PENTECOST

 

Pentecost literally means “the fiftieth day.” This Jewish holiday was celebrated on the seventh week after the start of the grain harvest, when they would also offer sacrifices and rest (Lev. 23:15–21). It was also called the “Feast of Weeks” and the “Day of Firstfruits” in Num. 28:26–31. In Ex. 23:16, it was referred to as the “Feast of the Harvest” and the “Feast of Ingathering.” Based on these descriptions, it can be said that originally it was an agricultural feast and not a historical commemoration (unlike Passover, which recalls God’s deliverance in the Exodus). There may not have been an exact date for Pentecost in its early observance since the beginning of the harvest had no fixed date. Eventually, however, Pentecost became associated with the commemoration of the giving of the Law to Moses. To reinforce this historical theme, Jewish teachers (rabbis) taught that the Mosaic Law was given 50 days after the Exodus. Although this traditional date had no biblical basis, it was accepted by the Jewish community, and so Pentecost came to be celebrated on a fixed date—50 days after the Passover. Thus, during Pentecost, the people not only celebrated the harvest but also remembered the covenant God made with their community through the Law.

Pentecost: The Birth of the Church

From being merely a Jewish festival, it became significant to us Christians because of what happened in Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to empower the believers. This was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Acts 2:18–21; Joel 2:28–32; 3:1) and of Jesus’ promise to His disciples (Lk. 24:49). By the power of the Spirit, the believers began to speak in foreign languages (Acts 2:4) and boldly proclaimed the gospel to a great crowd (vv. 14, 41). This event is regarded as the beginning of the universal church, for from a small group of Jewish followers of Christ, it suddenly grew and included members from different nations. The mission to evangelize the whole world, especially non-Jews, began on this day. The once helpless and fearful group of believers became powerful witnesses of the gospel at Pentecost.

In Acts 2, Pentecost became the “Day of Firstfruits” and “Feast of the Harvest” in a much higher sense, because of the great harvest of souls that day—signifying the even greater number of people who would later be reached by the gospel. On that day, there was a true “Feast of Ingathering,” as people from all parts of the world gathered and heard the gospel (vv. 8–11). Just as the Jewish festival recalled the giving of the old covenant through Moses, Pentecost became the public proclamation of the new covenant given by God through Jesus (vv. 30–36).

Pentecost in Acts may also be connected to the Tower of Babel story in Genesis (Gen. 11:1–9). Luke, by listing the different nations, directs his readers back to the first list of nations in Genesis 10. In the Babel story (which comes right after that list), God came down and divided the people through diverse languages. But at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down, and the unity of peoples with different languages was restored.

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What happened at Pentecost marked a new era: an age of forgiveness for anyone who repents and believes in Christ, regardless of race. A time when the promise of the Holy Spirit is offered to everyone who accepts the message (Acts 2:38–39). Pentecost is indeed worth remembering. Stay Curious. 

Sources and Studies:

Walton, J. and, Keener C. (2016). “See footnotes for Acts 2:1-11”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp.1871-1871). Zondervan
Douglas, J.D. (Gen Ed.). (1986). “Pentecost”. 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺. (pp.764-765). Zondervan
McKenzie, J.L (1965). Pentecost. 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp. 657-658). McMillian Publishing.