Pentecost is a day when Christians worldwide celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It occurs on the Sunday 50 days after Easter (the name comes from the Greek ‘pentekoste’ that is translated as “fiftieth”). And 10 days after Ascension Day.
In fact, Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church, because it was the start of the mission of the Church in the world. Prior to this point (with Jesus as the exception) the Holy Spirit has rested on people for a time. But on this day the Holy Spirit filled the disciples of Jesus and stayed with them forever. Everything changed from that moment!
Trinity
The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is the way Christians understand God, who is so much more we can grasp and understand!
Does the Holy Spirit still in work as he did at the first Pentecost?
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Celebrating Pentecost
It is a joyful celebration for churches world wide. Ministers in some church even wear robes with red in the design as a symbol of the flames in which the Holy Spirit came to earth. Churches celebrate this day in many different ways.
Symbols
In the tradition of the church through the ages, many symbols are used to represent the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. The most common ones being flames, wind, the breath of God, and the dove.
Below: Medieval western illustration of the Pentecost from the Hortus deliciarum of Herrad of Landsberg (12th century)
The first Pentecost
Pentecost originated as a Jewish harvest festival called ‘Shavuot’. It’s the festival where the first harvest is offered to God and big celebrations happened. Even though there was a big celebration in Jerusalem where the followers of Jesus where, they were not participating. Why? Because just ten days before they had watch Jesus rise into the clouds and disappear. While they where still watching angles appeared to them and said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 They must have also remember Jesus words from before when he told them, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 So the disciples locked themselves in a room and prayed for 10 days, and the Holy Spirit descended on them! When that happened, people heard the sound of a very strong wind. They saw on or above the head of the disciples something that looked like tongues of fire.The apostles then found themselves speaking in foreign languages, inspired by the Holy Spirit. People who observed everything happening thought that they must be drunk, but the apostle Peter told the crowd that the apostles were full of the Holy Spirit. We actually have the first ever sermon from the Apostle, Peter. He boldly told all the people gathered around about Jesus! Once he’d finished sharing the good news, we are told that 3000 people believed and were saved.
When is Pentecost?
Pentecost 2025 : June 8th
Pentecost 2026 : May 24th
> Discover what other Christian holidays mean
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