The word “Pentecost” means fiftieth and is applied to the fiftieth day after Our Lord’s Resurrection.
All were amazed at the Marvels that were happening in Jerusalem.
The multitudes of Jews staying in Jerusalem at the time were also witnesses of the marvels taking place on that day. “Staying in Jerusalem at the time were devout Jews of every nation under heaven. These heard the sound, and assembled in a large crowd. They were much confused because each one heard these men speaking his own language. The whole occurrence astonished them. They asked in utter amazement, ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us hears them in his native tongue…about the marvels God has accomplished’? They were dumbfounded, and could make nothing at all of what had happened” (Acts 2:5-12). Some thought the Apostles were drunk.
In Peter’s Speech at Pentecost
One can see the action of God as laying open the heart of all mankind to the divine message of salvation. “Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them; ‘You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say: You must realize that these men are not drunk, as you seem to think. It is only nine in the morning! No, it is what Joel the prophet spoke of: ‘It shall come to pass in the last days, says God that I will pour out a portion of my spirit on all mankind: Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. Yes, even on my servants and handmaids I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days and they shall prophesy. I will work wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below….
Peter continued: ‘Men of Israel listen to me! Jesus the Nazorean was a man whom God sent to you with miracles, wonders, and signs as his credentials. These God worked through him in your midst, as you well know. He was delivered up by the set purpose and plan of God; you even made use of pagans to crucify and kill him. God freed him from death’s bitter pangs, however, and raised him up again, for it was impossible that death should keep its hold on him….Therefore let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified’
When they heard this they were badly shaken. They asked Peter and the other Apostles, ‘What are we to do brothers?’ Peter answered: You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was to you and your children that the promise was made, and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls.’
In support of his testimony he used many other arguments, and kept urging, “Save yourselves from this generation which has gone astray.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized; some three thousand were added that day”. (Acts 2:14-41).
Christ foretold that the Spirit would dwell in the Church.
On several occasions Christ had promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles began to proclaim “the mighty works of God,” and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the Messianic age. Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.
Christ foretold that the Holy Spirit would dwell in the Church until the end of time. “And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you always: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, since it neither sees him nor recognizes him; but you can recognize him because he remains with you and will be within you” (Jn14:16-17).
