JERUSALEM (May 24, 33 AD) — In a miraculous event witnessed by countless believers, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles today, filling them with divine fire and enabling them to communicate in all languages. This momentous occasion resulted in the baptism of thousands.
The event took place during the Jewish festival of Shavuot. The apostles were gathered in a house when suddenly a sound like a violent wind filled the place. Tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Empowered by this divine presence, the apostles began to speak in various languages, astonishing the diverse crowd of pilgrims from different regions who had come to Jerusalem for the festival.
Peter, one of the apostles, stood and addressed the crowd, proclaiming the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His words, understood by all despite their native tongues, deeply moved the listeners. Convicted by his message, the crowd asked what they should do. Peter urged them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
That day, about 3,000 people were baptized and joined the nascent Christian community. This extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent mass conversion are seen as the birth of a new Church, of unprecedented effect.
The event of Pentecost underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, uniting people across linguistic and cultural barriers and igniting a movement that may well spread worldwide. More on this story as it develops.