The Day of Pentecost is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31). The Feast of Weeks was an annual Jewish festival also known as the Festival of the Harvest because it came 7 weeks after Passover. The Greek word pentekoste means “fiftieth day” and refers to the ancient practice of counting 50 days from Passover to calculate when to celebrate this feast. The Day of Pentecost therefore always falls on the Sunday that comes 50 days after Easter.
Here are some key things the Bible teaches about the Day of Pentecost:
1. The giving of the Holy Spirit
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Jesus’ followers, which fulfilled Jesus’ promise to them that they would receive power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house where they were gathered, and tongues of fire rested on each one, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4). This was the fulfillment of John the Baptist’s prophecy that the coming Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). The giving of the Spirit on Pentecost inaugurated the age of the Spirit and the Spirit-filled church.
2. Peter’s Sermon
After the disciples received the Spirit, the crowds were amazed because each one heard them declaring the wonders of God in their own native languages. Bewildered, they asked what this meant. Peter stood up and gave a sermon explaining that they were witnessing the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32). Peter proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus and declared that God had made Him both Lord and Messiah. He called the people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:22-40). About 3000 people believed his message and were baptized that day.
3. The birthday of the church
The Day of Pentecost is often considered the birthday or inception of the Christian church. The giving of the Spirit ushered in the age of the Spirit-filled church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples began proclaiming the gospel with boldness and authority. The church began to grow rapidly as many were added daily after responding to the message about Jesus (Acts 2:41, 47). Pentecost was the commissioning of Christ’s church to reach the world with the gospel in the power of the Spirit.
4. Part of the annual feast calendar
The Day of Pentecost was an annual celebration on the Jewish calendar. As mentioned, it was called the Feast of Weeks or Festival of the Harvest (Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Numbers 28:26-31; Deuteronomy 16:9-12). It came 7 full weeks after the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15-16), which took place on the Sunday after Passover. Just as Firstfruits inaugurated and blessed the spring harvest, Pentecost did the same for the summer wheat harvest. Later Christian tradition came to associate the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai with this feast due to the timing, though the Bible itself does not make this connection. The yearly celebration of Pentecost served as a reminder of God’s provision and the need to thank Him for His blessings.
5. A partial fulfillment of God’s promises
What happened on the Day of Pentecost was a significant, but only partial, fulfillment of God’s promises concerning the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days. The prophets looked forward to the age of the Spirit when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, not just a select few (Isaiah 32:15; 44:3; Ezekiel 36:27; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29). Though the Spirit was given to many, it was still only a small gathering in Jerusalem. Throughout history, there have been many renewals and revivals of the Holy Spirit. But the complete fulfillment of the promise of universal outpouring is still to come. At the return of Christ, the Spirit will be poured out on all humanity in unprecedented fashion (Zechariah 12:10).
6. Celebrating Pentecost today
Pentecost remains a significant event for Christians today. It is one of the major feasts of the Christian liturgical calendar, along with Christmas and Easter. Many churches hold worship services on Pentecost Sunday to commemorate the original outpouring of the Spirit. It is an opportunity to reflect on the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Helper who empowers Christians to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). The day reminds believers of their dependence on the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life. Churches may also use the day to commission and pray for missionaries, evangelists, and others being sent out to spread the gospel empowered by the Spirit.
7. The reversal of Babel
There is great significance in the miracle of tongues on the Day of Pentecost. When God confused the languages at Babel, it resulted in division and hindered humanity’s rebellion (Genesis 11:1-9). But at Pentecost – the reversal of Babel – God gave a diversity of tongues that pointed to the unity of His people under one Spirit. Despite the many languages, they could understand one another, for the Spirit enabled them to declare God’s wonders together. Where language had divided, now by the Spirit it united. Pentecost foreshadowed the day when people from every tribe and tongue will unite in worship of Christ (Revelation 5:9; 7:9).
8. The firstfruits of a greater harvest
The converts who joined the church on the Day of Pentecost were the firstfruits of a greater harvest to come. Throughout history, there have been revivals and renewals where thousands upon thousands have come to faith in Christ by the convicting work of the Spirit, from the Great Awakenings to modern movements in Asia and Africa. These mass conversions continue the pattern beginning at Pentecost. As more receive the gospel and are baptized into Christ’s body, the church continues to grow and expand globally. Pentecost gives believers hope that wherever the gospel spreads, many will believe by the Spirit’s power.
9. The unification of Jews and Gentiles
Jews from all over the world were gathered at Pentecost when the Spirit was given. Yet the church soon expanded to encompass Samaritans and Gentiles as well (Acts 8, 10). Peter received a vision from God showing that the gospel was for the Gentiles too, and that the Spirit was poured out on them also (Acts 10:45; 11:15-16). Breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers, Pentecost foreshadowed the unifying power of the gospel for all peoples. The Jewish festival came to include non-Jews grafted into Israel through Christ by the Spirit. The church transcended divisions of race, class, and gender (Galatians 3:28).
10. Empowerment to be witnesses
A key result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was empowerment for ministry and witness. Immediately the disciples began proclaiming the gospel with power and authority they did not previously possess. The Book of Acts shows the Spirit guiding and enabling the apostles as they took the message of Christ to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). All believers have spiritual gifts for ministry so that, united in the one Spirit, the church functions as Christ’s witnesses (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-16). Pentecost reminds Christians that wonderful things happen when the Spirit is allowed to work freely.
In summary, the Day of Pentecost celebrates the coming of the promised Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ followers after His ascension. In dramatic fashion, tongues of fire and speaking in many languages signaled the Spirit’s arrival. Peter’s sermon called for repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name for forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit. About 3000 converted, marking the birth of the Spirit-filled church. Pentecost continues to remind Christians of their dependence on the Spirit to live empowered Christian lives and spread the gospel to all peoples until Jesus returns. While only partially fulfilled, Pentecost gives hope for greater things when Christ pours out His Spirit on all humanity.
