June 6, 2019
For full passage click: Acts 2:1-13 …“And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.” vs. 6
We love our own native languages. In fact, many of us would prefer that everyone in our country would be forced to learn English as the official language. There are even some who become angry and suspicious when they hear other languages spoken in their presence. Such feelings have been around for a long time, and it’s not only Americans who have such attitudes. All people love the languages they’ve grown up with—the sounds and idioms are familiar and they’ll do most anything to keep them from dying or falling into disuse. But, the truth is that communication is difficult if we don’t speak the same language. It certainly must have been an obstacle in the early church. It’s interesting that the very first Spirit-filled miracle reported in Acts had to do with the overcoming of that language barrier. We don’t know what happened in that upper room, but in the surge of Holy Spirit power on that Pentecost, there came an ability for the disciples to speak in other languages. It was a divine reminder that what had happened in Jesus was meant for all people no matter what their nationality or background. Early believers didn’t have to forget their native languages, they only had to learn a new language of unconditional love. In the Spirit they learned quickly that they were one with God and with one another!
Thought for the Day: Why are most Christian congregations so homogeneous?
0 Comments