Peter Speaks With A New Tongue

Peter, taking the lead, as prompted and propelled by the Holy Ghost, addresses the multitude that had come together and were confounded, because every man had heard the disciples of Jesus, speaking in his own language. This move of Peter has been occasioned by the responses of many of those witnesses to the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, in human vessels. They were all evidencing their own ignorance and inexperience of the things of God.

I feel urged to remind us of who the people in this crowd of witnesses were.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. Acts 2: 5. There were devout Jews from all over the world who were present. Does this not cause us to perk our ears up a bit more? What are we hearing with these pricked up ears? One thing for sure is this. Those people who were witnessing Jehovah’s Gift, outpoured on His disciples, were not pagans. They were worshippers and devout ones at that, of the One Triune God. They and their forefathers knew Sovereign God as Lord, the One True God. 

Believers in God the Father, had heard and seen the manifestation of God the Holy Spirit in the disciples of God the Son, and they were totally void of truth about the Holy Spirit. Note some responses of the ignorant.

I am using quotations from both the NKJV and the KJV.

Confusion – These holy witnesses displayed ignorance in their confusion. The plain and simple fact of any matter is that we are only confused, when we are ignorant about something. If these people had known about the Holy Spirit’s power and God’s Promise, they would not have been confused by what they saw. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused. Acts 2: 6a

Confoundedness – These devout witnesses were confused and confounded. Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? Acts 2: 7. In their ignorance, they are stereotyping people. I can assure you that had these men been from Athens or Berea for example, such stereotyping would not have occurred. 

Perplexity – Later in the chapter, as the Holy Spirit continued to enable Jesus’ disciples to speak of God’s wonders in different languages, the amazement of the witnesses increased. They are now perplexed, extremely baffled and filled with uncomfortable uncertainty. Because of their ignorance and inability to help each other, they are becoming more and more perplexed. So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, Whatever could this mean? Acts 2: 12.

Mockery – This response is in no way surprising or untypical. You and I know that often times, when we are ignorant about what is happening and we become intimidated by it, as it’s beyond our control, one tactic is to make jest at it. We find the nastiest, ugliest and most unflattering things to say about it to others. This is no different here, as human nature is human nature, wherever. Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Acts 2: 13.

Ignorant Expectations

Peter’s powerful teaching-sermon, found in Acts 2: 14 – 41, has been divided into three sections, to help us as we navigate through what he is saying to those lost sheep, and to help many of us as well.  We are looking at and listening to Peter, as he addresses:-

The People of Judea - Acts 2: 14 - 21

The People of Israel – Acts 2: 22 - 28

The Men and Brethren - Acts 2: 29 - 36

May we listen and hear as we have never listened and heard before. May Pentecostal listening feed us and fill us that we too may be fully intoxicated by God’s Gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ Spirit Baptism. Amen!

Peter first addresses the People of Judea.

Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel. Acts 2: 14 -16.

Then he goes on to explain all about the prophecy and how God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, manifesting Himself in prophecies, visions and dreams in His people. The promise is for men and women, young and old, and even on servants, male and female.  God also promised to show wonders in heaven above and signs here on the earth. All this will be fulfilled before the great and awesome day of the LORD.

Peter then closes this first section with words of God’s saving grace. And it shall come to pass that whosoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Acts 2: 21.

We are all invited to come and follow Peter’s continued speech, in his new tongue.