For many centuries, Pentecost has been considered the “birthday of the Church”. While that is true, did you know it is originally a Hebrew Feast? There is much to learn about this feast day, especially when it comes to the connection between the Old & New Testament.
THE BORING HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Shavuot (Shah-VOO-ot) is described in the Bible as an agricultural holiday (Deuteronomy 16:9-10). In the days of the Temple seven weeks were counted from the wheat harvest at Passover to the barley harvest on Shavuot. Thus, the name Shavuot, which means “weeks” and explains it also being called the “Festival of Weeks”.
In modern times, Shavuot is widely known as the Jewish holiday that celebrates the day God gave the Torah to the nation at Mount Sinai, although there are only Biblical references to a spring harvest festival (ex. Jeremiah 5:24). It is one of the three Biblical festivals, with Passover and Sukkot or Tabernacles, that required pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Greek name for the Shavuot holiday is Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth day”. The name refers to the fifty days between Passover and Shavuot.
OK, ENOUGH OF THAT
So how does all of that relate to New Testament believers? What you need to understand is that EVERYTHING in the Bible points to Jesus Christ, even the Old Testament. The events surrounding this Jewish feast foreshadow the fulfillment of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
On Passover, the Israelites were liberated from Egyptian slavery. On Shavuot, they were given the Torah, calling them into covenant with God.
At the Crucifixion (on Passover), we were provided freedom from sin (symbolically Egypt). On Pentecost (Shavuot), the Holy Spirit came and wrote His law on the hearts of many.
Shavuot occurred fifty days after the Exodus, marking the birth of the nation Israel. Pentecost occurred fifty days after the crucifixion of the Messiah, starting the formation of the Church, both Jew and Gentile believers as co-heirs with Christ.
There are many other interesting parallels between the Old and New Testament regarding Pentecost. The account of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) can be considered the foreshadow of the restoration of unity and mission of God through the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (Acts 2:1-13). The gifts of the Spirit mentioned in Isaiah 11:1-2 are the same gifts given to the disciples by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. These gifts are also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-25.
FULFILLMENT OF THE MISSION
So, Pentecost is a feast of fulfillment. It is the final act of Christ’s mission, as the torch is passed from Messiah to disciples:
The disciples were filled with the blessings of the Holy Spirit. They were filled with the Spirit’s mighty wind and purging fire, as God set them apart to proclaim His coming kingdom.
They were filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4, KJV)
They were filled with the greatest work of the Holy Spirit: to glorify Jesus Christ. Although they had experienced the beginnings of this work in their three-year ministry with Jesus, they tasted a fullness of communion with God through Christ that they had never enjoyed before.
They were filled with the Holy Spirit Himself, as the Third person of the Triune God. Not only did they experience the blessing, gifts and work of the Spirit, but also have the Spirit living in them, to comfort and guide them in their future journeys. (John 16:7,13)
Jesus could have eaten the Last Supper on His own and the Holy Spirit could have quietly descended upon the disciples when they were alone. While there are times when the Holy Spirit touches us as individuals, it is no accident that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were given to a gathering of believers. It is a prime example of God’s work in the world. The mission of the Church is not in addition to the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit but is its visible expression. For all its members are to proclaim, bear witness and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Additionally, if you found this article to be helpful, please share it with others who may also benefit from it.
Rob Harley, an accomplished accountant with over four decades of experience, is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, who has dedicated his life to studying and sharing the message of salvation. With degrees in Accounting and Christian Education & Administration, he has led impactful Bible studies for diverse age groups for over 25 years, while nurturing a strong faith-based family in Central Florida.
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