Day of Pentacost

Student Choice 3 Acts 2. The Day of Pentecost

• The Day of Pentecost is described to us in Acts chapter two. Pentecost was a celebration that lasted 50 days (seven weeks) after the Passover. We get "Pentecost" from the Greek word Pentekoste which literally means "fiftieth." It is also known as the "feast of weeks" because the Lord poured out his spirit upon the people and they were devouring the experience. The people expressed their deep gratitude to God and in return received a fullness of His spirit. 
• Two of Peter's teachings during this time include teaching of the resurrection and teaching of baptism and confirmation. In verse 32 it states, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." Clearly the people knew Christ was crucified, but here Peter teaches them that our Savior and Lord conquered death. Verse 31 states, "...his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." He also taught the people about baptism. After he rebuked them for crucifying Christ, the people were  'pricked' in their hearts and wanted to know what they could do. Peter then taught that they needed to repent and be baptized and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
• Peter fulfilled his role as a special witness of Jesus Christ during Pentecost by testifying of Christ's victory over death and testifying that Christ is the Son of God. He also fulfilled his role as a special witness of Christ by testifying that the day of Pentecost was a flood of the spirit upon the people, which spirit testifies of Christ.
• Gifts of the spirit that were manifested on this day include the gifts of tongues. In verse 17 it tells us that "...your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." Another gift that was manifest is the gift "given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world" (Doctrine and Covenants 46:13) for after the day of Pentecost and Peter's teachings, the people desired to be baptized. 
• The people responded with faith after everything that occurred on this day, and they also responded with gratitude to God for giving them such outpourings of the spirit in such a concentrated way.