Pentecost Story - Bible

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like tongues of fire. The fire separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other languages. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to do this.

There were God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together. They were bewildered because each one heard the believers speaking in their own language.

They were completely amazed. They asked, 'Aren't all these people who are speaking from Galilee? Then why do we each hear them speaking in our own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We are people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya near Cyrene. Visitors from Rome are here with us. Some of us are Jews. Others are converts to Judaism. There are also Cretans and Arabs. We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own languages!'

They were all amazed and perplexed. They asked one another, 'What does this mean?'

But some made fun of them. They said, 'They have had too much wine.'

Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and spoke to the crowd. 'Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem,' he said, 'let me explain this to you. Listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. It says, 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants, both men and women. They will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below. The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. This will happen before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.''

Peter continued, 'Fellow Israelites, listen to this. Jesus of Nazareth was a man who was accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs. God did these among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge. You, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

David said about him, 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body also will rest in hope. You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead. You will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Fellow Israelites, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried. His tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet. He knew that God had promised him with an oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah. He said that he would not be abandoned to the realm of the dead. He said that his body would not decay. God has raised this Jesus to life. We are all witnesses of this fact.

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit. He has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven. Yet he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.''

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this. God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.'

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart. They said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'

Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off. It is for all whom the Lord our God will call.'

With many other words he warned them. He pleaded with them. He said, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'

Those who accepted his message were baptized. About three thousand people were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship. They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe. The apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together. They had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. They praised God and enjoyed the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Pentecost was a very special day. The Holy Spirit came to live inside believers. He gives us power to tell others about Jesus. He helps us live the way God wants us to live. The church was born on the day of Pentecost. That is why we celebrate it as the birthday of the church.

The Pentecost story teaches empowerment and guidance. It shows the work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. This story highlights faith and divine inspiration.