What is Pentecost?

[Mark2005]

Ok, so today (May 27) is apparently Pentecost. This seems to get far less publicity than Christmas or Easter and sort of sneaks up on some of us.

What exactly does Pentecost celebrate?

This is a two-fold question: I understand the Jewish people celebrated a feast of Pentecost (but have no idea what it is for). Some Christians celebrate Pentecost in a different way?

What is it for and how does one celebrate this?

[TrackerJack]

Hi Mark,

Good question.

The Jews have celebrated Pentecost as Shavuot, for thousands of years. Its the celebration of Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.

The deciples were observing Shavuot according to Jesus Christ's instruction, when the Holy Spirit descended on them as tongues of fire.

When Moses descended Mount Sinai, he found the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. 3000 men were killed that day. When the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost 3000 people believed, and were saved.

This is a wonderful illustration of how the letter of the law brings death, but the spirit of the Law brings eternal life.

[nebula]

If you don't mind some reading, here are a couple of many websites that explain the Biblical feasts and correlate them to their fulfillment in Messiah:

The Messiah in the 7 Biblical Feasts: Shavuot

Shavuot - Revelation and the Fruit of the Spirit

Some points to note:

Shavuot was one of the three feast holidays that the Jews would pilgrim to Jerusalem to sacrifice the first fruits of their crop. (The other two are Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles.)

This would explain why there were Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem on that day.

It also may have something to do with why Paul was trying to hurry to Jerusalem:

Acts 20:16 - For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia ; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

The other point to note is that for this festival 2 leavened loaves are offered. Normally, leaven is forbidden as it symbolizes sin. It could represent the one new man consisting of both Jew and Gentile (a completely new concept for the Jew) - both websites offer this explanation.

[Mark2005]

That makes perfect sense. I never knew what Shauvot or Pentecost was supposed to celebrate.

[mizzdy]

Ok, so today (May 27) is apparently Pentecost. This seems to get far less publicity than Christmas or Easter and sort of sneaks up on some of us.

What exactly does Pentecost celebrate?

This is a two-fold question: I understand the Jewish people celebrated a feast of Pentecost (but have no idea what it is for). Some Christians celebrate Pentecost in a different way?

What is it for and how does one celebrate this?

Heres a good article on the subject. It is a commanded feast one of three as Nebula said. The empowerment of the Spirit was promised even as far back as Moses day, when God said there would be a day that the Torah would be imprinted upon our hearts. Penetcost just means 50 another way for those who were pulling away and had already pulled away from the true body calls it. It is Shavuot an agriculural feast that shows prohetically the ingathering of His people together, it represents the wheat harvest, the loaves represent the houses of Israel, each full of sin and in need of a Messiah and who only through Him are we forgiven and made clean. Also we can see that by the leavening in the loaves they have 'bread' to offer the world, His words of truth and life. Theres a lot more to this feast as there is to all of them, rich in His words and His plan of salvation and redemption.

As far as celebrating the day, we gather with our congregation, sing, praise and worship Him, then we have a meal together. Last night was awesome! the flooding of the Spirit was just so amazing its hard to even describe!

shalom,

Mizz

[Mark2005]

Ok, so in the New Testament observance of Pentecost described in Acts 2, what happened? How did all of these people speak in different languages that they did not know?

Do Orthodox Jews celebrate Pentecost today?

[nebula]

I'm not sure what it is you are not understanding, Mark. The disciples (not just the 12 Apostles, but all those that followed Jesus) were gathered together on the Feast day of Shavuot. The Holy Spirit fell upon them with the manifestations of the sound of wind and what seemed to be tongues of fire resting on them.

The Holy Spirit imparted on each of them a gift to speak in other languages (tongues). I am guessing it just came forth out of them.

[Mark2005]

Was this the first time the Holy Spirit actually came and dwelt inside of people?

[nebula]

In the OT, one can read incidences of individuals to whom the Spirit comes upon - i.e the prophets. Sometimes it's mentioned as such. My internet connection is being slow right now; otherwise I'd look up and post examples for you.

This was different in that the Holy Spirit was not restricting Himself to individuals or leaders, but pouring out on all who would receive.

[Mark2005]

That's an interesting point. I was reading a little in Acts and it seemed the Holy Spirit was not limited to just the apostles. So this event at Pentecost marked a major change in direction for the church?

I do wonder what was the significance of the tongues of fire on people. Was that sort of a fulfillment of Jesus prediction of being baptized "with the Holy Spirit and fire"?

And the languages thing is really interesting..... that they could apparently speak a new language they had never spoken before, but was recognized by others gathered there. (Heard a really weird story similar to that in a message Sunday.)