When Is Pentecost Sunday 2024? Why Do Christians Celebrate It?
- Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff Crosswalk.com
- Updated Feb 14, 2024
Pentecost is a Christian holiday, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter, that celebrates the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31). The day of Pentecost is known in the Christian Church as the day on which the Spirit descended upon the apostles. Guided by Peter's preaching, many thousands were converted in Jerusalem.
Pentecost Sunday in 2024
This year, Pentecost will be on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 occurring seven weeks after Easter Sunday (March 31).
Why do Christians celebrate Pentecost?
According to Ray Pritchard from Christianity.com, “Modern Christians observe Pentecost as a holiday, not to celebrate a wheat harvest, but to remember when the Holy Spirit invaded the Church in Acts 2.”
The description in Act 2 states that, after Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus’ followers were gathered together for the Feast of Harvest (aka Pentecost), and the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4). This unusual event drew a large crowd, and Peter stood up to speak to them about repentance and the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:14). By the end of the day that the Holy Spirit came, the Church grew by 3,000 people (Acts 2:41). This is why Christians still celebrate Pentecost.
John Gill expresses the significance in his commentary:
“Through this baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, the apostles became more knowing, and had a greater understanding of the mysteries of the Gospel, and were more qualified to preach it to people of all nations and languages.”
If you've never been one to celebrate Pentecost Sunday, this powerful version of Acts 2 in the video below will put it into a whole NEW light for you.
Possible Dates of the Pentecost Holiday
According to Wikipedia, the date for Pentecost varies each year as it is observed on the seventh Sunday from Easter.
The earliest Pentecost date is May 10 (as in 1818 and 2285). The latest Pentecost date is June 13 (as in 1943 and 2038).
The day of Pentecost is seven weeks after Easter Sunday: in other words, the fiftieth day after Easter inclusive of Easter Sunday. Because Easter itself has no fixed date, this makes Pentecost a changeable holiday.
While Eastern Christianity views Pentecost as the last day of Easter in its ceremonies, in the Roman sacrament, it is usually a distinct holiday. The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday may also be known as Eastertide.
Because Pentecost itself is on a Sunday, it is typically recognized to be a public holiday in countries with large Christian denominations.
Pentecost in the Bible
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. hey saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Exodus 32:22 "Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year. "
Read more Bible Verses About Pentecost at BibleStudyTools.com.
Related: 5 Remarkable Things to Know About Pentecost Sunday
A Prayer for Pentecost
Dear Heavenly Father, on this day, 2000 years ago, you inaugurated the church by having the Holy Spirit indwell in your believers. We rejoice that you have allowed us, men and women, Jew and Gentile, to experience new life. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our comforter, our guide, and so many other things. And may we continue to celebrate this day until you return again. Amen.
Read more: Prayers for Pentecost and Holy Spirit Power
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages
This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!
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