Pentecost & The Holy Spirit

What is the definition of Pentecost?

Pentecost is a celebration that marks the 'birth' of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated 50 days after Easter.

When was Pentecost first celebrated (which century?)

Pentecost was first celebrated in the 1st Century.

 

Who / what is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the LORD's spirit that has existed forever along with the Father & the Word (Jesus) which is the trinity. The Holy Spirit helps, protects and guides people everyday and works through many people and helps them to be immersed with righteous, God's light and Jesus' Grace.

What happened at Pentecost?

"Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29). The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. (You can read the Biblical account of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-41)."

(from website; http://www.stpaulskingsville.org/pentecost.htm#WHAT IS PENTECOST?)

What part of the year is Pentecost celebrated?

Pentecost, is a 'Moveable celebration', the date of Pentecost depends on the date of Easter (counting both Easter and Pentecost) But Penecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter.

What is Jesus really saying to the folks here - John's Gospel (20:19-23). It tells of a visit of the Risen Christ to the disciples huddled in fear. "Peace be with you," Jesus says. "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you." After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and added, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The breath, the life, of Jesus himself. We are God-breathed. Pentecost celebrates that reality.

Jesus is telling them that he must return home to Heaven because his destiny and work has been done. So now he needs them to spread the message of love and word of God & Jesus everywhere and he empowers them to do that by bringing them peace and pouring the Holy spirit onto them to guide them and protect them and to help them speak the truth about Jesus's life and his teachings.

What seems to happen when people allow this divine Spirit to energize them?

People are filled with love, Joy and are empowered with Grace to undergo the day it stops all darkness from entering their being. The Holy Spirit can fill people with such power that they can do supernatural things like when the apostles went off to spread the word about Jesus and his message they were able to speak different languages.