Another of the landmark events in the Bible where language is clearly discussed and mentioned is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In Acts 2:4, we read, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” One of the signs on Pentecost was the speaking in tongues. This had a dramatic effect on those gathered at Pentecost for we read, “Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” This was a miracle indeed! The people even acknowledged this when they said in vs. 7 and 8, “Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” They realized that there was something remarkable going on, and that something powerful had happened through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible then goes on to list a sample of all the different people present at Pentecost. There were Parthians, Medes, Elamites, those from Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Libya, Egypt, Cyrene, Rome, Crete, Arabia, among others. And we read that they wondered and said, “We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” The Bible then comments on this and says, “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” (vs. 11-12).
Peter answered the doubters, even those who mocked them saying they were drunk, with his beautiful Pentecost sermon wherein he acknowledged the promise of Pentecost and the significance of it as well as confessed the resurrection of Christ before men. Then the true miracle of Pentecost occurred. Many focus on the miracle being the signs displayed. However, the most significant part of the events of Pentecost was how God used those signs. We read that after Peter’s sermon, “They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (vs 41). Wow! Three thousand people were saved through the work of the Holy Spirit, using the words of Peter and the words of the other apostles, speaking in foreign languages, unknown to them, about the gift of Jesus Christ and of salvation. They spoke about the Word and His power. And that Word, through the Holy Spirit bestowed, worked in those men and women to save them powerfully unto Himself. That is a wonder of God, using the gift of languages to enable the apostles to reach and speak to those who had not had the Word yet enter into their hearts.
We can see the way that God used the knowledge and the speaking in foreign languages to draw His people unto Him at Pentecost. When this is paired with the words of Christ unto His disciples in the Great Commission and with His parting words before ascending into heaven, we behold the powerful, binding edict of mission work. This is not just a “if you feel like it” request of Christ. This isn’t a “when you find the time” or even “when we have enough ministers” request. This is a command. A command from the Word, Jesus Christ, to spread His Word, the good news of salvation through Him, unto all the world.
In Matthew 28:19-20, we read Christ’s command to His disciples:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
It is His command to the Church to spread the Gospel to all nations. Christ echoes this same important message as He ascended into heaven, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). These are the very last words Jesus speaks to His disciples before He is caught up in a cloud to join His Father in heaven. We all know the importance of last words. Jesus believed this important enough that He made it His final parting instruction.
Language is not a barrier too great for God’s Word. Pentecost showed that it can be broken down for the spreading of the Gospel. When His people hear His voice, they will come unto Him (John 10:27-28). The key here, though, is that they need to hear the voice of the Shepherd. As all of you know, if you don’t understand a language being spoken, the words could be blessing or cursing but you don’t know. It is meaningless. That is why it is so important to be able to engage with God’s people in their language so they can hear His voice through us, and, in the case of mission work, specifically through God’s provided shepherd, the missionary.
The Canons of Dordt acknowledged the importance of this in the Second Head of Doctrine, which pertains to “the death of Christ, and the redemption of men thereby.” In Article 5, we read:
Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.
The Synod of Dordrecht realized how significant it was that Christ demanded He be preached to all nations regardless of the differences, regardless of the challenges. The reason: if God in His good pleasure desires it, who are we to resist it?
The work of combatting the language barrier is difficult. Practically speaking, it is difficult to train missionaries to be able to know and speak multiple languages fluently, especially if there are many different dialects to consider as well. However, knowing some of the language is helpful. God also gives the gift of translators. Those who know how to operate between languages and communicate in both. These are vital to the role of mission work. Yet regardless of who does the learning, someone needs to know more than just their mother tongue. It is important that we consider this when we’re learning a foreign language. God has deemed it important to use us, weak humans, as important instruments in drawing His diverse flock unto Himself. An important aspect of this work is being able to cross over the language barrier. Let us, even if we know we have no capability nor calling by Christ to work on the active mission front, use our time learning and challenging ourselves with a second language to come to an appreciation, a greater, more knowledgeable understanding, of just how significant this work is as well as what a true joy it is when God’s people are brought out of darkness, across diverse landscapes of differences, into the oneness of the Christ’s holy catholic church.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
After reading, please answer the Google Classroom Question with well-thought responses to 3 of the 4 questions below, being specific to what was read in Chapter 4. Please label your responses to match the question # below (#1, #2, #3, etc.).
When we look at history, we can see how important it is to hear the Word preached in our language. With this in mind, why was Bible translation a big part of some of the Reformer’s work?
In our own communities, are there examples of when the preaching has worked to accommodate multiple languages? Why is this so important?
Put into your own words why the miracle of Pentecost (especially in relation to what happened with the speaking of tongues and its effect) was such a powerful example of God using language for His purposes.
What can you do to help mission work?