Speaking of Speaking in Tongues (Acts 2:1-13)

Children's Lesson (click here)

I. Something Powerful

As we open God's word this morning, let's acknowledge in faith that God not only wants to teach us something powerful, but that he also wants to do something powerful in and through us, using His powerful truth. Yes? Amen? Amen!

II. The Passage: “We Hear Them Telling in Our Own Tongues” (2:1-13)

Believing that, look with me at Acts 2, verses 1-13. This is what Luke tells us about the first followers of Jesus, not long after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We read that...

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” [13] But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Now, let's be clear right from the outset. The claim made in this passage, in this book, is that this event really did take place about 2000 years ago in the city of Jerusalem. Just as you eating breakfast this morning or you celebrating Independence Day earlier this month were things that actually happened, Luke is claiming that this strange event is no different. It really happened. There is no indication in the text or context that we should take it any other way. Now... can you imagine being there? Of witnessing this event? Can you imagine what you would see, and what you would hear?

So what exactly is happening here? To understand this scene, let's talk about three aspects of this story or account: let's consider the setting, the Spirit, and the spectators. So first...

The Setting. As is clear from chapter 1 and the text itself, what took place here took place in the city of Jerusalem, exactly fifty days after the final Passover that Jesus and his disciples celebrated together, as recorded in all the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Where am I getting that fifty days number from? From the name of the holy day listed in Acts 2, verse 1. In Greek, Pentecost refers to fifty days, which corresponds to Leviticus 23:16, a verse that details when the Israelites were supposed to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, or as it's called in Exodus 23:16, “the Feast of Harvest”. This holy day (or holiday) was a day in which the first fruits of one's harvest were brought before God as a grateful acknowledgment of what He had given. I would argue that we're seeing something very similar here in terms of the firstfruits of a great harvest. And so, second...

The Spirit. The 120 followers of Jesus mentioned in Acts 1:15 were said to be, according to 2:1, gathered “together in one place” when something like a “mighty rushing wind” filled the house. Next, in v. 3, we're told that “divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” Now, when we focus on those words, “wind” and “fire”, it isn't surprising to read in the next verse, v. 4, that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”. The idea of wind/air/breath is often connected with God's Spirit in Scripture, and fire is similarly used as one indicator of God's powerful presence among his people. Though no one could have anticipated this wild scene, Jesus (in Acts 1) had already told them that, soon, God's Spirit was going to come upon them in power.

So if God was powerfully present here through his Spirit, what was the result? The result, as we see in v. 4, is that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Now, just like in English, the word “tongue” is being used here in two different ways. In verse 3, they see something like a human tongue, that is, the pink muscle in your mouth. But here in verse 4, the word “tongue” now refers to what can be spoken, that is, to a language. What “tongues” (pl.) or languages are we talking about? Well, third...

The Spectators. As verse 6 indicates, the sounds associated with this strange event were loud enough that a multitude of other Jews in the city drew near to this house to see what was happening. But we also read that what caught their attention, to the degree that they were (v. 7) “amazed and astonished,” was the fact that these Jews from northern Israel (or as many of them would have thought, these 'backwater' Jews) could be heard speaking in languages from all over the known, all over the Roman world at that time. You heard that list and can see that list of places in vs. 9-11, places ranging from north Africa to Asia Minor and from well past the eastern edge of the Empire. Now some of these were undoubtedly Jewish transplants to the city. But the overwhelming majority of these people were probably pilgrims there for the holy days.

So as the Spirit empowered all these disciples of Jesus to speak in languages that they did not know, languages that they had not learned, languages that corresponded exactly to the diverse group of people who were residing or walking or doing business nearby, it seems he (the Spirit) was doing so, not only to get these people's attention, but also to convey a message. What was that message? Look back at verse 11. What these Jews from all sorts of places heard was a group of Jesus-followers “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God”. Though verse 13 makes it clear that some people simply concluded these Galileans were drunk, it seems that most in the crowd recognized that, somehow, God himself was at work in this astonishing event. As we heard in verse 12, “And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?'” God had their attention, and Peter recognized that fact. That's why he gets up in verse 14 in order to explain even further the “mighty works of God” concerning Jesus.

But if we stay with that question of 'why', recognizing as we have that God wanted to get their attention, and God wanted to convey a message, this chapter will go on to confirm yet another answer. If you look at Peter's message to the crowd, you can see how, beginning in verse 16, he goes on to explain that what they are witnessing is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy; specifically, a prophecy from Joel 2 about God pouring out his Spirit on all kinds of people (not just kings and prophets)... as a sign that a new era was dawning, that a new chapter was beginning in terms of God purposes for his people and... for the world. And let's think about that for moment. Think with me about why this supernatural event was such a powerful testimony of God's plan for the world. Many thousands of years before this, humanity was united, but united around their own glory and not God's. And so what did God do? He confused their languages (Genesis 11). But here, God's Spirit cuts through that confusion, providing a powerful sign that humanity would one day be united again; but this time, around (in Paul's words) “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). And Acts will go on to record how this sign (i.e., this Spirit-empowered praise in different languages) was used to confirm, with two other groups (Gentiles in Cornelius's home (Acts 10) and disciples of John the Baptizer (Acts 19).. to confirm...), that God was indeed at work in a new way, fulfilling the promise he gave long ago.

III. Spirit-Empowered Speech

So what became of this sign? This speaking in other tongues? Outside these three instances in the book of Acts, the only other place the phenomena is mentioned is 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14. And the way Paul talks about it there is extremely helpful in terms of how any of this applies to you and me today. Paul seems to confirm in those chapters that the Spirit was in fact at work in the Corinthian church in a similar way in terms of producing this same kind of praise in foreign languages. But since the context was so different, since, unlike Pentecost in Jerusalem, there is no indication that the Corinthian church was hosting people from all over the Roman world, Paul makes it very clear that this particular manifestation of the Spirit should be limited. You see, even though many Corinthian believers were eager to speak in other tongues, unless the Spirit also provided a translator, this phenomena was not to be used in public worship.

But here's why this situation in Corinth is so helpful. In eagerly desiring to speak in Spirit-inspired, foreign languages, Paul explains to the Corinthians that they were missing something far, far better. Let me explain. In chapter 12, Paul makes it clear that “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit,” that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” and (in case you missed it) that “all these are empowered by one and the same Spirit” (12:4, 7, 11). But this is what he wants them to understand about these different gifts: I Corinthians 14:5... “The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues...” Why? Because, as he explains in the previous verse, “the one who prophesies builds up the church” (14:4). The key takeaway here, as Paul tries to correct their thinking, is this: (14:12) “... since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

The Corinthian trap is alive and well today. How might we describe that trap? It means believing that Spirit-empowered speech is primarily something like the tongues-speaking in Acts 2; some-thing sensational and conspicuous. But Acts 2 is a powerful reminder that the Spirit has been poured out on God's people, all of God's people, and through their words, He can do what is seemingly impossible... to the glory of God. What's truly impressive? What's truly miraculous? The ability to speak a language that you do not know; that you have not learned? That is, without a doubt, “amazing”, just as we heard in Acts 2. But more impressive than that, more miraculous than that, is how the Spirit can give you and me words, words that change the eternal destiny of another human being; words that open eyes; words that heal; words that give spiritual strength to those around us. That is the essence of the prophesying Paul urges the Corinthians to pursue; to speak, through the Spirit, God's word to one another for the good of that brother, or sister, or... to that person who desperately needs to hear about Jesus for the very first time.

For many of us, effectively speaking God's word to believers and unbelievers feels impossible. Maybe it feels impossible because fear that you feel, or knowing that you don't have all the answers, or because of the hardness of another person's heart. It feels as impossible as getting up right now and praising God in Swahili or Farsi or Tagalog or Russian. But that's the point. It is impossible... apart from the Spirit's power. What were those first disciples doing when Jesus told them to wait for the Spirit? Were they sitting around that house in Jerusalem twiddling their thumbs or moping about Jesus' departure. No. 1:14 tells us “they were devoting themselves to prayer”. There is no secret formula for becoming a mouth-piece for Spirit-empowered speech. But there is a posture of prayer and faith that is evident in those opening chapters of Acts. For the Spirit that enabled Peter to speak in Parthian, is the same Spirit who then enabled him to speak powerfully about Jesus' death and resurrection; about Jesus as Lord, about repentance and faith. The result? 3000 people were drawn to Christ! Do you believe that God, through his Spirit, can do something impossible, for His glory, through your mouth? Through your words? Acts 2 is a great reminder that he can. That no amount of linguistic or cultural or moral or religious or emotional confusion can stand in the way of a man or woman hearing about, through the Spirit, “the mighty works of God” in Jesus in a way they can understand. With a posture of prayer and faith, let's make ourselves available to the Spirit by opening our mouths; by speaking in faith, and trusting God to capture that other person's attention, and more importantly, their heart.