"This Blessing Called Pentecost"

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This Blessing Called Pentecost
by Rita Bennett, from the CRA Newsletter, Fall, 1999

Where did it all begin, this blessing called Pentecost celebrated by hundreds of thousands of Pentecostals and Charismatics? Some would say Pentecost began with Charles Parham in Topeka 1901, or William Seymour in Los Angeles, 1906, or with charismatics at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys in 1959.¹ Right, but it went back further than that.

We know from the Bible that Pentecost truly began with the Feast of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, exactly ten days after Jesus Christ's ascension, or 50 days after His resurrection.

The 120 faithful believers, mostly Jews, waited ten days until that moment when the rushing, mighty wind arrived with glowing red flames of fire burning away human dross. The early Church was set on fire, but with a supernatural fire that could not be put out though trainloads of people by now have tried to do so.

But how did the earliest foundation for Pentecost begin? We have to go back 3,500 years to Moses and to Leviticus, the third book of the Torah (Pentateuch Greek). In this 23rd chapter we have the most comprehensive description of the 7 ancient feasts. In the middle of the feasts we have Shavuot, as it's called in Hebrew, or Feast of Weeks (seven weeks, Levit. 23:15,16). In the New Testament it's called Pentecost (pentekoste in Gr.) meaning fifty days. It's exactly 50 days from the Feast of First Fruits or Resurrection Sunday ( Easter).

Those of us who believe in Pentecost and have experienced it personally need to see if we are doing what God originally said to do concerning this Feast. Those who never have entered into this experience will all the more find the following steps important! Number one, He said to bring a new grain offering to God. The wheat grain was to be ground, and baked into two leavened loaves. (Levit. 23:17-20)

The loaves are called "first fruits" speaking of resurrected mankind, and leavened bread speaks of sinful man. These two huge loaves were of equal weight and about 28 inches long by 16 inches wide and 7 inches deep.² This thank offering was given by all the people corporately to God through the priests.

What does this mean to us today? One of these days, through Jesus (Yeshua), who was after all Jewish in His humanity, both loaves representing Jew and Gentile will become one offering waved before God.

To enter into the meaning of Pentecost then we need to see God's vision of the two loaves. We can show love to the Jews by giving to those organizations that are bringing them back to Israel from other countries: Russia, and Ethiopia, for example. We can study the Leviticus Feast Days and how they apply to us as Christians. Learn some Hebrew words or take a class in Hebrew. We can thank Jewish people that their ancestors were such careful scribes to laboriously copy the Old Testament scriptures (Tanakh) for Jew and Gentile alike. We can visit Yeshua's homeland of Israel and make prayer walks through the land.

Number two, there was a burnt offering of three kinds of animals without blemish (vs. 18). The burnt offering speaks of salvation through Jesus' death for us sinners. Here original sin was dealt with for those who believe. In order to enter into Pentecost today, we know that the basic prerequisite is to be born anew through Jesus' death and resurrection.

Number three is the sin offering of a goat referring to cleansing from daily sins (vs. 19a). One example would be failing to speak in another's defense or bearing a false witness. To enter into Pentecost we need to confess our daily sins (I John 1:9).

Number four is the peace or shalom offering of two male lambs (vs. 19b). This differed from other offerings as only the fat and kidneys were burned. The rest of the animal was eaten by family, friends, and priests in a fellowship meal. To enter into Pentecost today we need to be in fellowship and at peace with all people.

Number five, God instructs us to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost each year as a holy time (vs. 21). We should especially rejoice in our Pentecost empowerment at its regular Shavuot Feast time, using the Gregorian calendar, or the Jewish civil calendar, or the Church year calendar. In addition, some people remember the actual date of their personal Pentecost and also make it a special occasion annually. Take time to appreciate your wonderful gift from God, or pray for it.

Number six, Pentecost is harvest time but people are told to be generous with others by not reaping the corners of the field. These unharvested corners were left for the poor and the stranger (vs. 23). A generous and kind spirit is one that gives to others and that honors God. A giving heart is good preparation to receive this empowering gift of the Holy Spirit, Ruach Ha Kodesh, in your life.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

When Dennis, lovingly known by many as father Bennett, received his Pentecost or baptism with the Spirit, he exclaimed, "I'm floored and I'll be floored the rest of my life over this!" He fulfilled those words as he consistently gave his testimony from his empowerment in 1959 until his death in 1991.

When I received my personal Pentecost in 1960, in my heart I said, "My life belongs totally to God. I have to burn all my old bridges behind me!" God and His Kingdom became my focus and continue to be so to this day. Two of my greatest joys are witnessing to lead a soul to Christ, or praying for a person who wants to claim his empowerment.

The way it happens is like this. Last week I had my hair coiffed at Gene Juarez. While I was paying my bill, I noticed a dark haired youth rubbing his throat and I asked if he was fighting a cold. He told me that he had been in chemotherapy, his hair had finally grown in, and was back at work.

I said, "You've been near the edge. Let me give you this newsletter about a doctor who died and came back with a wonderful experience. Here's a bookmark with an excerpt from my book about Heaven. And by the way, I'll be on TBN channel 30 tomorrow morning if you want to know more."

He eagerly wrote down the channel and time. I believe he watched.

One doesn't become an instant Saint with this Pentecost blessing. Maturity is a process. As we pray, study God's Word, and follow His commands we become more and more like Him. Pentecost helps us to "keep on keeping on" as the old adage goes. It gives us staying power.

Two Saturdays ago I was invited to speak at Avodah, a Messianic Fellowship, on the subject of Pentecost. When the message was finished, I prayed with two people. Yet the blessing also spilled over on a third who received his prayer language and needed to have his experience explained to him later!

Hearing about an experience and receiving it are two different things. We come to a new depth of understanding as we enter in. This is why those who have not received Pentecost explain the 12 and 14th chapters of Corinthians and the Book of Acts in ways even the apostle Paul would likely find curious.

LET'S REVIEW

What you should do if you want to receive God's empowerment:
1. Thank God for your Jewish roots and for the Jewish people who suffered to give you the Bible.
2. Make sure you have received Jesus (Yeshua) as your Savior. He was your burnt offering, having given His life for you.
3. Bring your daily sins to God, especially before praying for Pentecost.
4. Be at peace and in fellowship with all people. Forgive everyone you can, and set aside time to work through forgiveness concerning those you need more time processing.
5. I would add one thing not given in the Leviticus 23 list. In the days in which we live, one must repent and turn away from the cults (I John 4:1-30) and the occult (Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NIV). The holy Spirit will not fill the soul where a demonic spirit has been allowed access!
6. Plan to celebrate this Pentecost Feast at least annually.

For those who have had this blessing for many years, let me ask you:
1. Do you honor the Day of Pentecost, keeping it holy? (Levit. 23:21,22) Have you told anyone about this historic Feast or given your personal testimony? Are you continuing to praise Him "in the Spirit?" (I Cor. 14:14,15).
2. Are you leading people to Jesus (Yeshua) as a result of this Harvest time Feast? (Acts 1:8). Are you active in the Harvest?
3.a. Have you brought your life to God in commitment as grain so He can knead and make it into a fine loaf?
3b. Have you thanked the Jewish People, the first load, for preserving this Feast of Shavuot and the Tanakh, or Old testament Scriptures?
4. Have you thanked Jesus for being your burnt offering, sin offering, and peace offering?
5. Especially on Pentecost have you done something extra for the poor or the stranger in your fellowship or neighborhood?

IN CONCLUSION

Aren't these helpful lists? Seeding Pentecost through the Leviticus Feasts gives new understanding, I find. It enriches the basic and important tenets that Dennis and I have taught over the years. "Blessed--happy, fortunate (to be envied)--are the people who know the joyful sound (who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts); they walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance! (Psalm 89:15 Amp.) His Word is never stagnant, always new, yet ancient beyond understanding.

On Pentecost the fire of God filled their bodies, souls, and speech centers. It was Nine O'Clock in the Morning and the 120 were all praising God in new languages as the Spirit, Ruach Ha Kodesh, gave them utterance. The world was rocked and has been ever since by the Blessing of Pentecost!

¹ Directory of Pentecost and Charismatic Movements, eds. Burgess & McGee, Grand Rapids: Regency Reference Library 1988, pp. 660, 778.
² Finis Jennings Dake, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, Atlanta: Dake Bible Sales, p. 145.


HOME WebsiteTips What's New Free Newsletter Feature Article Previous Articles Contact & Links ABOUT US Dennis Bennett Bio Rita Bennett Bio Press Articles Photo Album BOOKS & OTHER GIFTS Emotionally Free To Heaven & Back Inner Wholeness Bookstore Order Form COURSES Inner Healing Evaluation Emotionally Free Inner Wholeness Teachers & Schedules Be A Teacher TOUR HEAVEN! e-Mail Here
	This Blessing Called Pentecost by Rita Bennett, from the CRA Newsletter, Fall, 1999
	Where did it all begin, this blessing called Pentecost celebrated by hundreds of thousands of Pentecostals and Charismatics? Some would say Pentecost began with Charles Parham in Topeka 1901, or William Seymour in Los Angeles, 1906, or with charismatics at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys in 1959.¹ Right, but it went back further than that. We know from the Bible that Pentecost truly began with the Feast of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, exactly ten days after Jesus Christ's ascension, or 50 days after His resurrection. The 120 faithful believers, mostly Jews, waited ten days until that moment when the rushing, mighty wind arrived with glowing red flames of fire burning away human dross. The early Church was set on fire, but with a supernatural fire that could not be put out though trainloads of people by now have tried to do so. But how did the earliest foundation for Pentecost begin? We have to go back 3,500 years to Moses and to Leviticus, the third book of the Torah (Pentateuch Greek). In this 23rd chapter we have the most comprehensive description of the 7 ancient feasts. In the middle of the feasts we have Shavuot, as it's called in Hebrew, or Feast of Weeks (seven weeks, Levit. 23:15,16). In the New Testament it's called Pentecost (pentekoste in Gr.) meaning fifty days. It's exactly 50 days from the Feast of First Fruits or Resurrection Sunday ( Easter). Those of us who believe in Pentecost and have experienced it personally need to see if we are doing what God originally said to do concerning this Feast. Those who never have entered into this experience will all the more find the following steps important! Number one, He said to bring a new grain offering to God. The wheat grain was to be ground, and baked into two leavened loaves. (Levit. 23:17-20) The loaves are called "first fruits" speaking of resurrected mankind, and leavened bread speaks of sinful man. These two huge loaves were of equal weight and about 28 inches long by 16 inches wide and 7 inches deep.² This thank offering was given by all the people corporately to God through the priests. What does this mean to us today? One of these days, through Jesus (Yeshua), who was after all Jewish in His humanity, both loaves representing Jew and Gentile will become one offering waved before God. To enter into the meaning of Pentecost then we need to see God's vision of the two loaves. We can show love to the Jews by giving to those organizations that are bringing them back to Israel from other countries: Russia, and Ethiopia, for example. We can study the Leviticus Feast Days and how they apply to us as Christians. Learn some Hebrew words or take a class in Hebrew. We can thank Jewish people that their ancestors were such careful scribes to laboriously copy the Old Testament scriptures (Tanakh) for Jew and Gentile alike. We can visit Yeshua's homeland of Israel and make prayer walks through the land. Number two, there was a burnt offering of three kinds of animals without blemish (vs. 18). The burnt offering speaks of salvation through Jesus' death for us sinners. Here original sin was dealt with for those who believe. In order to enter into Pentecost today, we know that the basic prerequisite is to be born anew through Jesus' death and resurrection. Number three is the sin offering of a goat referring to cleansing from daily sins (vs. 19a). One example would be failing to speak in another's defense or bearing a false witness. To enter into Pentecost we need to confess our daily sins (I John 1:9). Number four is the peace or shalom offering of two male lambs (vs. 19b). This differed from other offerings as only the fat and kidneys were burned. The rest of the animal was eaten by family, friends, and priests in a fellowship meal. To enter into Pentecost today we need to be in fellowship and at peace with all people. Number five, God instructs us to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost each year as a holy time (vs. 21). We should especially rejoice in our Pentecost empowerment at its regular Shavuot Feast time, using the Gregorian calendar, or the Jewish civil calendar, or the Church year calendar. In addition, some people remember the actual date of their personal Pentecost and also make it a special occasion annually. Take time to appreciate your wonderful gift from God, or pray for it. Number six, Pentecost is harvest time but people are told to be generous with others by not reaping the corners of the field. These unharvested corners were left for the poor and the stranger (vs. 23). A generous and kind spirit is one that gives to others and that honors God. A giving heart is good preparation to receive this empowering gift of the Holy Spirit, Ruach Ha Kodesh, in your life. PERSONAL APPLICATION When Dennis, lovingly known by many as father Bennett, received his Pentecost or baptism with the Spirit, he exclaimed, "I'm floored and I'll be floored the rest of my life over this!" He fulfilled those words as he consistently gave his testimony from his empowerment in 1959 until his death in 1991. When I received my personal Pentecost in 1960, in my heart I said, "My life belongs totally to God. I have to burn all my old bridges behind me!" God and His Kingdom became my focus and continue to be so to this day. Two of my greatest joys are witnessing to lead a soul to Christ, or praying for a person who wants to claim his empowerment. The way it happens is like this. Last week I had my hair coiffed at Gene Juarez. While I was paying my bill, I noticed a dark haired youth rubbing his throat and I asked if he was fighting a cold. He told me that he had been in chemotherapy, his hair had finally grown in, and was back at work. I said, "You've been near the edge. Let me give you this newsletter about a doctor who died and came back with a wonderful experience. Here's a bookmark with an excerpt from my book about Heaven. And by the way, I'll be on TBN channel 30 tomorrow morning if you want to know more." He eagerly wrote down the channel and time. I believe he watched. One doesn't become an instant Saint with this Pentecost blessing. Maturity is a process. As we pray, study God's Word, and follow His commands we become more and more like Him. Pentecost helps us to "keep on keeping on" as the old adage goes. It gives us staying power. Two Saturdays ago I was invited to speak at Avodah, a Messianic Fellowship, on the subject of Pentecost. When the message was finished, I prayed with two people. Yet the blessing also spilled over on a third who received his prayer language and needed to have his experience explained to him later! Hearing about an experience and receiving it are two different things. We come to a new depth of understanding as we enter in. This is why those who have not received Pentecost explain the 12 and 14th chapters of Corinthians and the Book of Acts in ways even the apostle Paul would likely find curious. LET'S REVIEW What you should do if you want to receive God's empowerment: 1. Thank God for your Jewish roots and for the Jewish people who suffered to give you the Bible. 2. Make sure you have received Jesus (Yeshua) as your Savior. He was your burnt offering, having given His life for you. 3. Bring your daily sins to God, especially before praying for Pentecost. 4. Be at peace and in fellowship with all people. Forgive everyone you can, and set aside time to work through forgiveness concerning those you need more time processing. 5. I would add one thing not given in the Leviticus 23 list. In the days in which we live, one must repent and turn away from the cults (I John 4:1-30) and the occult (Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NIV). The holy Spirit will not fill the soul where a demonic spirit has been allowed access! 6. Plan to celebrate this Pentecost Feast at least annually. For those who have had this blessing for many years, let me ask you: 1. Do you honor the Day of Pentecost, keeping it holy? (Levit. 23:21,22) Have you told anyone about this historic Feast or given your personal testimony? Are you continuing to praise Him "in the Spirit?" (I Cor. 14:14,15). 2. Are you leading people to Jesus (Yeshua) as a result of this Harvest time Feast? (Acts 1:8). Are you active in the Harvest? 3.a. Have you brought your life to God in commitment as grain so He can knead and make it into a fine loaf? 3b. Have you thanked the Jewish People, the first load, for preserving this Feast of Shavuot and the Tanakh, or Old testament Scriptures? 4. Have you thanked Jesus for being your burnt offering, sin offering, and peace offering? 5. Especially on Pentecost have you done something extra for the poor or the stranger in your fellowship or neighborhood? IN CONCLUSION Aren't these helpful lists? Seeding Pentecost through the Leviticus Feasts gives new understanding, I find. It enriches the basic and important tenets that Dennis and I have taught over the years. "Blessed--happy, fortunate (to be envied)--are the people who know the joyful sound (who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts); they walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance! (Psalm 89:15 Amp.) His Word is never stagnant, always new, yet ancient beyond understanding. On Pentecost the fire of God filled their bodies, souls, and speech centers. It was Nine O'Clock in the Morning and the 120 were all praising God in new languages as the Spirit, Ruach Ha Kodesh, gave them utterance. The world was rocked and has been ever since by the Blessing of Pentecost! ¹ Directory of Pentecost and Charismatic Movements, eds. Burgess & McGee, Grand Rapids: Regency Reference Library 1988, pp. 660, 778. ² Finis Jennings Dake, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, Atlanta: Dake Bible Sales, p. 145.