The ‘Splainer: ‘Gifts’ of Pentecost and Shavuot

[hrmjustin]

Kimberly Winston

(RNS) This weekend marks the holy days of Pentecost and Shavuot, two of the most important holy days to Christians and Jews respectively. And both involve certain “gifts” that don’t come with wrapping and bows. Let us ‘Splain … - See more at: http://www.religionnews.com/2015/05/21/splainer-gifts-pentecost-shavuot/#sthash.Jd8QgHME.dpuf

Q: What is Pentecost ?

A: Pentecost Sunday (May 24) marks the day most Christians believe the Holy Spirit descended on the followers of Jesus after his death, resurrection and ascension. The story comes from the New Testament Book of Acts: “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.” Jesus’ followers were amazed — they could speak languages they never knew before and they could understand others they had never heard. The Apostle Peter stood up and preached his first sermon — so many Christians think of this holiday as the “birthday” of the church.

- See more at: http://www.religionnews.com/2015/05/21/splainer-gifts-pentecost-shavuot/#sthash.Jd8QgHME.dpuf

[TexasProgresive]

1. I just connected 2 facts that I knew

Shavuot celebrates the reception of the Torah- the Law.
Pentecost celebrates the reception of the Holy Spirit.

The first commemorates the foundation of the religion of Israel, and Pentecost the foundation of the Christian Church. The Law and then the Spirit.

edit to add: If anyone cares, I wrote the religion of Israel and not Judaism because in the beginning it was the religion of all 12 Hebrew tribes and not just Juda. Picky I know.

[hrmjustin]

2. I always loved Pentecost.