Jesus, the Apostles, and the New Testament — Historical Setting

Pentecost and the Jerusalem Church

c. AD 30-33

The Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to proclaim the risen Christ, and a growing community of believers formed in Jerusalem.

Full Account

At Pentecost, pilgrims from many regions heard the apostles declare God's works. Peter interpreted the event from the Old Testament and announced Jesus as the risen Lord and Messiah.

The earliest believers devoted themselves to apostolic teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. This community became the first center from which witnesses carried the gospel into Judea, Samaria, and the wider Gentile world.

Historical Significance

Pentecost marks the public beginning of the church's mission and the setting in which apostolic teaching was first preserved and transmitted.

People, Places and Sources

Key people: Peter; the Twelve; Mary; the Jerusalem believers
Key places: Jerusalem; Judea
Languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
Scripture: Acts 1:8
Acts 2:1-42