Brief Summary
This video refutes the argument that Mary or any saint must know all human languages to intercede for Christians. It uses biblical examples from Revelation and Acts to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit enables understanding across different languages, either by making all languages sound the same to the listener or by allowing individuals to hear praise in their own native tongue.
- The Holy Spirit empowers individuals to understand across different languages.
- Biblical examples from Revelation and Acts support this concept.
- The ability to understand all languages is not a prerequisite for intercession.
Introduction
The video begins by addressing the claim that Mary would need to understand all human languages to effectively pray for Christians of all ethnicities and languages. The speaker aims to dismantle this argument using biblical references, asserting that it's not necessary for Mary or any saint to know every language to intercede.
Biblical Response from Revelation
The speaker uses Revelation 5:9-10 to illustrate that Jesus redeemed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. He highlights that John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, witnessed these heavenly realities. References to Revelation 1:10, 4:2, and 21:10 are used to emphasise the Holy Spirit's role in enabling John to see and understand these visions. Revelation 5:13 is then examined, noting that every creature in creation praises God, and John could understand them despite their different languages. The speaker explains that the miracle isn't John knowing all languages, but the Holy Spirit making all languages sound the same to him.
The Miracle Explained
The speaker clarifies that the miracle is the Holy Spirit's ability to translate all languages into a single understandable language for the listener. This is likened to the gift of interpretation discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14. The speaker shares his personal journey of embracing the doctrine of the communion of saints, explaining how he initially resisted it but eventually accepted it after wrestling with the biblical evidence. He encourages viewers to be open to what the Bible teaches, even if it contradicts prior beliefs.
Unpacking Acts Chapter 2
The speaker analyses Acts 2:1-4, describing the events of Pentecost, including the sound of a rushing wind and the appearance of tongues of fire. He explains that the word "puma" in Greek means spirit, wind, or breath, connecting the rushing wind to the Holy Spirit. The tongues of fire symbolise the ability to speak in different languages.
Acts 2:5-13 and the Miracle of Pentecost
The speaker examines Acts 2:5-13, where people from various nations heard the apostles speaking in their own languages. He emphasises that the miracle was not the apostles speaking all languages simultaneously, but rather the Holy Spirit enabling each listener to hear the apostles in their native tongue. Examples of the different regions represented are given, including Persia, Mesopotamia, Judea, and Arabia.
Acts 2:13-15 and Further Explanation of the Miracle
The speaker analyses Acts 2:13-15, noting that some people mocked the apostles, saying they were drunk. He argues that this reaction only makes sense if some individuals were not granted the gift of hearing the apostles in their own dialect. Those without this gift would have heard only gibberish and stammering, leading them to believe the apostles were drunk. This reinforces the point that the miracle was the Holy Spirit enabling specific individuals to hear the message in their own language.
Conclusion
The speaker concludes by reiterating that the miracle of Pentecost, like the vision of John in Revelation 5, involves the Holy Spirit enabling individuals to hear praise in their own language. He dismisses the argument that saints must understand all languages to intercede, calling it biblically illiterate. Instead, he asserts that the Holy Spirit reveals the needs of those asking for intercession in a language the saint can understand.
