R³ Devotional - Day 320
R³ Devotional - Day 320 - Acts 2:5-13
By: Anderson Baptist Church
Tongues: Earthly Languages for Universal Witness
When the disciples began to speak, the crowd was astonished because they heard the message in their own native languages and dialects.
Understanding "Tongues" in Acts 2
The "tongues" in Acts 2 were real, known, earthly languages, not gibberish. The text is explicitly clear on this:
The crowd consisted of devout Jews from "every nation under heaven" (v. 5).
They were "bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language [Greek: dialektos, dialect]" (v. 6).
They asked, "how is it that we hear, each of us, in his own native language [Greek: dialektos]?" (v. 8).
The purpose was evangelistic—they heard the apostles "telling in our own tongues [Greek: glossa, language] the mighty works of God" (v. 11).
This was a miracle of hearing, where the diverse crowd understood the message in their own heart language, bridging the cultural and linguistic barriers set at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).
Real-Life Principle: God Communicates Personally
The miracle of Pentecost demonstrated God's desire to communicate the Gospel personally and clearly to every person in a way they can understand, removing all barriers. The message of the Gospel is for the whole world.
Relevant Applications:
Communicate Clearly: Don't assume others understand Christian jargon or terminology. When sharing your faith or leading, strive to speak in a way that is clear, relevant, and understandable to your specific audience.
Embrace Diversity: The power of the Spirit works to unite people from every culture and language. Actively seek to understand and value people who are different from you, recognizing they are part of God's global plan.
Ready Action Steps:
Translate Your Faith: Identify a friend or colleague who is unfamiliar with the Christian faith. Practice explaining one key belief (like the resurrection or forgiveness) to them using simple, everyday language, avoiding technical church words.
Pray Globally: Commit to praying for one specific unreached language group or nation this week, asking God to help the Gospel be preached in their native tongue.
When the disciples began to speak, the crowd was astonished because they heard the message in their own native languages and dialects.
Understanding "Tongues" in Acts 2
The "tongues" in Acts 2 were real, known, earthly languages, not gibberish. The text is explicitly clear on this:
The crowd consisted of devout Jews from "every nation under heaven" (v. 5).
They were "bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language [Greek: dialektos, dialect]" (v. 6).
They asked, "how is it that we hear, each of us, in his own native language [Greek: dialektos]?" (v. 8).
The purpose was evangelistic—they heard the apostles "telling in our own tongues [Greek: glossa, language] the mighty works of God" (v. 11).
This was a miracle of hearing, where the diverse crowd understood the message in their own heart language, bridging the cultural and linguistic barriers set at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).
Real-Life Principle: God Communicates Personally
The miracle of Pentecost demonstrated God's desire to communicate the Gospel personally and clearly to every person in a way they can understand, removing all barriers. The message of the Gospel is for the whole world.
Relevant Applications:
Communicate Clearly: Don't assume others understand Christian jargon or terminology. When sharing your faith or leading, strive to speak in a way that is clear, relevant, and understandable to your specific audience.
Embrace Diversity: The power of the Spirit works to unite people from every culture and language. Actively seek to understand and value people who are different from you, recognizing they are part of God's global plan.
Ready Action Steps:
Translate Your Faith: Identify a friend or colleague who is unfamiliar with the Christian faith. Practice explaining one key belief (like the resurrection or forgiveness) to them using simple, everyday language, avoiding technical church words.
Pray Globally: Commit to praying for one specific unreached language group or nation this week, asking God to help the Gospel be preached in their native tongue.
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