The Wonderful Works of God
W. Jay. Acts 2:5-11 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.… I. THE SUBJECT ITSELF. And where shall we begin? All that God does is wonderful. Let us enter — 1. The field of creation. Here, how wonderful are the works of God! Think of — (1) Their number. Look at the heavens. Though infidelity has mocked at the idea of comparing them to the sands of the sea-shore, the discoveries of astronomy have proved it to be a fact. Look on the face of the world, how many inhabitants are there, visible and invisible! (2) Their diversity! How large are some, and how minute are others! Take up the microscope and the telescope. What vastness in the sun! what smallness in the mite! And yet there are creatures less than these, and all of them have their peculiar qualities, tribes, families, birth, breeding, education, government. Only observe the commonwealth of the ants and the queendom of the bees! (3) Their support. They are all provided for. There is sufficient for all and for all seasons. (4) Their structure. Take only one of the vegetable tribes; how miraculous its growth, how simple its form, and yet how beautiful! "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." What man contrives man may comprehend; whereas in the works of God we find that we are in the region of infinity. 2. The field of providence. Here all is wonderful! Nothing comes by chance. (1) What an astonishing series of events are displayed in the history of one single country! What mighty movements proceed from causes almost imperceptible! (2) The history of every individual is equally wonderful. 3. The field of grace. How wonderful is the work of redemption and its application to the soul! How wonderful the history of the believer from conversion to glorification! Angels desire to understand these things, and the more they discern the more they are surprised, and at each discovery they sing new songs, "Great and marvellous are all Thy works, Lord God Almighty." II. THE WAY IN WHICH THE SUBJECT WAS ANNOUNCED. "We do hear them speak," said the audience, diversified as it was, "in our tongues." It is the duty of ministers to tell the people in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. "The poor have the gospel preached unto them," said Christ. "The common people heard Christ gladly," says the evangelist. What are philosophical expressions and learned disquisitions to these? I fear we may apply what the apostle says of speaking in an unknown tongue to many of them. Ministers should use "great plainness of speech." But this speaking to men of various languages is — 1. Nothing less than a real miracle. Two things are essential to a miracle. (1) There must be something addressed to the sense as well as to the reason. These are called "signs," and it would be wonderful if signs could not be seen. (2) It must be above all known second causes. God only could have stored the minds of these men with such a multitude of merely arbitrary signs, and have given them power and ability to utter such a variety of distinct sounds. 2. The truth of it is evident also. It was undeniable. (1) These men were well known. (2) Their judges were competent to detect imposture. (3) They did not go to a distance to tell their tale; they began amongst their enemies. (4) The time was when large multitudes were present. (5) Mark their boldness; they charged the Jews around them with the murder of an innocent young man. (6) Note the result. 3. This miracle was expressly predicted. Christ said, "They shall speak with new tongues." 4. This miracle was necessary for the accomplishment of their world-wide mission. 5. This gift of tongues was continued for years. 6. The want of this gift in the work of evangelising the world must now be supplied by human learning. And we ought to be very thankful to God that His Word is translated into so many tongues. III. HOW THIS SUBJECT WAS HEARD. 1. Some heard with wonder. So it is now. And this is not surprising; for the natural man discerns not the things of God. Christians are "men wondered at"; the men of the world wonder that you run not to the same excess of riot with themselves, not knowing that you have meat to eat which they know not of. And this is often attended with a good effect, for it induces them to examine, and truth always gains by investigation. But then, on the other hand, the wonder often dies away, and he who wondered comes within the number of those of whom it is said, "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish!" 2. Some heard in mockery. And so it is now. That which devils believe, and the belief of which makes them tremble, furnishes such men with matter for mirth. (1) Some of these mockers were Once professors; the apostate is seldom found neuter. (2) Some mock from the affectation of greatness. These things may be well enough for the common people, but will not do for men of taste. (3) Some mock from the affectation of wisdom. "What will this babbler say?" "We preach Christ crucified, to the Greeks foolishness."(4) Some mock from ignorance. They mock at what they do not understand, at what they never read. Many are afraid to hear or to read the truth lest it should destroy their peace. (5) Some cannot deny certain facts which are before them; but then they show their malignity by accounting for them. They ascribe the zeal of the Christian to disappointed love — to ambition — to a sanguine complexion — to a heated imagination — to enthusiasm, etc. So here, the multitude ascribed the phenomena to drunkenness. 3. Some heard and believed. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. WEB: Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.