seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Here's where I generally get caught up in the "meaning" of speaking in tongues. I'm reminded of the time I went to see Joyce Meyers with my mom and when Joyce Meyers started speaking in tongues my mom watched me intently to get my reaction. Well, I had no reaction, because what she was saying didn't register with me. Ms. Meyers told us she was going to be speaking in tongue.... and then she did some kind of gibberish thing. Ok then. I don't doubt the women was speaking to someone.... maybe my mom understood her and that's why she was looking at me. Anyway.... I couldn't interpret the gibberish.
Let's set the time. Pentecost [celebration of when the law was given to the Jews back in Genesis. It was 50 days after Passover. Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover. He was in the Tomb for Passover.... or should I say... He was leaving the tomb on Passover. Then He hung around for a fish dinner, and reportedly He had conversations with some.... and then He ascended. So, this is 10 days after He ascended. It's 50 days after Passover. So, I think that straightened out the timeline a little.
They saw little tongues of flame.... the flame tongues settled over each of the "them". It doesn't say the flames only popped over the chosen Apostles... it settled over each of "them". Is them men and women, apostle and disciple? Did all the men hear the voices or did everyone within ear shot hear the voices? Apparently, according to Joyce Meyers, everyone was speaking in tongues.... even Joyce Meyers. Ok then.
And then there were the comments. A fierce wind brought those tongues of fire. A tornado in a house is a loud noise. So is a drunken party! The people who understood the language right away.... they were those of Jewish Tradition, of course... but there were also some who had "chosen" the Jewish Faith [Verse 11] and they all understood what was being said in their specific native tongue.
It just dawned on me... the last time God messed with language... It was at the Tower of Babel. He confused everyone's language... and now, for the Believers... He was uniting the language.
The house where all this was going on.... well people started to gather around... if someone in that house was talking to them in their native language, in Jerusalem.... where they were celebrating Pentecost [the laying of the law] .... they were naturally drawn. I guess the people in the street didn't see the little tongues of fire... or they would have tried to douse the house. Instead, they just stood and listened....
They just stood there, amazed, until someone asked, "What's all the hubbub".... and the unbelievers in the crowd said.... "Just a drunken party".
