From the beginning of creation, God had a plan for the redemption of mankind. Eventually, He chose the nation of Israel to be his people. God gave the Israelites commandments and feasts to keep. These feasts were not only instituted to commemorate various events in their lives but held spiritual significance as well.
The spring feasts of Passover, First Fruits, and the Feast of Weeks pointed to “God’s redemptive plan” for man. Passover commemorated the death of the first born and First Fruits, celebrated the first of their harvest to be given to the Lord. The Feast of Weeks occurred 49 days after First Fruits. On the 50th day, Pentecost, a new grain offering of two loaves was presented to God.
Moreover, Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of all these feasts (John 1:29, I Corinthians 15:20-23, John 14:26, John 16:7)!
Jesus Christ was crucified on Passover and was resurrected from the dead on the day of First Fruits. During the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Christ’s resurrection, the Pentecostal Church was born when 120 disciples of Jesus were waiting in an upper room for the promise of the Father.
That promise, the Holy Spirit, fell on each of them that day and they all spoke in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gave the utterance (Act 2:1-4). But it didn’t stop there.
Those Jews who heard the 120 disciples receive the Holy Spirit and then listened to Peter’s explanation of what happened were ‘pricked in their hearts.’
“What must we do (to be saved)?” they asked Peter.
“Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” he instructed them. “And then you too shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
As a result, 3000 people where baptized that day. Eventually, Gentiles (non-Jewish people) and many other Jews would receive the Holy Ghost and be baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts, Chapters: 8, 10 & 19). This was evidenced by their speaking in tongues.
God is still pouring out his Spirit today. Presently, there are over 200,000 Pentecostal Churches worldwide. Of the world’s two billion Christians, a quarter are now Pentecostal.
Interested in learning more about the Pentecostal experience? Please check out our YouTube channel and we would love for you to visit us in person.
Sources:
https://www.truthnet.org/Feasts-of-Israel/1-Overview-Spring-Feasts/Index.htm
https://www.truthnet.org/Feasts-of-Israel/6-Feast-Firstfruits/Index.htm
https://www.truthnet.org/Feasts-of-Israel/1-Overview-Spring-Feasts/Index.htm
http://print.atlasofpentecostalism.net/book/atlas.pdf (page 98)
