Acts 2:5-13 (MSG)  "They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"  Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"  Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."

There were thousands of folks in town because of the celebration of The Feast of Weeks, coming on the heels of Passover.  Many folks never left town following Passover because of the expense and time it would take to return. Jews of many nations had gathered in Jerusalem for this festival. Thus, Peter's speech was given to an international audience.

It is easy to understand why some joked they were drunk, this was after all, time to party.  When people gathered from all around it was probably opportunity for family reunions, old friends coming together for the annual event. Obviously that thought was quickly overcome, as it resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers, the first converts to Christianity.

Once the crowd got over their initial reaction and started to listen to the words, each in their own native tongue, they heard the Word of God.  Unless we are on a trip in a different land, we don't usually have a language barrier when sharing God's love with our neighbors.  I am wondering though, just what were the disciples saying.  What were the words they used to convince the first converts of Jesus' reality?

We might think if we had that script, well, we could do the same thing.  I suspect that part of the words shared were words of testimony.  The men probably told the people of their own personal experiences with Jesus. They testified to the great love He had for his friends and spoke of the same love Jesus has for all the people within hearing that day.

That is all we are called to do as well; tell others of the reason for our hope.  Share why death is merely a gateway to a New Life; death to sin opens doors to New Life in Christ - in this world and the next.


Acts 2:5-13