Pentecost Sunday May 28, 2023
Acts 2:1-21
Tongue-tied!
v.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Dear friends in Christ, "Boquer tov! (Hebrew) Bon matin! (French) Gooten morgen! (German) Buongiorno! (Italian) Buenos dias! (Spanish) God morgon! (Swedish) Asubuhi njema! (Swahili) Dobro jutro! (Croatian) Kalemera! (Greek) Bon dia! (Papiamentu—Curacao)" What did I just say? Good morning! Now, unless you knew one of those languages you would have been lost. What was I doing? Speaking in tongues.
This morning dear friends, we are going to be talking about speaking in tongues, not a subject that Lutherans normally speak about, but one which is very important for us as so many Christians take such a keen interest in this gift of the Spirit. And make no mistake—speaking in tongues is indeed a gift granted by the Holy Spirit. As to what this gift means for those who speak as well as for those who hear, we would do well to begin by asking ourselves the very question that the visiting Jews to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost asked themselves upon hearing the apostles speaking to them in their own native tongues in v.12 of our text, “And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’”
You see, Luther was not the first one to come up with that great question, but merely took his cue from the Scriptures as he developed his Small Catechism for teaching the faith. You must admit that it would have been a pretty amazing—dare we use the term?—miraculous—event to behold. Simple Jewish men from Galilee (they could tell because of their thick Galilean accents) suddenly speaking in a variety of foreign languages that these men by all rights should have no idea how to speak. And they weren’t just babbling gibberish—or speaking haltingly as one who is newly learned in a language—speaking of only simple things or using simple phrases—no, they were proclaiming “the mighty works of God.”
Sadly, the gift of speaking in tongues, as with God’s other gifts, eventually came to be abused. Paul writes extensively of this issue in his first letter to the Corinthians—especially chapter 14. You see, some among the Corinthians began to focus so much on the gift of speaking in tongues that they lorded it over others who did not—some even spoke in tongues merely for their own selfish benefit. Turning this good gift of the Holy Spirit, which proclaimed God’s favour on the Day of Pentecost in a miraculous way, into something that caused divisions in the body of Christ, rather than bringing unity. For what use is it to your neighbour if you speak in tongues, but no one can understand you? Paul says in those instances it is better for you to remain silent.
However, this undo focus upon tongues continues to this day in the church. There are three main viewpoints. The first, which is most common among many evangelical Christians today (though it is in no way limited to them), is the charismatic view, which is often associated with the rise of Pentecostalism in the early 20th century, but has its roots in the teachings of the French Prophets of the 1700s, the Shakers, even the Mormons in the 1800s. The charismatics take the view that the Holy Spirit fills people and so causes them to speak in human or angelic languages for purposes of prayer or prophecy. Some even go so far as to say it is a necessary sign of being Spirit-filled (ie—if you don’t speak in tongues you do not have the Spirit and are therefore not a real Christian).
Secondly, there is the Religious Psychology View which sought to compare the speaking in tongues of Christians with the utterances of the Greek prophetesses at the oracle of Delphi. This opinion emerged around the same time as the Charismatic view and bolstered it, giving it legitimacy as it stated that all radical religions have in common the ecstatic speaking in tongues, which is a psychological state. However, this served to blunt the theological evaluation of this activity.
Finally, we have the Cultural-Historical View that was taught by the Church Fathers and reformers. They held that the gift of speaking in tongues was a special miracle that demonstrated God’s acceptance of new believers as is seen in Acts 10 and 11, and as a special ability to learn and use languages for the good of the Church. It holds that tongues are genuine human languages, as we see in our text for this morning, and further points us to the use and translation of various languages in the early Christian communities which were culturally diverse.
Because early Christian communities were comprised of all sorts of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, it was important that the proclamation of the Word of God be carried out in more than one language or tongue, in order that all the congregation may be edified and strengthened by the hearing of Christ’s Word of the Gospel. So, speaking in tongues is not some fancy thing that we do to make ourselves feel good or important, but to build up our neighbour in the faith as we hear of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners.
So there is a great evangelistic purpose behind this gift of the Holy Spirit. For what happened at Pentecost? The Holy Spirit came and equipped the apostles with the tools and gifts they would need to proclaim Jesus Christ to the nations. And He did it in such a miraculous way that people would take notice and believe the Word that was spoken by these men. Indeed, what happened after Peter’s first sermon? 3000 people—from all over the Roman Empire—were baptized into the faith and given forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Dear friends, this is still going on today—in our own midst. No, we don’t speak in tongues, very often, but that is because the need is not there as we in this country tend to speak a common language. However, even in our own small fellowship there are those who can and do speak other tongues—at times this gift may be used to edify and strengthen the faith of others—or to evangelize one who is not yet a believer.
Furthermore, let us with renewed vigour—strengthened by the Holy Spirit as we hear of Christ crucified for us sinners—be bold in our own proclamation of Jesus to the world. We can do this in a variety of ways—at work or at home in our various vocations. We can help with this year’s VBS program to reach children and families who have not heard of Jesus. We can invite a friend or a neighbour to church—ask them to join us in reading the Bible. There are many and various ways and opportunities for us to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with others.
Fear not! Though that may seem a daunting task—the Holy Spirit equips you well. How? By witnessing to Jesus. For before you can Jesus proclaim to others you must first have Him proclaimed to you. An important reason to come to church. For it is here in the Divine Service that God comes to you and gives you Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Here you see, hear, and by the Spirit’s power, come to believe, all that Jesus has done for you.
Jesus did not come to earth to live, die, and rise again, only for a select group of people, but for all people. This was emphasized once again on Pentecost as the new believers were not all Jews, but some were proselytes—converts to Judaism from pagan religions. They were not all from Jerusalem—nor even Judea—but came from all over the known world at the time—to confirm that God is the God of salvation for all people—you and me included.
Jesus’ life, His sacrificial death on the cross wherein He took your sins and nailed them to the tree and buried them in His death—His glorious resurrection wherein He has been raised in victory and triumph over all your enemies of sin, death, and hell—all are yours—as gift—by the Holy Spirit—who, working through Word and Sacrament in this divine service—confers all of Christ’s own righteousness, blessedness, and gifts—to you. That you may be filled with peace and joy at the reception of the Holy Spirit who continually bears witness to you and through you—about Jesus Christ.
He speaks in plain simple language that you can understand—so that you may trust and believe. “Take eat...my body...my blood...given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.” “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.” “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” These are the mighty works of God. The work of salvation accomplished by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that are now given to you and to all people through simple, ordinary means, like Word, water, bread and wine. All to communicate to the individual the indescribable love and mercy of God given for you in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit takes these gifts and then speaks them into your hearts. He bestows upon you Jesus’ own blood and righteousness—so that you may be borne up and strengthened in your faith—so that you might proclaim the goodness of Christ to others. Yes, He continues to use sinful, human beings for His sacred task of evangelizing the world. He continues to use people like you...and me.
We don’t deserve such a task to be given to us. We are unworthy to speak of Christ on our own, but the Holy Spirit washes and cleanses us in the bloody death of Christ to renew and restore us so that we may be made bold to share the love of God in Christ with those whom He brings to us. May we, strengthened by His service, be bold to speak of His glory and goodness to all people, regardless of ethnic background, tongue, or anything else. May we see people as God sees them—sinners for whom Christ has died—and who need to hear of Jesus. Filled by the Spirit that we have received in our Baptism—may we help people to hear and see Jesus and what He has done for them and for us. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Acts 2:1-21
Tongue-tied!
v.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Dear friends in Christ, "Boquer tov! (Hebrew) Bon matin! (French) Gooten morgen! (German) Buongiorno! (Italian) Buenos dias! (Spanish) God morgon! (Swedish) Asubuhi njema! (Swahili) Dobro jutro! (Croatian) Kalemera! (Greek) Bon dia! (Papiamentu—Curacao)" What did I just say? Good morning! Now, unless you knew one of those languages you would have been lost. What was I doing? Speaking in tongues.
This morning dear friends, we are going to be talking about speaking in tongues, not a subject that Lutherans normally speak about, but one which is very important for us as so many Christians take such a keen interest in this gift of the Spirit. And make no mistake—speaking in tongues is indeed a gift granted by the Holy Spirit. As to what this gift means for those who speak as well as for those who hear, we would do well to begin by asking ourselves the very question that the visiting Jews to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost asked themselves upon hearing the apostles speaking to them in their own native tongues in v.12 of our text, “And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’”
You see, Luther was not the first one to come up with that great question, but merely took his cue from the Scriptures as he developed his Small Catechism for teaching the faith. You must admit that it would have been a pretty amazing—dare we use the term?—miraculous—event to behold. Simple Jewish men from Galilee (they could tell because of their thick Galilean accents) suddenly speaking in a variety of foreign languages that these men by all rights should have no idea how to speak. And they weren’t just babbling gibberish—or speaking haltingly as one who is newly learned in a language—speaking of only simple things or using simple phrases—no, they were proclaiming “the mighty works of God.”
Sadly, the gift of speaking in tongues, as with God’s other gifts, eventually came to be abused. Paul writes extensively of this issue in his first letter to the Corinthians—especially chapter 14. You see, some among the Corinthians began to focus so much on the gift of speaking in tongues that they lorded it over others who did not—some even spoke in tongues merely for their own selfish benefit. Turning this good gift of the Holy Spirit, which proclaimed God’s favour on the Day of Pentecost in a miraculous way, into something that caused divisions in the body of Christ, rather than bringing unity. For what use is it to your neighbour if you speak in tongues, but no one can understand you? Paul says in those instances it is better for you to remain silent.
However, this undo focus upon tongues continues to this day in the church. There are three main viewpoints. The first, which is most common among many evangelical Christians today (though it is in no way limited to them), is the charismatic view, which is often associated with the rise of Pentecostalism in the early 20th century, but has its roots in the teachings of the French Prophets of the 1700s, the Shakers, even the Mormons in the 1800s. The charismatics take the view that the Holy Spirit fills people and so causes them to speak in human or angelic languages for purposes of prayer or prophecy. Some even go so far as to say it is a necessary sign of being Spirit-filled (ie—if you don’t speak in tongues you do not have the Spirit and are therefore not a real Christian).
Secondly, there is the Religious Psychology View which sought to compare the speaking in tongues of Christians with the utterances of the Greek prophetesses at the oracle of Delphi. This opinion emerged around the same time as the Charismatic view and bolstered it, giving it legitimacy as it stated that all radical religions have in common the ecstatic speaking in tongues, which is a psychological state. However, this served to blunt the theological evaluation of this activity.
Finally, we have the Cultural-Historical View that was taught by the Church Fathers and reformers. They held that the gift of speaking in tongues was a special miracle that demonstrated God’s acceptance of new believers as is seen in Acts 10 and 11, and as a special ability to learn and use languages for the good of the Church. It holds that tongues are genuine human languages, as we see in our text for this morning, and further points us to the use and translation of various languages in the early Christian communities which were culturally diverse.
Because early Christian communities were comprised of all sorts of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, it was important that the proclamation of the Word of God be carried out in more than one language or tongue, in order that all the congregation may be edified and strengthened by the hearing of Christ’s Word of the Gospel. So, speaking in tongues is not some fancy thing that we do to make ourselves feel good or important, but to build up our neighbour in the faith as we hear of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners.
So there is a great evangelistic purpose behind this gift of the Holy Spirit. For what happened at Pentecost? The Holy Spirit came and equipped the apostles with the tools and gifts they would need to proclaim Jesus Christ to the nations. And He did it in such a miraculous way that people would take notice and believe the Word that was spoken by these men. Indeed, what happened after Peter’s first sermon? 3000 people—from all over the Roman Empire—were baptized into the faith and given forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Dear friends, this is still going on today—in our own midst. No, we don’t speak in tongues, very often, but that is because the need is not there as we in this country tend to speak a common language. However, even in our own small fellowship there are those who can and do speak other tongues—at times this gift may be used to edify and strengthen the faith of others—or to evangelize one who is not yet a believer.
Furthermore, let us with renewed vigour—strengthened by the Holy Spirit as we hear of Christ crucified for us sinners—be bold in our own proclamation of Jesus to the world. We can do this in a variety of ways—at work or at home in our various vocations. We can help with this year’s VBS program to reach children and families who have not heard of Jesus. We can invite a friend or a neighbour to church—ask them to join us in reading the Bible. There are many and various ways and opportunities for us to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with others.
Fear not! Though that may seem a daunting task—the Holy Spirit equips you well. How? By witnessing to Jesus. For before you can Jesus proclaim to others you must first have Him proclaimed to you. An important reason to come to church. For it is here in the Divine Service that God comes to you and gives you Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Here you see, hear, and by the Spirit’s power, come to believe, all that Jesus has done for you.
Jesus did not come to earth to live, die, and rise again, only for a select group of people, but for all people. This was emphasized once again on Pentecost as the new believers were not all Jews, but some were proselytes—converts to Judaism from pagan religions. They were not all from Jerusalem—nor even Judea—but came from all over the known world at the time—to confirm that God is the God of salvation for all people—you and me included.
Jesus’ life, His sacrificial death on the cross wherein He took your sins and nailed them to the tree and buried them in His death—His glorious resurrection wherein He has been raised in victory and triumph over all your enemies of sin, death, and hell—all are yours—as gift—by the Holy Spirit—who, working through Word and Sacrament in this divine service—confers all of Christ’s own righteousness, blessedness, and gifts—to you. That you may be filled with peace and joy at the reception of the Holy Spirit who continually bears witness to you and through you—about Jesus Christ.
He speaks in plain simple language that you can understand—so that you may trust and believe. “Take eat...my body...my blood...given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.” “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.” “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” These are the mighty works of God. The work of salvation accomplished by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that are now given to you and to all people through simple, ordinary means, like Word, water, bread and wine. All to communicate to the individual the indescribable love and mercy of God given for you in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit takes these gifts and then speaks them into your hearts. He bestows upon you Jesus’ own blood and righteousness—so that you may be borne up and strengthened in your faith—so that you might proclaim the goodness of Christ to others. Yes, He continues to use sinful, human beings for His sacred task of evangelizing the world. He continues to use people like you...and me.
We don’t deserve such a task to be given to us. We are unworthy to speak of Christ on our own, but the Holy Spirit washes and cleanses us in the bloody death of Christ to renew and restore us so that we may be made bold to share the love of God in Christ with those whom He brings to us. May we, strengthened by His service, be bold to speak of His glory and goodness to all people, regardless of ethnic background, tongue, or anything else. May we see people as God sees them—sinners for whom Christ has died—and who need to hear of Jesus. Filled by the Spirit that we have received in our Baptism—may we help people to hear and see Jesus and what He has done for them and for us. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.