The events of the day of Pentecost

THE EVENTS OF THE DAY OF PENTECOST
The Apostles received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The day of Pentecost is one of the festivals on which the Jews are expected to come before the Lord with gives and offerings.

On that particular day, they were all gathered at one place when a sound from heaven in the form of a rushing wind filled the house wherein they were gathered. There were tongues of fire that rested on the head of each of them and suddenly, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and they started speaking in tongues.

Many people had come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem from all parts of the then world and they had gathered that day. They had gathered to listen to the Apostles. Such people were surprised because they were hearing the Apostles speak in their languages. The pilgrims asked whether the Apostles were not Galileans. They asked why they could hear them in their native languages.

Some, however, accused them of being filled with new wine. In other words, the disciples were drunk. Then Peter stood up to refute the allegation. He told the gathering the people were not drunk as they were saying because it was just the third hour of the day. (Drinking at such an early hour attracted fines)

Peter said what was happening was already foretold by Prophet Joel, when God said in the last days he would pour out his spirit upon everybody. The sons and daughters shall prophesy. God said, He would pour out his spirit on both men and maid-servants so that they would also prophesy.

According to Peter, Jesus was revealed to them by God through the mighty works that God did through him while he was with them. He told them how they delivered up Jesus to be killed.

Peter added that they crucified Jesus by the hands of lawless men but was raised from death by God, then ascended to heaven. He ended by saying God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Peter’s speech had a profound effect on his audience. They were convicted so they asked Peter what they must do. Peter told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus so that their sins would be forgiven and for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Three thousand people gave their lives to Christ and were baptized to become part of the church. Such people devoted themselves to the teachings of the Apostles and fellowshipped with the others.

WAYS IN WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT STILL INFLUENCES THE LIFE OF CHRISTIANS TODAY.

1. Active evangelism still goes on today.

2. Many former atheist enclaves are receiving the gospel.

3. The Holy Spirit is helping through the building of hospitals, homes for the poor and the aged.

4. It still provides the church with the resources and strength to carry on.

5. Miracles of healing are still being recorded through the help of the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PENTECOST EVENT

1. The event brought the followers of Jesus into a new relationship with the Father of God

2. It marked the first time that the early church preached baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus himself had commissioned them to do.

 3. The events of the day of Pentecost marked the beginning of the first Christian Church, it marked the birth of the universal church.

4. The event empowered the Church to go out there and carry the message of salvation through Jesus to all nations.

5. The presence of people from different parts of the world confirms Luke’s presentation of the Church as a universal Church.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. a. Narrate the events of the day of Pentecost.

    b. State two ways in which the Holy Spirit still influences the life of Christians today.

2. a. Give a vivid account of the events of the Day of Pentecost.

    b. In which three ways is the event significant to Christianity?

ALSO READ:
Fellowship among the members of the early church

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