<P> In Christian tradition, Pentecost sees the descent of the Holy Spirit on the first Christians . The biblical narrative of Pentecost is given in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles . Peter's sermon in Acts 2: 14 - 36 stresses the resurrection and exaltation . In his sermon, Peter quotes Joel 2: 28 - 32 and Psalm 16 to indicate that first Pentecost marks the start of the Messianic Age . About one hundred and twenty followers of Christ (Acts 1: 15) were present, including the Twelve Apostles (Matthias was Judas' replacement) (Acts 1: 13, 26), Jesus' mother Mary, other female disciples and his brothers (Acts 1: 14). While those on whom the Spirit had descended were speaking in many languages, the Apostle Peter stood up with the eleven and proclaimed to the crowd that this event was the fulfillment of the prophecy . In Acts 2: 17, it reads: "' And in the last days,' God says,' I will pour out my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams ." He also mentions (2: 15) that it was the third hour of the day (about 9: 00 am). Acts 2: 41 then reports: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls ." Critical scholars believe some features of the narrative are theological constructions . Scholars believe that even if the Pentecost narrative is not literally true, it does signify an important event in the history of the early Church which enabled the rapid spread of Christianity . Within a few decades important congregations had been established in all major cities of the Roman Empire . </P> <P> Peter stated that this event was the beginning of a continual outpouring that would be available to all believers from that point on, Jews and Gentiles alike . </P> <P> Traditional interpretation holds that the Descent of the Holy Spirit took place in the Upper Room, or Cenacle, while celebrating the day of Pentecost . The Upper Room was mentioned in Luke 22: 11 - 12 where Jesus says: </P> <P>... say to the owner of the house' The Teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room, where may I eat the Passover with my disciples?"' He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished . Make preparations for us there . </P>

When did the holy spirit descended upon the apostles