Pentecost
The Festival of Pentecost, an important celebration in the Christian liturgical calendar. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and 120 other disciples, as described in Acts 2.
The Old Testament refers to Pentecost as Shavuot, translated as the “Festival of Weeks,” which commemorates the first fruits of the spring grain harvest. This festival is the second of three principal Jewish national celebrations mandated by the Law of Moses (Ex.34:22; Dt. 16:16).
Attendance was required for Jewish men. Shavuot occurs on the fiftieth day, precisely seven weeks following Passover. The word “Pentecost” is derived from the Greek meaning “fiftieth.”
After Jesus had risen, He spent 40 days with His apostles. Once, when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:3-5)
Ten days after the ascension of Jesus into heaven—fifty days following Easter Sunday—the Holy Spirit descended upon those Christians gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2). This event, accompanied by the sound of wind and tongues of fire, empowered these timid believers to boldly proclaim the gospel. Visitors attending the festival from various regions around the Mediterranean heard the gospel in their own native languages.
The Birth of the Christian Church
Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in history: the beginning of the Christian Church. On this day, 3,000 individuals responded to the apostles’ message and joined the community of believers (Acts 2:41). Every follower of Christ receives the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to serve, and enables us to fulfill Jesus’ commission to spread the Gospel (Mt. 28:19-20). This year Pentecost will be celebrated on May 24th.
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