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The
Feast of Pentecost
The
spiritual intent of this appointed time is to commemorate and to celebrate the
day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as clearly stated, “When the Day
of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them
divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).
It
is very important to note that, the disciples of Jesus Christ were observing
this festival because it states clearly that, “when the Day of Pentecost had
fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” This festival always
falls on a Sunday because, it is ordained to be celebrated fifty days after the
Feast of First Fruits which is the Sunday that follows the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, the day He ascended to the Father after His resurrection and so
we have been admonished saying; “And you shall count for yourselves from the
day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave
offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after
the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD” (Leviticus
23:15-16).
This
is a clear indication to prove that the disciples were observing the Feast of First
Fruits and the Feast of Pentecost before the Holy Spirit descended upon them
and therefore, there is absolutely no justification for anyone to alter the seventh
day Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and trying to justify it by saying that
Jesus Christ resurrected on a Sunday which is absolutely false or because the
disciples received the Holy Spirit on a Sunday because these two festivals are
part and parcel of the annual festivals which God ordained and instructed Hispeople saying, “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you
shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:4).
History
shows that the apostle Paul who became converted years after the Holy Spirit
descended upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost observed the Feast of
Pentecost, for Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have
to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on
the Day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16).
Let
me repeat myself again and say that, observing the Lord´s festivals has
absolutely nothing to do with one´s salvation which is a free gift from God.
For it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. What I am
referring to is a matter of worship, whether we are worshiping the Lord
according to His commandments, or whether we are worshiping Him according to
the customs and traditions of men which ultimately are vain and futile.
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Feast
of Trumpets
The
spiritual intent of this festival is first and foremost to commemorate the beginning
of a new month and systematically a day to present an offering to the Lord, but
it is more than just a New Moon celebration because the Lord instructed Moses
saying; "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month,
on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of
blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it;
and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD" (Leviticus
23:23-25).
This
festival serves as an alarm, a warning to God’s people alerting them of the other
up-coming festivals during the seventh month and an opportunity for the leaders
to, "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up their voice like a trumpet and tell God´s
people of their transgressions warning and preparing them to return to their
Savior.
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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