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

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. (Deuteronomy 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 2:6, 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, Acts 10:45-46, Acts 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 2:5-11).

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 2:16-18). God’s promise had begun to be fulfilled. (Acts 1:4, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:39).

To be continued…