Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem (11/5/24)[Prayer]

Why is this verse controversial? It's not that different branches of Christianity disagree with it, as most will assert that the Apostles did indeed speak in Tongues on the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago. The disagreement comes when they discuss whether or not that miracle still exists today. The extremes happen when one segment of Christianity rejects another just because of this one issue. It's very sad, because the whole purpose of this gift was Communication.

Language is a great divider among the Nations. Areas in Europe, Asia, and Africa have gone to WAR over Language, and it's one of the reasons behind the present War between Ukraine and Russia. In Canada, there has been a movement to separate French-Speaking People from English-Speaking People. I saw a little bit of this rancor on a chat sidebar last night, when during an Election Eve Rally, Florida's Senator Marco Rubio spoke part of his address in Cuban Spanish (not just Spanish, CUBAN Spanish). There must have been a lot of Spanish-Speaking People in the Audience, because they clapped in all the right places, but the participants in the Chat were NOT amused.

Most of us get REALLY annoyed when somebody speaks to us in a language we don't understand. St. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 14, right after the "Love Chapter". If you really Love somebody, you certainly don't want to isolate and confuse them by your use of language.

The Holy Spirit bestowed this Gift upon the Apostles to reach People with the Gospel. As we will read further in the Book of Acts, we will see this Gift Manifested again and again, even when there isn't a Language Barrier. That would seem to mean that the Gift has more than one reason for its manifestation.

For those who prayed for me, Thank You! I am feeling better today.

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.