Pentecost (Hag Shabuwa)
Pentecost, Hag Shabuwa (Shavuot), Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Harvest are all Scriptural names for this feast. It is the third Feast and third High Day of Yahweh’s appointed times found in Leviticus 23. Pentecost is a set-apart day when no customary work should be done. It is a day to have a Holy Convocation with the brethren. It is a day to rejoice!
Today, this Feast and High Day represents the New Covenant for believers in which Yahweh writes His Laws upon our hearts and our minds. This is accomplished by the infilling of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit. This New Covenant, under which Yahweh writes His Laws upon our hearts and minds through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, is a magnification of the Law. The New Covenant for believers began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
Yahweh’s Law including the Ten Commandments at Sinai is the forerunner and shadow of the New Covenant, which includes the outpouring and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Old Covenant at Sinai was an external covenant. The Holy Spirit before the New Covenant was an external power that occasionally filled people (Exodus 31:1-3 and 35:30-31, Deuteronomy 34:9, 1 Samuel 10:10, 11:6, and 19:20-23, 2 Chronicles 15:1 and 24:20, Isaiah 61:1, Ezekiel 2:2 and 3:24, and Daniel 4:18). Although the Holy Spirit occasionally filled people before the New Covenant, this infilling was temporary.
Before we dig deeper into the meaning of Pentecost for believers today, let us look at Old Testament Scriptures regarding this feast to get a better idea about its original purpose. We see in the Old Testament that this feast was most often called the Feast of Weeks due to the counting of weeks to determine its timing, opposed to a set date found in other feast days of Yahweh. The word “weeks” comes from the Hebrew word “shabuwa” and has been translated today by the Jews as “shavuot”.
Leviticus 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
15 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: 16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty (2572) days;
2572 chamishshiym {kham-ish-sheem’} • multiple of 02568; TWOT- 686c; n pl • AV – fifty 151, fifties 6, fiftieth 4, fifty + 0376 1; 162 • 1) fifty 1a) fifty (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers) 1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Scriptures in Leviticus tell us that the count to the Feast of Weeks begins the day after the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread when the priest waves the sheaf of the Firstfruits before Yahweh. So how do we determine which Sabbath to use? Do we use the weekly Sabbath or the First High Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread? It is clear from Scriptures that this Sabbath day is the weekly Sabbath during The Feast of Unleavened Bread.
It is logical to answer this question by looking at the prior passages to see if Yahweh used the word “Sabbath” and how He used the word “Sabbath”. We find in Leviticus 23:3 the use of the word “Sabbath” multiple times. And this use of the word “Sabbath” pertains to Yahweh’s weekly Sabbath. Therefore it can be assumed that the next time Yahweh used the word” Sabbath” after Leviticus 23:3, He is referring to His weekly Sabbath.
Another clue as to why the count to the Feast of Weeks begins the day after the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread is found in the Evangels. Messiah is our perfect blood sacrifice for sin. He is also our wave sheaf offering, the FirstFruit of the resurrection. If you review the chronology of Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection in the Evangels, it appears that Messiah may have presented himself as the wave sheaf offering the day after the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread. For more information on why this is Scriptural, please read “FirstFruits”.
Seven complete Sabbaths are counted. The day after the completion of seven full Sabbaths is the fiftieth day. This fiftieth day is the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (Greek for 50th with day understood). As we will read later in this article, the number fifty has meaning for both the Covenant at Sinai and the New Covenant on the day of Pentecost.
Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. 10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks (#7620) unto Yahweh thy Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto Yahweh thy Elohim, according as Yahweh thy Elohim hath blessed thee: 11 And thou shalt rejoice before Yahweh thy Elohim, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which Yahweh thy Elohim hath chosen to place his name there. 12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
7620 shabuwa` {shaw-boo’-ah} or shabua` {shaw-boo’-ah} also (fem.) sh@bu`ah {sheb-oo-aw’} • properly, pass part of 07650 as a denom. of 07651; TWOT – 2318d; n m • AV – week 19, seven 1; 20 • 1) seven, period of seven (days or years), heptad, week 1a) period of seven days, a week 1a1) Feast of Weeks 1b) heptad, seven (of years)
Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto Yahweh, after your weeks (#7620) be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
Exodus 23:14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 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:) 16 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. 17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Sovereign Yahweh.
Exodus 34:18 The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.
22 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks (7620 shabuwa), of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end. 23 Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Sovereign Yahweh, the Elohim of Israel.
The Old Covenant, which was confirmed at Mount Sinai in Horeb, included Yahweh’s Law and the Ten Commandments. An interesting observation is that this covenant most likely would have been instituted fifty days from the beginning of the Exodus. Let us take a look at Scriptures. We know that during the day of the 15th of Abib (Numbers 33:3), the day after Passover, the Exodus of the Israelites and the mixed multitudes began. This day after the Passover, the 15th of Abib, is the first High Day during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Abib is the first month of the year.
We also see the Israelites and the mixed multitude arriving at the Wilderness of Sinai in Sivan, the third month of the year (Exodus 19:1). A few days after arriving at the Wilderness of Sinai, the Israelites received Yahweh’s Law including the Ten Commandments. Jewish tradition states that the receiving of the Torah (i.e. Law) was on the 6th day of Sivan. This time frame between the Exodus (15th of Abib) and the receiving of the Covenant Ten Commandments most likely would have been fifty days (1).
(1) First month of the year “Abib” with the Exodus staring on the 15th of Abib = 15 days left, plus second month of the year “Iyar” = 29 days, plus third month of the year “Sivan” = 6 days to receiving of the law including the Ten Commandments. Total would be 50 days.
Exodus 24:1 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto Yahweh, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 2 And Moses alone shall come near Yahweh: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. 3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Yahweh hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of Yahweh, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto Yahweh. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that Yahweh hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which Yahweh hath made with you concerning all these words.
Exodus 34:28 And he (Moses) was there with Yahweh forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:1 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2 Yahweh our Elohim made a covenant with us in Horeb (i.e. Sinai).
It is not coincidental that the time period between the Exodus and the giving of the Old Covenant at Mount Sinai and the period between Messiah’s Resurrection and the Day of Pentecost were both likely 50 days. Let us take a look.
Messiah’s Resurrection occurred at sunset at the end of the weekly Sabbath. (Please read “Passover and Easter”). And as our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, Messiah may have presented Himself the day after the weekly Sabbath as the first sheaf of the firstfruits unto Yahweh. (Please read “FirstFruits”). After Messiah’s Resurrection, He was seen for 40 days on this earth. And after Messiah ascended into heaven, some of the disciples traveled a Sabbath Day’s journey (about a half mile) from Mount Olivet to arrive at the Upper Room in Jerusalem. From there the disciples stayed (10 days?) in prayer and supplication under one accord until the Holy Spirit was poured out.
Again this time frame from Messiah’s Resurrection and dedication of the firstfruits unto Yahweh until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost could have been 50 days.
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Yah’shua began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of Yahweh: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 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. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Yah’shua, and with his brethren.
The disciples were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. Most likely during the next 10 days they prayed and worshipped with one accord. It is amazing what can happen when the brethren are of one mind and one accord as we look at Acts chapter 2!
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost (4005) was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Yahweh. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 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: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Yahweh, 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: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of Yahweh come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit
4005 pentekoste {pen-tay-kos-tay’} • feminine of the ord. of 4004; TDNT – 6:44,826; n f • AV – Pentecost 3; 3 • Pentecost = “the fiftieth day” 1) the second of the three great Jewish feasts, celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, the seventh week after the Passover, in grateful recognition of the completed harvest
The Greek word “Pentekoste” means “fiftieth day”. The Hebrew word “chamishshiym” means “fifty” or “fiftieth” and was the count for the Feast of Weeks. Therefore it is clear that Pentecost in the New Testament and the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament is the same feast.
Another name given to Pentecost in the Old Testament was Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16). This descriptive name for Pentecost was based on the timing of the summer wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22). With the outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), we see a Scriptural tie between the agricultural harvest and the harvest of men’s souls.
Lastly, it is interesting to note that the infilling of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost initiated the New Covenant between Yahweh and believers. And this New Covenant did not abolish the law and covenant Ten Commandments found in the Old Covenant but modified it including putting Yahweh’s law in our hearts and minds. Again, putting Yahweh’s law in our hearts and mind was accomplished by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.
Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahweh: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he (Messiah) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith Yahweh. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Yahweh; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a Elohim, and they shall be to me a people:
Hebrew 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Yahweh; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of Yahweh after the inward man:
Hebrews 12:24 And to YahwehShua the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
And with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in each believer’s body, Yahweh’s Law is placed in our inward parts and written in our minds and in our hearts. The Holy Spirit reveals His truth and righteousness so believers can walk in His ways.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Yahweh hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But Yahweh hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Yahweh. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Yahweh knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Yahweh. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Yahweh; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of Yahweh. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of Yahweh: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, it shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (also see John 16:13-14)
Ephesians 1:17 That the El of our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
It is interesting to note that Yahweh’s Law under the New Covenant has not only been put into our hearts and minds, it has been magnified!!!
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Isaiah 42:21 Yahweh is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Yahweh’s Law is just and good, spiritual, and is necessary until the new Heavens and Earth. The Law was not condemned or abolished under the New Covenant. It was sin (i.e. law-breaking) that was condemned, being nailed to the stake. Remember that Messiah bore all sin through His perfect sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Isaiah 53:6). Sin is the transgression or breaking of the law (1 John 3:4 and Romans 3:20, 5:12, and 7:7).
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? Yahweh forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Psalm 19:7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahweh hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Yahweh sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Let us return to the number “50” that is used in both the Old Testament (2572 chamishshiym) and New Testament (4005 pentekoste) for the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost. We must note that not only is this number linked to The Feast of Weeks and Pentecost, it is also tied to the Jubilee year. A pattern emerges. Clearly, Yahweh uses “50” to represent the concepts of deliverance/liberty/release from bondage.
Leviticus 25:8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
The Jubilee is a time to “proclaim liberty”. And when there is liberty there is a release from the bondage to sin and this world. Remember that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost began our release from sin and bondage to this world by allowing a believer to choose to walk in Yahweh’s Spirit.
The Jubilee is also the time when “ye shall return every man unto his family”. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is the seal of redemption for saints until we are purchased by Yahweh at Messiah’s second coming?
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the evangel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of Yahweh, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Through Messiah’s death on the stake the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers on the day of Pentecost. And through the Holy Spirit there is a promise of release from bondage of our carnal nature and this world when we are transformed at the second coming of Messiah. Therefore, YahwehShua is our “kinsman redeemer” and through his death on the stake believers will become part of the Yahweh Elohim spiritual family!
Leviticus 25:54 And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee — he and his children with him. 55 ‘For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your Elohim. (NKJ)
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, Yahweh hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of Yahweh through Messiah.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of Yahweh: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of Yahweh, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
To those who do not keep Yahweh’s appointed times (i.e. Feast Days, New Moons, and Weekly Sabbaths), we note in the Scriptures that keeping Pentecost was important to the Apostle Paul. The Scriptures record that, on a least these two occasions, Paul carefully arranged his schedule according to where he wanted to be on the Feast of Pentecost. This is clear evidence that early believers kept Yahweh’s appointed times, including Pentecost.
Acts 20:16 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 (4005 pentekoste).
1 Corinthians 16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. 6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. 7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if Yahweh permit. 8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost (4005 pentekoste).
Pentecost is not only part of Messiah’s Feast Days and represents the New Covenant with saints; it is part of the Doctrine of Messiah found in Hebrews chapter 6. And the Doctrine of Messiah includes the in-filling of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands for new believers. For more information on this topic, please read “Laying on of Hands”.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Messiah, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward Elohim (Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover), 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms (Feast of Unleavened Bread High Day #2 and Pentecost), and of laying on of hands (Pentecost), and of resurrection of the dead (Yom Teruah), and of eternal judgment (Last Great Day).
Messiah’s Feast Days represent Yahweh’s plan of salvation and His plan for the ages. Passover, Yahweh’s first feast, represents faith that there is an Almighty of the Scriptures and that He sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. For more information about Passover and its meaning, please read “Passover and Easter”.
Unleavened Bread, Yahweh’s second feast, symbolizes the removal of sin (i.e. repentance and water baptism). For more information about the Feast of Unleavened Bread, please read “Hag Hamatzot – Feast of Unleavened Bread”.
Yahweh’s third feast, Pentecost, represents the New Covenant with believers through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, in which Yahweh writes His Laws in our minds and in our hearts.
Yahweh’s first three feasts parallel Peter’s instruction regarding the Almighty’s salvation plan. And we see in Matthew 16, that Messiah gave Peter the keys of the kingdom.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my assembly; and the gates of hell (Greek word “hades” is better translated as “grave”) shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”.
So what were the keys that Peter was given? The apostle Peter keys include belief, repentance, water baptism, and the gift or infilling of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:37 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? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YahwehShua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh our Elohim shall call.
HalleluYah
(6/14e)