Pentecost is one of the great feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church, a Solemnity in the Roman rite of the Catholic Church. What is Pentecost? How did it come about? Some kids present beautiful stories of the Pentecost. BETTY AMUKPO puts forward their respective narratives:
‘Pentecost is celebration of descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples’
Pentecost is the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. The beautiful story of Pentecost is written in Acts 2:1-12. After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to His disciples severally (John 20:19), before the Ascension. He talked with them and directed them thus: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait until the promise of the Father has being fulfilled” (Act 1:3-5). Then He ascended to heaven. On the day of Pentecost, the believers were gathered together in one place, suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were seated. Then they saw something like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. (Act 2:1-4). The Jews and religious men who came from every country in the world were excited because each one of them heard the believers speaking in his own language (Acts 2:5-6). The Pentecost also known as the decent of the Holy Spirit gave them the boldness and courage to preach the word of God and also gave them the power to baptise people in the Blessed Trinity. It gave them the power to cast out demons, principalities and power. After Peter’s speech many people gave their lives to Christ and about three thousand people were added to the group. This is the beautiful story of Pentecost. Happy Pentecost Sunday!
• Anyasor Raphael Chibuike
‘It marks the beginning of the Christian Church’s mission’
When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread and touched each person there. Pentecost comes from a Jewish harvest festival called Shavuot. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2), and it marks the beginning of the Christian Church’s mission in the world. The purpose of Pentecost is to remind every Christian that even though Christ died for our sins and that by baptism we accept the forgiveness of our sins, there is something else each one of us needs to do. We need to receive the Holy Spirit so we can do the work of discipleship that awaits each one of us. Bible References: – Acts 2:1-14 – Luke 24:49 – Romans 15:13
• Ojimmadu Sandra
‘The empowering of believers to bear witness to Christ’s work’
The feast of Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It is the beginning of the Church, the empowering of believers to bear witness to Christ’s work, understanding that came to people speaking languages from all the nations and the unifying of people for a common purpose. Acts 2:1-13: The Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘The Apostles were celebrating Shavuot when the Holy Spirit descended on them’
It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks. This important event in the Christian faith is described in the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 2:1-31, the fifth book of the New Testament of the Bible. Pentecost comes from a Jewish harvest festival called Shavuot. The Apostles were celebrating this festival when the Holy Spirit descended on them like a very strong wind, and it looked like tongues of fire, the Apostles then found themselves speaking in foreign languages inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• Stephen Victory
‘It is a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit’
The story of Pentecost is truly beautiful! It’s found in the New Testament, in the book of Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2. Here’s a summary: After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, His disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire, and they began to speak in different languages, proclaiming the wonders of God. A crowd gathered, amazed to hear each person speaking in their own language. Peter then stood up and preached to the crowd, explaining that this event was the fulfillment of prophecy and declaration of the message of Jesus. Many people were moved and became followers of Jesus that day. The verse from Acts 2:4 describes the moment of Pentecost: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” It’s a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the universal reach of God’s message.
• Asia Alexandra Adanna
‘The Pentecost marked the spread of Christianity to all nations’
The story of Pentecost is a beautiful one. It is the story of the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and believers who were gathered in Jerusalem 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. This event is described in Acts 2:1-13. On this day, the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire and enabled the believers to speak in different languages, proclaiming the wonders of God. This event marked the beginning of the Christian Church and the spread of Christianity to all nations.
• Blossom Akalezi
‘3,000 people became Christians on the day of Pentecost’
Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter. It celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, which is said to have given them the ability to speak in different languages. It is a movement that continues to bless the lives of all believers and empowers Christians to proclaim the Gospel. The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus’ friends and followers gathered together in a room in Jerusalem. Suddenly, a loud, rushing wind filled the room, and they saw what looked like flames resting on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in languages they didn’t know they could speak. People from different countries heard them and were amazed that they could understand what they were saying. The Holy Spirit helped Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, to boldly tell the crowd about Jesus. 3,000 people became Christians that day, and the Church was born. Today, Pentecost is still celebrated by Christians around the world as a time to remember the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience God here with us.
• Anita Chima
‘The event marked the birth of the Christian Church’
The beautiful story of Pentecost is described in Acts 2:1- 4. After Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples gathered together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound like the blowing of a violent wind, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. This event marked the birth of the Christian Church, as they began to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to people from different nations. It was a powerful demonstration of God’s Spirit empowering believers to spread the message of salvation.
• Arnold Kamsy Akalezi
‘Pentecost occurs on the 50th day of Easter’
Pentecost also called Whit Sunday is a Christian festival that occurs on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It is also recorded in the Book of Acts 2:1-4, which says: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongue as the Holy Spirit enabled them.”
• Eyinade Gideon
