Called 4 Jesus

By TA York

Acts 2:1-2
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Sometimes we read through the Bible without asking questions, simply taking for granted what has been written to us by the hand of God. However, in my quest to understand God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I choose to ask questions. This is how I have learned about God the Father.

Consider the first verse in Acts chapter 2: “They were all together…” This refers to the apostles and other believers, and we all agree on that interpretation. The fact that the believers came together indicates this gathering was preplanned. They didn’t simply email each other saying, “Bible study at Peter’s place tonight.” In those days, everything had to be planned far in advance, with every believer receiving a verbal invitation—at least, that’s my assumption.

This led me to ask myself: What exactly is this Pentecost? Where did it originate? How was it developed?

The answer lies with the Israelites. To fully understand this celebration, we must first examine the Jewish Pentecost before exploring the Christian Pentecost.

The Jewish Pentecost

The Jewish Pentecost is called Shavot, also known as the Feast of Harvest (or the Feast of Weeks or First Fruits, as mentioned in Exodus 23:16). This elaborate celebration required extensive preparation.

The preparations began immediately after Passover and extended for 49 days, with the 50th day marking Shavot itself. Each day was carefully counted, creating anticipation and spiritual readiness for the coming celebration. Interestingly, “Pentecost” means “fiftieth” in Greek, directly referencing this timing.

The physical preparations were considerable. Homes and temples were thoroughly cleaned and decorated with roses, lilies, leafy branches, and herbal fragrances. Additionally, fruit gathering formed an essential part of the ritual. The finest produce from the early harvest was collected to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God, with seven specific kinds of produce being gathered.

Beyond the physical preparations, Shavot commemorated the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, making spiritual preparation equally important. This involved intensive Torah study, including the Jewish custom of “Tikkun Leil Shavut”—the practice of staying up all night on the eve of Shavot (the 49th night) to study the Torah.

Even the meal required special consideration. Since the first Shavuot marked when the Israelites received the Torah with its dietary laws, sufficient time was needed to prepare kosher foods. Furthermore, when the Temple in Jerusalem stood, a pilgrimage was necessary, requiring careful planning for both the journey and the required offerings.

Here’s a fascinating detail: the celebration spans seven weeks (49 days), with seven days in each week and seven offerings from the first fruits. This gives us 777—God’s perfect number.

For additional references regarding Jewish Pentecost, see Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:15-21, and Deuteronomy 16:9-12.

Christian Pentecost

I wanted to share the details of the Jewish Pentecost to illustrate the intricacies and extensive planning involved for believers to come together for this celebration. This context helps us understand that the gathering described in Acts was the first celebration of believers since Jesus’ ascension.

If tradition held true, the believers would have stayed up all night reading the Torah. I can envision them praying and contemplating the words of Jesus, truly seeing the Torah come to life as Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies concerning Himself.

Through this preparation, the believers’ hearts were ready and softened for the changes to come. In Acts 1, the believers had been instructed to wait, and that’s exactly what they were doing: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised” (Acts 1:4).

Then came the surprise of a lifetime. According to tradition, the people were supposed to bring an offering to God. Yet through their obedience to God, these believers were instead anointed by the Holy Spirit. How gracious God is—He gave us an offering: the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Rather than eating kosher foods, tongues of fire came from the believers’ mouths, feeding those around them with spiritual food. The old Jewish Pentecost was transformed, and the old covenant was left behind. A mighty wind blew into that room and changed the atmosphere forever! At that moment, the new covenant with the new Pentecost began.

The impact was immediate and profound. The people were cut to the heart and asked the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Jeremiah 31:33

“This is the covenant I will make with the people Israel after that time, ” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

So from the Jewish Pentecost, a celebration of the Torah. To the celebration of the Christian Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. We add it together and the Bible comes alive, with joy.

A Personal Call

Isn’t it time to obey the voice of God and respond to His call? Have you ever felt the fire of the Holy Spirit?

I feel that flame even now as I write. His love is beyond imagination. Your problems won’t disappear, but the peace God gives supersedes all the issues of life.

Please don’t miss your opportunity. Repent and be baptized.

God bless you, my friends.