On Sunday, May 23, churches around the world will observe the day of Pentecost – a day that marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples – a day regarded ever since as the birth of church. The purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was stated by Jesus in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the end