In Acts 2:1-4 we read that a violent noise from heaven accompanied the sudden arrival of the Holy Spirit to the apostles who were gathered in one place in Jerusalem on the Jewish feast of Pentecost. Verse 5 tells us that in lieu of the feast, there were many devout Jews in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven. Then verses 6-11 tell of how this multitude was drawn to the location of the violent sound, and expressed amazement at the apostles’ sudden ability to speak the home languages of the various people groups who had gathered around them – at least fifteen of them listed. The phrase that stands out to me is the second half of verse 11: we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.
This was an event that would change the world forever. God began a new dispensation by bringing many people groups together by a supernatural act, including giving the apostles the ability to speak many different languages to declare the mighty deeds of God. It was Babel in reverse (from Gen. 11), where God confused their one language so the people could not understand one another; and scattered them abroad into many people groups. Why? Genesis 11:4 says it was because with their one language they were speaking of the mighty deeds of man – making a name for themselves – just the opposite of Acts 2, that God used to bring people from many tongues, tribes, peoples & nations together to form one body of Christ – not in one geographical place – but that the whole world would declare His praise. It was the mystery of the church we spoke of on Sunday in its perfect fulfillment; and a foretaste of the heavenly scene in Revelation 5 when 24 elders representing the church join in bowing before the Lamb who was slain, and they will sing a new song: Worthy are You to take the book, & to break its seals; for You were slain, & purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe & tongue, & people, & nation. Praise to our sovereign, all-powerful Lord!