What Is Pentecost and How Is It Significant to the Modern Day Church?

By Suzette Gutierrez-Cachila
Fire
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples during Pentecost was described in the Bible as "tongues of fire" descending upon them. Pixabay

Most Christians have some idea about Pentecost, but considering it is not as widely celebrated as other Christian holidays, it is safe to conclude that many believers are uncertain about the significance of Pentecost to the modern church.

What is Pentecost anyway, and how is it significant to the church today?

In the old covenant, Pentecost or the Festival of Weeks was one of the "weightiest" festivals for God's people, according to Ligonier Ministries, an international organization founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul.

Pentecost was one of three festivals during which God required all males in Israel to be in Jerusalem. The other two feasts were Passover and the Feast of Booths or Sukkot.

Pentecost in the old covenant was a time when the Jews would thank God for blessing them with grain, but over time, it became traditionally associated with the day God revealed His law to His people through Moses.

In the new covenant, Pentecost refers to the time when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus after He ascended to heaven. However, many Christians mistakenly believe this to be the time in a believer's life when he or she gets baptized in the Holy Spirit, according to an article written by Steven J. Cole for Bible.org.

Cole said the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 "should be interpreted in light of Acts 1:4-8," which gives an account of Jesus telling the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.

Before Jesus was taken to heaven, he told his disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them, and they will be His "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

"Just as the ministry of Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit descending on Him at His baptism, so the ministry of the disciples depended on them receiving the Holy Spirit and relying on His power," Cole wrote.

The events of Acts 2 signal a "new period" for God's people in which the Holy Spirit empowers them to be a witness to the nations, and the ultimate goal is for God to be glorified in the nations.

In other words, during Pentecost, God's people—the church—received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers and enables them to become witnesses for Christ throughout the nations and give glory to God. This is the significance of Pentecost for the modern church.

As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday on June 4, let us remember God's purpose and plan in sending His Spirit not just for our personal lives but for the salvation of the peoples of the world: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14)

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories