Acts 2 changed human history forever. The followers of Jesus were gathered together in Jerusalem, fifty days after His death and resurrection. It had been ten days since He ascended into heaven. Suddenly, a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and tongues like flames of fire rested upon the believers. The believers were speaking in all the various languages of those in the crowd. But more important than any other miracle that occurred that day, the Holy Spirit came down. He descended from heaven and filled the hearts of all believers.
This marked the beginning of a new era. God no longer dwelt in a physical temple; He dwelt within His own people. The miracle of Acts 2 took place during a Jewish festival called Pentecost. In this blog, we will take a look at the rich history of Pentecost, how some people celebrate Pentecost today, and what Pentecost means for all of us as believers.
History of Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost was a Jewish festival described in Leviticus 23:15–22, and the Jewish people have celebrated this festival for centuries before the events of Acts 2 took place. The word “Pentecost” originates from the Greek word “fiftieth” because the festival took place roughly fifty days after the annual Passover celebrations. The celebration marked the completion of the wheat harvest, which is why the people would bring an offering to the Lord of their firstfruits of harvest. This is why the Feast of Pentecost is also referred to as the Feast of Harvest. This special day was for the Jewish people to praise God for His goodness to them in the harvest, but it was also meant to celebrate how God gave the Israelites His Law through Moses on Mount Sinai.
In Acts 2, this is the festival that was being celebrated when the Holy Spirit descended. Crowds of people were already gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate this sacred feast, and the Lord used this ancient tradition to be the setting for which His Spirit descended on the people.
Why Do People Observe Pentecost Today?
Though not all Christians celebrate the festival of Pentecost today, some Christians still do. They recognize that through the Pentecost, God united Himself to His people by the power of His Spirit. Therefore, they celebrate the descension of the Spirit on Pentecost. They celebrate the fact that Christ is always present with us through the Spirit. Remembering Pentecost allows these believers to reflect on God’s fulfillment of His promises through the Holy Spirit.
The celebration of Pentecost takes place on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Traditionally, people wear red to symbolize the tongues like fire that came down from heaven and white to symbolize the purity of Christ’s salvation. Doves are also a common decoration and symbol of the Pentecost festival, as the dove represents the Holy Spirit during Jesus’s baptism (Matthew 3:16). Whether or not you choose to celebrate Pentecost annually, we can all celebrate the way our lives forever changed after what God did in Acts 2.
What Does the Pentecost Mean to Me?
Again, the miracle of Acts 2 is significant for all our lives, whether or not we celebrate the festival. If we have believed and put our faith in Jesus Christ, then we too have received the Holy Spirit into our lives like the early believers in Acts 2. He guides us, comforts us, convicts us, and sanctifies us. And no matter what we face or what trials we walk through, the presence of God is with us forever because of the Holy Spirit. All of this is true for us today because of what God did on Pentecost two thousand years ago.
So, as you think about the festival of Pentecost this week, take time to remember the miracle of Acts 2. We do not have to take a pilgrimage to the temple to visit God’s presence anymore. We can delight and enjoy God in every moment of our lives because His presence is now within us. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can know God, talk to Him in prayer, and be united to Him forever. That is something truly worthy to celebrate both on Pentecost and every day of our lives.
Sources:
Douglas, J.D. and Merrill C. Tenney. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Revised by Moisés Silva. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2011.
