Dialect (διάλεκτος) refers to a specific variety of a spoken language that is characteristic of a particular group of speakers. Dialects are distinguished by unique features in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, resulting in localized or group-specific variations within a broader linguistic system.
The reaction of those in Jerusalem to hearing how Judas died established a specific Aramaic word to describe this field. In their own dialect, they called the field Akeldama, that is, field of blood (Acts 1:18-19).
In the upper room, on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit of promise came from the Father, He mentally controlled the disciples, causing them to speak in other languages. They were able to speak in the dialects of the devout Jews, who were born in different nations and were in Jerusalem for the feasts. These Jews, and proselytes, responded with amazement because the disciples spoke in their native dialects (Acts 2:6,8).
The type of filling the disciples experienced in the upper room was distinct from the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, which was given to the Church as a sign to the unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). However, it was of the same quality of sign, demonstrating that a person using the Spiritual gift of speaking in a tongue is not merely speaking in an unknown language but in a dialect of a language known to a specific local region or group. Thus, the Spiritual gift is also a known language. In the modern era, claims of speaking in tongues can be tested using translation tools available on phones or computers.
In the upper room, when the Holy Spirit of promise came, He washed and regenerated the Old Testament believers and immersed them into the Body of the Christ, just as He does to all who believe the Gospel for salvation today (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). These details are not explicitly mentioned in the upper room because God had not yet placed the steward of the dispensation, Paul, through whom He would provide specific information on the means and content of salvation for those in the Church. God revealed what He was doing in this way to show signs to the Jews. However, as Peter states when addressing the Jews, they did understand salvation was because of the death of Christ for sin and His resurrection three days later (Acts 2:38). Therefore, this is not a different gospel or another means of salvation. Instead, it is an opportunity that God took to show the Jews signs so that they would believe what was happening was from Him.
God spoke to Israel through the tongues of other nations as a sign. This type of sign is not restricted in use by only the Church. The Prophet Joel speaks of those who will speak in different dialects as a sign to the Jews during the Tribulation period—a time when the Church is no longer on earth (Joel 2:29). However, whether it is through the Church or Jews, the gift remains the same— it is always a known dialect. “And this sound having happened, the crowd gathered and were confused because they heard each one in their own dialect which they speak … And how are we hearing each one in his own vernacular in which he was born?”
Paul landed in prison in Rome after entering the temple in Jerusalem with four men who had finished a Nazarite vow. Jews from Asia accused him of defiling the temple and stirred up the other Jews to attack him. Hearing the commotion, the Roman commander stops the beating and, after getting more information, permits Paul to speak to them, as Paul assumed they did not know he was a Jew. The local Jews that had been stopped from beating him to death were astonished when he spoke in their dialect (Acts 21:40; 22:1). Paul did not just speak in Hebrew but in the specific dialect of Hebrew spoken in Jerusalem.
In recounting the events to King Agrippa, Paul explained that the voice he heard on the road to Damascus was in the Hebrew dialect. Thus, God did not merely speak with Paul in Hebrew but in the specific vernacular of Hebrew from Jerusalem, which immediately captured his attention (Acts 26:14).
A dialect (διάλεκτος) is a variation of a language that is specific to a local region or group, often employing unique idioms outside the generally accepted structure of the language. When God told Israel that He was going to speak with them by different tongues and different lips, He was not just speaking of general language but of specific vernaculars (1 Corinthians 14:21). This indicates that the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is not merely a known language but regionally specific dialects, serving as a sign to the unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 14:22). However, despite being given such an incredible sign, as God foretold, the Jews did not listen. Consequently, the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues within the Church has caused itself to cease, as Israel is now in a state of unbelief (1 Corinthians 13:8).