Why did they speak in tongues on the day of Pentecost? (Part 2

The day of Pentecost was one of three holy days that all male Jews were to present themselves before the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem. (Deut.16:16) This is why there were Jews from every nation under heaven present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:5)

When the Lord poured out of His Spirit on the hundred and twenty Jews gathered in the upper room, they all began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance. (Acts 2:4) Tongues is another word for languages. (Acts 2:11) When they spoke in tongues, it was in a language which they had not learned. (Acts 2:7) God spoke through them as they allowed God to change their words into another language. (Acts 2:8) This was the beginning of tongues as the sign of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:4,10:45-46,19:6)

Because God poured out his Spirit on Pentecost, there were witnesses present for the holy day from every country in the world to hear the hundred and twenty speaking in tongues. The disciples didn’t understand the words they were uttering, but those that were there from around the world did. (Acts 2:6-11)

What did they hear in their native language? They heard them speaking of the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:11) This speaking in tongues was a sign to them that this was an act of God – pouring out His Spirit on these disciples. This signaled the fulfillment of Joel’s last days prophecy. (Acts 2:16-17) God’s promise had begun to be fulfilled. (Acts 1:4,2:33,39)

In what language was the gospel preached on the day of Pentecost?

The Jews that were gathered in Jerusalem that day not only knew their native language from the country they were from; as Jews, they also knew the Hebrew language. As members of the Roman Empire, they probably knew Greek as well, as this seems to have been the universal language at that time.

Peter could have preached to all those gathered in either Greek or Hebrew, and they all would have understood him. Because all those that were gathered were religious Jews, it is most likely he was preaching in the Hebrew language.

The gospel message on the day of Pentecost was preached by Peter, not by the hundred and twenty speaking in tongues. The Bible clearly records the preaching that day, and it was by Peter. (Acts 2:14-40)

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:” – Acts 2:14 KJV

Peter’s conclusion at the end of his gospel message:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” – Acts 2:38-39