Pentecost

Today is Pentecost. Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came on the Church.

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many mansions if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

Jesus was telling his disciples to not have their hearts be troubled to prepare them for what was to come. Many mansions is a word picture of an abundance of living accommodations around a central courtyard. Mansions also speaks of the multitude of blessings that await those who went to the kingdom of God.

After this, Jesus talks about him being in the Father and the Father being in him.

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

John 14:15-18

The Greek word translated advocate is “paraclete” The Greek word “paraclete” comes from the verb “parakaleo,” which means “to comfort, to encourage, or to call alongside.” So the Holy Spirit is not just a comforter or helper, but also one who comes alongside us to guide and support us in our faith journey.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. 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. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:25-27

The Greek word translated as “teach” in John 14:26 is “didaxe” which is a form of the verb “didasko” This verb means “to teach, instruct, or impart knowledge.” So in this verse, the Holy Spirit is described as a teacher who will impart knowledge and wisdom to believers, helping them to understand and live out the truth of the gospel. It is also used in other passages in the New Testament to describe Christ’s role as a teacher and instructor.

So here he says that the Paraclete, the comforter and helper who comes alongside us to guide and support us whom the Father would send will Didaxe, that is, impart knowledge and wisdom to believers, helping them to understand and live out the truth of the gospel.

²⁶ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. ²⁷ And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

John 15:26

So the Holy Spirit testifies of Christ. In fact, he always has testified of Christ. For  David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

Mark 12:36, Psalm 110:1

But why did not the Spirit come immediately after the Resurrection? In order that being greatly desirous of It, they might receive It with great joy. For as long as Christ was with them, they were not in tribulation; but when He departed, being made defenseless and thrown into much fear, they would receive It with much readiness. He remains with you. This shows that even after death he departs not. But lest when they heard of the Paraclete, they should imagine a second Incarnation, and expect to see it with their eyes, He sets them right by saying, Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not. He will not be with you as I have been, but will dwell in your very souls; for this is the, shall be in you. He calls him the Spirit of truth: thus explaining the types in the Old Testament. That He may be with you. What is, may be with you? That which He says Himself, that I am with you. Matthew 28:20 Besides, He also implies something else, that the case of the Spirit shall not be the same as Mine, He shall never leave you. Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not. 

Saint John Chrysostom

On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came as was promised.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Acts 2:1-13

There are several interesting Greek words in this passage

“Kataragōn” This word is used to describe the “violent wind” that accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit. It suggests a powerful, rushing force that filled the entire house.

“Diamerizontai” This word is used to describe the “tongues of fire” that separated and came to rest on each of the believers. It suggests a division or distribution of the Spirit’s power among them.

“Glōssais”This word is used to describe the “other tongues” that the believers spoke as the Spirit enabled them. It suggests a diversity of languages and cultures that were represented among the crowd in Jerusalem.

At Easter we are redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection. (Galations 3:13) On Ascension Day we receive justification, for we have an advocate at the right hand of the Father. (1 John 2:1) On Pentecost we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)

Easter marks the foundation of Christian faith, celebrating Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and triumph over death. This event brings redemption and new life to believers. On Ascension Day, Christ’s return to the Father signifies the fulfillment of His earthly mission, and His role as our Advocate ensures our justification before God. Finally, Pentecost completes this transformative process as the Holy Spirit descends upon believers, sealing them and empowering them to live out their faith in the world.

Speaking in different languages was also a reversal of Babel. In the Tower of Babel story (Genesis 11:1-9) humanity’s pride and desire for self-glorification led to the fragmentation of language and the scattering of people across the earth. Pentecost, on the other hand, represents the unifying power of the Holy Spirit, enabling the apostles to communicate with people of different languages and backgrounds, and bringing them together in a shared faith and purpose. So at Babel humanity tried to reach God and there was chaos But God the Son came and dwelt among us and through his death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit order was restored.

The different languages also point to the nationhood of the Church (1 Peter 2:9) Despite the differences in language and culture among the crowd, they were all united by their faith in Christ and their experience of the Holy Spirit. This is because the church is not limited by language or culture. So it points to the catholic nature of the church. Saint Peter quotes a prophecy from Joel 2:28-29 that foretold a time when the Spirit would be poured out on all people. So regardless of earthly nationality or language, the church is a holy nation and is one, holy, catholic and apostolic with all saying the thrice holy be they in Heaven or on Earth.