At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with supernatural power upon Jewish believers, fulfilling Jesus' promise that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
The day was a Jewish feast day, and the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages. Les Feldick teaches that this outpouring was for Israel, giving Jewish believers power to continue Jesus' ministry of signs and wonders. Later, under Paul, the same Spirit would baptize believers into Christ.
Acts 2:1-4 — This is the central biblical account of what happened at Pentecost—the Spirit's arrival with wind, fire, and speaking in other tongues.
Matthew 3:11 — This is the promise Jesus fulfilled at Pentecost, baptizing with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 — Jesus directly promised the power that was displayed at Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4 records that when the day of Pentecost was fully come, the disciples were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Cloven tongues like as of fire appeared and sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This event was the fulfillment of John the Baptist's prophecy that the One coming after him would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus had also promised His disciples, 'Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you' (Acts 1:8).
Les emphasizes that Pentecost was a Jewish event with a Jewish audience. John the Baptist was speaking to Jews when he promised Holy Spirit baptism, and Gentiles had nothing to do with Pentecost (Clip 0, Clip 1). The day itself was the Feast of Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, when Jews from every nation had come to Jerusalem (Clips 5, 7). These believers were still keeping the Law and Temple worship (Clip 7). Peter addressed the huge crowd of gathered Jews as the nation of Israel (Clip 3). The supernatural filling gave these Jewish believers power to perform the signs and miracles Jesus had done during His three years of ministry (Clip 2). At Pentecost, Jesus was the Baptizer and the nation of Israel was 'engulfed' in the Holy Spirit; Paul later reveals a complete reversal—the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into Christ (Clips 4, 6).
Yes. Les explains that Pentecost was one of the seven feasts listed in Leviticus 23—the fiftieth day after Passover—when Jews from all over the then-known world came to celebrate. At the day of Pentecost, these Jewish believers were still practicing Temple worship and the feast days.
Les teaches that the 'tongues' were other languages. Jews had been displaced from Israel for generations and came from Babylon, Spain, and other places, each with their own language. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke and everyone heard the message in their own language.
In the Jewish economy, Jesus was the One doing the baptizing, and He baptized Jewish believers into the Holy Spirit—they were engulfed or overwhelmed. This was a national, Jewish offer, not a Gentile one. Later, in Paul's letters, the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into Christ, a total reversal.
The intended result was power. The Holy Spirit came to give Jewish believers power to continue the ministry that Christ had been doing for three years—signs and miracles beyond human understanding.
John's Promise of Holy Spirit Baptism to Israel
Les explains that when John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, he was speaking to Jews—not Gentiles.
Pentecost Is Jewish and Its Tongues Are Languages
Les points out that Gentiles had nothing to do with Pentecost and that the 'tongues' were actual languages spoken by Jews from many nations.
Power to Continue Christ's Miracles
Les teaches that the Spirit came on Pentecost to give Jewish believers power to continue the signs and miracles Jesus had performed.
Peter's Address to the Nation of Israel
Les says Peter was addressing the gathering of Jews from all over the Roman Empire and making a claim on the nation based on Old Testament promises.
Reversal of the Baptizer in Paul's Letters
Les contrasts Pentecost, when Jesus baptized Jews into the Holy Spirit, with Paul's revelation where the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into Christ.
Pentecost Feast Context
Les explains Pentecost is a Jewish feast day, the fiftieth day after Passover, and that Jews from all over the world heard Peter in their own languages.
Baptism as Engulfing
Les explains that biblical baptism means being engulfed, and Jesus was referring to the nation of Israel at Pentecost when He promised Holy Spirit baptism.
Pentecost Amid Continuing Jewish Practice
Les notes that no one told the Jewish believers to cast aside Temple worship or the Law, and Pentecost was still being observed when the Spirit fell.
Acts 2:1-4: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all 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, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This is the direct account of what happened when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.
Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John the Baptist's promise that the coming Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jesus told His disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came.
According to Acts 2, the day of Pentecost had fully come and the believers were with one accord in one place. A sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind filled the house, cloven tongues like fire appeared on each one, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began speaking other languages. Les identifies these as the actual languages of the Jews from many nations.
Les is emphatic that Gentiles had nothing to do with Pentecost. John the Baptist was addressing Jews, the day was a Jewish feast, and Peter addressed the nation of Israel as he made his claim on them.
Power. The Spirit gave Jewish believers power to continue the ministry Jesus had accomplished for three years—signs and miracles beyond human understanding.
At Pentecost, Jesus baptized Jews into the Holy Spirit; the nation was engulfed. By the time of Paul's letters, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer and baptizes believers into Christ. Les calls it a total reversal.
Watch the Teaching: Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1