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Sounds kind of confusing, but it just means that Shavuot (Pentecost) comes 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. Remember, Jesus was resurrected on Firstfruits and was with the people for forty days until He was taken up to heaven. (Acts 1:2-11) He'd told His followers to remain in Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Ghost. "And when the day of Shavuot was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with ther tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multiude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." (Acts 2:1-6) The people were amazed and confounded. Some accused the disciples of being drunk. (I don't believe I've ever heard of someone getting drunk and suddenly being able to speak a foreign language!) That's when Peter spoke up and delivered certainly one of the greatest talks ever given. Please take a moment to read it: Acts 2:15-39. And what was the result of this annointed speech? "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41) 3,000 people saved on Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, Pentecost! Let's go back in time for a moment, back to the day that G-d gave Moses the Ten Comandments. While Moses was on the mount with G-d, the Israelites below had convinced Aaron to make them a god made of gold. There was, of course, a consequence to this turning away from the L-RD. "And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men." (Exodus 32:28) The Law was given and 3,000 died. The Sprit was given and 3,000 were saved! "...for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life." (2Corinthians 3:6b) How thankful we are for G-d's grace! back to the feasts of G-d |