The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-11

UTTERANCE.--(ve,lc l.)--These outward and
visible things were Tor the benefit of the dis
ciplcs, that they might know that the Spirit had
come to them. Immediately they in the
power of the Spirit. He took complete posses
sion OF them, that what they aftcrward did,
lie did In short they were ,eccptacleS filled
by the Spirit and instruments used by the
Spirit. The words of Jesus concerning them
We're fulfilled (Acts i:j) Their waiting and
prayer had been rewarded. Then these spirit.
filled men, perhaps the apostles only. more likely
the whole church, began to speak in different
tongues which they had never learned There
had been nothing of the kind before since the
builders of Babel (Gcn. Ni:O, were scattered
abroad through confusion of speech. But the
disciples continued together, each speaking a
language understood by none OF his associates,
but all alike as the Spirit gave them utterance.
VISITORS ), ., 10, ~. This remark
able gift of tongues, used in an upper room by
a company OF secluded people soon produced its
intended cfiect-- was noiscd abroad and by it
the people We're drawn together. At that time
Jerusalem was filed with deyout men from va
rous parts of the world, who, with commend
able loyalty To the religion of their fathers
came up 10 the national festivals I'd renew their
friendship with their kindred and confirm their
faith by acts of devotion. The Scripture men
llOilS nearly TWO score countries that thus
represented, very large section in fact of the
Roman empire chiefly about the Mediterranean
in the three continents now known us Eurone
Asia and Africa That was a magnificent audi.
ence, many of them the descendants of Abra-
ham, others prosclytcs of Judaism, all of them
the best clements of the population, having
wealth, intelligence. social standing and iniu.
ence, else they would never have made such a
journey
ST RPRlSE.-Nerscs @, I, S, 12) These pco.
pie spoke the language OF the country from which
they came, and spoke IIebrcN also. When, there.
lore, they were drawn together they amazed
that a company Gf Gallcins should speak so
that each hCarcr could understand. How this
was zone does not matter, whether many spoke
ut once on several in succession. Tie theme in
every case was religious The wonderful works
of God, were declared, perhap, recitals of
Christian history were given, more likely dec
larationS OF experience, all designed to show
forth what God had done and could do. This
was indeed most remarkable phenomenon iTen
listened with establishment. There was an APP
peal to their hearts in the language used in their
iar'away home, the last thing TO be expected in
Jerusalem where religion adhered to forms and
employed the Hebrew tongue The surprise was
immensely increased by the fact that the speak
erS were C\ets i:1D nacquainted with polite
learning and with distant lands
DRu RuNkENNESS.-- (Verses l3, II, l1. While
some were in doubt concerning this remarkable
gitt of tongues, Others put forth as an explana-
ton that the sneakers were intoxicated This
was absurd on the face Of it, for, while drunken
men are given to boisterous and unusual conduct,
their speech is incuhercnr and never rcvcrent,
ana they certainly acquire no ability to use Il
foreign tongue. It must be that some ervo,ls or
malicious person made the suggestion, perhaps
some who scofred at religion altogether, or some
who We're greatly opposed 10 spiritual dcmOn-
Stratlons, OF which class there are many in our
day. Peter, as the mouthpiccc and recognized
leader Of the apostles, some think by Christ's
appointment AIutt Wi;lW, felt called To reppl
this unjust charge. This he did in an extended
speech beginning with an open denial. II is
evident that he spoke in the Greek tongue then
in common use, and that the speaking in other
tongues was suspended until he finished his
address probably not resumed,
PROPHECY Werses III, Ii, 19. Having de.
MED the charge of drunkenness Peter assigned
the true cause of what had occurred, II was
merely the fuRlment of an old prediction made
eight thousand centuries before bv one of the
prophets Of Israel with which the Jews ought
TO have been familiar (Joel ii2s). The careful
work done in the synagogue even in foreign
lands made every part of Scripture a matter OF
study even from the early years (Acts Xv:2D.
80 that all present were prepared for the quota.
tion which Peter gave in support of his asscr.
tion, There was the promise of God TO pour
ont His spirit in the last days, to revive the
prophetic office which for four centuries had
been unoccupled, Nothing could be more plaus.
ible than this Interpretation. II gave meaning
To words over which many had pondercd. 1t
explained what was otherwise a mysterious thing.
1t linked the present to the past. II stirred
again The Jewish heart and filled it with hopes
of Il new era.
WONDERS, - VERSES ~, 20. 2D. Peter con.
tinued to quote from Joel showing his faml.
iarity with the latter and his insight into tho
meaning OF the Scripture The outpouring of the
spirit, promised by the prophet and now real
ized signihed more than what had been Wit.
messed. The speaking with tongues was only
the beginning of wonders to be seen in the
heaven and ON earth(Joel ;29-3D. They were
at the opening of time in which God would
display Ills power by many signs in blood fire
and smoke prior To the coming of a day OF
judgment Many have Interpreted this as re-
ieripg to the destruction of Jerusalem, of which
Jesus so plainly spoke Matt. XNy;2D. which
seems TO be the clearest construction of The
words. This reference Peter turned to practical