Christian Festivals: Pentecost (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note
Exam code: 0490
Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost is a major Christian festival that celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles
It is held 50 days after Easter
Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Christian Church because the coming of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to preach and spread the message of Jesus
Events of Pentecost
The events of Pentecost took place 50 days after Jesus’s resurrection at Easter and ten days after Ascension Day
At Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of Shavuot
They had seen Jesus after his resurrection and had witnessed the events of the ascension
The events of Pentecost are described in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible:
A sound like rushing wind filled the house
Tongues of fire appeared above each disciple
The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit
They were able to speak in many languages to communicate with the people from many nations who were gathered in Jerusalem
They went out and started to preach the good news to everyone
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They 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.” (Acts 2:2–4)
The Holy Spirit descends on the apostles at Pentecost
Fresco in the Orthodox church, Batumi, Georgia is licensed under CC0 License
Customs of Pentecost
Pentecost is celebrated in many Christian Churches today
During the celebrations of Pentecost:
Churches are decorated with symbols of the Holy Spirit (doves, flames, wind)
Priests and ministers wear red for church services to represent the fire of the Holy Spirit
There are readings from the Acts of the Apostles that tell the story of the first Pentecost
Catholic churches hold confirmation services
This is the sacrament where believers affirm their faith and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the first disciples did at Pentecost
Special prayers are said for church unity and mission
Religious reasons for observing Pentecost
Christians observe the feast of Pentecost:
To remember the gift of the Holy Spirit who still guides, strengthens and empowers believers today
To commemorate the start of the Christian Church and its mission to spread the gospel
To reflect on the power of God’s presence still at work in the Church and the world today
To celebrate the unity of the Church, even across languages, cultures and nations
To encourage Christians to use their spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–11)
To show that God is not limited to one group or nation: Christianity is a universal message for all
Social significance of observing Pentecost
Like all Christian festivals, Pentecost brings Christians together in shared worship and community reflection
It encourages believers to think about how they can involve themselves in outreach and spreading the gospel, following the example of the early Church
Some schools and churches hold Pentecost events or shared meals, which strengthen the faith community and help children learn more about their faith
Confirmations often take place at Pentecost, helping young people feel part of the wider Church
Different ways of observing Pentecost
There are different ways of observing Pentecost according to church denomination and local tradition
In some European countries, Whit Monday (the day after Pentecost) is a public holiday
Catholic and Anglican Churches hold a Mass or Holy Communion service where:
The priest wears red garments
There are hymns and Bible readings about Pentecost
Confirmation and baptism services are often held at Pentecost in Catholic and Anglican churches
Protestant Christians may not have a set liturgy for Pentecost, but their services focus on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and the world today
Pentecostal worship may include speaking in tongues and healing prayers
Worked Example
Give two features of Christian celebrations of Pentecost
[2 marks]
Answer:
Readings from the Acts of the Apostles telling the story of the first Pentecost [1 mark]
The sacrament of confirmation held as part of the celebrations [1 mark]
Examiner Tips and Tricks
One eight-mark evaluation question you may be asked is:
Evaluate whether Pentecost is the most important festival for Christians. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. Your response should consider different points of view when you evaluate the question.
Using the information on this page, think about why Pentecost might be seen as the most important festival. Also think about other festivals that could be seen as just as important or more important than Pentecost — Easter, Ascension, Christmas, Epiphany — and note down some reasons why.
Which one do you think is the most significant? The examiner is looking for a “clear, considered and well-reasoned judgement” to give you full marks, so reasoning it all through is very important.
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