PENTECOST: THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH

Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter Day. It is the anniversary of Christ being experienced by his many disciples simultaneously as the Holy Spirit. One hundred twenty or more of his followers were gathered in a large room in Jerusalem when he came to them in this strange new way with power that clothed each one of them.

The word, "Pentecost" is from the Greek, meaning '50^th day.’ The Jews had long used it as a quick way to designate their Feast of the First Fruits Day, which came on the 50^th day after their annual Passover Festival.

Because the great revelation of the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and because the Christians until that time had been Jews, it was natural for them to adopt this word to designate this highest of Christian events.

The special emphasis of the Pentecost season is the reality, guidance, and power of the HOLY SPIRIT of our living God in every life.

The color of Pentecost Sunday is red (although the season after Pentecost is green). The red signifies the fire of zeal and the blood of sacrifice, both of which symbolize what happened on Pentecost and soon thereafter by the sacrifices of the Christian martyrs of the early Church.