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What was the significance for Judaism of the festival of Pentecost? How did onlookers react? How did Peter respond? What was the outcome?
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4 Replies
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The Jewish festival of Pentecost, also known as Shavuot, is a celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the summer grain harvest. It’s one of the most important holidays in Judaism.
It was a time to renew a commitment to the covenant with God, a celebration of the gift of the Torah Ten Commandments, which contains the Ten Commandments. A time to renew a commitment to the covenant with God. A celebration of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest.
The events of Pentecost transformed it from a Jewish harvest festival into a pivotal moment in Christian history, signifying the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the empowerment of the apostles, and the rapid growth of the early church.
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The feast of Pentecost will follow 50 days after the Passover Feast. It will be counted 7 weeks of 7 equaling 49 days. That day will end on a Sabbath day, in which no work can be done, so they will add another day totaling 50 days to honor the Holy Sabbat. The key here is harvest season. Passover will commence due to what is known as the “former rains” which ensures a healthy crop. Even though Pesach (Passover) is in remembrance of their exit from Egypt, Moses will also tie the Passover in with the Harvest season so their sacrifices will be based on their harvest. (Leviticus 23:9-14) Now the harvest has been reaped (mostly) and fifty days later will be the Feast of Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of the Latter Fruits, or Shavuot. As Moses addresses this Feast, unlike the Passover Feast in which the offering is tied to their recognition of YHWH’s blessing upon bringing them into fertile land, Pentecost, Leviticus 23:17, ties this offering to their homes. YHWH has brought them into the Land and placed them in secure homes. As Moses ascends Mt. Sinai for forty days and returns to witness the debauchery and Idolatry of the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, 3,000 will die. As Jesus ascends and tells the disciples to “…wait until they receive power…”, ten days will pass. On that day of Pentecost, there will come a sound, an appearance of tongues, and the 120+ in the upper room will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 3,000 on that day will be saved. On the day of Moses, he will descend with the law and Paul will say “The letter killeth”, but Peter will speak in the Power of the Holy Spirit, and Paul will say, “The Spirit gives life.” The onlookers are amazed that these Galileans are speaking in their language and dialects and believe them to be drunk. They will be…but not on any earthly creation or substance as Peter will say “…not as you suppose!” Here, Paul will raise his voice and cry again “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…” Over 3000 lives will return to their homes in Persia, Antioch, Rome, etc., and the Gospel, still among the Jews, will begin its takeover.
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Questions for answer #1- What was significant about Judaism festival of Pentecost? All the people who arrived were from the whole Mediterranean region. The people were speaking in their own native tongue and were filled with joy from Holy Spirit.
How did the onlookers react? They said “Aren’t these Galileans and yet they are speaking in their own native tongue, how is this possible? They must be drunk on wine.” Peter responded to these accusations; “It is only 9:00 a.m. in the morning, these people are not drunk as you say. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. “And it will be in the last days says God, that I will pour out my spirit on all people.” Verses 29-32 continue the prophecy being fulfilled in their presence. Acts 2:40-41 tell of the more than 3,000 were added to the Christian community.
#2 Describe the place of the 1st Century Temple in Jerusalem in their social, economic and Political life.
The social structure was made to accommodate large numbers of religious festivals throughout the city. There was a low to high status that was well managed. Rich were the high priests, bankers and tax collectors. The middle course were the ordinary priests, shopkeepers, and traders who made a living in various ways. Then there was the poor, the day laborers and slaves. -
The festival of Pentecost whose celebration and attendance if possible was mandatory to practicing Hebrews. Jerusalem – Solomon’s Porch – was one of the most popular venues. Not only was this a perfect time of gathering, but the Lord, before His ascension, had also admonished his disciples to meet there together at this time and pray.
When those in attendance were touched by the tongues of flame by the Holy Spirit and began to speak in languages that those around them could understand, the onlookers, of course, became curious to find out what was happening. Some of them drew near to listen but others simply responded “they are obviously drunk.
Peter, who had denied his Lord and Savior three times at the time of the crucifixion and had been pretty much hiding in fear with the other disciples, was brought forward of the Holy Spirit to be the great preacher of the Pentecost and what a sermon he preached. About three thousand souls were saved that day under the preaching of Peter anointed by the Holy Spirit and the Church was born.