Acts 2:5-7
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?
One part of the miracle of Pentecost was that everyone was able to hear the Gospel in their own language. Another part is that the ethnic identity of the speakers didn’t match the familiar language! They were shocked because the ones who were speaking were all Galileans!
One of the experiences that I had while visiting in Russia was being helped by fellow Christians who served as translators for me. Most spoke very good English. They had the expected Russian accent. But, one fellow surprised me. He spoke very good English too, but with a British accent! He explained that he was taught english by a British teacher, so he picked up the British english accent. He understood that this was a little confusing. He assured me that he wasn’t British. He was fully Russian!
The accent of a person who is speaking carries with it a feeling of comfort and connection. The disciples who were given the ability to speak in other tongues were a surprise to those who heard for this reason. They were obviously Galileans by dress and ethnicity, but they spoke clearly and convincingly in other languages. I don’t know if their accent was in keeping with the hearers, but it seems that it could have been that good.
God the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak the Gospel to the people who were from every nation under heaven. This miracle set the stage for the spread of the Gospel that continues to this day.
For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus offered Himself on the cross for the life of the world. God the Holy Spirit still carries this message to all nations of the earth, in increasing numbers of languages and cultures. This first week of Pentecost we still marvel at this gift and give thanks for the voices who speak the Gospel to us from all nations of the earth.
Let us pray,
I praise you Lord Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit who proclaims your Gospel throughout the World through your church. Please grant receptive minds and hearts to those who listen, so that they may repent, believe in Jesus, and be saved. In your name I pray. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.