The word Pentecost is derived from the Greek word pentecoste which means “the fiftieth day.” It was called the Feast of the Harvest (Exodus 23:16), or the Day of First Fruits (Numbers 28:26), which fell on the 50th day after the Feast of the Passover (Zondervan Pictorial Dictionary).

In Acts chapter 2, we read of the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost now speaks of a great biblical experience that offers a better way of life for everyone!

Pentecost Foretold by the Prophets

Joel prophesied, “It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28).

Isaiah spoke, “With stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing” (Isaiah 28:11 – 12).

Ezekiel announced, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).

John the Baptist preached, “He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Pentecost Promised by Jesus

Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly [Revised Version – from within] shall flow rivers of living waters. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)” (John 7:37 – 39). (Also see John 16:7 and 14:26).

“Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem…And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:46 – 49).

“John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5).

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).

Jews Experience Pentecost

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [120 disciples] 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1 – 4).

As Peter preached to the people (devout Jews from every nation) who came to witness the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the question was asked “What shall we do?”

Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…They that gladly received the Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [the 120] about 3,000 souls” (Acts 2:37 – 41).

Believers Experience Pentecost

“Paul having passed through the upper coast came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said to them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE YE BELIEVED? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s Baptism.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, which is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized [rebaptized] in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:1 – 6).

You Can Experience Pentecost

Both the Bible and history prove that Pentecost has not ceased to be a biblical experience among believers today. The Pentecostal experience is for you, if you will believe according to God’s Word (John 7:38 – 39 and Acts 2:38).

Peter told us, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

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