LESSON 14 Festival of Pentecost
LESSON 14
Festival of Pentecost
Objective: To lead a spirit-filled life after being anointed
by the Holy Spirit
Memory Verse: Acts 2:17-18
'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they shall prophesy.
Introduction
What is the name by which churches giving importance to the anointment of the Holy Spirit are known? What is the reason for that? On the Jewish festival day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ poured out the Holy Spirit on His disciples after His ascension to heaven (Acts 2:1). The feast of Pentecost stands for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This festival is celebrated on the 6th day of the 3rd month of Sivan. It was the 50th day after the festival of the first fruits.
Different Names of the Festival
The festival of Pentecost is observed on the day after counting seven weeks and seven Sabbaths from the festival of the first fruits. Therefore, it is also called the festival of weeks. As it falls on the 50th day after the festival of the first fruits, it became known as 'Pentecost,' which means '50'. It occurs after the harvest, and hence, it is also known as the harvest festival (Exo. 23:16). The name "day of first fruits" is also given to it as people offer the first fruits of trees on this day (Num. 28:26).
Method of Observance
On this day, a meal from new grain is offered to the Lord. During the feast of the first fruits, people offer sheaves to the Lord. But during the feast of Pentecost, people offer two loaves made out of fine flour and baked with leaven to the Lord. In addition, burnt offerings, meal offerings, sin offerings, and other voluntary sacrifices are made to the Lord. Holy assembly is held, and no normal work is permitted that day.
Fulfillment
Pentecost falls on the 50th day after the festival of the first fruits, which signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The risen Christ ascended to heaven on the 40th day. After that, the disciples waited for ten days in the upper room. On the 50th day after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples with great power. Cloven tongues like of fire appeared to them and sat upon them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:3-4). It was the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that in the last days, God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28, 29). We read about the pouring out of the Holy Spirit with the sign of speaking in other tongues in Samaria (Acts 8:14-17), in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48), and in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6). This sign was manifest in the churches founded by apostles (1 Cor. 12, 14). Note the phrases: "receive the Spirit" (Gal 3:2), "filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18), and "worship in the Spirit" (Phil 3:3). The experience of Spirit Himself making intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered (Rom. 8:26) shows the spirit-filled lives of believers in the early church. The same experience continues even today for those who desire it. Many people worldwide are experiencing the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in these last days when the coming of our Lord is at hand. Jesus proclaimed about this experience: living waters will flow out of the innermost parts of those who believe (John 7:38-39).
Two loaves made out of refined flour and baked with leaven are offered
on Pentecost. Yet no leaven is allowed in sacrifices (Lev. 2:11). Then why are leavened loaves accepted? Both Jews and Gentiles are leavened by sin in the sight of God. But they are freely justified by the redemption through Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:9, 23-25). The acceptance of both Jews and Gentiles in the presence of God and the pouring of the Holy Spirit on both are represented by the acceptance of the two leavened between the Jews, and the Gentiles have been removed forever (Eph. Loaves in the festival of Pentecost (Acts 10:45-47). The separation
2:14, 15). New grain represents newness in life.
are made
Another specialty of this festival is the abundance of voluntary offerings. People bring portions of the blessings God has given them and gladly offer baskets full of these blessings before God. When filled with the Holy Spirit, we can offer ourselves and our material blessings to God. In return, God will pour out His blessing, and there will not be enough room to receive it (Acts 2:44-46; 4:32-37; 2 Cor. 9:10; Mal. 3:10).
Let us praise God for the significant changes brought about by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. We must all be filled with the Holy Spirit, produce fruits, and receive gifts from the Spirit. What is your experience?
Questions
1. Which is the month and the day on which the festival of Pentecost is celebrated? In what way are the festivals of the first fruits and Pentecost related?
2. What are the other names of this festival? How do they aptly describe this festival?
3. Under what names are the churches giving importance to the anointing of the Holy Spirit generally known? Why?
4. Prove that the pouring out of the Holy Spirit is continuing even after the day of Pentecost.
5. Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the changes which have come about in your life? If you are not filled, will you desire and pray for that experience?
6. Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the changes which have come about in your life? If you are not filled, will desire for that experience and pray for it?
7. What is the meaning of the command to offer two leavened loaves made out of fine flour of new grain at the time of the feast of Pentecost?
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