What is the Feast of Pentecost?
T he Feast of Pentecost is also known as the Feast of Weeks (Deu- teronomy 16:9–10; Deuteronomy 16:16) and the Feast of Firstfruits, since it concludes the spring har- vest (Exodus 23:11; Exodus 34:22; Numbers 28:26). Because it occurs on the fiftieth day of the spring har - vest season, Greek-speaking Jews used the term pentekoste, meaning “fiftieth,” which is rendered as Pen - tecost in the New Testament. The spring harvest began with the wavesheaf offering, presented on the first day of the week during the Days of Unleavened Bread. This offering represented the first of the firstfruits. Jesus Christ fulfilled this symbolism after His resurrection when He ascended to the Father and was accepted as the spiritual wavesheaf offering (John 20:17; Matthew 28:9; John 20:19–20; John 20:27–28). In this role, Christ be- came the first resurrected Son of God, the firstborn from the dead, and the first human to complete the process of salvation (I Corinthians 15:20; Colossians 1:18). Fifty days later, on the day of Pen- tecost, God sent His Holy Spirit to the disciples, beginning the New Testament Church and initiating the spiritual harvest of firstfruits (both OT and NT) symbolized by the two wave loaves (Leviticus 23:17–20; Acts 2:1–6). Pentecost thus com- memorates the founding of the Church in A.D. 31 and the prepa- ration of God’s firstfruits for His Family. Humanity as a whole remains cut off from access to God’s Spirit, a condition that began with Adam and
Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8–9; Genesis 2:16–17; Genesis 3:1–6; Genesis 3:16–24). Because of this, salvation has not yet been offered to all. Only the Messiah could overcome Satan, pay the pen- alty for sin, and restore God’s gov- ernment (Matthew 13:10–15; Mark 4:11–12). God is therefore not call- ing everyone at this time. Those whom God is calling now are the spiritual firstfruits. Through His Church, God is preparing future rul- ers and teachers for His Kingdom (Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10). God knows that human effort alone is insufficient to overcome sin, so He provides the power of His Holy Spirit to enable obedience to His law. Before His crucifixion, Jesus prom - ised to send the Holy Spirit—the Comforter—to dwell within His disciples (John 14:15–18; John 14:26; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5; Acts 1:8; John 14:17). This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in A.D. 31, marking the beginning of the Spirit-begotten New Testament Church (Acts 2:1–13). The Church is an ecclesia, a body of “called-out ones.” In this present age, individuals are specifically called by God (John 6:44; John 6:65). Like the proph- ets before them, these firstfruits are called for a special purpose in preparation for the establishment of God’s Kingdom. The world at large remains cut off from salvation until Christ returns, which is why God’s Church does not attempt to convert others—only God can do that.
From the many who heard Jesus, only about 120 initially believed and received God’s Spirit (Acts 1:15; Acts 2:1–4), followed later by about 3,000 more from many nations (Acts 2:5; Acts 2:8–11; Acts 2:41). These became the early members of God’s Church. God’s Church is described as a spir- itual Temple—people who have the indwelling of God’s Spirit, to which Christ will return (I Corinthians 3:16–17; I Corinthians 6:19; II Cor- inthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19–21). Although Israel and the nations are presently blinded, God has allowed this blindness temporarily and has promised them a future opportunity for salvation (Romans 10:18; Ro- mans 10:21; Romans 11:8; Romans 11:25–26; Romans 11:31–32; Isaiah 59:20). When Christ returns, the nations will be taught God’s ways, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and God’s Spirit will be poured out on all humanity (Micah 4:2; Isaiah 11:9; Joel 2:28). The Spirit-born children of God will serve not only as kings but also as priests and teachers, guiding the world in God’s law (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6; Malachi 2:7; Eze- kiel 44:23). God has given His people a work to do and the power to do it through His Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, the Gospel could not be preached and God’s people could not be pre- pared for their future roles (John 5:30; John 8:28; John 14:10). Continued on page 27
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