but by the time he was done, 3,000 souls were saved.

About three years prior, Jesus silenced the serpent, by wielding the Word like a master swordman with a two-edged Sword.

“You’re hungry”, hissed the serpent, “turn these stones into bread.”

“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” Jesus replied, slicing the devil’s words to ribbons.

The devil wasn’t done. “Prove You are the Son of God, jump off the pinnacle of the temple, for it is written He shall give His angels charge over You, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.”  

Jesus wasn’t tricked a bit, “It is written, do not put the Lord your God to a foolish test.”

Then, satan went too far, he always does, because his power-lust knows no bounds. From a high mountain he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth. “If You’ll bow down and worship me, I’ll give it all to You.”

Jesus had enough. "Away with you satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve!"

Matthew 4:1-11.

Jesus used the Word of God.

Peter used the Word of God.

We need to use the Word of God.

Lord, we pray You cause us to crave, Your Word; food for our soul, over food for our body.

 

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

Says God… Peter is quoting Joel, who is quoting God.

Last days… From Jesus’ first coming to His second coming, are the last days.

Back then, was the start of the last days.

Now today, we're at the end of the last days.

From Adam to Abraham was about 2,000 years.

From Abraham to Jesus was about 2,000 years.

From Jesus to us, it has been almost 2,000 years.

There’s coming seven years of hell on earth, during the Great Tribulation (pray none of us are here for that).

That’ll be followed by 1,000 years of Peace on earth good will toward men when Jesus rules and reigns from Jerusalem.

After that the judgement. New heaven and earth. Time will be no more. Eternity begins.  

Many believe the creation week reflects the lifespan of creation. Six days of work, the seventh day of rest. 6,000 years of work, 1,000 years of rest.

By looking at the signs, and the calendar, it appears we’re at the very end of the last days.

Can you hear the sound of a rushing mighty wind? It’s closer now than it’s ever been. Can you almost hear the trumpet, as Gabriel sounds the chord? As the Father says, Son, go get Your children.

Is your house in order? It won’t be long, and we’ll be going Home.

 

17 …That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

I will pour…

This is God revealing Himself through His people.

Notice in each verse He repeats, I will pour out My Spirit.

This is that, outpouring Joel prophesied about. Joel 2:28-32.

This is that, Holy Spirit, Jesus repeatedly told them about, prepared them to meet.

This is that, Holy Spirit, still available today, that Jesus promises the Father will give, to those who ask. Luke 11:9-13.

The Holy Spirit is not new. He’s been around forever, since He’s God.

Up to that point, only select people encountered the Holy Spirit. David prayed, “Cast me not away from Your Presence, take not Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11.

After that point, the Holy Spirit is poured out, (available), to all flesh. Not just some kings and prophets. But all flesh, males, females, sons, daughters, young, old, rich, poor, menservants, maidservants.

Also notice in both verses, He repeats that they shall prophesy.

Over one-fourth of the Bible is prophecy; telling of things to come. Everything that it predicted would happen, did happen just as it said; in its time. The Bible’s not done. Some things haven’t happened, yet. But make no mistake, they will, just as it says.    

Remember, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would tell them things to come. John 16:13.

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is, prophecy. 1 Corinthians 12:10.

In a broad and general sense (not the specific gift of prophesy), simply walking close to God gives a sense of what’s coming. Not necessarily specific future details, but promptings to preprayer in specific areas.

It’s powerful and comforting to know that the One you walk with knows, exactly what’s around the next bend.

 

19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

I will show…

This is God revealing Himself through His creation.

About 800 years prior, Joel foretold of this, it’s the passage Peter is quoting.

About 53 days prior, many, if not all of them, saw the sun go black from noon to 3:00, while Jesus hung on the cross as the Passover Lamb. Luke 23:44.

A few weeks prior, we opened this chapter, it seemed to be God’s Divine timing, because it was then the whole nation was talking about the sun turning black, from a total eclipse of the sun.

The Lord kicked off the last leg of this journey, on this planet, as we know it, by saying, I will pour… I will show…

And He’s been pouring and showing ever since, for nearly 2,000 years.

Pouring His Holy Spirit, His gifts, His fruit, through His people.

Showing His wonders, His signs, His glory, every sunrise, every sunset, day after day after day.

Revealing Himself with many infallible proofs, to woo us, and warn us, and prepare us, for eternity.

So, in summary, the Lord kindly, lovingly, told them of things to come. He gave them a preview of what He was going to do, what was going to happen.

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

That refers to the last step of this last leg.

It’s the seven-year step called, the Great Tribulation.

It appears to be almost here.

One of the end time signs Jesus told us about, is in all of our headlines today:  The blazing hatred for the Jews.

John 16:2, They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’

After His preview, of pouring and showing, and signs and wonders, He swings the door wide open with a great big grin and invites us in:

Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

We’re in a new era folks.

Now, salvation comes not by being blameless, spotless, without blemish, as required by the law.

No one could ever do that.

So, blameless spotless, without blemish, lambs were slain, year after year, lamb after lamb, blood after blood, to cover, temporarily, their sin.

Until, at last, One, perfect, blameless, spotless, without blemish, Lamb showed up, and willingly died, sacrificed His own perfect sinless life, to pay the price for our soiled, sinful life.

Once and for whosoever calls on the name of the LORD.

Let’s pray

Lord Jesus, thank You for pouring out, showing up, and becoming the Perfect Passover Lamb, to pay the price, to wash away, our sin.

We want to be among those watching and waiting and standing like Peter, filled with Your Spirit.

Have Your way Lord, in our lives, so that You will be well pleased.

We love You, forever

Amen.

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God Is With You, Genesis 21:22-34

 

Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.

The king and his right-hand man, show up at Abe’s place.

Most folks would freak if a king and commander showed up at their door.

Not Abe.

He’s had way more important visitors. Remember the day he was hanging out in the shade and God showed up with a couple angels? Genesis 18:1-2.

At that time, Abraham jumped up, ran out, bowed down, begged Him to stay, gave them food and drink and washed their feet.

Not this time.

When you walk with the King of kings, you are not impressed or intimidated, by earthly kings. (So, if starstruck by superstars, may need to check priorities).

Abimelech says, “God is with you in all that you do.”

That’s GOD’S FAVOR

When you walk with the King of kings, you impress and intimidate, earthly kings.

Proverbs 3:1-4

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

So, king Abimelech shows up singing Abe’s praises.

But Abe had flaws, lots of them, just like me, perhaps like you.

More than once he fled God’s plan and threw his wife into the arms of another man, he lied and cheated, even got the maid pregnant.

But he kept getting up, coming back, and God didn’t leave him, and He won’t leave you, either.

Walk close to God

He outshines your flaws

No amount of dirty laundry, or deep dark secrets, can quench His Light

Walk with the King, and the world will notice.

No need to talk a lot about Him. Just walk real close to Him; and the world will know that God is with you.

Walk long enough, and close enough, and the world will want what you’ve got.

When walking with the King, you have Everything, and it makes the world jealous.

Okay, most folks go to kings for favors; but here, Mr. king Abimelech goes to Abraham.

For a king, he sure is needy; last time he wanted Abe’s wife—now what?

 

23 Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.”

So, the king of the land, king Abimelech, wants to enter into a covenant with Abraham. Be allies.

Imagine a king, knocking on your door, “Hi, we’ve noticed that God is with you in all you do. Can we be friends?”

That’s GOD’S FAVOR

But we need to notice the small print of Abimelech’s clever wording.

Swear to me. This is more than just asking, be honest Abe. What king Abim wants is a perpetual covenant.

By God. He uses the name of God, (Elohim).

That you will not deal falsely. Like you (and your “sister”) did before.

My offspring, my posterity. I’m a family man, too. Remember you prayed and God opened the wombs of my wives and family.

Kindness. You know, like the 1,000 pieces of silver (worth $6 million) I kindly gave to your “sister.”

The land. The very land I told you to dwell in, the choicest of land, wherever you wanted. The very land that feeds the very livestock, I kindly gave you. Genesis 20:14-16.

What could Abe say?

24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

Short. Curt. Blunt.

Fine. I’ll swear… (Hebrew: shaba. Remember that, because Abraham will do a little rhyming game in a moment.)

BUT first Abe has a bone to pick with Abim.

(God’s Favor, comes with responsibility. Now enters, GOD’S WISDOM.)

25 Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized.

Abraham confronts the king.

Your men stole a well that my men, dug. (Remind me when we get to heaven, to ask if this well, is the well, the Lord showed Hagar; Genesis 21:19).

Now, this confrontation seems to come up from out of nowhere. So, we don’t know if Abraham was going to bring it up to Abimelech or just let it go to keep the peace. Turn the other cheek.

However now, everything’s changed, because Abimelech wants to enter into a covenant with Abraham.

Abraham seizes the moment, to address the seized well.

That is GODLY WISDOM.

Some modern-day mindsets might say, “Oh, for crying out loud Abraham, the king wants to make a peace deal. Forget about the well, it’s no big deal. So, maybe it’ll hurt the livelihood and livestock of some, but this is for the greater global good. Give up a little land for peace. C’mon man, if you confront him, you’ll start a war. Pursue peace, whatever the cost.”

Well, the Bible does say, whenever possible, as much as it depends on you, pursue peace, Romans 12:17-18.

Most folks say they want peace; they just disagree on how to reach it.

Some say peace by appeasement.

Others say peace through strength.

Same goal, opposite methodology and ideology.

Abraham chose strength.

At first it seems like derailing the peace; but in the long run, it’s better to get the burr out from under the saddle before you ride.

Any covenant, contract, whether it be dating, marriage, Church, a job, a cell phone…  Read the small print. Hammer out the details. Ask the hard questions. Be willing to walk away. Remember, you walk with the King, you don’t need a thing—you have His Favor.

Never compromise your convictions, your walk with God. Not one step. Not one breath.

Always choose Truth that hurts over kisses that kill.

Seek and follow, God’s Wisdom.

That is exactly what Abraham is doing.

Besides all that, wells are big deals. In that arid region a well can mean the difference between survival and dying of thirst—just ask Hagar and Ishmael.   

Digging a well is no small task.  A major and vital project but necessary for survival.

There’s no doubt God blessed Abraham with Divine favor, but he still had to use Godly wisdom.

Which meant he had to dig the devil out of the details.   

26 And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.”

There, that wasn’t so hard now was it?

Abraham confronted Abim and the world didn’t end, war didn’t start.  

The hardest part about having that hard conversation, is thinking about having it.

Confrontation, with God’s Wisdom, rarely escalates into a battle. Usually leads to the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11.

Now, Abimelech pleads ignorance. Or, some say he plays the ignorance card; but he’s actually lying.

The well was “seized” meaning it must have been guarded, so Abe and crew couldn’t use it. Thus (they say) the king probably knew about it.

We don’t know. That battle isn’t worth fighting, Abe doesn’t address it. It doesn’t matter.

What matters is that by God’s Wisdom, now it’s all out in the open where it should be.

SON Light is the best disinfectant.

27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

This is the second covenant in the Bible.

You may remember the first one in Genesis 15:18, The Lord made a covenant with Abraham.

Made, in the original text is karath; it means: to cut.

Where we get the phrase, cut a deal, cut a covenant.

To cut a deal, or, cut a covenant, they used animals, and knives, and witnesses. It was bloody.

The word, cut, was for a reason. The animals were cut in half and laid in a row. Each half separated just enough to leave a path of blood between them.  

To cut a deal today, we use paper and pen…and lawyers (that’s the bloody part).

After the cutting is done. The stage is set. Everything is ready for the blood covenant ceremony to begin.

Next, the terms of the agreement are clearly stated.

Then, the powerful, bloody, part of the ceremony. The involved parties, first one, then the other, walk the path of blood between the animals.

In so doing, they swear to abide by the terms of the covenant, or, may it be done to me as was done to these animals.

Per protocol, both parties need to walk the blood path.

In this covenant between Abe and Abim, they agree to not lie and be kind.

However, God’s covenant with Abe, cut a bit deeper.

God agreed to bless Abraham so much that through him all nations of the earth would be blessed.

Abraham’s part, according to, Genesis 17:1-2, was to believe and be blameless (same word used for Passover lambs that had to be perfect, spotless, without blemish, blameless).

The Lord could fulfill His end of the bargain—but Abraham was in big trouble, he couldn’t be perfect, spotless, without blemish, blameless.

Neither can we.

So, while Abraham was sleeping, the Lord stepped up and walked through the bloody trail in Abe’s place… and ours. Genesis 15:17.

Now, when Abe breaks the oath and is less than perfect, when we are less than blameless, when we break the covenant, fail and fall into sin, when we turn our backs on Him, and doom ourselves to destruction…

Jesus steps up and says, WAIT! 

I passed through the blood for them. I took their place.

Then He stretches a nail scarred hand toward us and says, “Wake up. Follow Me.”

To follow isn’t easy, it requires total commitment. It means leaving the old life. The journey’s long, and hard, the path is straight and narrow, but it’s solid and sure, and leads to an inheritance better than anything you could ever imagine; and big enough to set you up, and all those God’s given you, forever. Matthew 7:13-14, 16:24-26, Ephesians 3:20, 1 Corinthians 2:9.

The Lord cut that covenant with Abe, knowing that one day, the cut and the blood would be His own… instead of our own.

If you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the Promise. Galatians 3:29.

 

 28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

This is like an addendum to the contract, the covenant.  Abraham wants to officially confirm his ownership of the well.

29 Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”

This may be protocol for an addendum to the blood covenant.

Abim asks Abe out loud for the witnesses to hear.

“What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”

Or, it might just be Abim asking if we’re having lamb chops for supper.

30 And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.”

Again, this may be protocol for an addendum to the blood covenant.

Abe clearly states the terms out loud for witnesses to hear.

One thing is for sure; this is Abraham’s way of officially documenting, by binding covenant, that the well belongs to him.

Now, if Abimelech accepts the lambs, the well officially belongs to Abe, by agreement with the king, before witnesses.  

 

31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

So, evidently Abim agreed to Abe’s offer.

Beersheba, means, well of the oath, or, well of seven.

Abraham makes it memorable with a little word play. The number seven in Hebrew represents, completion and perfection.

Additionally, the words, swear and seven, are similar. So, just saying the name of the well would trigger memories of this covenant.

Swear in Hebrew is, shaba.

Seven in Hebrew is, sheba.

Abe gave Abim, sheba sheep to shaba, that this is indeed his well.

Abe gave Abim, seven sheep to swear, that this is indeed his well.

It stuck. Beersheba has been remembered to this day. Today it’s about 45 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Be'er-Sheva, is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev" with a population over 214,000.

32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So, Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.

And they all lived happily ever after…

Until they didn’t.

Beersheba will come up again, and again. And there will be disputes over this very same well, again.

Because, people have a tendency… to be human.

33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

Abraham planted.

So far, we’ve seen, God’s Favor, God’s Wisdom and now, His Hope.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1.

God had promised Abraham all the land as far as he could see, and yet, he took ownership of this well for water, and a cave in a field, to bury his dead.

That’s it.  

His hope, was not built on lands, and houses, and possessions, but his Everlasting God; as reflected in the tree he planted; an evergreen in the desert.

The tamarisk grows to some thirty feet, and offers the coolest shade in the desert. The leaves encrust with salt secretions, replenishing and refreshing weary travelers for generations to come.

Abraham dwelt in the land of Promise, as a stranger, in a foreign land. He moved about in tents, not sinking foundations built of stone, but looked forward with hope, for a city with foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. Hebrews 11:9-10.

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before His throne

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground in sinking sand.

Let’s pray,

Lord, our Everlasting God, we call on You.

In You alone, we sink our roots, we seek Your favor, and wisdom and hope.

That You can flow through us as a well of Living Water, Salt of the earth, replenishing and refreshing every weary traveler You send our way.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

 

Prayer Requests:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

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With Other Tongues, Acts 2:4-13

 

Back in Moses’ day, God told them to wait for Him.

So, they did.

On the day, when He came, He made a grand entrance that couldn’t be ignored, thunder roared, lightning flashed, smoke billowed, ram’s horn sounded louder and louder, the mountain shook, as the Lord descended in fire. Exodus 19:16-20

About 14-1,500 years later, Jesus told them to wait for Him.

So, they did.

On the same day as before (Pentecost), He did it again. He made a grand entrance that couldn’t be ignored; with the sound of a rushing mighty wind and the appearance of fire, tongues of fire, He descended on them.

The first time He came to one man, Moses.

The second time, He came to those waiting for Him; men and women, all 120; and He filled them with His Holy Spirit.

This is that moment the Lord’s been waiting for since Adam and Eve sidestepped with that sidewinding serpent. The plan of redemption finished. The moment of reconciliation come. Finally, He is able to reunite His family, be one with them, again.

Those watching were like those at the end of a Lone Ranger episode; in awe and asking: “Who was that masked man?”

Only, they’re saying:

Who is this Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is God. The third Person of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Three in One. The Trinity.

Therefore, He should never be referred to as, “it”. 

He should never be shunned.

He should never be mocked.

He is mentioned 56 times in the Book of Acts.

Jesus repeatedly prepared them, for the coming of His Holy Spirit. He continuously taught them about Him.

So much so, that it was probably like one of those moments when you say: “Hi, nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you, I feel I already know you.”

Jesus tells us His Holy Spirit is our, Helper, Teacher, Guide, and Spirit of Truth; He abides with us, reminds us, testifies through us, and tells us of things to come. John 14:15-16, 15:26, 16:13.

And that, is just a small introduction.

He has a whole bushel basket full of fruit, just waiting for you to taste and see that the Lord is Good.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Holy Spirit, is extraordinarily awesome.

And we haven’t even gotten to His Gifts.

Speaking of gifts; upon the Holy Spirit’s arrival, the first thing He does, is hand out a wonderful gift.

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Notice the text does not say, “they were filled with the Holy Spirit, SO they began speaking in tongues. Or, thus, or therefore.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit AND began to speak with other tongues.

The word for “and” in the original text is, kai. And it means: and. It’s the most common NT conjunction, used over 9,000 times.

This is important to note because, some denominations (my childhood one) said that speaking in tongues is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. If you receive the Holy Spirit, you will speak in tongues, they said.

Some folks take it further and claim that if you don’t speak in tongues, you aren’t even saved.

On three occasions in Acts, we see folks being filled with Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6.

However, on other occasions folks are filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues is not mentioned.

Well, maybe they didn’t need to say they spoke in tongues, because it was implied. Like saying, they went swimming and they got wet. The last part wasn’t necessary.

Paul speaks at length about tongues 1 Corinthians 12-14. 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit can be found in, Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11, 28; Eph. 4:11.

Speaking in Tongues is listed as a gift of the Holy Spirit, never as the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11, lists gifts of the Holy Spirit, and concludes by saying they are all given by the same Spirit, distributed individually as He wills. Over and over, seven times, we're told that the gifts are from the same Spirit, same Lord, same God, the obvious emphasis is on the Giver, not the gift.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31, sums it up by asking rhetorical questions.

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”

And then it goes directly into the more excellent way. The Love chapter, 13.

1 Cor. 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

The greatest gift, the most excellent evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is, His Love flowing through us.

Paul writes in 1 Cor. 14:5, “I wish you all spoke with tongues.” And then, in verse 18 he says, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all…”

According to Scripture; Tongues are a gift, a gift to earnestly seek, but not the gift of the Holy Spirit. Not the evidence of the Holy Spirit.

(There’s more. What are Tongues? Are they for today?)

⁵ And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

Folks from all over the known world were there in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

The Lord brought the world to them. They were able to minister to the whole world right from their Church in the Clubhouse.

Same with us. Same with you.

When filled with the Holy Spirit everything we need is within our reach. 

 

        6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

This sound? 

Acts 2:2, said there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind.

So maybe, that sound was this sound that caused the multitude to come together.

And then, they were confused because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

The 120 spoke in tongues; however, the multitude heard, each in their own native tongue.

 

Acts 2:7
 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?

Do something out of the ordinary just to honor God, and folks get confused.

What are you doing? Bringing me food? Groceries? Secretly slipping me a gift card? Doing my yard work? Being so nice, when I don’t even like you? What are you up to? What’s in it for you?

Then, they’re amazed. Wow. Those crazy Christians must really believe that God stuff.

Then, they’ll marvel when God shows up, steps in, helps out, softens their heart.

Because you allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you, before long they’ll be asking, “What must we do to be saved?”

They will know it’s not you. Aren’t these Galileans? Aren’t they rednecks? Folks from fishing villages on the Sea of Galilee. Look there’s Mary from Magdala, you know, that place where the hookers hang out. Oh, and there’s Joe’s wife, the mother of Jesus from Nazareth—Hicksville. 

What’s going on? How are these uneducated country bumpkins articulating with such excellence, in our language? 

They just ain’t that cotton pickin’ smart.

8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

It’s like the Lord reverses the curse of Babel.

At Babel God confused language and they scattered.

Here, He clarifies language, and they come together.

We hear each in our own language.

Please note; this is the second time we’re told that the 120 spoke in tongues; however, the multitude heard, each in their own native tongue.

 

9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs…

What a day that was.

What a day it will be.

When every nation under heaven, gathers and hears the wonderful works of God.

11—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Now, for the third time we’re told that the 120 spoke in tongues; however, the multitude heard, each in their own native tongue.

And what are the 120 speaking?  

The wonderful works of God.

They are worshipping God.

They are not preaching to people, they are speaking praises to God, in a language they don’t even know.

That is the definition of speaking in tongues.

In, 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul says that, he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him.

He goes on to say that speaking in tongues edifies the one praying but not the ones listening, unless, the tongues are interpreted. 1 Corinthians 14:2-5, 14.

If tongues are spoken and there’s no interpretation, those who hear will think you’re out of your mind (or drunk). 1 Corinthians 14:23.

Therefore, if there’s no interpretation, keep silent. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:28, 40.

So, putting the events of Acts 2 with 1 Corinthians 12-14, we conclude that the gift of tongues is a prayer language to God, primarily personally, unless there is an interpreter.

It is a language spoken like any other language, not forced, or coerced, the speaker is not overpowered or possessed. The Holy Spirit gave them utterance, He offered the gift, but did not force them to receive it. Like Salvation, they believed and received, and acted, in faith.

So, to be sure, let’s say it one more time; the 120 spoke in tongues; however, the multitude heard, each in their own native tongue.

On the day of Pentecost, the 120 spoke in tongues; however, the multitude heard, the interpretation, each in their own native tongue.

This event in Acts 2 appears to be a unique onetime event where the multitude receives the interpretation.

On this glorious birthday of the Church, the Lord poured out two gifts, (tongues and interpretation), as His introduction to every nation under heaven.

12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

They were amazed. God is amazing.

They were perplexed. His ways are above and beyond all we could ever ask or even think.

Whatever could this mean? That is a great question.

It means many things, but here's just three:

Jesus kept His promise to send His Holy Spirit
Salvation is available to every nation under heaven.
God will use any willing vessel. All who were willingly, watching and waiting for His coming were filled with His Holy Spirit.

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

There’s always mockers.

Rather than inquire, they insult. It’s called, ad hominem argument. It’s ignorance on steroids.

They’re unwilling to understand, or even think for two seconds.

How many drunks suddenly become fluent in a foreign language?

Then again, giving the mockers the benefit of the doubt, perhaps they couldn’t hear them speaking the wonderful works of God. Maybe they only heard them speaking in tongues, and so, it sounded like… babbling drunks. (Just like Paul writes in 1 Cor. 14:23).

Today, some folks still mock speaking in tongues. They claim tongues no longer exist; as well other gifts like miracles and healings.

They point to, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

 

They say, when that which is perfect has come, then gifts like tongues, will cease, because they are no longer necessary.

So, what is, that which is perfect?

Well, they say, that which is perfect came when the Bible was completed.

However, the best commentary on the Bible, is the Bible, and context is king.

So, in context, we see the answer in the very next verse.

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

A child maturing into an adulthood. We’re talking about people.

Now and then. We’re talking about time. Now we see dimly, then, we’ll see clearly. Now we know partly, then, we’ll know completely.

Now, we see and know in our current, corruption. However, there’s coming a then, a time, when the foggy veil of this life is lifted and we will see clearly; there’s a day, perhaps today, when we shall be changed, in the twinkling of an eye, we’ll be glorified, and then we’ll know what was once a mystery.  

When we reach heaven, then, we’ll see and know—that which is perfect has come.

Until then, what has been written, has been written. We dare not delete entire chapters of the Bible to fit our experience.

The Church as a whole believed in all the gifts and operations of the Holy Spirit, as written, up until the early 1900s.

However, the Azuza Street revival, set religious spirits on edge.

Perhaps out of jealousy, or religiosity, some who had not received gifts, invented a school of thought that said, certain gifts were dead.

They tried to put the Holy Spirit on the shelf.  

But we know, God’s not dead, can’t be put on a shelf, or locked in a tomb. He’s alive and well and coming back soon!

 

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank You for Your written Word, that’s forever settled in heaven.

Thank You for Your spoken Word, that flows through us as Rivers of Living Water.

Thank You that Your Word will not return void but will prosper to the saving souls; ours, and all those You’ve given us.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.