Pentecost
Its Meaning - Then and Now
The day called Pentecost is associated with two big events in the history of Yahweh’s People. The word “pentecost” occurs 3 times in the New Testament:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, Acts 2:1.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost, Acts 20:16.
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost, 1 Cor 16:8.
Pentecost is the translation of the Greek word “pentekoste” (pen-tay-kos-tay’) nt:4005; feminine of the ord. of nt:4004; fiftieth (nt:2250 being implied – (day)) from Passover, i.e. the festival of “Pentecost”. The commentaries seem to go along with this incorrect reference that the counting for Pentecost starts the day after Passover. This says that since Passover can occur any day of the week, then Pentecost can occur any day of the week also. As the Bible tells us, we will find out differently.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, Acts 2:1.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost, Acts 20:16.
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost, 1 Cor 16:8.
Pentecost is the translation of the Greek word “pentekoste” (pen-tay-kos-tay’) nt:4005; feminine of the ord. of nt:4004; fiftieth (nt:2250 being implied – (day)) from Passover, i.e. the festival of “Pentecost”. The commentaries seem to go along with this incorrect reference that the counting for Pentecost starts the day after Passover. This says that since Passover can occur any day of the week, then Pentecost can occur any day of the week also. As the Bible tells us, we will find out differently.
Count to Fifty
This definition of “pentecoste” means to count to fifty, but where does one start to count?
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto Yahweh, Lev 23:15-16.
Each time in these two verses the word Sabbath(s) is the translation of the Hebrew, Strong’s 7676, “shab-bawth”, meaning the weekly Sabbath. For a High Sabbath the Hebrew word “shab-baw-thone”, Strong’s # 7677, would be used.
Since the day after the seventh sabbath is the fiftieth day, then the day when one begins to count is the first day of the week.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete, Lev 23:15.
The word “sabbath” is the translation of the Hebrew “shabbawth,” and corresponds to the weekly Sabbath.
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto Yahweh. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto Yahweh. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto Yahweh, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto Yahweh. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations, Lev 23:16-21.
Verse 21 says that this fiftieth day is a holy convocation, a day when no work is to be done, not only a Sabbath day, but a High Sabbath day. In New Testament times this is Pentecost.
This definition of “pentecoste” means to count to fifty, but where does one start to count?
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto Yahweh, Lev 23:15-16.
Each time in these two verses the word Sabbath(s) is the translation of the Hebrew, Strong’s 7676, “shab-bawth”, meaning the weekly Sabbath. For a High Sabbath the Hebrew word “shab-baw-thone”, Strong’s # 7677, would be used.
Since the day after the seventh sabbath is the fiftieth day, then the day when one begins to count is the first day of the week.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete, Lev 23:15.
The word “sabbath” is the translation of the Hebrew “shabbawth,” and corresponds to the weekly Sabbath.
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto Yahweh. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto Yahweh. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto Yahweh, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto Yahweh. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations, Lev 23:16-21.
Verse 21 says that this fiftieth day is a holy convocation, a day when no work is to be done, not only a Sabbath day, but a High Sabbath day. In New Testament times this is Pentecost.
Arriving at Mount Sinai
In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount, Ex 19:1 2.
Today’s English Version gives a better explanation of the reading:
The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the first day of the third month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai, Ex 19:1-2 TEV.
Counting, this would make the first day of the 3rd month to be some 45 days after they left Egypt when they camped before the mount. On day 46 (third month – first day) Moses ascended and descended the mount for the first time.
In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount, Ex 19:1 2.
Today’s English Version gives a better explanation of the reading:
The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the first day of the third month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai, Ex 19:1-2 TEV.
Counting, this would make the first day of the 3rd month to be some 45 days after they left Egypt when they camped before the mount. On day 46 (third month – first day) Moses ascended and descended the mount for the first time.
Moses with Law written by finger of Yahweh
And Moses went up unto Elohim, and Yahweh called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which Yahweh commanded him, Ex 19:3-7.
Preparation for Receiving the Law
On day 47 Moses’ second ascent and second descent he sanctified the people and had them wash their clothes. The purpose of having the people wash their clothes was to symbolize washing their heart to sanctify them because of what was about to happen.
And all the people answered together, and said, All that Yahweh hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto Yahweh. And Yahweh said unto Moses, Lo, Icome unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And Moses told the words of the people unto Yahweh. And Yahweh said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount, And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes, Ex 19:8-14.
During this short wait what did Moses direct the people?
And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives, Ex 19:15
The first day the people waited was the forty-eighth day since they left Egypt; the second day was the fortyninth day; and the third day was the fiftieth day since leaving Egypt.
On day 47 Moses’ second ascent and second descent he sanctified the people and had them wash their clothes. The purpose of having the people wash their clothes was to symbolize washing their heart to sanctify them because of what was about to happen.
And all the people answered together, and said, All that Yahweh hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto Yahweh. And Yahweh said unto Moses, Lo, Icome unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And Moses told the words of the people unto Yahweh. And Yahweh said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount, And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes, Ex 19:8-14.
During this short wait what did Moses direct the people?
And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives, Ex 19:15
The first day the people waited was the forty-eighth day since they left Egypt; the second day was the fortyninth day; and the third day was the fiftieth day since leaving Egypt.
Receiving the Law
On the morning of the third day (fiftieth day since leaving Egypt) Moses ascended the mount for the third 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 was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with Elohim; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because Yahweh descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and Elohim answered him by a voice. And Yahweh came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and Yahweh called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up, Ex 19:16-20.
After communing with Elohim, Moses descended the mount for the third time to speak unto the people.
And Yahweh said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break forth upon them. And Moses said unto Yahweh, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. And Yahweh said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto Yahweh, lest he break forth upon them. So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them, Ex 19:21-25.
And what was it that Moses said to the people? Beginning with Exodus chapter 20 the word which Moses said unto the people was the Law. Since this Law was given to Yahweh’s people on the fiftieth day confirms Yahweh’s people received the Law on the day of Pentecost as Leviticus 23 describes.
On the morning of the third day (fiftieth day since leaving Egypt) Moses ascended the mount for the third 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 was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with Elohim; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because Yahweh descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and Elohim answered him by a voice. And Yahweh came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and Yahweh called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up, Ex 19:16-20.
After communing with Elohim, Moses descended the mount for the third time to speak unto the people.
And Yahweh said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break forth upon them. And Moses said unto Yahweh, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. And Yahweh said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto Yahweh, lest he break forth upon them. So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them, Ex 19:21-25.
And what was it that Moses said to the people? Beginning with Exodus chapter 20 the word which Moses said unto the people was the Law. Since this Law was given to Yahweh’s people on the fiftieth day confirms Yahweh’s people received the Law on the day of Pentecost as Leviticus 23 describes.
New Testament Pentecost
The word “Pentecost” occurs three times in the New Testament: Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, and 1 Cor 16:8. In each case it is the translation of the Greek “pentekoste (pen-tay-kos-tay’) NT:4005; feminine of the ord. of NT:4004; fiftieth (NT:2250 being implied) from Passover, i.e. the festival of ‘Pentecost’.”(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 Greek NT:4004 means a multiple of Greek NT: 4002 – five.
It must be noted that by the scriptures we have gone through, the counting of fifty days begins with the day following the weekly Sabbath which occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and not from Passover.
The word “Pentecost” occurs three times in the New Testament: Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, and 1 Cor 16:8. In each case it is the translation of the Greek “pentekoste (pen-tay-kos-tay’) NT:4005; feminine of the ord. of NT:4004; fiftieth (NT:2250 being implied) from Passover, i.e. the festival of ‘Pentecost’.”(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 Greek NT:4004 means a multiple of Greek NT: 4002 – five.
It must be noted that by the scriptures we have gone through, the counting of fifty days begins with the day following the weekly Sabbath which occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and not from Passover.
Cloven tongue of fire
What happened on this Pentecost day as is described in Acts 2:1-4:
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.
In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit would be given to someone for a specific purpose, and when the deed was done the Holy Spirit would be removed. Some examples are: (1) Bezaleel, Ex 31:1-11, artisan for helping to build artwork for the Tabernacle; (2) Samson, Judges 14:5-6, killing of a lion; (3) Saul, 1 Sam 10:6, prophesy; and (4) Jephthah, Judges 11:29-32, winning a battle.
In New Testament times, Yahshua received Yahweh’s Spirit, first to be tempted by Satan.
And Yahshua, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of Yahweh descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, Matt 3:16.
Then was Yahshua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, Matt 4:1.
When one is baptized and the elders lay hands on them and pray, Scriptures tell that they shall receive the Holy Spirit.
Then Peter said unto them, 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, Acts 2:38.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Yahweh, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahshua.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:14-17.
What we have seen is when Pentecost was made a high day in the list of high days, how that day was found in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and what it should mean to us today.
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.
In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit would be given to someone for a specific purpose, and when the deed was done the Holy Spirit would be removed. Some examples are: (1) Bezaleel, Ex 31:1-11, artisan for helping to build artwork for the Tabernacle; (2) Samson, Judges 14:5-6, killing of a lion; (3) Saul, 1 Sam 10:6, prophesy; and (4) Jephthah, Judges 11:29-32, winning a battle.
In New Testament times, Yahshua received Yahweh’s Spirit, first to be tempted by Satan.
And Yahshua, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of Yahweh descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, Matt 3:16.
Then was Yahshua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, Matt 4:1.
When one is baptized and the elders lay hands on them and pray, Scriptures tell that they shall receive the Holy Spirit.
Then Peter said unto them, 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, Acts 2:38.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Yahweh, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahshua.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:14-17.
What we have seen is when Pentecost was made a high day in the list of high days, how that day was found in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and what it should mean to us today.
-Elder Roger G. Meyer
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