ASF

• After the ascension of Jesus to heaven, here comes the Pentecost (AD 33). There are two celebrations here:


  descent of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church
• • After Christ’s death the apostles feared for their lives. Their hopes crumpled all around them.
• • Through Christ’s resurrection the apostles found new hope.
• The Resurrection of Christ is the starting point of Christian Faith
• The reports of Jesus’ resurrection, or rising from the dead, led to the spread of a new religion called Christianity.
•  The Ascension of Jesus refers to the time when Jesus stopped appearing to the disciples in visible, human form.
•  Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded his disciples to make more disciples (evangelize), baptize them, and instruct them in faith. (cf. Mt. 28:18-20)
• He also promised that he will be with us until the end of time, and that he will be back.
• “and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
• Sending the Holy Spirit “I am going to send you what the Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high… he left them and was taken up into heaven (Lk.24 :49-52).”
• THE GREAT COMMISSION (Mt 28:18-20) "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age“
• Pentecost is the name of a religious holiday in both Judaism and Christianity.
• Pentecost is the 50th day after another important religious event.
• In Judaism, Pentecost is also called (Hag) Shavuot, and was the 50th day after the Passover offering of a sheaf of wheat.
• Pentecost was originally a harvest festival that came to be associated with Moses' law-giving at Mt. Sinai
• When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.
• PENTECOST: Read: Acts 2:1-11
• And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, 2 and it filled the entire house in which they were
• Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, 3 which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
• And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, 4 as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
• Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
• At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
• They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
• THE FIRST PENTECOST. Peter told those who asked that they had to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins; then they would receive the Holy Spirit
• Three thousand were baptized and the Church was born John Vidmar, The Catholic Church through the Ages, p. 19-20
• Then the apostles and the disciples began the mission/process of evangelization/conversion with this slogan or battle cry -accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and be baptized. (Mt. 28:19-20)
• Slowly but surely they began to grow in numbers. They were able to win converts by proclaiming the Resurrection of Jesus- the Risen and the Glorified Jesus and be baptized.
• The early Christians lived in unity and charity and put everything in common under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:32). And they were very active, zealous, and passionate in proclaiming the Risen and the Glorified Jesus.
• Apostles had a tremendous impact on the early Church
• THE APOSTLES. Provided the first interpretation of Christ’s message, along with his life, death and Resurrection  They celebrated the first liturgies  They make the first disciplinary and doctrinal decisions  Their initial interpretive acts are the beginnings of Christian tradition
• Persecution of Christians under the Roman empire started from-1 st century until 313- ended in the declaration of the Edict of Milan.
• Simon Peter: crucified up-side down
• Andrew: crucified—St. Andrew’s Cross
• James the Greater: beheaded
• John: boiled in oil then imprisoned in the island of Patmos
• Phillip: crucified
• Bartholomew/Nathanael: beaten and crucified
• Matthew/Levi: mortally wounded with a sword
• Thomas: stabbed with a spear
• James the Lesser: thrown from the Temple pinnacle then beaten with a fuller's club