What was the Day of Pentecost in the Bible?

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What was the Day of Pentecost in the Bible?

• Pentecost was one of the 3 major Jewish feasts days established by God in His Old Testament Law for the Jews.

• In the Old Testament, the day was known as the Feast of Weeks (Ex 34:22) and the Feast of Harvest (Ex 23:16).

• The Feast was celebrated each year around the time of the grain and wheat harvest.

• The word “Pentecost” is a Greek word signifying the 50th part of a thing, or the 50th in order. Among the Jews, it became associated with the 50th day feast (Barnes).

• Beginning the Sabbath after the Passover Feast, the Jews were instructed to count off 50 days. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was celebrated on the 50th day.

  • Lev 23:15-16 “You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD.

  • To learn more about the Feast of Weeks check out Leviticus 23:15-22.

• By the first century, some of the Jews used Pentecost as a day to memorialize Moses receiving the Law of God on Mount Sinai.

• Others, kept it as a day to celebrate the covenant God made with Noah after the global flood.

• The events of the most memorable Pentecost Day are recorded in Acts chapter 2.

  • God sent the Holy Spirit to His Apostles in Jerusalem to enable them to preach about the Kingdom of Heaven and to work miracles.

  • The Holy Spirit gave them insights into God’s global work, gave them the ability to heal the sick, to speak in multiple languages, and to witness to Jesus’ resurrection.

  • These events were significant because they launched the disciples of Jesus into their new work as servants in the Church (the Kingdom of God).

Timeline showing the events from Jesus’ death to the Day of Pentecost.