What is Pentecost?

The name “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth,” and that’s the term used in the New Testament to describe the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in Acts 2. The disciples of Jesus were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival, Shavuot, marking the wheat harvest and the offering of the firstfruits to God.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4

Imagine the surprise, fear and elation when the Spirit of God fell upon them. They were filled with power, spoke in different languages, and boldly proclaimed the gospel. This miraculous event fulfilled Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit would come to guide, comfort, and empower His followers.

Pentecost is the day that the Christian Church was born. From that day forward, the disciples moved from hiding to proclaiming Christ publicly, launching the global Christian movement.

Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay