1973
The Day of Pentecost
May 1973


“The Day of Pentecost,” Friend, May 1973, 28

The Day of Pentecost

Acts 1 and Acts 2

After Jesus was taken up into heaven, His disciples, filled with joy because Jesus had been resurrected, returned to Jerusalem.

One hundred and twenty of the followers of Jesus met together. Peter told them that a new apostle must be chosen to replace Judas, who had betrayed Christ and then killed himself.

Peter said, “Of these men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until that same day that He was taken up from us, one must be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Two men were chosen, Joseph Barsabas and Matthias. Then all who were in the meeting united in prayer, asking the Lord to make known to them which of the two men should become the new apostle. Afterward Matthias was chosen by the apostles and approved by all those who attended the meeting.

On the day of Pentecost when the Jews celebrate the Feast of the Harvest, the twelve apostles met together. And while they were meeting, a sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind, suddenly filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, in other languages.

The sound of the rushing mighty wind could be heard throughout the city, and many people gathered outside the house where the apostles were meeting. The apostles spoke to the multitude and told all who were there about the mission and gospel of Jesus Christ and about His resurrection.

Living in Jerusalem at that time were men from many lands and many nations who spoke different languages. Yet when the apostles spoke to them, through the power of the Holy Ghost, everyone who heard was able to understand. Those who listened were amazed, and so powerful was the Spirit among all the people that their hearts were touched and they cried out to the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter answered and said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is to you and to your children.”

Then those who gladly received Peter’s word were baptized, and that same day about three thousand souls were added to the Church.