What is the meaning and spiritual significance of pentecost. Pentecost definition, a christian festival celebrated on the seventh sunday after easter, commemorating the descent of the holy ghost upon the apostles. The point of pentecost is mission, and the goal of mission is that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the lord. Dispensational approaches to the sermon on the mount. Fifty days after easter sunday, we celebrate the coming of the holy spirit upon the apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations. As the name indicates pentekoste, this second of the great jewish national festivals was observed on the 50th day, or 7 weeks, from the paschal feast, and therefore in the old testament it was called the feast of weeks. The point of pentecost is mission, and the goal of mission is that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the lord, as the waters cover the sea hab. Pentecost comes 10 days after the ascension of jesus christ. Pentecost definition from the kjv dictionary av1611.
This important feast gets its name from the fact that it starts seven full weeks, or exactly 50 days, after the feast of firstfruits. Pentecost means that the christian faith and the christian gospel have to do with certain great facts of history, great acts of god. It symbolized the birth or beginning of the church. What is the feast of weeks shavuot or pentecost, and what is its significance. It is in this respect that christianity differs from and is superior to every other religious system. The feast of weeks of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest is represented in the later harvest after the early barley harvest. Dictionaries smiths bible dictionary pentecost pentecost, n b e h that is, the fiftieth day from a greek word meaning fiftieth, or harvest feast, or feast of weeks, may be regarded as a supplement to the passover. Tradition states that god gave israel the ten commandments on pentecost. Bezalels godgiven wisdom and craftsmanship enabled him to. When the day of pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. The apostle paul wanted to be at jerusalem for pentecost. Britannica offers a pentecost definition that helps put it all into context.
How can pentecost make a difference in your relationship with god. Pentecost, festival in the christian church marking the descent of the holy spirit on the disciples and the beginning of the churchs global mission. This would be the first time everyone who was a christian would receive the holy spirit. The feast of weeks is a spring harvest festival following passover. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. The spiritual significances of the feast of weeks are many. Pentecost glossary term meaning as seen in the king james bible. They didnt know why, they didnt know why they observed the passover. Another aspect of the day of pentecost is the miraculous speaking in foreign tongues which enabled people from various language groups to understand the message of the apostles.
Jan 02, 2020 the promised holy spirit arrived on the day of pentecost, which is another name for the feast of weeks. Study 7 the meaning of pentecost words of life ministries. If you go back and read the old testament, you will discover that pentecost was one. Article explains what pentecost represents and teaches and answers the mysteries of life and the bible, such as why god allows suffering and why so few are being saved. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it.
Pentecost is also known as the birthday of the church. The book of acts introduces the holy spirit during a scene about pentecost, but its not the first time families who have been watching vischers whats in the bible. The day of pentecost is noted in the christian church as the day on which the spirit descended upon the apostles, and on which, under peters preaching, so. God confuses their language so they can no longer understand each other. Its the fiftieth day after jesus death, when the holy spirit can to earth, as jesus had promised to comfort his followers and be their counselor. The story links back to one of the earliest of the old testament stories, in genesis 11, when the people begin to build the huge tower of babel. Bible verses related to the day of pentecost from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order acts 2. This is the sabbath on which jesus, in his hometown, formally states the purpose of his ministry. Pentecost bible verses peter replied, repent and be baptized. Definition of pentecost, pentecostal, and pentecostals from the king james bible dictionary. What is the meaning of pentecost and the spirit of pentecost. Thus the scene of the disciples in a room at pentecost links the commencement of the holy spirits work in the church with the conclusion of christs earthly ministry in the upper room before the crucifixion. The word pentecost is from the greek word meaning fiftieth. At the giving of the law, the people of god became the nation of israel.
Thus, the events of the day of pentecost were seen as the fulfillment of this crucial prophecy. At pentecost, the disciples witness the birth of the new testament church in the coming of the holy spirit to indwell all believers. May 17, 20 the feast of weeks of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest is represented in the later harvest after the early barley harvest. The second of the three major festivals that all jewish males were required to celebrate in jerusalem. Jun 10, 2019 pentecost is a significant date in the calendar of the christianity religion and is traditionally referred to as whitsun or whitsunday in the uk and ireland. Its been 2,000 years, but pentecost sunday is still commemorated and celebrated today.
Some see the two loaves of leavened bread that were to be a wave offering as foreshadowing the time when the messiah would make both jew and gentile to be one in him ephesians 2. What are all the possible connections between the jewish meaning of pentecost and what occurred on the day of pentecost in acts 2. When the day of pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Pentecost is also a jewish holiday, which the jews use to celebrate the end of passover. So that is the meaning of shavuot, why christians should celebrate passover, what pentecost is.
The list of nations represented in the biblical text includes parthians, medes, elamites, mesopotamia, judaea, cappadocia, pontus, asia, phrygia. Enjoy our pentecost sunday 2019 service, for more information read our article the spirit of pente. John gill expresses the significance in his commentary. The day of pentecost was preceded by a period of ten days waiting and spiritual repose. The meaning of pentecost is gods equipping his church with the power of his spirit so that he will be glorified among the nations. Jan 02, 2020 another aspect of the day of pentecost is the miraculous speaking in foreign tongues which enabled people from various language groups to understand the message of the apostles. Pentecost had significant meaning to the church then as it still does today. One of the most significant events recorded in the bible happened on the day of pentecost. It also teaches the true gospel of the kingdom of god and what lies ahead for the united states and the world according to bible prophecy. The meaning of pentecost helps explain the solution to this worlds problems. May 16, 2019 we hope you enjoyed the teaching the meaning of pentecost. Pentecost launches the largescale spreading of the gospel after jesus. Its an issue worthy of further exploration, as pentecost in the bible marks the day the holy spirit came down on the disciples and christs apostles.
The holy spirit came down to permanently indwell the disciples, and the church age began. But it is the when as well as the what of pentecost that shows it is a sign, a remarkable allusion continue reading pentecost why did it occur when it did. The feast of pentecost or shavuot has many names in the bible. He would like to make all the decisions for our lives. The holy spirit did not make his first appearance at pentecost. Celebrated on the fiftieth day after passover, shavuot is traditionally a joyous time of giving thanks and presenting offerings for. The feast of pentecost from a christian perspective. It is celebrated on the sunday that falls on the 50th day of easter.
Unlike christmas and easter this day passes with such little fanfare that there is a good chance you will not think about it or be reminded of it. Pentecost definition of pentecost by merriamwebster. Pentecost means that the holy spirit, who in old testament times came upon god s servants to empower them, has now come to live for ever within every christian. Pentecost smith that is, the fiftieth day from a greek word meaning fiftieth, or harvest feast, or feast of weeks, may be regarded as a supplement to the passover. Its the fiftieth day after jesus death, when the holy spirit can to earth, as jesus had promised to comfort his followers and be their counselor although the word pentecost is only used in the new testament, there was also a feast on that same day in the old testament. After they were filled with the holy spirit, the bible says the 12 disciples performed many other miracles and wondrous signs. Learn more about the significance and history of pentecost. Pentecost is often thought to have begun in the new testament, but in actuality, the word pentecost is a greek word referring to the festival of weeks, which was one of the main holy festivals of the jewish people leviticus 23. Meaning of shavuot, passover and pentecost by minister. The day of pentecost is noted in the christian church as the day on which the spirit descended upon the apostles, and on which, under peters preaching, so many thousands were converted in jerusalem acts 2. Pentecost represents the consummation of the first harvest, after seven weeks of labor, and also the arrival of the israelites at mount sinai after seven weeks of weary wandering. In addition is the bold and incisive preaching of peter to a jewish audience. It commemorates the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles and other. The jews called it the feast of harvest or the feast of week and in the time of the apostles, it was a great and grand harvest celebration.
The meaning of multiple number sevens such as 777 and 7777 is derived from it being a reinforcement of perfection and gods unmistakable hand in the affairs of man. God intends true christians to understand the full meaning of pentecost, as revealed in the bible. The feast of weeks, the feast of harvest, and the latter firstfruits. In the old testament, the holy spirit empowered individuals for specific tasks. The christian holy day of pentecost, which is celebrated fifty days after easter sunday. Of all the annual observances given by god to the ancient israelites, this is the only one that has been commonly known to christians since the first century by its greek name pentecost, meaning the fiftieth day thayers.
It was significant to ancient israel for it was the feast of first fruits called shavuot. If you go back and read the old testament, you will discover that pentecost was one of the jewish feast days. The apostles ability to address foreign visitors in their own languages was a miracle from god. Most christians understand part of the meaning of pentecost. Luke does not say it is pentecost, just that it is a sabbath he customarily kept. It was celebrated on the 50th day counted from nisan 16. The word pentecost is from the greek word pentekostos and its literally a translation of the word fifty or fiftieth day. New testament explanation the new testament gives the description of the events. But a full understanding of pentecost reveals much more.
Pentecost also commemorated the giving of the law at mount sinai again, 50 days after israels liberation from egypt at passover. Pentecost fulfills jesus promise to send the counselor and spirit of truth in john 16515. The feast of pentecost and its meaning for all mankind. Pentecost was a day to celebrate the end of the grain harvest. May 21, 2010 if you go back and read the old testament, you will discover that pentecost was one of the jewish feast days. The meaning of pentecost in the bible from international standard bible encyclopedia pentekost. Pentecost, meaning fiftieth day, is the name used in the christian greek scriptures for what is called the festival of harvest or festival of weeks in the hebrew scriptures. People had already become christians but the holy spirit wasnt a part of them yet. The name of the day itself is derived from the greek word pentecoste, meaning 50th. Jun 08, 2019 everything you need to know about pentecost. The feast of pentecost and its meaning for all mankind the feast of harvest, the feast of weeks,the feast of pentecost all three names above apply to the same holy day or feast. As you observe the pentecost this sunday, reflect on the following verses to better appreciate this special, historic day. Pentecost, dictionary definition, verses and bible references on the topic of pentecost, using smiths bible dictionary online.
The day of pentecost and i will pray the father, and he will give you another helper, that he may abide with you forever the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. Since the day of pentecost our physical bodies are the temples where the holy spirit dwells. According to the bibles new testament, the apostles were inspired to talk in. The meaning of pentecost helps explain why god allows so much suffering in this world at this time. So pentecost was the day when the holy spirit was given and thus, jesus church was founded. Christ, the fulfillment of the law in the sermon on the mount.
It was called the feast of firstfruits or the feast of weeks. Pentecost 2017 date, bible verses and the meaning in. They know that pentecost represents the gift of the holy spirit and the start of the new testament church. Click here to hear a recording of the article by the author. Pentecost dictionary definition, verses and bible references on the topic of pentecost using eastons bible dictionary online. Israel never understood why they should have this day of pentecost. In many of his sayings, the lord jesus anticipated the coming of the holy spirit john 7. The day of pentecost when the day of pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. The christian holy day of pentecost, which is celebrated fifty days after easter sunday, commemorates the descent of the holy spirit upon the apostles and other followers of jesus christ while they were in jerusalem celebrating the feast of weeks, as described in the acts of the apostles acts 2. Regarding pentecost, some feel that the bible records jesus keeping it with the jews, apparently in agreement as to the proper day, in luke 4. Studies in acts chapters 1 3 by francis dixon study verses. Britannica offers a pentecost definition that helps put. Pentecost holds an interesting distinction among gods commanded holy days.
Today, we recognize this day as pentecost, which is the greek name for it. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. What is the feast of weeks shavuot or pentecost, and. Bible verses about the day of pentecost bible verses related to the day of pentecost from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order. Anyone looking to read the backstory surrounding pentecost sunday can flip his or her bible or scroll in a bible app to acts 2. A solemn festival of the jews, so called because celebrated on the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of nisan, which was the second day of the passover. Described in leviticus 23, the feast of weeks is the second of the three solemn feasts that all jewish males were required to travel to jerusalem to attend exodus 23. Pentecost international standard bible encyclopedia. Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early wheat. The bible says that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.