June 1

We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. - Acts 2:11.

THE truth of the miracle here recorded is also fully substantiated. Infidels are never satisfied, or we should think here is enough to satisfy them, for who are these men? These men were well known. “These men are all Galileans.” If they had been strangers, it might have been said, “O, they knew these languages and they only pretended that they had become suddenly acquainted with them.” But the men, their characters, and their pursuits were well known; it was well known they were poor fishermen of Galilee.

Then observe their judges, if they had spoken in one language only the others might not have detected it; but everyman, whether Crete or Arabian, heard them speak in the dialect of his country. Observe the place, also, in which they spake. They did not go to a distance to tell their tale: they began when the Jews were around them, who were their bitter enemies. Observe the season: what large multitudes were present on the occasion. And mark their boldness: they charged the Jews with having “killed the Prince of life,” and denounced upon them the heaviest judgments of God. And what did Peter, who had denied his Lord and Master through fear- does he dare thus to accuse and to denounce them; and could he have done this unless God had fulfilled his promise-“ It is not ye that speak but the SPIRIT of your FATHER which speaketh in you?” And then mark the result; the hearers were pricked in the heart, and many gladly received the word and were baptized, and the same day there were added to the church about three thousand souls.

Thirdly, This miracle was predicted. When our Lord was going to leave his disciples, he said, “These signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall speak with new tongues.”

Fourthly, This miracle was necessary. Miracles were never performed merely to excite wonder- all were to answer some useful purpose; and so it was in this case. If these disciples had gone first to learn these languages, what an expense there would have been in time and labour. And even if they had gone out with interpreters, how could they be sure that those interpreters would be faithful and trustworthy. But difficulties are nothing in the way of Omnipotence; he can remove all, and effect his purposes.

Fifthly, Miracles were continued for years-to the end of the times of the Apostles. Sixthly, The gift was extensively distributed. Many had it who perished. It had no connection with the salvation of the soul.

Finally, The absence of this miracle in the church, in the work of evangelizing the world, must now be supplied by human learning. And we ought to be very thankful to God that his word has been translated into so many tongues. But the time is coming when all the inhabitants of the earth shall read “in their own tongues the wonderful works of God.”