The word Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning 50th because it is the 50th day after Easter’s resurrection of Jesus. On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church.
The story in Acts 2 describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. At that first Pentecost, over 3,000 people understood God’s word in their own languages and joined Christ’s church through baptism.
Over 2,000 years later, God is still speaking and pouring out His spirit on people of all backgrounds, races, and languages today!