Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit Based on Acts 2:1-13

---

Click here to download a printable PDF of this play (76 kb)

Characters:

John
James
Simon
Matthew
Andrew
Peter
Jerusalem Citizen 1
Jerusalem Citizen 2
A Parthian
A Median
An Egyptian
(Non-speaking) The remaining apostles

The Setting:

Fifty days after Easter Sunday, and ten days after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples have gathered in a large room to discuss Jesus Christ. While the others speak, all in the room react to what has been happening.

Note: The play can be adapted depending on the size of the group. You are welcome to add lines for the other apostles as well as add parts for other citizen of Jerusalem or visitors from other countries.

————

James: There’s comfort here with us in this very room.

Matthew: Comfort, yes. Comfort in knowing that our friend will return to us one day.

John: Indeed we were told that Jesus would once again appear to us on Earth. I know this to be truth for my heart feels full of joy to think it.

Andrew: And, yet…

Peter: What is it, Andrew?

Andrew: And, yet, we do love him so much. Would it be wrong of us to miss him?

Peter: To miss him, we would have to lack his presence. Do you not feel him here with you? Is he not in each word we speak, in each breath we take? Does his love not fill each of us with hope?

Andrew: This is true, Peter. We are truly blessed. Around us is such promise! Such hope!

Simon: What is that? (straining to hear) Outside…isn’t there a sound like a coming wind?

Andrew: It isn’t outside! It’s here. Here in this room!

(They are all overcome by the rushing sound of a powerful wind)

John: Such a gust!

James: Stronger than the wind from the ocean!

Andrew: Stronger than a storm!

Peter: Above your heads! A glow of warmth!

Simon: Above yours, too, Peter!

Peter: This is truly miraculous. A warm light—like fire—has appeared above each of our heads like tongues of flame.

Simon: I feel changed as though I am awaking from a restful sleep and am revived and strong!

John: It is just as Jesus said!

(The disciples all murmur to each other)

Simon: Yes, he promised that he would send his Spirit to us. He has kept his promise. He sent the Spirit!

Peter: And from that Spirit we draw strength.

Andrew: Strength to do our work!

Peter: Strength to do HIS work!

Jerusalem Citizen 1: (from offstage) What is that racket coming from within that house?

Jerusalem Citizen 2: (downstage) Such noise and talking—all those voices at once.

Jerusalem Citizen 1: (joining Citizen 2 downstage) They speak of God. They speak of truth!

Jerusalem Citizen 2: Look, friend. Others have come to join us. They, too, are probably curious about the noise.

The Parthian: Tell me of those men in that house? Are they not all Galileans?

Jerusalem Citizen 1: They are.

The Parthian: Then, tell me why it is that I can hear them speaking in the language of my country.

The Egyptian: And mine! How could these men know the tongue of my land?

The Median: What’s this, friends? How is it that my ears find comfort in words I’ve not heard since I left my own homeland?

The Egyptian: Something strange is happening here.

The Parthian: We want answers.

The Median: Come out, men! (calling to those in the house)

Jerusalem Citizen 2: Yes, come out and explain yourselves!

Peter and the others stand and greet the citizens of Jerusalem and other lands

Peter: Such a miracle has been visited upon us.

The Parthian: Do tell!

John: We were simply talking and we were all suddenly overtaken by a great gust of wind.

Andrew: And warm light appeared over our heads. A light like…like…

Simon: A light like fire!

Jerusalem Citizen 1: Like fire? Ha!

The Egyptian: And a strange gust of wind! Sure, sure!

Jerusalem Citizen 2: You fools! You’re all drunk!

The Median: Drunkards, all of you!

Peter: Please, listen. We are not drunk.

The Parthian: Tell us then, how is it that you Galileans could speak in the language of my people.

The Egyptian: How can it be that you are all speaking in your own voice, and yet, each of us hears the language of our own land?

The Median: Don’t bother with these men! They’re drunks!

Peter: Sir, I assure you that we are not drunk.

Simon: We’re not.

Andrew: We’ve had no wine.

John: There’s an explanation for what’s happened here today.

Jerusalem Citizen 2: What is it then? Tell us what’s happened? If you can…

Peter: We can.

James: Tell them, Peter. Tell them how today we have been visited by the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised.

Peter: It’s true. It is as Jesus said. And, before him, Joel. You are familiar with the Prophet Joel who told us that God's Spirit would one day come to us. This! This is what has happened today. This is what you have witnessed! For us, now we have the strength and power to carry out that what God has called us to do.

Jerusalem Citizen 1: Fine. But, what does it mean for us?

Peter: What we have witnessed today serves to urge you to reject your old ways and bring yourself to a new life in Jesus Christ—for he is truly the Son of God. You—all of you—are to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. On that day, you—all of you— will also be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit for you, too will be able to spread the Word of God!

The Median: I believe them.

The Egyptian: I do as well!

Peter: Repent your sins!

Jerusalem Citizen 2: I will! I believe!

The Parthian: Tell us more. Tell us! I want to learn more about Jesus Christ and what he has taught you.

Jerusalem Citizen 1: Teach us!

The Median: Teach us so that we may know the Spirit, too.

The Egyptian: Teach us so that we may teach others.

James: Look! A crowd is forming. Others are joining us!

Peter: Yes, something truly wonderful happened today. Truly wonderful.