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Pentecost refers both to an important Jewish feast day and the recognized beginning of the New Testament church. The Jewish feast of Pentecost arose as the celebration of the closing of the spring grain harvest, which formally began 50 days earlier at [[Passover]]. On the Pentecost after the [[resurrection of Jesus]], the [[Holy Spirit]], as told [[Acts 2]], descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire accompanied by the sound of a rush of wind, and gave them the power of speaking in such a way that people of different languages could understand them. In liturgical Christianity, Pentecost is an annual commemoration of this event, and it is solemnly observed as the birthday of the church and the feast of the Holy Spirit.
The Jewish feast of Pentecost arose as the celebration of the closing of the spring grain harvest, which formally began 50 days earlier at [[Passover]]. On the Pentecost after the [[resurrection of Jesus]], the [[Holy Spirit]], as told [[Acts 2]], descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire accompanied by the sound of a rush of wind, and gave them the power of speaking in such a way that people of different languages could understand them. In liturgical Christianity, Pentecost is an annual commemoration of this event, and it is observed as the birthday of the church and the feast of the Holy Spirit. ===Etymology===
The word Pentecost is derived from the [[Greek]] word meaning "fiftieth". In [[Hebrew]] the word is [[Shavuot]].
===[[Acts 2]] - The baptism of the three thousand=== [[Image:Icon 03005 Sobor 12-ti apostolov s Konstantinom Velikim.jpg |thumb|right|An icon of Pentecost]]
According to the [[Acts|Book of Acts]], the experience of the Pentecost was shared by all in the large crowd, causing confusion and inspiring fear. It began with a sound of the rushing of a might wind ([[Acts 2:2]]) and tongues of fire appearing on the disciples ([[Acts 2:3]]). The disciples were filled with [[Holy Spirit]] and began to speak in languages foreign to them ([[Acts 2:4]]) and preach to a crowd. When a crowd heard this they were bewildered ([[Acts 2:6]]).
Then the [[Apostle Peter]], standing with the eleven other apostles, spoke to the crowd. He explained that these strange events had been predicted by the prophet [[Joel]], and that [[Jesus]]'s coming had been prophesied by [[King David|David]]. Peter explained that these events confirmed David's prophesied exaltation of Jesus. Peter then exorted his listeners to turn to [[Christ]]. About three thousand responded to Peter's sermon.
====Theological Significance of Pentecost====
The events described in Acts 2 represent the fulfillment of the [[Old Testament]] prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit, for example [[Ezekiel 36]]:25-29 and [[Joel 2]]:28-32. The passage in Joel describes the Spirit coming to all people or nations, which links with [[Genesis 12:2]] and [[Acts 1:8]].
The coming of the Spirit also further confirmed the authoity of Jesus. For example, the words of [[John the Baptist]] who had prophesied that [[Jesus]] would baptize with the [[Holy Spirit]] were fulfilled (see [[Mark 1:8]] and [[Luke 3]]:16-17).
The wind of Pentecost can be seen as a physical representation of the presence of God and the fire can be seen to represent purification. The fact that other languages were spoken shows the universality of Pentecost and the break-down of communication barriers. In this sense, Pentecost can be seen to be the reverse of [[Babel]] were communication barriers were set up.
Pentecost had an electrifying effect on the disciples and it marked the start bold evangelism. The [[apostle Peter]] was especially instrumental in this. Whereas before Pentecost the disciples were fearful and hiding, afterwards they were able to courageously speak the gospel.
The day of Pentecost also saw the formation of the church because many Jews who heard the message of the gospel responded, although others turned away ([[Acts 2:41]]). This church was a clearly defined community which was devoted to the teaching of the apostles and to prayer.
The events that occurred on Pentecost also acted as a future sign of God's acceptance of the Samaritans and the Gentiles into the church. Because Cornelius and other Gentiles had a similar experience to the experiences of Acts 2, the apostles (at the [[Jerusalem Council]] in [[Acts 15:8]]) could see that God was calling them to be in the church as well. In this way, [[Acts 8]] and [[Acts 10]] can be seen of part of the fulfilment of [[Acts 1:8]]
<blockquote>
{{Bible verse|Acts|1|8|lang=WEB}}
'''- [[Bible:Acts 1:8|Acts 1:8]]'''
</blockquote>
==Quotes==
[[Samuel Chadwick]]
: ''Pentecost gave me the key to the Scriptures. It has kept my feet in all the slippery places of all sorts of criticism. The things that are stumbling blocks to so many are stepping stones to me. The inexplicable becomes plain when we recognize the presence and law of the Spirit. It balances scholarship, and gives discernment beyond all human learning. Indeed, learning without the Holy Spirit blinds men to the realities of divine truth. The man who thinks he can know the Word of God by mere intellectual study is greatly deceived. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned.''
==Links==
{{returnto}} [[Liturgical year]]
[[Category:Christian Calendar]]
