Acts 2:5-13 - Speaking the Wonders of God

Gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came to birth the church, was a great crowd of devout Jews and some proselytes. In this passage we see that these people came from 13 different locations. They were there to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.

The great sound of the rushing wind  attracted the people. As they gathered to see what was happening, the Apostolic band in the upper-room must have also come out into the open. And they were all speaking in other tongues, telling the mighty deeds of God.

What was amazing was the fact that each one could hear the message in their own language. Just imagine 13 nationalities, all hearing the wonders of God in their own native languages.

They marveled, for those who were speaking the mighty deeds of God were untrained, unschooled folks from the villages of Galilee. Yet they were speaking the languages of foreign cities so fluently. So they were all filled with awe and wonderment.

Verse 11 specifically tells us that they were speaking about the mighty deeds of God. Over and over in the various languages they kept speaking of the wonders of God with great Joy and enthusiasm.

However, there was a group who mockingly felt that they must have  had a drink too many. Jestingly the jeerers exclaimed that, "They are full of sweet wine." To them what they heard were  merely drunken speeches.

They must have thought since it was the Pentecost celebration, to be filled with sweet wine was understandable. The only problem was that they said it with disdain.

These disciples were indeed filled with the "New Wine." Any discerning listener would remember what Jesus Himself said, about putting new wine into fresh wine skin." (Matthew 9:17).

Come to think of it, their speaking of the wonders of God was an unusual miracle for at least three reasons:

Firstly, what was spoken by 120 people at the same time and was being heard distinctly by thousands of people, also all at the same time. The amazing thing was that they all heard it in their own native language.

Secondly, as they were speaking about the wonders of God, they spoke with such joy and enthusiasm so much so that some scoffed at them, jesting that they were drunk.

Thirdly, despite their supposed drunken speech, yet what were spoken were so connected as to make sense to the hearers.

Bear in mind that there will always be people who will accept our account of what God had done, when we share our personal testimonies. But don't be surprised that there will also be skeptics who may jeer or show disdain at what we have said. Don't be derailed by them.

One final lesson from this account: One's joy in worship and intimacy with God is a reflection of His reality in one's life.  The degree of our intimacy with God can be detected in the joyful worship we bring to Him. Our worship is a witness. Do it well!