Seven weeks and a day have passed since the time of Passover. To Christians, this day is referred to as Pentecost and is remembered as the day when the apostles received the Holy Spirit. It was first celebrated by the Israelites seven weeks after they were passed over by the last plague and delivered out of oppression. It has been known as the Feast of Weeks throughout generations of Hebrews ever since. The disciples of Y’hoshua observed this time, just as their forefathers had, as stated in the Acts of the Apostles.
“When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord/mind in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:1-4
Jeremiah 23:29
After Y’hoshua’s death, the apostles were gathered together on this particular day. It was then that they received the Holy Spirit. The account describes the event as ‘cloven tongues, like as of fire’ which came down upon them. What really happened that day? Did literal flames rest on their heads or is this a metaphor? It’s a metaphor, of course, meaning their minds were suddenly illumined by the Word of God in the remembrance of all they had learned from Y’hoshua.
“The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that has My Word, let him speak My Word truthfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? says the LORD. Is not My Word like as a fire? says the LORD; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:28-29
The Pure Breath of God
In that moment, the apostles suddenly understood the true interpretation of Scripture. The word Spirit in this account is translated from the Greek word pneuma which means ‘breath’. In the Old Testament the word Spirit is from a Hebrew word meaning ‘exhalation’. One must breathe and exhale to utter their voice. The Holy Spirit is the pure breath of God. It is heard when one speaks His Words with the Truth. The Truth of God’s Word is what the apostles received that day. They realized what had been hidden in Scripture. It was revealed to them when they recognized the true spirit spoken by Y’hoshua’s parables.
The Word is Spirit and Life
“It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
Y’hoshua, John 6:63
The apostles then began to speak in ‘other tongues’ as the translation has it in the King James Bible. They were simply speaking the Word of God, but most did not understand their meaning. One must discern the Truth behind the shadows and parables written in Scripture in order to know what is truly being said. Peter stood up and recounted the words of the prophet Joel.
“This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And I will pour out My Spirit on My servants and on My handmaids in those days; and they shall prophesy:”
Acts 2:16-18
The True Interpretation
This prophesy speaks of the last days in which the true interpretation of the Word is revealed. God’s people will then understand the sincere meaning shadowed in Scripture. They will learn the revelation of His Wisdom and therefore speak clearly of prophesy. One must be taught in order to learn, and must study in order to retain the wisdom that’s been heard. This is how one receives the Holy Spirit for themselves.
“The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakens morning by morning, He wakens my ear to hear as the learned.”
Isaiah 50:4
The Spirit of Truth Revealed
The apostles received the Holy Spirit by hearing the pure breath of God spoken by their teacher, Y’hoshua. There is another teacher that has been prophesied to come. He has been hidden in Scripture since the beginning. He is shadowed in the words of all the prophets. Isaiah identified him as one from the line of David who would have the Spirit of understanding resting on his shoulders (Isaiah 11:1-4). Y’hoshua referred to him as the Spirit of Truth.
“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot grasp them now. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come:”
John 16:12-13