T. J. de
Ruiter, Pentecostal Pastor and Teacher in The Netherlands
On the day
of Pentecost in Jerusalem, Acts chapter 2, occurred possibly two
communicative
miracles. Beside the speaking in not learned languages it seems very
possible
that that the Spirit of God also translated the spoken words of the
apostles
simultaneously in the ears of some listeners in their particular
language. This
theory is based on Acts 2:6, where it says that ‘that the
multitude was bewildered. Because each one heard them speaking
in his own language.’ It seems that that there were more than 16
different
countries represented amongst the listeners.
Of one
thing we can be sure: The Spirit of God has also the power to translate
a
language simultaneously in the native language of the listener. Let me
say clearly
that we cannot be absolutely certain on the basis of the brief mention
in verse
6, that this really happened. What we are sure of is that the disciples
of
Jesus spoke in languages that they themselves did not know and could
not speak.
The speaking in tongues as given by the Holy Spirit is a supernatural
empowerment.
The miracle
of a supernatural simultaneous understanding of the Gospel being
preached
happened more than likely several times in the history of the Church.
Read
below the testimony about the preaching of the English evangelist
Maggie
Trutter in South Africa in 1908.
A Young
woman, Maggie Trutter, born in Great
Britain, was there baptised in the Spirit and became full of fire to
preach the
Gospel. One day, in 1908, she received an invitation to preach In
Doornfontein,
South Africa.
A room with
500 seats was hired and evening after evening the hall was packed. Many
conversions took place and people were delivered from addictions and
healed,
even from serious diseases. But also mockers came and one evening she
got
frightened. She decided first to pray in another room. After ten
minutes she
returned and began to preach in English, as she always did. After some
time she
suddenly began to speak spoke in the language of South Africa and
returned later
again to English. While she was speaking some
people in the back of the hall were greatly surprised for they
heard her
speak in their own, African tribal language. This revival also
contributed much
to a great Pentecostal work, that in 1910 was organized in the still
existing
‘Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.’
If
you have witnessed or have heard of such miraculous, pentecostal
communicative miracles of speaking in tongues and/or hearing in a
language that was not spoken, pleease
write me on: pastor.tjderuiter@telfort.nl
Pentecost, June
2012
Leusden, The Netherlands