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: <blockquote>{{web_verseBible verse|actsActs|1|8|lang=WEB}}'''- [[Bible:Acts 1:8|Acts 1:8]]'''</blockquote>
→Acts 2 - The baptism of the three thousand: link to Acts
[[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.
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]]
==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]]
