What is Pentecost?

Terry R. Baughman

Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish feast day in celebration of the first fruits of harvest. It was a time of thanksgiving for the blessings of the Lord and what He had provided. Fifty days after Passover, the Feast of Pentecost was observed annually in Jerusalem . It was a festive time of rejoicing and an expression of faith for the promise of future provision.

One Important Pentecost

On one such day, soon after the ascension of Jesus from the Mount of Olives, disciples and loyal followers of Christ were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem where they had been instructed to wait, "for the promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). This promise was spoken of with anticipation following "repentance and remission of sins" in the Gospel of Luke (24:47, 49). The promise was identified as the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter two, and was delivered to the believers gathered in Jerusalem on the "Day of Pentecost."

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV)

What is Pentecost?

When asked, "What is Pentecost?" the most obvious place to start to answer the question is with this passage. However, because of the wondrous events on this particular day of history, "Pentecost" has come to mean much more than a festival of Jewish celebration, it now embraces the fuller meaning of an experience of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. The word Pentecostal describes denominations who embrace the demonstration of the Holy Ghost with a supernatural evidence of speaking in "tongues;" an utterance unlearned and unknown by the recipient.

The Power of Pentecost

Pentecost is associated with the enabling of the Spirit to perform God's work. In Acts 1:8 the promise is of power, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me." What a believer has previously been unable to do, becomes possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Continuing in the book of Acts it was noted that "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" ( 4:31 ).

The Apostle Peter explained this phenomena to the gathered crowd in Acts chapter two as being an event prophesied by the prophet Joel, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28, 29). It was understood as being a divine and sovereign work of God and a special blessing of the latter times.

The Promise of Jesus

Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for this event during his earthly ministry.  "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you....  At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (John 14:18 , 20). Though Jesus had to depart from his physical presence with the disciples, his assurance was that he would return in the power of the Spirit to be resident in each believer.

What must we do?

Many of the gathered crowd on the Day of Pentecost responded to the explanatory preaching of Peter with interest and with resulting conviction for their wrongdoing concerning the crucifixion of Christ. "What must we do?" they asked. Peter's directive was that they should "repent;" turn from their sins, be "be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," and that they would "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 ).

What about Now?

To those who might assume that this was a unique, one-time experience, Peter continues to explain, "the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39). The implication and our understanding today is that the promise of Pentecost is still valid. Thousands continue to receive the same experience annually around the world. "Pentecost" is alive and real. A Jewish feast day has become a universal cause for rejoicing!

Experience Pentecost!

Learn more about Pentecost, both as a church and as an experience. Email or call for a no obligation Bible study, either in your home or one near you. It’s free, there’s no pressure to join a church, or donate to a cause. It’s a good way to learn. Maybe you too will find out what Pentecost really is!

We are the classical Pentecostals, and we have come to Pleasanton!