Pentecost, Tongues and the Spirit Drawing People to God

“When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” —ACTS 2:6

On the Day of Pentecost, it was the speaking of tongues that initially drew the people’s attention. Scripture tells us Jews from 17 nationalities were gathered in a crowd, bewildered and utterly amazed. God got their attention, but they didn’t know it was God or have a clue what was happening until Peter stood with the other apostles and preached the first sermon ever in the era of the church before its birth. 

Peter begins by explaining that these people were not drunk as many had supposed, but what was taking place is something that had been prophesied centuries before by the prophet Joel. That takes their attention to God and Peter concluded with, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The people believed and were drawn to God. 

This is an important moment to recognize. When God is at work through His people, He draws the attention to Himself. A spiritual gift is the manifestation of God’s working in us revealed to others. The gift of tongues was not a sort of fireworks display to launch the church – “Wow! Amazing! I am impressed!” God’s purpose is that spiritual gifting be a declaration of the wonders He will do to demonstrate to others what He will do for them. 

The first response on the Day of Pentecost is that people were amazed – they didn’t expect this; they were perplexed – they couldn’t explain this, and there were those who criticized – they didn’t like it. These are common responses to the Gospel, but it opened a door for Peter to stand up and give an explanation. Then God did a work in the hearts of the people. Acts 2:37 says, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

The most effective preaching explains what people can relate to; what they can see for themselves and have experienced, because it is what cuts to the heart. We genuinely see ourselves for who we are, and when we hear the preaching of the Gospel, our focus is directed to God. That’s why there were 3,000 converts on the Day of Pentecost, all of them in the same place on the same day. Within a few days, there were 5,000, and the Lord continually added to their number. Why was there such a great influx of believers? Because people’s hearts were drawn to God, and they knew He was doing something.

Dear Lord, I pray for a deeper work of Your Spirit in me so that I may be a means of drawing people’s attention to You. Thank You, Lord.

Am I able to relate my own experiences to the messages given in the church I attend?