What Does the Bible Say About Pentecost?

What is the meaning of Acts 2? What is Pentecost? What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

This passage helps us think through these important questions.

What is the Meaning of Pentecost?

Pentecost was an important Jewish feast during which people thanked God for the early wheat harvest. It was held 50 (pente) days after Passover Sunday.

Pentecost is the Greek name meaning “fiftieth.” In the Old Testament, it is referred to as “Shavuot.” It is a festival of thanksgiving. Later it is associated with Moses receiving the Law 50 days after the deliverance from Egypt (which happened at Passover).

Exodus 24:14 – 19 tells us of the three appointed feasts, “Celebrate the Festival of the Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field.” Before this Festival is Passover and after this is the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year when the crops are gathered. See also Numbers 28 and Deuteronomy 16.

The Pentecost feast had a celebratory factor to it and explains why so many devout Jewish people have come from around the region. Though they have migrated to other regions over the years (some come from Egypt, Libya, modern-day Turkey, and the Mediterranean), they prioritize being in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

What is the meaning of speaking in tongues?

The devout worshippers likely spoke the common trade language, Koine Greek. It was as commonplace in the Roman Empire as English is today. The worshippers were at least bi-lingual, speaking Koine and their home language, which ranged from Latin to Arabic, to Cretan, et al.

The sound “like the sound of rushing wind” catches everyone’s attention and leads them to the house of the disciples. Then the attendees hear the preaching of Jesus in their native language.

Hearing the gospel in the language of trade would have seemed foreign and distanced. However, hearing it in the language of home with your momma’s dialect has a profound effect.

The New Testament was written primarily in Koine Greek, the trade language of the Roman Empire, making it easier for the gospel to spread person to person.

This vision of a fiery tongue rests upon each of the 120 disciples and empowers them to preach and speak “about God’s deeds of power.” They are likely retelling the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Peter explains the situation to the befuddled listeners in verses 14 – 36, saying that they are preaching about Jesus, whom God attested as the Messiah through signs and wonders.

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit?

This is a special giving of the Holy Spirit by God to convince the worshippers that Jesus is the Messiah. One could read this and get the impression that this is the giving of the Holy Spirit as if the Spirit has not been working on earth and in people for many, many years. Let’s take a look through Scripture to see what role the Holy Spirit plays.

• The Spirit hovered over the waters of the deep in Genesis 1:1-2. “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

• The Spirit worked in judges, warriors, prophets, and other leaders like Joshua (Numbers 27:18), Othniel (Judges 3:10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), Joseph (Genesis 41:38)

• The Spirit of God empowered David to prophesy (2 Samuel 23:2)

• The Holy Spirit strives against sin (Genesis 6:3) and inspires us to follow righteousness, to do good (Psalm 143:10)

• The Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism (Matthew 3:16)

• It is the Spirit who teaches us the truth (John 14:26)

The Spirit helps us turn away from sin and empowers us to embody virtues like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5).

One can read this passage and think, “I didn’t have a conversion experience like that, so am I really a Christian? Is the Spirit of God within me?”

The Spirit is Christ’s own presence (John 14) in our lives, helping us embrace the gospel of Christ. “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:12). Therefore, when we say yes to the good and turn away from the bad, we give thanks to God.