January 3, 2023 -- Acts 2:1-12 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Overcoming Babel

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 2:1-12 ESV

It both fascinates and horrifies me that the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit should be such a point of division among various denominations. Look at the wide variety of people who were brought together by the power of the Holy Spirit—people from at least fifteen nations and territories and regions heard the 120 followers of Jesus Christ speaking in a variety of languages. Look at verse 11. See that it is both Jews and proselytes, that is people who are not Jewish as well as Jewish people who have been drawn to the worship of the One True God. All these are united by the Spirit to hear the mighty works of God. It is the overturning of Babel, Genesis 11, when the LORD of Glory confused the language of men so that their united rebellion against Him would be restrained. Now the LORD of Glory is uniting people by His Spirit in the work of Jesus Christ.

The people are perplexed and ask what this means (verse 12). It means the work of Jesus is being fulfilled. The focus is not on the Holy Spirit Himself. The Spirit makes Jesus known and through the grace of Jesus believers know the Father's love. When people in the New Testament are empowered by the Spirit, they do not boast about how many people they’ve healed, nor how many lame walk because of their ministry; they boast of their weaknesses and the in mighty power of Jesus Christ. Their focus on Jesus Christ brings in lost sinners. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the people of God are reconciled to the Father by the blood of Jesus Christ. This cause for tremendous rejoicing.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name! Your plans and purposes are worked out in all of history so that Your glory is being made known, Your people reconciled to Yourself in Jesus Christ, and this by the power of Your Spirit. Thank You, heavenly Father, that Your Spirit continues to conquer the Babel of our hearts and of this world so that believers are joined together under the headship of Jesus Christ. Father in heaven, give to Jesus the reward of His atoning work, so that He is honoured and worshiped through-out the nations of this earth and Your will, our Father, is ever-more-completely the delight of all who know You. Amen.

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