The Story of Pentecost

Jesus had been resurrected and ascended to heaven. But his friends, the disciples, were all still hanging out figuring out what to do with everything that just happened. The disciples got together with a bunch of people from many different countries that were gathered for a harvest festival. It was called "Shavuot" or the Festival of Weeks, but this harvest festival took a turn no one expected.

Out of nowhere, the sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the place where they were gathered. And if that wasn’t startling enough, it looked like there were little flames of fire sitting on top of each person’s head. Everyone kind of looked like a candle with a flame.

Don’t worry. Nobody melted or got burned. The flames just hovered over them.

And then everyone started talking all at once. PURE CHAOS! There were a lot of different languages being spoken because people came from so many places, but the weird thing was that everyone understood each other. It was like having an instant Google Translator at work in your brain. It all seemed a little bizarre. Some folks who saw what was happening said,

“These people have had way too much to drink!”

But then Peter stood with the other 11 disciples. He raised his voice and shouted,

“Listen up! Everybody listen! These people aren’t drunk. C’mon. It’s only 9 AM! We’re pretty sure this is the thing our prophet Joel predicted. Remember his words:

God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

“It’s all happening, people. It’s all happening!” exclaimed Peter.

“Everybody, change your hearts! Change your lives! The gift of the Holy Spirit is here! And it’s yours! Go and be baptized in the name of Jesus."

And after this, more and more people began to devote themselves to the disciple’s teachings about Jesus. They prayed together and shared food together. They went out and showed people just how good God is. And the community grew and grew and grew and grew.

We remember this day as the day the Christian church began.

Happy Birthday, Church!