1. The Old Testament Background of Pentecost and Its Fulfillment in the New Testament
The term Pentecost originates from the Greek word Pentēkostē (Πεντηκοστή), meaning “the fiftieth.” Its root is the Greek pénte (πέντε), which means “five.” Ultimately, when we say “Pentecost,” the central idea is the number fifty, derived from five sets of ten. In Jewish tradition, this day was observed as the Festival of Weeks or the Feast of Harvest—called the Festival of Weeks because it fell seven weeks after the Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread), and known as the Feast of Harvest (or Firstfruits) because it was the day to offer the first sheaf of the barley harvest to God. The Old Testament already attached great importance to this day, providing specific guidelines for its observance in Numbers 28, Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16. For instance, verses such as “On the day of firstfruits, when you present to the Lord a grain offering of new grain during the Festival of Weeks, you shall hold a holy convocation; you shall not work at your occupations” (Num. 28:26), “You shall count until the day after the seventh sabbath, fifty days; then you shall present an offering of new grain to the Lord” (Lev. 23:16), and “Then you shall keep the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God, contributing a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing that you have received from the Lord your God” (Deut. 16:10) make this clear.
Thus, in the Old Testament, the Festival of Weeks (or Feast of Harvest) was a ceremony in which, after the barley harvest, the firstfruits of that harvest were offered to God in thanksgiving. It was a day to confess that the land, the wind, and the rain that allowed crops and fruit to grow were all from God, and to acknowledge that all the produce obtained was ultimately due to His grace. Moreover, within the Old Testament tradition, the Festival of Weeks was a critically important celebration tightly bound to the identity of the Jewish people. It was one of the three major festivals—Passover, the Feast of Harvest (or Festival of Weeks), and the Feast of Tabernacles. Keeping this background in mind is essential to properly understanding the significance of the Christian Pentecost (the day the Holy Spirit descended) that occurred after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While the Jewish Pentecost and the Christian Pentecost fall at essentially the same time, the meaning expanded and decisively transformed through the lens of the New Testament. If, in the Old Testament, the Festival of Weeks was a day to offer the firstfruits of the barley harvest in an agrarian society, then in the New Testament era, on the day of Pentecost—fifty days after Jesus spent forty days on earth following His resurrection and then ascended (i.e., ten days after His ascension)—the Holy Spirit descended, initiating the New Testament Church in a remarkable event. This is the Pentecost event recorded in Acts 2.
That Old Testament concept of offering the “firstfruits” is reinterpreted in the New Testament era through Jesus Christ as the “new spiritual firstfruits.” The apostle Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In other words, by His resurrection, Jesus Christ conquered death and broke the power of sin, and His resurrection was the “firstfruits.” Through this firstfruit, countless believers—the church community—follow. This theological and salvation-historical principle becomes evident.
Paul does not stop there; he does not merely present Jesus Christ as the “firstfruits,” but interprets His death, resurrection, and ascension as the decisive event that fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and the Law. The Law and the Prophets had announced “who would save humanity and in what manner” through numerous symbols and prophecies, and Jesus Christ is that ultimate fulfillment and the culmination of the Law (Rom. 10:4). The definitive sign of this victory is, of course, the Resurrection. Therefore, Christ became the firstfruits, and everyone who believes in Him becomes the “later fruits” in turn.
It is in this context that the group of 120 disciples in Acts 2 takes on symbolic significance. After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth, gathering His disciples once more. The disciples, who had been disappointed and scattered after witnessing the crucifixion, were reunited by the risen Jesus, who revealed that the meaning of the cross was actually victory. Luke 24 narrates the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus as a representative example: having lost hope in Jesus’ death, they were returning to their hometown when the risen Lord appeared to them and explained that the cross was not defeat but rather the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, causing their hearts to burn within them. Similarly, Jesus appeared to each of His scattered disciples over the course of forty days, teaching them and reassembling them. At the culmination of those forty days, Jesus ascended, and the disciples were instructed not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5).
Ten days later, on the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit finally came. The New Testament describes this moment in extremely dramatic language. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1), and suddenly there was a sound like a mighty rushing wind from heaven, filling the entire house, and what appeared to be tongues of fire rested on each of the disciples. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. This event also fulfills the prophecy of Joel. Peter cites Joel chapter 2, declaring, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Previously, only a few special individuals—prophets or certain leaders—had been filled with the Holy Spirit, but now the Spirit would be poured out on all people, irrespective of age, gender, or social status, upon “anyone who calls on the name of the Lord.”
Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes that the event of Acts 2 marks the official beginning of the New Testament Church. Jesus Christ became the firstfruits, and following Him, the 120 disciples received the Holy Spirit and were “ripened” as the next fruits. These, in turn, formed the starting point of the early church. The birth of the early church was no accident; it naturally emerged from the pivotal events of salvation history—Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Feast of Harvest involved gathering barley, Pentecost now signaled the beginning of a spiritual harvest in which believers in the Lord are brought together, inaugurating the “age of harvest.”
Therefore, Pentecost also carries the meaning of a “Harvest Thanksgiving.” In the Old Testament, the Feast of Harvest (Weeks) was a thanksgiving festival after the barley harvest, and in the New Testament Church, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit, marking the onset of the “harvest of souls.” Today, churches in Korea and around the world may celebrate Thanksgiving in the autumn, but strictly speaking, according to biblical tradition, Pentecost is more aligned with the concept of a “thanksgiving for the harvest.” Pastor David Jang often points out in his sermons, “The Thanksgiving celebration we observe in the fall has historical and cultural origins, whereas scripturally, Pentecost is the true Thanksgiving in line with the Bible.”
Moreover, Pentecost is both a harvest festival and a time of sowing. In agricultural cycles, as soon as certain crops are harvested, new seeds are sown. Just as the early and latter rains assist in sowing and reaping, the Holy Spirit enables the growth, harvest, and renewed sowing of the church. In Acts 2, three thousand people come to faith at once, which was both an immediate “harvest” of grace and a milestone event launching the church outward to sow the gospel again. In this way, the work of the Holy Spirit does not remain confined to a single moment but continually propels the church community into an ongoing cycle of reaping and sowing.
If we look at another Old Testament symbol, the story of the five loaves and two fish, we see that Jesus fed five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish. Some interpret the “five barley loaves” as connected to the idea of “five (pente)” in Pentecost. Just as Pentecost centers on the repeated five that completes the number fifty, the five barley loaves in the feeding of the multitude demonstrate how people are satisfied and nourished through the Lord’s grace. Added to that (two fish), a countless number of people were fed and satisfied. Through these symbols, Pastor David Jang frequently emphasizes, “Pentecost is the day we experience the abundance of heavenly bread, and simultaneously the day the church begins its ministry of sharing that spiritual nourishment with others.”
Ultimately, just as the Old Testament Feast of Weeks included the early and latter rains that allowed for the barley harvest and prepared for the sowing of wheat, the New Testament Pentecost likewise marks a time for the church both to care for those who already profess faith and to sow the gospel among those who have not yet heard. Hence, Pentecost should not be seen as merely one festival on the calendar but as the first step in the grand harvest of all humanity returning to God, and at the same time, the starting point of sowing for subsequent harvests. Here the Holy Spirit presides over every phase—guiding believers inside and outside the church, teaching them, and revealing God’s will.
In summary:
- Pentecost is rooted in the Old Testament Festival of Weeks (or Feast of Harvest), celebrated as a season of thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the barley harvest. By the time of the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, becoming “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” through His Resurrection, and sent the Holy Spirit on the fiftieth day after His ascension, thus reinterpreting and re-enacting the Old Testament festival in a new way.
- Beyond being a single festival, this event marked the official commencement of the Church Age. The firstfruits lead to further fruits, signifying a “harvest of thanksgiving,” and concurrently it becomes the moment of “sowing” by sending the church out to proclaim the gospel. Through this entire process, the church community forms and grows, followed by the remarkable missionary endeavors recorded throughout Acts. Pastor David Jang describes it as “an event in which the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit ripen believers and the church, and then scatter them into the world once again.”
Hence, Pastor David Jang and many other preachers teach the unity of the Old Testament meaning with its fulfillment in the New Testament, urging believers not to treat Pentecost as merely a date on the calendar. Pentecost is a grand turning point in which the salvation prepared by the cross and resurrection expands to all humanity, and it is the historical day that marks the birth of the early church community. The central question for believers is whether we are truly participating in the Lord’s work of salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit. The reason is that the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was never intended to be a private emotional experience but was the spark that launched the holy mission of the church and the flame of gospel proclamation.
Therefore, whenever the contemporary church observes Pentecost, we do not merely commemorate a past event; rather, we examine how the Holy Spirit is at work through each of us today and how the church should carry out its mission of harvest and sowing in the world. In this connection, Pastor David Jang often poses the question, “The Holy Spirit came to the church for a very clear purpose: to open our eyes to the Word and to truth, to turn us from sin, and to give us the power to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Are we actually utilizing that power and living it out?” That question applies not only to the early church but to every church and Christian in every generation.
2. The Work of the Holy Spirit and the Vision of the Church Community
When the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost and the early church was officially born, Acts 2 develops around three key events: first, the outpouring of the Spirit on the 120 disciples; second, Peter’s first sermon in response; and third, the immediate aftermath in the life of the newly formed church. Peter’s sermon appears in Acts 2:14–36, and its central message is simply this: “The Jesus you crucified is the very Messiah promised by God and the descendant of David’s line—He is King.” Then comes the emphatic proclamation that “the One you put to death has risen from the grave.” Those hearing these words, mostly Jews, were profoundly shocked.
In that moment, they lamented, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). They repented, believed in the name of Jesus, and were saved—about three thousand in all (Acts 2:41). This is how the early church began in concrete form. Overnight, a community of three thousand believers arose, not by human strategy or wisdom but through the sovereign will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s sermon pierced their hearts with truth, and the power of the resurrection was tangibly at work. Here we should notice that the Holy Spirit’s coming leads people to a realization of truth. Peter himself gained a firm understanding of Jesus Christ, and through his testimony, unbelievers also came to a deep conviction. Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, He works within us so that we might interpret and accept Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection “in truth.”
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the early believers devoted themselves to fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). They shared their possessions, caring for the poor, gathered daily at the temple to hear God’s Word, and ate their meals together in gladness and unity (Acts 2:44–46). This scene appears to be a realized “heavenly community.” Of course, it was not a flawless utopia. Further reading in Acts reveals internal conflicts and external persecutions. Yet the pure and fervent faith, and the Spirit-empowered obedience exhibited by the early church, remain fundamental values that all later churches and believers should emulate.
The narrative continues throughout Acts. The apostles began to spread the gospel, and figures such as Peter and John, Jesus’ disciples, witnessed a great revival in Jerusalem. In response, the Jewish authorities severely persecuted them, causing the church to scatter. Yet even as they scattered, believers bravely preached the gospel, ironically facilitating its spread to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 8). In this manner, a church directed by the Holy Spirit is able to stand firm in the face of both internal discord and external opposition, holding fast to the truth and growing all the more. By the midpoint of Acts, Paul’s missionary work among the Gentiles takes off, and the gospel crosses ethnic boundaries into Gentile regions.
Building on the dynamic portrayal of the early church in Acts, Pastor David Jang underscores that “the church is essentially a missionary community.” The basis for this statement is Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit’s purpose in coming is to establish the church and to empower it to preach the gospel to all people, reaping a harvest of souls. Ultimately, the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was not simply to grant a “mystical experience” but to supply the church community with power and wisdom for the work of evangelism.
Acts 13–14 describes Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, which perfectly illustrates a church operating under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. While the church in Antioch was fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit spoke, telling them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for world missions. It was not Paul’s background or intellect alone that they trusted, nor Barnabas’s leadership qualities. Rather, they sent them solely “because the Holy Spirit was guiding.” As they traveled, the gospel spread to various regions; Greeks, Jews, and other Gentiles came to accept Christ. The vibrant spiritual energy of that early church is the pattern all modern churches should follow.
Acts 15 recounts the Council at Jerusalem, another pivotal incident. As the gospel spread among Gentiles, disputes arose over issues like circumcision and adherence to the Law. The early church convened a council in Jerusalem, ultimately concluding that anyone—Jew or Gentile—who believes in Christ is saved without discrimination. This demonstrates that the church did not begin in a state of perfection; rather, it confronted complex challenges by “seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and discussing the matter together,” thus maturing through that process. In Acts 15:28, the apostles declare, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essentials,” showing that any decision was made not by human wisdom alone but by discerning how the Holy Spirit was leading.
All of this—the fervent prayer, love, and reliance on the Spirit within the early church—are core values the contemporary church must recover. Pastor David Jang teaches, “The church is a forward base for missions, like a headquarters preparing for battle. To engage in spiritual warfare and proclaim the gospel on this earth, we absolutely need the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Hence, he urges the church to commemorate Pentecost in a way that does not confine the event to a historical fact of two thousand years ago but continually stirs us to pray, reflect, and recommit to the church’s mission.
Moving forward, Paul carries out his second and third missionary journeys in the latter part of Acts, journeying through Asia Minor and various parts of Europe. He establishes churches in prominent Hellenistic cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. Near the close of Acts, Paul’s journey to Rome is detailed, symbolizing the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to “preach to the ends of the earth,” as Rome was considered the “ends of the earth” at the time. Even when under house arrest in Rome, Paul continued to preach (Acts 28), delivering the powerful message that the church never ceases to proclaim the gospel, regardless of its circumstances.
Today, the church still receives this same calling. Cultures and environments may have changed, but the Lord’s mandate to “preach the gospel to the ends of the earth” has not. The Holy Spirit is still active and, wherever the church truly submits in prayer and unity, brings about amazing harvests. At the same time, just as in the early church, many problems, conflicts, and false teachings abound. Yet the church can overcome these as well if it sincerely seeks the Holy Spirit’s will, gathers, and discerns together. When the church becomes ensnared in human judgment or entangled in secular power structures, the Holy Spirit’s work can be obscured and the flow of grace and power can wane. However, when the church repents and strives to heed the Spirit’s voice once more, it can always be renewed.
Pastor David Jang asserts, “A church participating in the Holy Spirit’s work cannot stand still. It always reaches outward, proclaiming the gospel and serving the world, revealing the truth of the gospel in the heart of society.” Indeed, the early church expanded beyond the confines of Jerusalem into the Gentile world. Moreover, in time, language and cultural barriers were gradually removed, and people from diverse backgrounds united as one body, forming a new identity called the “Kingdom of God.” What made such transformation possible was, at its core, the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who descended on Pentecost continues to guide the church today, helping people comprehend the love and redemptive plan of Jesus Christ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fuLEttN1gs
Romans 8:26 says, “For we do not know how to pray as we ought… but the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” This coincides exactly with Jesus’ promise in John 14 that He would not leave us as orphans. Before His ascension, Jesus assured His disciples, “If I go away, I will send you the Advocate (Paraclete), and He will be with you” (cf. John 16). Pentecost is the moment this promise was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s attentive and tender love for the church, teaching us the truth, freeing those in bondage, and guiding the church onto the path of mission. On a personal level, the Holy Spirit transforms us inwardly toward Christlikeness—our sanctification. For the church, the Holy Spirit grants different gifts, prompting a variety of ministries and acts of service. In the wider world, the Spirit empowers us to preach the gospel, help those in need, and live out God’s love.
After Pentecost, the disciples’ confidence and boldness stemmed entirely from the Spirit’s power. At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, they were hiding in fear, but after the Holy Spirit came, they openly declared to their fellow Jews, “You crucified Jesus, but God has raised Him to life!” Even on trial, they did not hesitate to testify to the gospel. With such boldness and love, the early church cared for one another, overcame persecution from without and disputes from within. Pastor David Jang points out that “the driving force behind the early church was the Holy Spirit, who is the same God working today. No matter our circumstances, if we stand firm in the Word and the Spirit, no obstacle can hinder the spread of the gospel.”
Moreover, the church’s mission continues to the end. The Holy Spirit’s work begun on Pentecost does not conclude with Paul’s arrival in Rome in Acts; rather, it is carried on by the church everywhere until the present day. Many refer to our current era as “Acts 29,” implying that, although Acts ends at chapter 28, the church continues that story of mission through the living power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is the monumental event that launched this grand narrative, a story continuing until the last Christian on earth has faithfully done his or her part.
From this perspective, Pentecost can be described in terms of both “harvest” and “sowing.” First, in Christ, God presented the “firstfruits” of the resurrection. Then the 120 disciples matured as the “later fruits,” and immediately three thousand souls were harvested; the church kept growing, underlining the festival’s meaning as a “harvest celebration.” But it does not end there. The church that gathered now goes out into the world, sowing the seeds of the gospel to prepare for the next harvest. Therefore, Pentecost is not simply an event where “many people gather once and receive great grace,” but also the establishment of the church in its true identity—offering the fruits to God and sowing seeds to be scattered throughout the world.
Pastor David Jang insists that this is the core of Pentecost we must not forget today. It is, of course, right for the church to rejoice and give thanks for the grace it has received on Pentecost, but we cannot stop there. That gratitude and grace should flow out to others through proactive sowing. This does not refer only to evangelism or overseas missions but includes every ministry that spreads the aroma of Christ to the world through love and service. As in the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, where five barley loaves and two fish fed countless people, the power and grace of the Holy Spirit poured out upon the church can also feed countless souls if it flows from each believer into the world. This positive cycle should continue.
From this angle, Pentecost is not at odds with the more commonly practiced Thanksgiving services in the fall; in fact, Pentecost is closer to the biblical “original Thanksgiving.” Admittedly, many churches have adopted an autumn Thanksgiving tradition due to historical and cultural reasons, but theologically and biblically, Pentecost embodies both thanksgiving and sowing. Pastor David Jang advises, “Today’s Korean church also needs to rediscover the profound significance of Pentecost and celebrate it as a festival of both gratitude and mission.” It is the time to confess that everything we enjoy—whether physical or spiritual—ultimately comes from God’s grace, and to renew our commitment to share this grace with others.
All of this is made possible through the Holy Spirit as the church fulfills her mission. Without the Spirit, no one can truly repent, love, be bold, or endure, and it is extremely difficult for the church to practice genuine unity and service. But where the Holy Spirit dwells, the church can resolve conflicts, open new paths, and maintain a fervent desire to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Consequently, more fruit is gathered in, and that new fruit becomes the seed for the next sowing, continuing to spread outward. The history that began at Pentecost is not just the story of the early church but remains the ongoing task for every church today.
Pastor David Jang teaches, “If we truly recover the spirit of Pentecost, then all of our church ministries—worship, missions, teaching, and service—will overflow with the rich fruit of the Holy Spirit.” Indeed, the essence of Pentecost is “abundance.” We grow through the Spirit’s fruit, and that fruit brings life to the world, while consistent prayer, offerings, and self-sacrifice form a community reflective of Pentecost. If the early church modeled this, it is up to today’s believers to embody and practice the same ideals, thereby becoming the “Pentecost church” of our era.
Thus, Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit) brought about the birth of the church, the global expansion of the gospel, and the empowerment of believers to live in community. As we commemorate it, we must ask ourselves whether we can replicate the early church’s zeal for missions, compassion for neighbors, and commitment to mutual care. This all begins with welcoming the Holy Spirit into our own hearts and yielding ourselves fully to Him. Pentecost is not merely a past event but remains a present reality. When the church truly responds to this calling, even greater works can be accomplished. Ultimately, everything flows from the mighty wind and the burning fire of the Holy Spirit that came on Pentecost. The moment this blazing grace extends beyond the walls of the church and reaches the world, we will witness another harvest and a new miracle of sowing.
On Pentecost, Pastor David Jang declares, “Be offered as fruit, and at the same time be sown as seed.” To be “offered as fruit” means wholly dedicating oneself to God, presenting an offering of thanksgiving and obedience. To be “sown as seed” means letting one’s life become the seed of the gospel planted in the world. This is not about pursuing selfish ambition or the church’s secular growth; rather, it is about offering our place of service as both the altar of worship and the field of mission, under the Spirit’s guidance. The early church took exactly this path, and countless churches and believers continue to follow it. Therefore, as we celebrate Pentecost, we should recover deep gratitude and renewed fervor, examining how we might fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission—“go to the ends of the earth and preach the gospel”—in the specifics of our daily lives. This is the essence of the Day of Pentecost, and it is precisely the true meaning of the Old Testament’s Festival of Weeks and the Feast of Harvest, now bearing fruit in the New Testament era. Moreover, Pastor David Jang’s constant emphasis on “restoring the church’s essence” and “submitting to the Holy Spirit” is poised to guide Korean churches—and indeed churches worldwide—toward the future with clear direction.