by Timothy W. Burnett
After his explanation, Peter breaks to the subject of Jesus Christ who died and was raised by God from the dead. He reminded them that God showed His approval of Jesus Christ through the signs, wonders and miracles that God did through Jesus. Peter then boldly declared that they seized onto Jesus Christ and with wicked hands crucified and killed him. He continued, "whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death." Wow! Peter was boldly speaking the truth face to face toward the same people who put Jesus Christ to death. This was the same Peter who only a few days before hid in a room out of fear of the Jewish leaders.
According to Acts 2:25-32 Peter speaks more about the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." He continued, "This same Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." How were they all witnesses? What did they see that bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Not everybody in the room saw Jesus' resurrected body. The only possible answer is that they heard them speak in their own languages the wonderful works of God.
Please understand that this event was a special miracle designed to get the ministry started. When people start speaking in tongues, God does not guarantee that others will understand. In fact according to 1Corinthians chapter 14, speaking in tongues is not designed for the edification of the assembly of believers, but for the individual who is speaking. More specifically, it is for the edification of the spirit that is in the person who is speaking.If any believer goes around speaking in tongues in the general public or during church time, he will sound like a stranger or barbarian. That's basically what it says in 1Corinthians 14:11. There is more to share about speaking in tongues, but for now keep in mind that the event of Acts chapter 2 was unique in that others understood them.
Peter said, "This same Jesus, God has raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being at the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32-33). The words "having received" are translated from lambano related to speaking in tongues. When Jesus rested on God's right hand of all authority, he laid hold of the promise of his Father, which they all saw and heard on the day of Pentecost.
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