Restrictions on tongues

[rlvaughn]

'120' w/the definite article 'the' kinda forces one to take it literally, don't you think?

I don't think so, unless you're predisposed to take it that way. I've heard the expression used as standing for the disciples waiting at Jerusalem for about as long as I can remember, so I never thought anything about it. I will keep in mind in the future that it may be confusing to those who are not used to it.

Actually 'the multitude of about a hundred and twenty' weren't named, but those abiding in the house that the Spirit filled were named:

13 And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. Acts 1

I don't get your intended point here. They don't have to be named to be counted (or to be there). That in verse 13 is the eleven you mention above, to which are added in verse 14 one who is named there (Mary) and a few who are named elsewhere in the Bible (Matthew 13:55) -- "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." Then in verse 15 a parenthetical statement gives an approximation of the number of disciples Peter stood up in the midst of -- "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)."

 

[kyredneck]

I don't get your intended point here.

That it's more probable and congruous with the scripture narrative that there were 12, and not 120, that were in the house when The Comforter arrived:

26 And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1
1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts 2

 

[rlvaughn]

That it's more probable and congruous with the scripture narrative that there were 12, and not 120, that were in the house when The Comforter arrived:

26 And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1
1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts 2

Thanks. To be clear, I allow that is a possible reasonable interpretation -- that is, that "the apostles" is the possible antecedent of they. I just don't think it is the best interpretation allowing for the entire discussion in the last half of chapter one. John Gill thinks that either might be correct:

they were all with one accord in one place; in two ancient copies of Beza's, and in some others it is read, "all the apostles"; Matthias, and the eleven, with whom he was numbered, who are last spoken of, in Acts 1:26. Though this need not be restrained to the twelve apostles, but may be understood of the hundred and twenty, on whom, as well as on the apostles, the Holy Ghost might be poured forth, that so they might speak with tongues; since among these were many ministers of the Gospel, as the seventy disciples, and it may be more; and that his extraordinary gifts should be bestowed on others, is but what was afterwards done; see Acts 8:17.

Also, taking verse 14, we see some others with the twelve, even if not all of the (about) 120 -- "with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." "With one accord" there refers all least to that many, and ties together with the same statement and the same people in verse 1 of chapter 2.

All that said, while these two interpretations might make some difference in other discussions, regardless of which interpretation one takes -- 12 or say about 20 or about 120 -- none of these allow for the thousands of Jews present on Pentecost to be speaking in tongues. It was either just the apostles or just the total of disciples present.

 

[kyredneck]

Also, taking verse 14, we see some others with the twelve, even if not all of the (about) 120 -- "with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." "With one accord" there refers all least to that many, and ties together with the same statement and the same people in verse 1 of chapter 2.

Had to be a big house for 120 plus to stay there. More like a hotel or a lodge....

 

[kyredneck]

-- none of these allow for the thousands of Jews present on Pentecost to be speaking in tongues.....

Agree!

 

[rlvaughn]

Had to be a big house for 120 plus to stay there.

Must have been.

 

[kyredneck]

Must have been.

49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.
50 And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 and were continually in the temple, blessing God. Lu 24

...plenty of room in the temple for 120 plus to gather.

 

[rlvaughn]

...plenty of room in the temple for 120 plus to gather.

Gill thought so, though others believe there were upper rooms large enough for 120 (but not for 3000, to which Gill seems to be referring.

there were no jars nor contentions among them; they were of the same mind and judgment in faith and practice, and of one heart and soul, and had a cordial affection for one another; and were all in one place, which seems to be the temple; see Acts 2:46. And indeed, no other place or house could hold so many as came to hear them, of which number three thousand were converted,