2. Feast of Pentecost Also Known As Shavuot/Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
Observed 6 Sivan May/June
Scriptures Leviticus 23:15-21 and Numbers 28:26-31
Hebrew

3. Feast of Pentecost
‘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.’ (Leviticus 23:15–16)
The days from Passover up to Pentecost are counted at the weekly Sabbath services
Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Passover
Shavuot means ‘weeks’ … Pentecost means ’50’
This is one of 3 ‘annual’ pilgrimage feasts

4. Feast of Pentecost
‘From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord ...’ (Leviticus 23:17)
AD140 … the focus changed from a harvest festival to a celebration of the giving of the Torah – it was known as Matan Torah to recognise the day when God gave the Law to Moses on Sinai
It marks the birth of the nation of Israel

5. Feast of Pentecost Shavuot traditions … Reading of the book of Ruth
Observant Jews stay up all night to study and discuss the Torah
Eating of dairy food – especially cheesecake and cheese blintzes

6. Feast of Pentecost
‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place …’ (Acts 2:1)
The first Pentecost – birth of Israel as a nation
The second Pentecost – birth of the Church
Two loaves – Jewish and Gentile believers
One offering ... echoes of Ephesians 2:14-18
The Holy Spirit came, he baptised, he filled, and he spoke ... all in Acts 2:1-4
3,000 died under the Law … 3,000 saved under grace

7. Feast of Pentecost Giving of the Law Giving of the Spirit
Exodus 19:1–20:20
Acts 2
Spiritual birthday of Israel
Spiritual birthday of the Church, the body of Messiah
Traditionally believed to have happened about 50 days after the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 19:1)
Believers in Jesus were gathered together on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after they celebrated Passover
Fire and noise as God descended Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:16–18)
A violent, rushing wind and tongues as fire descended upon the believers
3,000 people died because of their idolatry (Exodus 32:28)
3,000 people were made spiritually alive because they believed in Jesus
Law given to instruct the Israelites
Spirit given to empower and guide the Church – the body of Messiah – made up of believing Jews and Gentiles