The Interconnectedness of Migration and Expansion of the Church

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:4-6 (NKJV)

A little over a week after Jesus' ascension, about 120 Jesus' followers wait together in Jerusalem. Apparently, without warning, the Holy Spirit fills the house with a sound like a great wind and lands on each believer, giving them the ability to speak different languages. At this time, Jerusalem had many visitors who had traveled from different parts of the world to celebrate Pentecost. They are astounded as they hear the apostles speak in their own languages. How did these Galileans get this ability? Some are curious; others are dismissive (Acts 2:1–13). It was this occurrence that brought them all together and allowed Peter to talk about Christ.

Although Acts chapter 2 is well known for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church, it also highlights the interconnectedness of migration and the expansion of the church.Many of the 120 who receive the Holy Spirit in the upper room have known each other for years, presumably some for their whole lives (Acts 1:12-15). By nightfall, about three thousand will join them. Many of the new believers have no real idea of who Jesus is beyond Peter's quick sermon. The language miracle that happens is a direct contrast to what occurred at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where diversity in language was used as a way of separating people.

Now, in Jerusalem, God sets the linguistic precedence for missions. He does not reverse what he did at Babel by causing the multitude to be fluent in Greek or Aramaic; He also does not tell believers in the early church to share one earthly language or culture. Instead, He makes the believers able to speak in peoples' native languages. He leads Christians to meet unbelievers where they are, culturally and linguistically. Language is no longer a barrier but a bridge that can connect people to the truth of Jesus.

According to Wycliffe Global Alliance, the full Bible has been translated into 736 languages. The New Testament has been translated into 1,658 languages and parts of the Bible have been translated into 1,264 additional languages, connecting cultures together. Pentecost did not only serve as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit or the beginning of the early church, but it paved a way for the gospel to spread around the world through migration and language.

Challenge

Are you able to share the gospel with people around you in a language they can understand?

Pray

Dear, Lord thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, enabling us to connect with others in new ways.