2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. [SUP]3 [/SUP]And
tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [SUP]4 [/SUP]
Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.
Notice they are filled with Holy Spirit and now speaking in different languages (other tongues) as the Spirit gave them speech.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. [SUP]6 [/SUP]When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [SUP]
Notice that the crowd came AFTER they were speaking the mighty works of God. It was THIS sound that caused them to come. And then they were confused because EACH ONE (not just a few) heard them speaking in his own language. This is the interpretation of tongues. This is not people speaking in different languages, the miracle was on EACH person being able to hear and discern for themselves what these men were already speaking.
7 [/SUP]And they were astounded and amazed, saying,[SUP][
a][/SUP] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? [SUP]8 [/SUP]
How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language? [SUP]
Notice once again the stress is on EACH of us. This is part of the miracle.
9 [/SUP]Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [SUP]10 [/SUP]Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, [SUP]11 [/SUP]Cretans and Arabs—
we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages.” [SUP]
Notice once again the focus is on them ABLE to hear, these men speaking the magnificent acts of God in their languages. The men who are praising God are not speaking TO he people, they are speaking TO God.
And because I like to confirm Scripture with Scripture here's the same pattern:
[/SUP][SUP]44 [/SUP]While Peter was still speaking these words, the
Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. [SUP]45 [/SUP]The circumcised believers[SUP][
a][/SUP] who had come with Peter were astounded because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [SUP]46 [/SUP]
For they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of[SUP][b][/SUP] God.
[SUP]
Notice even in this passage of Scripture, when Holy Spirit came upon them they are speaking and praising God, and those around them HEARD them speaking in other languages. Tongues was not given so they could be preached at in their own language. Tongues was the result of being filled with the Spirit and the Spirit of God is speaking through them about His greatness!
And here's another passage of Scripture to confirm that the Spirit does in fact speak to God...
Galatians 4:6 Because you are his sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
Notice even in THIS passage the Spirit is calling out to the Father... Also notice that this Scripture focuses on God sending the Spirit of His Son to us...
Now let me show you how this fits with 1 Co 14 (and we won't ignore it)...
[SUP]1 Co 14:2 [/SUP]For
one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God;
for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [SUP]3 [/SUP]
On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
Notice in this Scripture Paul shows us that tongues is speaking to God and prophesy is speaking to people... That's why we know that Acts 2 wasn't about speaking to people, it was about speaking to God, and in Acts 2 the LISTENERS were able to hear what was being spoken in their own language, this is interpretation of tongues...
Now back to Acts 2...
Acts 2:12 [/SUP]They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” [SUP]13 [/SUP]But some sneered and said, “
They’re full of new wine!” << and they were, but not from a carnal view.
Acts 2:15For these people are not drunk,
as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[SUP]
b[/SUP]
16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
Notice that Joel, the Scripture being referenced by Peter does not say I will pour out my Spirit and they shall speak in tongues, no it says prophesy... why does it say prophesy???
Because prophesy not tongues is for the people, the prophesy being released here is the gift of God to understand what God is saying....
Which brings us back to 1 Co 14 again to finally understand this thing in all its context...
1 Co 14:
21In the Law it is written, “By people of
strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
22Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign[SUP]c[/SUP] not for unbelievers but for believers...
Notice Paul is saying that tongues is for unbelievers... why? Because they don't understand Him, so it's NOT prophesy.
Prophesy is for believers, because they do understand Him! Tongues is for speaking to God!
That's why the NEXT verse Paul says this:
23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and
all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter,
will they not say that you are out of your minds?
If tongues was for people to understand God much of this Scripture wouldn't make sense, which is why I'm sure a lot of people ignore it, but since tongues is for speaking to God it makes perfect sense. The unbelievers will think everyone is OUT OF THEIR MINDS because they don't understand them. Obviously not everyone is given the gift of interpretation like in Acts 2. That was special for the Jews that came to celebrate God on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) as I outlined extensively in another post.
But PROPHESY:
24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters,
he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
25the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face,
he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Which is exactly what we see happening in Acts 2.
Acts 2:
37Now when they heard this they were
cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Cut to the heart, secrets of their heart being revealed this is all an effect of prophesy not tongues.
The focus of Acts 2 is on tongues, but turning into prophesy because the men were able to HEAR what was being spoken to them. However, this is not the norm, which is why Paul wrote 1 Co 12, 13, building up the importance of LOVE so he could come to this line here...
1 Co 14:
1Pursue love, and
earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,
especially that you may prophesy.
And just in case he wasn't clear he repeats himself:
1 Co 14:
5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.
I don't expect anyone who doesn't have an open mind to understand this, but those who do I trust Holy Spirit will take it from here.
C.
