44) While Peter yet spake
these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45) And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47) Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
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hen
there is a lack of understanding concerning the requirement of God, it is hard
for all to come to the same truth concerning the acquisition of salvation. The
most common reaction to not knowing or recognizing truth,
is to make up one’s own. But, ignorance is no reason for man to decide what is
necessary for salvation.
For
many years, the Jews believed that no one would enter heaven but them. Indeed,
on the Day of Pentecost, they were the first to receive the Holy Spirit.
However, others of all nations thereafter received and continue to receive the
Holy Spirit, establishing the necessity of an experience, rather than a
nationality for entrance into Heaven. The unifying factor then and now, is that “they magnified God in tongues.” The Scriptures
clearly state what happened on the Day of Pentecost. As the 120 were gathered
together on one accord, there came a sound from heaven having the properties of
wind and “cloven tongues like as of fire” appeared unto those gathered.
The
Greek word translated “tongues” is glossalalia,
meaning languages. “Cloven” is defined as “separate” in the same sense as a
cloven hoof. In this sense, “cloven tongues” can be looked upon as “separate
languages, meaning languages apart from what they already knew. Contained in
this one verse is perhaps the best illustration and most thorough establishment
of what the Lord will do. In these last days, the Lord’s emphasis on tongues is
not to highlight the gift, but the fact that they are the evidence of the Holy
Ghost.
In
our text today, we find it said that the Jews (“those of the circumcision”)
were astonished (that is, “stood in amazement”) at the fact that the Gentiles
were also given the Holy Ghost. Despite their astonishment and prior thinking,
the evidence could not be denied.
The
Day of Pentecost experience established that all who receive the Holy Spirit
will magnify God. This is accomplished through speaking in tongues which
automatically gives all glory to Jesus. Many will not get saved because of
this, that is, because automatically all credit goes to Jesus.
Entirely
too many get hung up on to whom one speaking in tongues is speaking to before
they even come and receive the Spirit. Besides, the issue is not who is being
talked to (God) so much as what is being said. One would never know simply by
hearing the spoken words, for understanding, in this case, is not a matter of
translation, but rather, interpretation.
The
Holy Spirit—the Comforter—is the One who takes care of us; the one who fights
all of our battles. He is the Paraclete—the One who “stands alongside to help.” Although we can walk
away from Him, He will never leave us.
There
is one thing about magnifying God in tongues: one cannot do so and talk about
that which is not spiritual. Why? Because when we speak in tongues or minds are
off ourselves. Is it any wonder, then, that the devil fights tongues so hard?
For
this reason or natural understanding must be bypassed. It is essential that we
be able to give Him the glory He deserves. God does not intend for us to be
concerned with who does not like us, what we don’t have, or anything else. He
has given us something to elevate us above this. Only by recognizing that we
serve a real God who solves real problems will we be able to entice others to
partake of the experience of the Holy Ghost.
We
often deal with praise as an option; but, in fact, it is our responsibility to
God. God expects us magnify Him, for He is nothing if not a jealous God. No
matter how troubling our situations may present themselves, the Lord is still
blessing His saints.
The
only way one gets used to magnifying God is by practicing it. The devil would
have us not praise God, and therefore presents all sorts of things to get us
believe that a situation is much worse than it is. But, we are not to worry.
What he does may be means for evil, but God will turn his deeds around so that
they work for our good. We need never feel sorry for ourselves, either, for the
same tricks were tried on the prophets before us—and on Jesus.
We
must always remember that the only way people are won to the Lord is through
the trials of those who already belong to Him. Our trials, triumph, and praise
are absolutely necessary to our survival as saints of God.
We
often feel that we have a reason and a right to be unhappy when we are “going
through.” At these times, we even feel that others should be unhappy along with
us. But, instead of sympathy and pity, we need to hear of the goodness of the
God we serve. This way, we do not stay where we are, but rather, are elevated
above these earthly circumstances. Nothing the Lord allows is for us to wallow
in pity, but rather, that we might think of his goodness. Besides, if we
continually feel sorry for ourselves, we will eventually blame God.
In
the scriptural account of Lazarus, we know that after having been dead three
days, his body underwent severe decomposition. Despite all this entails, when
Jesus simply spoke the words “Lazarus, come forth,” that entire process was
immediately reversed.
The
message to a dying World and faltering Church is that the destroyed life,
no matter how broken, will immediately reverse itself when the Spirit of God
is applied to it. And to think, the whole process can begin with “magnify(ing) God in tongues.”