Pentecost - Yahweh's Way
One of the most significant days in history is sorely remembered nor is observed by most. Ask anyone on the street and they generally won’t even recognize what the Feast of Weeks is or what is more popularly known in the Greek vernacular as Pentecost.
They may have heard about it. But they really don’t know what it is. The fact is, we should be traveling to attend this holy day of Yahweh as was done in both the Old and New Testament times by Yahweh’s people.
They may have heard about it. But they really don’t know what it is. The fact is, we should be traveling to attend this holy day of Yahweh as was done in both the Old and New Testament times by Yahweh’s people.
What Pentecost Means
Pentecost is the Greek word for the number fifty. It is fifty days counted from the day after the weekly Sabbath that falls within the Days of Unleavened Bread. From a Sunday seven weeks forward to another Sunday. Seven complete weeks or Sabbaths are to be counted: You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.
You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present new grain offering to Yahweh, Lev 23:15-16 NASU.
The wave sheaf offering or firstfruit offering (the first part of the harvest) of barley was given by the priest to Yahweh.
On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before Yahweh so it may be accepted on your behalf, Lev 23:11 NLT.
The significance here is that we see the connection between the offering being made on behalf of the people as pointing toward our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah, being offered on our behalf. Yahshua gave His life and allowed His Blood to be poured out as an offering. He was the Firstfruit offered up to Yahweh on our behalf. He is the First of the firstfruits,
But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming, 1 Cor 15:23.
Pentecost is the Greek word for the number fifty. It is fifty days counted from the day after the weekly Sabbath that falls within the Days of Unleavened Bread. From a Sunday seven weeks forward to another Sunday. Seven complete weeks or Sabbaths are to be counted: You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.
You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present new grain offering to Yahweh, Lev 23:15-16 NASU.
The wave sheaf offering or firstfruit offering (the first part of the harvest) of barley was given by the priest to Yahweh.
On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before Yahweh so it may be accepted on your behalf, Lev 23:11 NLT.
The significance here is that we see the connection between the offering being made on behalf of the people as pointing toward our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah, being offered on our behalf. Yahshua gave His life and allowed His Blood to be poured out as an offering. He was the Firstfruit offered up to Yahweh on our behalf. He is the First of the firstfruits,
But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming, 1 Cor 15:23.
New Testament Times
It was after Yahshua ascended on the day of the wave sheaf offering that He kept His promise to send the Spirit of Yahweh (Holy Spirit) to abide in the people who obey the laws of Yahweh and keep their faith in Him. The account is given in Acts chapter 2.
Some of the marvelous acts of Yahweh’s Spirit at work, such as speaking in different coherent languages, aren’t seen today. The question is why?
The answer may surprise you. Look at the YAIY Mini-Study called “Tongues: Past, Present, and Future."
The Apostle Peter, who was himself obedient to the law of Yahweh, preached strongly in Yahshua’s name, proclaiming remission of sins through His name and that the Holy Spirit is available to those who are submissive to Yahweh:
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom Elohim has given to those who obey him, Acts 5:32 NIV.
The Messiah was a propitiation (offering) for our sins that we might be forgiven of the death penalty which sin (1 John 3:4) ultimately brings upon a person. We are all guilty of sin whether we know what the law says or not:
People who do not have the law and who are sinners will be lost, although they do not have the law. And, in the same way, those who have the law and are sinners will be judged by the law. Hearing the law does not make people right with Elohim. It is those who obey the law who will be right with him, Rom 2:12-13 NCV.
We can be justified by the death and shed blood of a sinless sacrifice, which Yahshua, the Anointed One of Yahweh, was. That is, if we get in step with what Yahweh says to do, and believe that His Son does have saving power within His Name,
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12.
It was after Yahshua ascended on the day of the wave sheaf offering that He kept His promise to send the Spirit of Yahweh (Holy Spirit) to abide in the people who obey the laws of Yahweh and keep their faith in Him. The account is given in Acts chapter 2.
Some of the marvelous acts of Yahweh’s Spirit at work, such as speaking in different coherent languages, aren’t seen today. The question is why?
The answer may surprise you. Look at the YAIY Mini-Study called “Tongues: Past, Present, and Future."
The Apostle Peter, who was himself obedient to the law of Yahweh, preached strongly in Yahshua’s name, proclaiming remission of sins through His name and that the Holy Spirit is available to those who are submissive to Yahweh:
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom Elohim has given to those who obey him, Acts 5:32 NIV.
The Messiah was a propitiation (offering) for our sins that we might be forgiven of the death penalty which sin (1 John 3:4) ultimately brings upon a person. We are all guilty of sin whether we know what the law says or not:
People who do not have the law and who are sinners will be lost, although they do not have the law. And, in the same way, those who have the law and are sinners will be judged by the law. Hearing the law does not make people right with Elohim. It is those who obey the law who will be right with him, Rom 2:12-13 NCV.
We can be justified by the death and shed blood of a sinless sacrifice, which Yahshua, the Anointed One of Yahweh, was. That is, if we get in step with what Yahweh says to do, and believe that His Son does have saving power within His Name,
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12.
Sign of the Times
If this all seems like a lot of information to digest or to try to explain to someone, you may be right. It is difficult for many to understand due to not being brought up to regularly study the Bible, which regrettably happens to be the case with most people today.
There are also false teachings that have crept in and degraded everything from what Passover is and should be called, to what the true names of the Father and the Son are.
Many claim to be religious, but fail to study or read the Bible. Christianity, in general, has many adherents who attend services on a regular basis. If some do go out and purchase commentaries or other study aids, with studying the Bible in mind, they may pick up a liberal or minimalist’s writings (writings which question the validity of historical accounts written in Scripture), which just confuses matters and can cause the little faith of some to evaporate completely.
There is much anti-Bible rhetoric in both Bible commentaries written and the so-called documentaries produced for cable or television that put a question mark on many of the historical accounts. “Did King David really exist?” “Was the Apostle Paul a real person?” “Did Moses actually write the first five books?” “How could there be 2 million during the exodus out of Egypt?” “Were there even any Israelites?” “Did a Messiah actually raise the dead?” “Could He have really sweat blood?”
And many other questions that are proposed of which the Bible, archeology, and even science time and time again keep answering in the affirmative, proving the Bible is a true and accurate account of both Old Testament and New Testament times of peoples and events.
The schools of modern theology do have professors who take the conservative view of literal interpretation and show from the Bible and many times from archeological finds and science, that indeed the Bible is true, reliable, and therefore trustworthy. However, there are just as many today, if not more, who take the liberal and negative viewpoint. For them there should be a warning on their door saying, “Student Beware.”
If this all seems like a lot of information to digest or to try to explain to someone, you may be right. It is difficult for many to understand due to not being brought up to regularly study the Bible, which regrettably happens to be the case with most people today.
There are also false teachings that have crept in and degraded everything from what Passover is and should be called, to what the true names of the Father and the Son are.
Many claim to be religious, but fail to study or read the Bible. Christianity, in general, has many adherents who attend services on a regular basis. If some do go out and purchase commentaries or other study aids, with studying the Bible in mind, they may pick up a liberal or minimalist’s writings (writings which question the validity of historical accounts written in Scripture), which just confuses matters and can cause the little faith of some to evaporate completely.
There is much anti-Bible rhetoric in both Bible commentaries written and the so-called documentaries produced for cable or television that put a question mark on many of the historical accounts. “Did King David really exist?” “Was the Apostle Paul a real person?” “Did Moses actually write the first five books?” “How could there be 2 million during the exodus out of Egypt?” “Were there even any Israelites?” “Did a Messiah actually raise the dead?” “Could He have really sweat blood?”
And many other questions that are proposed of which the Bible, archeology, and even science time and time again keep answering in the affirmative, proving the Bible is a true and accurate account of both Old Testament and New Testament times of peoples and events.
The schools of modern theology do have professors who take the conservative view of literal interpretation and show from the Bible and many times from archeological finds and science, that indeed the Bible is true, reliable, and therefore trustworthy. However, there are just as many today, if not more, who take the liberal and negative viewpoint. For them there should be a warning on their door saying, “Student Beware.”
Read and Obey
There are few people today that actually keep the day of Pentecost in reverence according to Scripture. Speaking of Feast of Weeks/Pentecost, we are told by Yahweh,
On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly and do no regular work. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live, Lev 23:21 NIV.
The Apostle Paul read and obeyed Scripture. He tells us, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Messiah,” 1 Cor 11:1. He, like the Messiah, kept the day in reverence according to Scripture, “…for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost,” Acts 20:16.
We know Yahshua kept the day of Pentecost holy since he was without sin (Heb 4:15) and also taught that we are to obey His Father’s laws, and if we don’t there will be consequences:
…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahweh…Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven, Matt 4:4; 5:19 ASV.
There are few people today that actually keep the day of Pentecost in reverence according to Scripture. Speaking of Feast of Weeks/Pentecost, we are told by Yahweh,
On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly and do no regular work. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live, Lev 23:21 NIV.
The Apostle Paul read and obeyed Scripture. He tells us, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Messiah,” 1 Cor 11:1. He, like the Messiah, kept the day in reverence according to Scripture, “…for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost,” Acts 20:16.
We know Yahshua kept the day of Pentecost holy since he was without sin (Heb 4:15) and also taught that we are to obey His Father’s laws, and if we don’t there will be consequences:
…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahweh…Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven, Matt 4:4; 5:19 ASV.
Traveling to Pentecost
Paul traveled to Jerusalem to be with others on the day of Pentecost. Remember, it is a “holy convocation,” (Lev 23:21) that is, a gathering with others of like faith (Acts 2:1) in obedience to the Heavenly Father. All males are commanded to come before Him on this and at two other Feasts, but ideally the whole family should attend:
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before Yahweh Elohim, Ex 23:14-17.
The word “times” in verse 14 is translated from the Hebrew word “regel” (#7272) and holds the meaning of “foot,” “leg or journey.”
The word “times” in verse 17 is a different word, but holds a similar meaning, even clarifying further the other term in verse 14. It’s the Hebrew word “pa’am” (#6471) and means, “footstep,” “hoof beat,” “strokes or steps.”
In America there is the phrase or term called “hoofing it,” which brings to attention that one is walking somewhere. These three Feast days are commanded sojourning Feasts. They are different from the other Holy Days of Yahweh in that you must travel to these if at all possible.
Paul’s example, as previously mentioned, made an effort to travel to the Feast. He did travel to Jerusalem for the Feast(s), and some may say that is where we should go today, but today there is no Temple to meet at in Jerusalem.
Paul traveled to Jerusalem to be with others on the day of Pentecost. Remember, it is a “holy convocation,” (Lev 23:21) that is, a gathering with others of like faith (Acts 2:1) in obedience to the Heavenly Father. All males are commanded to come before Him on this and at two other Feasts, but ideally the whole family should attend:
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before Yahweh Elohim, Ex 23:14-17.
The word “times” in verse 14 is translated from the Hebrew word “regel” (#7272) and holds the meaning of “foot,” “leg or journey.”
The word “times” in verse 17 is a different word, but holds a similar meaning, even clarifying further the other term in verse 14. It’s the Hebrew word “pa’am” (#6471) and means, “footstep,” “hoof beat,” “strokes or steps.”
In America there is the phrase or term called “hoofing it,” which brings to attention that one is walking somewhere. These three Feast days are commanded sojourning Feasts. They are different from the other Holy Days of Yahweh in that you must travel to these if at all possible.
Paul’s example, as previously mentioned, made an effort to travel to the Feast. He did travel to Jerusalem for the Feast(s), and some may say that is where we should go today, but today there is no Temple to meet at in Jerusalem.
Distinction Made
It is noteworthy that Yahweh seems to have clearly made a distinction of those being obedient and having faith in Yahshua, compared to those who may have only kept the law, such as the Pharisees, for example, worshiping at the Temple.
Those gathered together for Pentecost with Apostles Peter, John and others (Acts 1:13) had no doubt been planning to go to the Temple later (Acts 3:1), but received the Spirit outside of being in the Temple before they had the opportunity to enter.
There are some that think we still need to go by Jerusalem time, Temple or not, since that is Yahweh’s Holy land. Listen in on the conversation between the woman at the well and Yahshua who explained in detail our situation today:
“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Yahshua said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. Elohim is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” John 20-24 ESV.
Based on Scripture, just as we find we don’t need to worship in Jerusalem today, we also don’t find a need to observe Jerusalem time to distinguish how the Feasts are to be kept.
For further study of this important subject please refer to “New Moons and Jerusalem Time,” a YAIY Mini- Study available online in the “Biblical Worship” section under “Free Literature.”
It is noteworthy that Yahweh seems to have clearly made a distinction of those being obedient and having faith in Yahshua, compared to those who may have only kept the law, such as the Pharisees, for example, worshiping at the Temple.
Those gathered together for Pentecost with Apostles Peter, John and others (Acts 1:13) had no doubt been planning to go to the Temple later (Acts 3:1), but received the Spirit outside of being in the Temple before they had the opportunity to enter.
There are some that think we still need to go by Jerusalem time, Temple or not, since that is Yahweh’s Holy land. Listen in on the conversation between the woman at the well and Yahshua who explained in detail our situation today:
“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Yahshua said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. Elohim is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” John 20-24 ESV.
Based on Scripture, just as we find we don’t need to worship in Jerusalem today, we also don’t find a need to observe Jerusalem time to distinguish how the Feasts are to be kept.
For further study of this important subject please refer to “New Moons and Jerusalem Time,” a YAIY Mini- Study available online in the “Biblical Worship” section under “Free Literature.”
Making a Choice
Yahweh places His name where His laws are upheld along with the faith in His Son. One has to decide who is keeping His laws accurately, and who is not, according to Scripture. Otherwise one may find himself or herself unwittingly committing sin by means of false worship.
It is becoming more and more serious for the Bible student of today to discern the whole truth since there are more and more Assemblies being formed that hold foundational truths from Scripture, but miss the mark in certain areas, some even setting dates for Yahshua’s return which we are told no man knows, Matt 24:36; 25:8; Acts 1:7.
Remember Yahshua’s admonition in Matt 5:19; 7:21-23 and make the decision to follow Yahweh’s word by traveling to an Assembly that keeps and teaches the whole counsel of Elohim.
In the strength of the Spirit the Apostle Peter spoke boldly and plainly, saying,
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as Yahweh our Elohim will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation,” Acts 2:38-40 NKJV.
We need to draw close to our Heavenly Father through Yahshua. We need to walk according to the truth and the Spirit. We need to travel to the Feasts of which one is the day of Pentecost.
Yahweh places His name where His laws are upheld along with the faith in His Son. One has to decide who is keeping His laws accurately, and who is not, according to Scripture. Otherwise one may find himself or herself unwittingly committing sin by means of false worship.
It is becoming more and more serious for the Bible student of today to discern the whole truth since there are more and more Assemblies being formed that hold foundational truths from Scripture, but miss the mark in certain areas, some even setting dates for Yahshua’s return which we are told no man knows, Matt 24:36; 25:8; Acts 1:7.
Remember Yahshua’s admonition in Matt 5:19; 7:21-23 and make the decision to follow Yahweh’s word by traveling to an Assembly that keeps and teaches the whole counsel of Elohim.
In the strength of the Spirit the Apostle Peter spoke boldly and plainly, saying,
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as Yahweh our Elohim will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation,” Acts 2:38-40 NKJV.
We need to draw close to our Heavenly Father through Yahshua. We need to walk according to the truth and the Spirit. We need to travel to the Feasts of which one is the day of Pentecost.
-Elder David Brett
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