Pentecost: What Is Pentecost?

Discovering The Jewish Jesus Audio Podcast

This year, Pentecost falls on Sunday, May 19th, while Shavuot takes place in June. These holidays celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit as described in the book of Acts. However, Pentecost follows the Gregorian calendar, while Shavuot follows the Hebrew calendar. Due to differences in how these calendars calculate dates, Pentecost and Shavuot do not coincide on the same day.

What is Pentecost? Why is it important to us today? Rabbi Schneider shares that the Jewish people had already been celebrating Shavuot for 1500 years. But when the Spirit of God came, it fulfilled Shavuot as it had been prophesied 1500 years prior. Jesus didn't come to create a separate religion, but to fulfill through the Jews as had been promised. Christianity is not a different belief. Jesus fulfills the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. Pentecost is the birthday of the living church with access to God through the Holy Spirit. When we celebrate Shavuot and Pentecost, we joyfully acknowledge that God gave us His Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help you through any trial and tribulation. The Holy Spirit is a gift that lives within us for our enjoyment, to experience God, and to be the power to obey Him and be His witnesses. Make Jesus relevant to the people around you.

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