Pentecost is observed on the seventh Sunday at Easter during Feast of weeks. Pentecost means 50 days in Greek after Jesus’ resurrection. The Jews call it Feast of Harvest or Feast of Weeks in Bible in Exodus 23; 24; Leviticus 16; Numbers 28; Deuteronomy 16. Its celebrated at beginning of early week of harvest. Israel has two harvest’s yearly in the months of May and June is the final harvest in the Fall. Pentecost celebration begins during wheat harvest in the middle of the month of May or early June. Festival celebrations take place before Pentecost or Passover, unleavened bread is eaten. A feast of firstfruits is celebrated during beginning of barley harvest. Pentecost is 50 days from Firstfruits begins barley harvest so celebrated beginning of wheat harvest. 50 days after Firstfruit is seven weeks, week of weeks or Feast of Harvest Shavout and Feast of Weeks.
Pentecost As Christian Festival
Pentecost in Christianity is observed on seventh Sunday Easter after resurrection of Jesus. This is the day celebrating Holy Spirit upon Apostles and followers of Jesus Christ in Acts 2:1-31. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on apostles like tongues of fire in Act 2:2. Upper Room was the place this happened on 10th day after Jesus ascended into heaven. Jesus’ followers gathered together pray, the Holy Spirit came and “filled whole house where they were sitting all filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Then the tongues of fire seen on each head drew large crowds thinking there were drunk. Peter spoke and said they were not drunk that the power of the Holy Spirit manifests through them. He told them about repentance and the Gospel of Christ in Acts 2:14. They listened so asked Peter what to do to be saved. Peter told them to repent and accept Jesus as Lord. The Church grew by 3,000 people in Acts 2:41 and all baptized. Christians celebrate Pentecost to remember people heard and understood own languages. Disciples spoke but didn’t speak those languages some thought they were drunk. Peter boldly preached to the crowds of thousands of people from all over the world observing the Pentecost passover celebrations.
1. Holy Spirit Power Filled The Whole Church
People moved by Peter’s Sermon accepted the Gospel message and so God added 3,000 new believers. Through baptism of Holy Ghost fire the apostles became anointed with power and a greater understanding of Gospel. Empowered to speak and imbued with the CONFIDENCE in God preached to people of all nations in their own languages understood so they marvelled. Peter reminded them of Joel 2:28-29 Bible prophecy.
2. Holy Spirit in Old Testament Jesus Fulfills.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 to be the Helper for His people. “The Helper is Holy Spirit the Father sends in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all I said to you.” The New Testament fulfills this Old Testament prophecy in Joel 2:28-29. “I will pour my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams and your young men will see visions. And on my servants wo/men I will pour out my Spirit.”
3 History of Pentecost
Three things of Pentecost to understand Acts 2.
1. Pentecost Is An Annual Pilgrimage Festival.
In Jewish Law all the adult Jewish men come to Jerusalem to attend this Passover celebrations.
2. Pentecost Was A National Holiday Festival.
No work is done all schools and shops closed.
3. Celebrations Feasts in Law For Pentecost.
On Pentecost, the High Priest takes two loaves of freshly baked wheat bread to offer before the LORD, wheat bread made from newly harvested wheat. Pentecost in time of Apostles was great and grand harvest celebration. Streets in Israel, Jerusalem filled with thousands of pilgrims from all nations under heaven celebrate to thank God for HIS goodness bringing in wheat harvest. And Passover’s New Covenant is in Christ Jesus for the salvation of the Jews and Gentiles. Harvests of firstfruits blessing gift from God provide food for physical needs. God’s Word is given by Holy Spirit fruits reaped in righteousness. Pentecost is a thanksgiving to God for HIS Firstfruit Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit to bear fruits in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps walk in God’s statutes and intercedes helps obedient in Ezekiel 36:27.Holy Spirit saved speeding drivers in Germany and America from the sum of €105 (£93) fine in Germany when a snow-white dove interceded on their behalf. The driver caught on speed camera but identity hidden by the bird’s wings spread in flight. A light-hearted police statement said, perhaps “This is no coincidence, the Holy Spirit” intervened reference to the dove as a symbol of God in Christianity. “We understand the sign and leave speeder in peace said officials in Viersen Germany’s western border, “We hope protected speeder likewise understands ‘hint from above’ and drives appropriately in the future.” The driver was travelling at 54km/h (34mph) on road with 30km/h speed limit, police said. Since car and driver not identified, he was probably spared the €105 fine “thanks to a feathered guardian angel with seemingly carefully spread wings.” Viersen police added, dove should be fined for moving so fast in the restricted zone. “Since we do not know where it is in time for upcoming Christian Pentecost, allow mercy over justice here too.”
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Excerpts Christianity.com & Updated