Pentecost Event And Holy Spirit Arrival

The Pentecost event, described in the book of Acts, marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, fulfilling earlier promises made by Christ ^{[7, 10]}. This event took place on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, a significant annual pilgrimage festival ^[9].

The Feast of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks or the Harvest Feast, was a Jewish festival celebrated fifty days after the offering of the first sheaf of the barley harvest ^{[1, 2, 3]}. It was a time of holy rejoicing and was also called the "day of the firstfruits" ^{[1, 3]}. The manner of its observance is detailed in Leviticus 23:15-19 and Numbers 28:27-29 ^[1]. It was one of three great annual pilgrimage festivals, alongside Unleavened Bread (Passover) and Shelters, during which many people would travel to the Temple in Jerusalem ^[9].

According to Acts 2:1-4, when the day of Pentecost was "fully come," the disciples were gathered together in one place ^[8]. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind, filling the house where they were sitting. Then, "tongues as of fire" appeared and rested on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, beginning to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them ^[11]. This phenomenon of speaking in tongues was a miraculous gift, allowing the various peoples present in Jerusalem to hear the disciples speak in their own languages ^{[4, 11]}. Luke's account in Acts 2:9 specifies that people from diverse regions heard the message in their native dialects, indicating that the gift was one of speaking actual foreign languages ^[4].

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was a fulfillment of Christ's promise to send the Comforter ^{[7, 10]}. Jesus had told his disciples that it was expedient for him to go away so that the Comforter could come ^[7]. He also instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which was the baptism with the Holy Spirit ^[10]. The Spirit's arrival empowered the disciples for their mission, enabling them to speak infallibly in teaching and bringing to their remembrance all that Christ had taught them ^[14].

The timing of the Holy Spirit's descent on Pentecost, rather than immediately after Christ's ascension, is noted by early Christian writers like John Chrysostom ^[7]. Augustine also affirmed that the advent of the Holy Spirit is clearly narrated in the Acts of the Apostles ^[12]. The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, were foretold in prophecies such as Joel 2:28-29 and Isaiah 35:4-6 ^[5]. These gifts were given for the confirmation of the gospel and the edification of the Church ^[5].

The Pentecost event was not an isolated incident but marked the beginning of the Spirit's empowering presence in the early church ^[10]. The Holy Spirit was subsequently communicated to others through the preaching of the gospel and the laying on of the apostles' hands ^{[5, 6]}. For example, in Acts 10:44-48, the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household as Peter preached, demonstrating that God showed no partiality and extended the Spirit's power beyond Jewish believers ^[13]. This event is seen as paralleling the initial Pentecost experience in Jerusalem ^[13].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Pentecost — I.e., "fiftieth", found only in the New Testament (Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1 Cor. 16:8). The festival so named is first spoken of in Ex. 23:16 as "the feast of harvest," and again in Ex. 34:22 as "the day of the firstfruits" (Num. 28:26). From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks, i.e., forty-nine days, were to be reckoned, and this feast was held on the fiftieth day. The manner in which it was to be kept is described in Lev. 23:15-19; Num. 28:27-29. Besides the sacrifices prescribed for the occasion, every o”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Pentecost — 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. It lasted for but one day. From the sixteenth of Nisan seven weeks were reckoned inclusively, and the next or fiftieth day was the day of Pentecost, which fell on the sixth of Sivan (about the end of May). (Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Leviticus 23:15,22; Numbers 28) See Jewish calendar at the end of this volume. The Pentecost was the Jewish harvest-home, and the people were especially exhorted to rejoice before Jeho”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Feast of Pentecost, The — Held fiftieth day after offering first sheaf of barley harvest -- Le 23:15,16; De 16:9. Called the Feast of harvest. -- Ex 23:16. Feast of weeks. -- Ex 34:22; De 16:10. Day of the first fruits. -- Nu 28:26. Day of Pentecost. -- Ac 2:1. To be perpetually observed -- Le 23:21. All males to attend -- Ex 23:16,17; De 16:16. A holy convocation -- Le 23:21; Nu 28:26. A time of holy rejoicing -- De 16:11,12. The first fruits of bread presented at -- Le 23:17; De 16:10. Sacrifices at -- Le 23:18,19; Nu 28:27-31. The law given from Mount Sinai upon -”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
Acts “Acts 8:15 (BSB) — On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: will say, When had they heard this? When He said, “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you.” ( John xvi. 7 .) And again, “I will pray the Father, and He shall send you another Comforter, that He may abide with you.” ( ib. xiv. 16 .) But why did the Holy Ghost come to them, not while Christ was present, nor even immediately after his departure, but, whereas Christ ascended on the fortieth day, the Spirit descended “when the day of Pentecost,” that is, the fiftieth, “was fully come?” ( Acts ii.”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 2:1: We have here an account of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Christ. Observe, I. When, and where, this was done, which are particularly noted, for the greater certainty of the thing. 1. It was when the day of pentecost was fully come, in which there seems to be a reference to the manner of the expression in the institution of this feast, where it is said (Lev 23:15), You shall count unto you seven sabbaths complete, from the day of the offering of the first-fruits, which was the next day but one after the passover, the sixteenth day of the month Abi”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:1: 2:1-4 Jews observed three great annual pilgrimage festivals, when many would go to the Temple in Jerusalem—Unleavened Bread (which includes Passover), Pentecost (Harvest), and Shelters (see Lev 23:1-44). On Pentecost, when the Jewish people were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the harvest of God’s blessings, and when the disciples were united and expectant as they gathered for prayer, the Holy Spirit came and filled the gathered believers.”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 20:22: 20:22 Jesus commissioned the disciples and then empowered them with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit had not been given previously because Jesus had not yet been glorified (7:39). The glorified Jesus, resplendent in his resurrected body, poured the Spirit on his followers. This gift fulfilled many promises that the Spirit would be sent (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13). It foreshadows the arrival of the Spirit’s empowering presence at Pentecost (Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-47).”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 2 (introduction): The day of pentecost being arrived, and the disciples assembled, the Holy Spirit descended as a mighty rushing wind, and in the likeness of fiery tongues sat upon them; in consequence of which, they were all enabled to speak different languages, which they had never learned, Act 2:1-4. An account of persons from various countries who there present, and were astonished to hear the apostles declare the wonderful works of God in their respective languages, Act 2:5-12. Some cavil, Act 2:13, and are confounded by Peter, who asserts that this work is of God; and”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 9.--WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS SENT. (part 1): 10. Perhaps you will say to me, When, then, did the Paraclete promised by the Lord come? As regards this, had I nothing else to believe on the subject, I should rather look for the Paraclete as still to come, than allow that He came in Manichaeus. But seeing that the advent of the Holy Spirit is narrated with perfect clearness in the Acts of the Apostles, where is the necessity of my so gratuitously running the risk of believing heretics? For in the Acts it is written as follows: "The f”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 10:44: 10:44-48 On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the assembly that if they would repent, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, they would receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38; cp. 19:1-7). As Cornelius and his household listened to Peter’s message, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, too, and they were baptized. They received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews did, so clearly God had shown no partiality (10:34-35). This event parallels the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (2:1-47) and marks the spread of the Holy Spirit’s power to”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 41: those writings which were penned under the dispensation of the Spirit. Besides, the inspiration of the Apostles is proved, (1.) From the fact that Christ promised them the Holy Spirit, who should bring all things to their remembrance, and render them infallible in teaching. It is not you, He said, that speak, but the Spirit of my Father speaketh in you. He that heareth you heareth me. He forbade them to enter upon their office as teachers until they were endued with power from on high. (2) This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecos”

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