The 'Fiftieth' Community
— Allie Murray
What do think of when you hear the word Pentecost?
For me, when I heard the word Pentecost, I used to think of the church denomination with the long hair, women in dresses, no pants, and people who could usually sing really well.
But the actual word Pentecost means “fiftieth.” And before it became known as a Christian moment in Acts, Pentecost was already a Jewish feast where people gathered in Jerusalem.
When you look deeper, there is something truly unique about Pentecost through the lens of the believer.
In the biblical book of Acts, we see believers praying and waiting at the command of their resurrected Messiah, Yeshua, who had ascended in front of them. Then something significant happened ten days later, on Pentecost.
They encountered what they had been waiting and praying for.
You can read the beginning of Acts for that part.
But my focus is on what happened afterward.
Peter, one of Yeshua’s original disciples, stood up and preached a message to the crowds who had gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival of Pentecost. That day, about 3,000 people were added to the community.
So, what began as 120 people waiting in prayer suddenly became a community of about 3,120.
And they began doing life together.
They:
shared possessions
ate together
prayed together
cared for one another
They also devoted themselves to the teachings of the original disciples. But what stands out to me is this: a community was born, and that community began to affect the society around them.
There was a new hope.
There was a new courage.
There was a new way of living embraced by this group of people.
Pentecost was not only a moment of spiritual encounter. It became a movement of Spirit-filled people learning how to love God, love each other, and become better neighbors.
Now think about the best neighbor you have ever had.
I am confident that at least one of the things I mentioned earlier helped make that neighbor a good neighbor in your mind.
Maybe they shared.
Maybe they cared.
Maybe they made room at the table.
Maybe they prayed.
Maybe they simply showed up.
Which one was it?
And how did it make you feel?
In this edition, I want to highlight Pentecost and the impact that happens when the Spirit of God encounters a place through people who genuinely love.
Wherever you are in your journey of faith, lean in and be inspired.
Because when love becomes communal, cities begin to feel different.