Christians celebrate the birthday of the Church on Pentecost. It is a reminder of Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descends, as Jesus promised, and many people came to believe.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” - Acts 2:1-4
“Pentecost” means fiftieth day; we observe it fifty days after Easter.
We continue to be a Pentecost people today as we respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit, live into the mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and invite others to join us.
The Spirit equips us
In Acts 2, the early Christians were baptized in Jesus’ name and listened to the apostles share the teachings of Jesus. About three thousand people were baptized and became followers of the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:41-42) and the numbers continued to increase (Acts 2:47).
Peter offers those who experienced and witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit the same invitation we receive today, to “repent, and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him” (Acts 2:38-39).
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who is active within us and among us. The Holy Spirit is available to everyone. Whenever we are sent out in Jesus’ name, the Holy Spirit empowers and equips us for ministry.
We must respond
The world around us is broken and hurting, and we are called to reach out in love and service. The Holy Spirit fills, leads, and prepares us for the work we are called to do. God will provide the mission and the vision, but we must respond.
We are called to “make disciples for the transformation of the world,” as our denominational mission states. We cannot remain in the comfort of our buildings or traditions, or we run the risk of becoming stagnant.
Responding to God’s call is where we often get stuck in the church. We want to follow God, but we are fearful. We worry about money, we like the way things are, and we are comfortable. We cling to scarcity rather than trusting in God’s abundance.
The Church collectively, and we as individual believers, are meant to be like the early Church in Acts 2, following the Spirit as we live out our mission. It is a high calling, but one that we are able to answer with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Our mission remains
Acts 2 ends with the new believers breaking bread, spending time together in the temple, “praising God, and having the goodwill of the people” (Acts 2:47). This is still what God calls us to do today: To repent and be baptized, to spend time together at church or in homes, to break bread together, to worship, and to work for the good of all people.
Despite the many ways the church has evolved since its birth, the mission remains the same. The Holy Spirit still moves us, prompting us to be in service to God and all of God’s people. Just as the new believers in Acts responded to the Spirit, we too must be open to where and how the Spirit moves.
Reflect & Pray
Where do I feel the Holy Spirit working within me? Am I prepared to do what the Spirit prompts?
Where am I allowing my faith journey to remain “stuck” instead of moving forward?
What part(s) of Acts 2:47 am I missing in my current practice?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for the way you move me forward in faith. Empower me for the work of service and lead me into fully living out my beliefs. I repent of my fears and failings, and I remember with gratitude that I am your beloved child. Amen.
The Rev. Tiffany McDonald is an Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church serving in the Minnesota Annual Conference. She has served as a University Chaplain, solo pastor and associate pastor, and is currently appointed to family leave. Tiffany lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with her husband and two daughters. Follow her blog: redheadedrev.org
This article was published on May 7, 2026. The contact is Laura Buchanan.
