WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT

P E N T E C O S T

ORIGIN/OLD  TESTAMENT REFERENCES

Although we do not read of the first biblical reference to "Pentecost" until Acts of the Apostles chapter 2 (1), the origins of this special day have long Old Testament (2) roots, which we'll dive into here. For a printer friendly version of this narrative, please click on the PDF offered in the lower sidebar.

The English word Pentecost is a transliteration of the Greek word pentekostos (Πεντηκοστή), which means “fifty.” It comes from the ancient Christian expression pentekoste hemera, which means “fiftieth day.” It is also known as Shavuot, one of the three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals, taking place on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (may fall between 14 May–15 June) (3).

In Old Testament times, Pentecost was an prominent, one day ancient Jewish festival that took place fifty days after Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This was a pilgrimage which drew Israelites from many nations back to Jerusalem. It was known by several names that derive from its meaning and timing. Also known as the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16), it represents the first fruits (Numbers 28:26-31) gathered as the result of the labor of those who completed the Spring season grain harvests in ancient Israel. It is also called the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12, 16), with this name coming from the seven weeks plus one day (50 days in all) after the offering of the barley sheaf (see Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread reference above).

NEW  TESTAMENT REFERENCES

New Testament (5) references to Pentecost can be explored in Acts 2:1-41, 20:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:8. 

Before and during the preachings and teachings of John the Baptist (6), and Jesus of Nazareth (7), there was no "Church" (not to be confused with synagogues) to speak of. They preached to their respective followers in the open land and private homes, often traveling from one place to another so that the Good News (8) of repentance and salvation could be heard by all who had ears to hear. Before the earthly Ministry of Jesus came to be, John (also known as The Forerunner) called it out for all to repent and be baptized, for the Lamb of God was on His way. John repeated the words of an Old Testament prophet (Isaiah 40:3) when he exhorted in John 1:23, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” Subsequently, thousands came to the Jordan River to be baptized by this fiery itinerant preacher. This included Jesus (Matthew 3:13, Mark 1:9, Luke 3:21).

Once He began His Ministry of healing souls and raising the dead, Jesus foretold of the coming of the Holy Spirit (9) on many occasions (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 1:8), often telling His followers that He would have to physically depart (ascend) from them prior to the Holy Spirit being sent.

When the Resurrected Christ (10) appeared in the Upper Room before His fearful Disciples, He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). There was a purpose for them to receive this power, which Jesus proclaimed when saying, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). Jesus was preparing them for Discipleship (11) by equipping them with the Holy Spirit before sending them out to perform a very crucial mission-  to be His Witness (12) to the world.

Ten days after the Ascension of Jesus Christ and fifty days after His Resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon about 120 followers of “The Way.” After the Holy Spirit was unleashed and the peoples of many lands were astonished that they could understand one another in their native tongues (Acts 2:1-12), there were also those that scoffed at the notion that God had made this happen, saying the people were just drunk on cheap wine (Acts 2:13).

Peter (13) then rose and delivered his famous proclamation (kerygma) to all present (Acts 2:14-36), in which he exhorted that the words of an Old Testament prophet (14) had just been fulfilled (Joel 3:1-5) in their presence (see also Psalms 104:30). Many believed the message Peter was delivering and they were baptized, as 3000 souls were added that day (Acts 2:41).

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN TO US PRESENT DAY?

~ IT'S NOT JUST A DAY TO WEAR RED TO CHURCH ~

Pentecost symbolizes a new beginning. It celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit unto the whole Earth and the empowering of Christians to reach the world with the Good News of eternal salvation. In celebrating Pentecost, we express our gratitude for the faithfulness of Christ in fulfilling His promise to send “another Advocate” (John 14:16); we celebrate the work of Holy Spirit in renewing all of Creation (15); we profess confidence and security in knowing the Spirit’s power is available for our Mission; and we grow in awareness of the immensity of our calling to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the day of Pentecost onward, every Christian has been called to the full-time task of proclaiming "the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). This endeavor entrusted to us is by no means a 'part-time' job, as where we, as individuals, choose to spend eternity hangs in the balance.  We have been empowered, as Scripture calls us "to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

That's us. We are His people. We’re to go forward by opening Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) bestowed upon us by God Himself. We can't keep them if we don't share them. Evangelizing and Discipleship are not for those who choose to do it. It's the mission mandate of all Christians, handed down by Christ Himself.

A CALL TO ACTION:

GO DEEP FOR, INTO AND WITH JESUS CHRIST

We have been chosen by God. When we actively utilize the Fruits (16) and Gifts (17) of the Holy Spirit, we give God the honor and glory He so richly deserves. We are using presents that He empowered us with.

Present day, we may not often witness the gale force winds and tongues of fire that fell upon the first followers of Jesus 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. The Good News is that the same Holy Spirit is available to us today and every day, if and when we choose to allow it to work within us. Romans 8:11 tells us, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you." Amen!

The traditional color for Pentecost is red, reflecting the flames that came with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts 2:3. Consider wearing red to worship each Pentecost Sunday to celebrate the empowering of the Church at the sending of God’s Spirit! Let us not stop there. Let all of us then boldly go forth and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20)! The resources included herein are reservoirs of Joy for anyone desiring to hear our Faith shared with abundant life (John 10:10)!

WHEN IS PENTECOST CELEBRATED?

Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter Sunday/Resurrection Sunday (18). Some Christian denominations consider it the birthday of the Christian church and celebrate it as such. To find out when Pentecost will be celebrated in upcoming years, please explore the lower sidebar.

FOOTNOTES/REFERENCES

  (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/acts

  (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

  (3) An Introduction to Judaism: A Textbook and Reader (pg 58)

  (4) Nationalism and Economic Development in Modern Eurasia (pg 143)

  (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-benchmark-of-greatness

  (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

  (9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-holy-spirit

(10) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/resurrection-of-jesus

(11) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/discipleship

(12) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/called-to-evangelize

(13) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-peter

(14) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/joel

(15) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/creation-account

(16) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/fruits-of-the-holy-spirit

(17) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit

(18) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/easter