THE GATHERING OF SAINTS
(Leviticus 23:16-21; Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22; Acts 2:1ff)
In the Hebrew Bible, Pentecost was a Jewish Feast day. It was called the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Harvests (in Exodus 23, Exodus 24, Leviticus 16, Numbers 28, and Deuteronomy 16. The Greek later called it Pentecost from the word pentekoste, “fiftieth”). The concept of the NT Pentecost and understanding of the OT Pentecost is inevitable since both point to God’s provision of the Law(OT) and the Grace(NT).
In the Ancient Palestine there were two harvests in a year. The Feast of Fruits was observed in the early stages of the barley harvest in the months of March, April, and May (Spring) and the Last harvest of wheat came in the months of September, October, and November (Fall/ Autumn)., harvests varied according to regions.
For example, in the Shaphelah and the Jordan Valley crops matured early because it was warm while in the hill-country of Judea and Galilee crops delayed because it was cool. In such instances, the harvest went after Pentecost especially if the Day came in mid- May. Fruit harvest was done after Pentecost since barley and wheat were the staple crops. Notably, all grain harvest was celebrated on the Pentecost Day.
The Day of Pentecost was counted 50 days from the time of the First Fruits to the beginning of the second wheat harvest. It was later called Week (7) of Weeks (7) = 49 days then the 50th day was celebration day (Pentecost). The Bible says, “From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks.
Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD”. Lev 23:15-16. The seventh Sabbath is the seventh week which is Pentecost Day where the Jews assembled to thank God and celebrate the giving of the Law.
IS OBSERVANCE OF PENTECOST IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS?
To answer this question, we need to go back to Acts 2:1-4. The disciples were assembled on the day of Harvest of wheat 50 days after Passover. The New Testament uses the word Pentecost for this day. At Passover they presented the sheaf reaped from barley harvest to God but during Pentecost they presented the first fruits of wheat harvest to God that is why Pentecost is called the day of the first fruits- Num. 28:26.
OT referred to Pentecost as Shimchath Torah, or “Joy of the Law.” While in the NT it is referred to as church receiving the Spirit of Grace for the church era. When Jesus ascended on the 40th day he did not tell the Apostles the exact day the Spirit was going to come. The disciples may have thought it was the same evening but the Bible says until the Day of Pentecost had fully come as was observed in the Old Teastament.
When the fullness of time had come on the 50th day the Spirit came upon them. There are things that happened that day. First, the Bible says, “A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” Acts 2:2.
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke in different Tongues’ – Acts 2:4.
SECONDLY, Peter had courage to start his public preaching –Acts 2:14.
THIRDLY, 3,000 converts were added to the Church-Acts 2:41. For me this critical day of Pentecost carried three aspects that would affect the church age.
First, it was a graduation day from Seminary of the disciples through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ for the ministry ahead of them.
Secondly, attestation of 120 witnesses which included Jesus mother, His brothers and some ladies who become disciples of Jesus Acts 1:13, 14, 15, 26.
Thirdly, the baptism of the Holy Spirit qualified them to handle the mysteries of God and pass them to the churches in all nations and to all languages.
Fourthly, The amalgamation, equality and importance of the OT and NT in the edification of the church until His Second Advent.
Fifthly, the rapid growth of Christianity.
Sixthly, the importance of observing the two occasions with equal measure. Unfortunately, the Church did not observe Pentecost Day until later years but they based it on Easter instead of Passover, which is why they don’t correspond in dates.
Such negligence still weighs heavily on Christianity where Christians are divided by what I call the evil of denominationalism, Neo Pentecostal fundamentalism and Neo Western perfunctory approach to the Gospel in Africa. Rubrics enshrined in the so called church “constitutions” bylaws and spurious writings which curtail fellowship of believers.
Albeit, I discovered that almost all denominations have some similar constitutions at the registrar of societies which if followed without addendums, all would be reading from the same page. No constitution says the laity should dress like this or speak in tongues or not. They emanate from spurious writings written out of selfishness and word of tongue that aims at causing discord amongst fellowship of believers. Otherwise, time has come to lay aside spiritual affiliations and embrace brotherhood of believers.
CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST DAY AS THEY CELEBRATE PASSOVER DAY.
The Jewish Shavuot was celebrated as a thanksgiving for both the wheat and God’s provision of the 10 commandments on Mt Sinai. Christians should celebrate a thanksgiving for the provision of the Holy Spirit and beginning of a new dispensation of the church from Law to Grace without a vacuum. Mention of early church celebrations is minimal and today pockets of Christian churches officially do it. For instance, the Anglican call it White Sunday because the day is characterized by the white garments their adherents adorn and baptisms administered.
The Roman Catholics and other Western churches adorn red garments that symbolize the Holy Spirit in what the disciples saw that seemed to be “tongues of fire” descending upon each one of them which made each speak in different tongues (for Jerusalem was inhabited by diverse dialects) as the Spirit enabled. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.
Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:6-12.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST TODAY
Pentecost Brings All Men To Unity:
The Eastern Orthodox sing a liturgical hymn that attributes Holy Spirit to uniting people. The song is entitled “Called All Men To Unity”. This is the proper way to start where we recognize the office of the Spirit who is the giver of the gifts the church is endowed with against the Pneumatomachians (4th century heretics and neo-modern “it” for Spirit advocates) who do not believe in the consubstantiality of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. He is God and we need to give Him equal status with God the Father and God the Son in worship and praise.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph. 4:29-32.
Holy Spirit reveals to us the mysteries of Christ, therefore, he plays a central part in the redemption work of Christ and bringing the church into unity towards the consummation of all things.
Pentecost Is A To Replenish Ourselves
We need to encourage one another. There are times shepherds dry out and they don’t see the need to move on as pilgrims. There are unbearable conditions that Christian go through in the background and they look at themselves as accursed. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” …. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. I Pet. 2: 9-10,25.
Relook at Apostolic holistic approach to Kerygma (preaching) –Acts 2:42-46.
The Apostolic seedbed approach to the gospel was interconnected. They shared everything in common. This message has never changed but most Christian leaders read into it. It is a time to dedicate to Apostles teaching (Reading the Bible together),
to Fellowshipping together (eating and praying together), to Sharing possessions (clothes, food, land, and other basic amenities).
Three Things Will Happen
1. signs and wonders (not fake ones we see today)
2. Enjoy favor of all the people (including those in authority)
3. “The Lord added to their number those who were being saved”. The Church is scoring below average on this aspect today or is it not? Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I Pet 2:17.
RECAPITULATION
During Pentecost Jews went to Jerusalem to what was known as pilgrimage for worship. Such journeys were meant to bring both moral and spiritual uprightness. The Muslim go to Mecca for Hajj, Buddhists travel to Tibet, and Hindus go to Benares.
Where do Christians go? Most Christians celebrate by going to beaches, hotels and historical sites for personal pleasure. The congregants do not even know there exists a day known as Pentecost because the assumption by their leaders is that it is not necessary. The assumption is what has seen much declensions and frequent spiritual adversities amongst pilgrims. Can someone start doing it?
On a Sunday around the 50th day (THIS YEAR IT IS 31ST MAY) every county can call Christians to assemble in a stadium and steer away from patronage, bigotry, and soliciting funds corruptly for the gathering. Let each church bring food, clothes and other possessions and share together. I call this Christian Festival “The Gathering of Saints-The Body of Christ!”
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By Bishop Obed Bett Chelogoi, ThM; DMin; ThD, Professor of Theology,
Joy Seminary, USA.
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