Many 21st century Christians think Pentecost is a New Testament celebration. But God had told Moses to observe Pentecost for generations.
Leviticus 23: 20 “The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the Lord, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, which are holy to the Lord, belong to the priests. 21 That same day will be proclaimed an official day for holy assembly, a day on which you do no ordinary work. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.[1]
Repeated Instructions to Celebrate for all Generations
When God gave Moses instructions for the first Passover/Unleavened Bread celebrations, He told the people twice to celebrate this for all generations. Exodus 12: 14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time… 17 “Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation.[2]
God also gives a similar instruction for the celebration of the Feast of First Fruits. Leviticus 23: 14 Do not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until you bring this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.[3]
Celebrate Pentecost from Generation to Generation
Most modern Christians are not familiar with the Jewish Festivals of Leviticus 23. These celebrations have been lost over time even though God had commanded that they be observed for all generations. The current liturgical church calendar began at the end of the fourth century. By that time there was a divide between the Jews and the Christian church. Godly men attempted to honor God through celebrations throughout the year.
We do have some parallels with the Jewish feasts as we celebrate Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection at the same time as the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. At least Pentecost is still celebrated from generation to generation. Unfortunately, many modern Christians don’t realize that God initiated this celebration 1400 years before Jesus was born. Knowing the origins of our Pentecost celebration adds an awe of the plan that God had for us from the beginning. To hear how we are to observe Pentecost for generations, listen here:
[1-3]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.