The Beginning: After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples remain in Jerusalem as he instructed, waiting for the promised gift from God. When the Jewish feast of Pentecost arrives, they are gathered together in one place.
The Middle: A sound like a rushing wind fills the house, and tongues “as of fire” appear and rest on each of them. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other languages, astonishing the many pilgrims in Jerusalem who hear God’s mighty works in their own tongues. Some mock, but Peter stands and explains that this event fulfills the prophecy of Joel about God pouring out his Spirit. He proclaims Jesus as the crucified and risen Messiah, now exalted, and calls the crowd to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for forgiveness, promising the Holy Spirit as God’s gift.
The End: The listeners are cut to the heart and ask what they should do. About three thousand receive Peter’s message, are baptized, and are added to the community of believers. The church’s public witness begins with Spirit-empowered proclamation in Jerusalem.
Pentecost reveals God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promise to send the Holy Spirit, marking a decisive moment in the inauguration and empowerment of the church’s mission. The Spirit’s coming is presented as God’s act: he equips believers to testify to the risen Christ and extends the gospel beyond linguistic and cultural barriers. Peter’s sermon ties the event to Jesus’ exaltation and to repentance and forgiveness, showing that the Spirit’s gift is connected to God’s saving work in Christ and the gathering of a renewed covenant people.
Pentecost (Greek Pentēkostē) corresponds to the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), one of the pilgrimage festivals when Jews from many regions traveled to Jerusalem (cf. Deuteronomy 16:16). Acts’ list of nations fits Jerusalem’s role as a major pilgrimage center, helping explain the presence of many language groups who could immediately carry the message beyond the city.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” — Acts 2:4
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What happened when Pentecost arrived and the disciples were gathered together?
2. About how many people received Peter’s message, were baptized, and were added to the community of believers?