Don Stewart :: What Happened on the Day of Pentecost?

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One of the most significant events recorded in the Bible happened on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down to permanently indwell the disciples, and the church age began.

New Testament Explanation

The New Testament gives the description of the events:

Now 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).

Several significant things happened on the Day of Pentecost. They include:

Fulfillment Of Prophecy

On the Day of Pentecost prophecy was fulfilled. Acts 2:1 literally reads, "As the Day of Pentecost was being fulfilled." What was fulfilled was the prophecy given by both Jesus and John the Baptist concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit. John had earlier said of Jesus:

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after Me is mightier than I . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

Ten days before Pentecost Jesus reiterated the prediction.

For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:5).

The coming of the Holy Spirit was also to give power to the believers:

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

When Pentecost occurred, the Holy Spirit came as promised, baptizing the believers into Christ and giving them power to be His witnesses.

Beginning Of The Church Age

Pentecost was also the birthday of the church. The Old Testament period of law was concluded and a new era began. Those who believe in Jesus as Messiah during this present age become part of the body (or bride) of Christ known as the church. The church age began at Pentecost and will conclude when Christ comes back for His own.

Signs Following

The Day of Pentecost also witnessed signs which followed the coming of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus had predicted those who believed spoke with new tongues:

And these signs shall follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).

This was the supernatural ability to speak in a language that was unknown to them.

First Converts

The Day of Pentecost also saw the first converts to the Christian church. When Simon Peter delivered his sermon proclaiming that Christ had risen, some three thousand people became converted.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them (Acts 2:41).

Conclusion

We can conclude that on the Day of Pentecost the following occurred: The Holy Spirit, in fulfilling prophecies of both Jesus and John the Baptist, descended in a unique way upon all the believers, giving them power for service; the outpouring of the Holy Spirit began the church age; the disciples were both baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit; the sign of speaking in unknown languages was given to the disciples as evidence of the arrival of the Holy Spirit; and finally, on this birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit descended upon all the believers, Peter preached the first sermon of the church age and three thousand people were converted.