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Pentecost
 
Feast of Weeks
 
               
                   
 
   Pentecost, which means to count fifty, is the term used in the New Covenant era and is to be celebrated at the same prescribed time as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of First-Fruits is described for us in Lev. 23.
   After Yahshua’s resurrection He spent some forty days with the apostles and spoke of those things pertaining to the Kingdom of Yahweh, Acts 1:3. They, as others who wanted to know, asked Yahshua if He was going to restore (establish, set up) the kingdom to Israel, Acts 1:6. Yahshua told them,
   It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power, Acts
1:7.
   But, Yahshua told them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father.
   And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you, John 14:16-17.
   But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, John 14:26.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
, Acts 1:8.
   After saying this, Yahshua ascended into heaven and, eventually, the apostles returned to Jerusalem. And the reason for returning to Jerusalem was to keep the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
 
Selection Time
   In an upper room the eleven apostles met, along with some women, including Mary, the mother of Yahshua, and His brethren, some one-hundred twenty people, Acts 1:13-15:
   And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Yahshua, and with His brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty).
   At this time the major discussion centered on selecting a man to replace Judas Iscariot. The end result is given in Acts 1:23-26:
   And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Yahweh, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
 
That Day – Old Covenant Era
   Pentecost has always been counted as fifty days following the weekly Sabbath which occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The first day after that weekly Sabbath is the day in which the sheaf wave offering was made. Yahshua told Mary not to touch Him since He first must go to His Father, Yahweh, to present Himself as the sheaf wave offering (first of the first-fruits), John 20:16 and 17.
   Pentecost has been remembered since Old Testament times as the day when Yahweh presented all His laws to His People at Mount Sinai. Yahweh’s power, which struck the Israelites with fear, was demonstrated at this time.
   And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that [were] in the camp trembled, Ex. 19:16.
   And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off, Ex. 20:18.
 
That Day – New Covenant Era
   There are many stories in the Old Testament witnessing the Holy Spirit being given to someone in order that a special task could be done. When that task was completed the Holy Spirit was withdrawn. Pentecost, in the New Covenant era, is considered the time when Yahweh allowed His Holy Spirit to indwell in people.
   And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts 2:1-4.
   From the descent of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of this day, we may learn something concerning the operations of the Holy Spirit at the present time. Remember, from the very beginning of time, whatever the Holy Spirit was at the first, it is now also, for as Yahweh is, the Holy Spirit remains forever the same, as its power is by no means diminished. We would most certainly grieve if Yahweh’s Holy Spirit diminished one iota from the beginning of time until today.
   Yahweh’s gift of the Comforter is not temporary. The gift came in accordance with Yahshua’s prayer to remain forever. One must remember, as the promise of the gift of a token of the Holy Spirit is given to us when the elders lay hands on us after baptism, in no way guarantees it will remain within us. We must continue in the truth and keep the commandments to show our love of Yahshua.
 
Instructional Symbols
   Let’s look at Acts 2:1-4 once again.
   And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts 2:1-4.
   Two times we find that the Holy Spirit is symbolized in Acts 2:2. There was a sound as of a rushing
mighty wind, and there were cloven tongues as it were of fire.
   John describes for us what a characteristic is of the wind in John 3:8 where Yahshua is speaking to Nicodemus,
   The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit, NIV.
   Here are other examples of a wind being associated with the Holy Spirit.
   Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: Yahweh hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet, Nah. 1:3.
   Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind
, Job 38:1.
   And Elohim remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and Elohim made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged, Gen. 8:1
   Hence, wind cannot be seen, but can be audible. A wind is felt when air flows between two points which are close enough but have different air pressures.
   The Greek word translated wind in John 3:8 is pneuma (Strong’s #4151), meaning a breeze, and figuratively a spirit, namely the Holy Spirit.
   Consider the following concerning a fire that does not burn.
   There the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up," Ex. 3:2-3 NIV.
   On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with Elohim, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because Yahweh descended on it in fire, Ex. 19:16-18 NIV.
   Thus, in Ex. 3:2-3 Elohim is said to have manifested Himself to Moses in a bush which was burning, yet not consumed. In Ex. 19:16-20, He descended on Mount Sinai in the midst of thunders, and lightnings, and smoke, and fire, striking emblems of His presence and power.
 
Heaven
   The word “heaven” in Acts 2:1 comes from the Greek ouranoś NT:3772 meaning, by extension, heaven, as the abode of Elohim. This is thought of as the third heaven. Barnes’ Notes gives the following explanation about the third (and all three) heavens spoken of in 2 Cor. 12:2:
   “The Jews sometimes speak of seven heavens, and Muhammed has borrowed this idea from the Jews. But the Bible speaks of but three heavens, and among the Jews in the apostolic ages also the heavens were divided into three:
   (1) The aerial, including the clouds and the atmosphere, the heavens above us, until we come to the stars.
   (2) The starry heavens, the heavens in which the sun, moon, and stars appear to be situated.
   (3) The heavens beyond the stars. That heaven was supposed to be the residence of [Elohim], of angels, and of holy spirits. It was this upper heaven, the dwelling place of [Elohim], to which Paul was taken, and whose wonders he was permitted to behold-this region where [Elohim] dwelt; where [Messiah] was seated at the right hand of the Father. The fanciful opinions of the Jews about seven heavens may be seen detailed in Schoettgen or in Wetstein, by whom the principal passages from the Jewish writings relating to the subject have been collected. As their opinions throw no light on this passage, it is unnecessary to detail them here.” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
 
Effects of the Coming of the Holy Spirit
   One of the effects of the Holy Spirit coming from heaven was that it filled the entire house, including everyone who was there, Acts 2:2-4. What effect did this have on the people? Because of the Holy Spirit indwelling in them, they ended “speaking in different languages,” verse 4. This was the second effect of the Holy Spirit coming at this time.
   As soon as the Spirit of Yahweh filled them, they began to speak at once. It seems that they began to speak before the people had come together. Maybe they just could not help it. Maybe they felt they just had to speak. So, when the Spirit of Yahweh really comes upon a man, he does not wait till he has gathered an audience of the size which he desires, but he seizes the next opportunity. He speaks to one person, he speaks to two, he speaks to three, to anybody: he must speak, just as these men did as they filled with the Holy Spirit and felt they just had to vent their feelings.
   When the Spirit of Yahweh fills a man, does he speak unintelligently? No, he will speak so he will be understood. Here, the crowd spoke in different languages, and these Spirit-taught men spoke to them in the language of the country in which they were born.
   Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language, Acts 2:6.
   Word must have spread quickly as these men were speaking in different languages and people were very likely curious to find out why a group of people just started to speak in different languages. So, the multiple came. But, what was the native tongue of those doing the talking?
   And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (Acts 2:7)
   What background were all these people who heard these Gallilaeas?
   And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Elohim, Acts 2:8-11.
   What reason did some give for the people speaking all these languages?
   And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine, Acts 2:12-13.
   Did the apostle Peter allow this thought to spread? NO!
 
Major Subject Spoken Of
   Peter felt he must place emphasis on and continue to speak of the “wonderful works of Yahweh.” This is what verse 11 says about what the people were hearing.
   But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of Yahweh come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved, Acts 2:14-21.
   The blood of Yahshua Messiah His Son cleanseth us from all sin, 1 John 1:7. This is one of the wonderful works of Yahweh of which we can never make too frequent mention.
   Surely, the men were not drunk, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the power of the Holy Spirit is not only physical strength but also the ability to do Yahweh’s will. One should read the remainder of Acts chapter 2 to get the full impact of all what the Apostle Peter said to the people.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need, Acts 2:43-45.
   Acts chapter 2 indicates that many unusual things happened this day because of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The people realized the importance and significance of what the events of that day meant. The events of this day illustrate what can happen when Yahweh’s Holy Spirit dwells within us.
 
Remain Steadfast
   Even when Peter spoke to the people telling them about the events of the latter days, we must be aware of those events and must remember to be prepared for Yahshua’s return.
   Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:58 to remain firm in our commitment, firm in our faith and duly resolved,
   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Master, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Master.
   Paul also tells us in Rom. 8:7-14
   Because the carnal mind is enmity against Yahweh: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Yahweh. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Yahweh dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of His. And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of Yahweh, they are the sons of Yahweh, Rom. 8:7-14.
 
Start Today
   We must now become a child of Yahweh. That illustrious position is not automatically given to all. We must first commit ourselves. We must, by our faith and works, show we are worthy of becoming a child of Yahweh.
   Upon hearing what words were being spoken that day the people replied,
   Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37)
   Peter tells us in Acts 2:38,
   Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
   Repent is the translation of the Greek metanoeo NT:3340 meaning to think differently, now and afterward, and to take heed. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
   The words spoken by Peter were well received as Acts 2:41 says,
   Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
   What did these people do once they were baptized?
   And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, Acts 2:42.
   Repentance is not something to do in a carefree manner when desiring to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repentance means to take a different path in one’s actions. Repentance means to be sorry for your past sins. Repentance means to be willing and to desire to change one’s life around to conform to Yahweh’s will. Then, when you plead with Yahweh to forgive you for your past actions, it is time to be baptized in Yahshua’s name to not only have those past sins forgiven, but to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as Peter says in Acts 2:38.
   As exemplified on this first Pentecost, Yahweh has His way of doing things. He shows us in Acts 2:1-4 we are to gather with others on this day, if possible, having one frame of mind – to do Yahweh’s will and to keep the second harvest season.
                       
               
-Elder Roger G. Meyer
                   

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