Shalom — here is our updated study on “Why We Count the Omer Like Paul,” and explains why we start the omer count on 4/10/2020 this year (instead of this coming Yom Rishon/Sunday like the majority of Nazarene/Messianic congregations).
Feel free to reply with comments or questions!
If you only have a minute or two, here is the summary/conclusion:
•1. The Karaites are correct to count seven Sabbaths, and the Rabbis are wrong to ignore them.
•2. The historical understanding of this verse dating from before the time of the Maccabees begins the count on the day after 15th of Aviv/Nisan.
•3. The Ruach HaQodesh validated what became known as the Pharisaic counting method in Acts 2:4.
•4. The Rabbis are wrong to change “sabbaths” in vs. 15 to “weeks” or the same change in vs. 16, but…
•5. The Rabbis are right to reckon the count to Shavuot from the 16th of Aviv/Nisan
•From historical writings, then, we see that in the 2nd Temple period, the Temple operated using the counting method of the Pharisees (counting the ‘omer from Nisan/Aviv 16). •When the Ruach came in Acts 2 on Shavuot, the “converts” or exiles in Jerusalem on Shavout would have been associated with the Pharisees.
•By the Ruach coming on Shavuot when the talmidim and converts were in the House (i.e. the Temple), I conclude that the Ruach confirmed the counting method then in use. Remembering that Paul identified himself as a Pharisee, he would have used that counting method when he says that he is trying to get back to Jerusalem in time for Shavuot (Acts 20:16).
The literal interpretation, including all the mems, supports the Pharisee’s method of counting
The followers of Yeshua called the first day of Unleavened Bread a high (or great) Sabbath
Paul’s method of counting has Scriptural support
•There is strong evidence that the Ten Words were given on Sabbath
•No matter how good an argument that the Karaites, Boethusians, Sadducees and modern Messianics might make, YHWH seems to have validated the Pharisaic method by sending the Ruach HaQodesh on the believers, the Netzarim, in Acts 2 on Shavuot according to their counting method
•Thus, I conclude from Scripture that Nazarene Shavuot = counting from Aviv/Nisan 16
•In the 2nd Temple period, the omer count was always conducted in the morning
•Thus, for 2020, if we start with Passover corresponding to either the Hillel II “fixed calendar” or the New Moon sighting from Israel, and use the historical counting method at the time of Acts 2, Day 1 of the omer count is on the morning of 4/10/2020. The 50th day of the count will be reached on the morning of 5/29/2020.
•The 50th day is Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks
Here is the link to the full study: (a pdf reader is required):