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The Story of Redemption
gave them utterance.” The Holy Ghost, assuming the form of tongues
of fire divided at the tips, and resting upon those assembled, was an
emblem of the gift which was bestowed upon them of speaking with
fluency several different languages, with which they had formerly
been unacquainted. And the appearance of fire signified the fervent
zeal with which they would labor and the power which would attend
their words.
Under this heavenly illumination the scriptures which Christ had
explained to them stood forth in their minds with the vivid luster and
loveliness of clear and powerful truth. The veil which had prevented
them from seeing the end of that which was abolished was now
removed, and the object of Christ’s mission and the nature of His
kingdom were comprehended with perfect clearness.
In the Power of Pentecost
The Jews had been scattered to almost every nation, and spoke
various languages. They had come long distances to Jerusalem, and
had temporarily taken up their abode there, to remain through the
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religious festivals then in progress and to observe their requirements.
When assembled, they were of every known tongue. This diversity
of languages was a great obstacle to the labors of God’s servants
in publishing the doctrine of Christ to the uttermost parts of the
earth. That God should supply the deficiency of the apostles in a
miraculous manner was to the people the most perfect confirmation
of the testimony of these witnesses for Christ. The Holy Spirit had
done for them that which they could not have accomplished for
themselves in a lifetime; they could now spread the truth of the
gospel abroad, speaking with accuracy the language of those for
whom they were laboring. This miraculous gift was the highest
evidence they could present to the world that their commission bore
the signet of Heaven.
“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out
of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad,
the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were
all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all