The word Pentecost has special meaning for more than 500 million
Christian believers worldwide. They not only joyfully tell the
story of Acts 2 (called by some "the most-read chapter in the
Bible"); they also experience the Holy Spirit just as the early
disciples did. Fifty days after Jesus' crucifixion, on the
annual Jewish festival of Pentecost in Jerusalem, God launched
the church of Jesus Christ with a mighty outpouring of His Holy
Spirit. Here's how the Bible describes the event: "When the Day
of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they
were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of
fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as
the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4). This marvelous
personal encounter is known as "the baptism with the Holy
Spirit," and it is acco