Pentecost and the Call to Continue Christ’s Mission Today

On Pentecost, we remember the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, filling them with power, unity, and purpose. Acts 2 tells us that “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:4, NRSVUE). This was not simply a dramatic moment—it was the birth of the Church. For us as United Methodists, Pentecost isn’t just a historical commemoration; it is a living call to action.

The Spirit Empowers the Church

Pentecost marked the beginning of a Spirit-led mission that continues to this day. Theologian Justo L. González writes that the Pentecost event “reveals the universal mission of the church and the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom” (González, The Story of Christianity, 2010). It’s no coincidence that the disciples began speaking in the diverse languages of those gathered in Jerusalem. God’s mission was never meant to stay in one place, among one people. It was (and is) global, inclusive, and boundary-breaking.

John Wesley understood this. In his journal, Wesley famously said, “I look upon all the world as my parish.” That global mindset stems directly from Pentecost. The Spirit moves us beyond the walls of our sanctuaries and into the world. As the United Methodist Book of Discipline affirms, the church’s mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” (UMC Book of Discipline, 2016, ¶120).

Living Pentecost Today

But what does this mission look like for us now?

First, we remember that Pentecost was about both proclamation and community. The Spirit empowered Peter to preach boldly (Acts 2:14–36), but the response was not just individual conversion. The believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). This holistic discipleship—grounded in Scripture, worship, shared meals, and prayer—should still shape our church life today.

Methodist theologian Kevin M. Watson emphasizes that early Methodism was deeply Spirit-driven and organized around “band meetings” and “class meetings” that prioritized confession, accountability, and communal discipleship (Watson, The Class Meeting, 2014).

These weren’t just social gatherings—they were ways the Spirit transformed lives.

In today’s United Methodist Church, we’re called to keep that momentum alive. Whether through small groups, outreach ministries, or advocacy for justice, the Holy Spirit is still working through us. Pentecost reminds us that we are not passive believers—we are active participants in God’s ongoing work.

A Call to Unity and Justice

One striking feature of Pentecost is the reversal of Babel (Gen 11). Where Babel confused and divided, Pentecost unites and empowers. The Spirit does not erase our differences, but speaks through them. As the United Methodist Social Principles note, “We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God” (Book of Discipline, ¶161).

In this moment of global polarization and division, the Pentecost message is more urgent than ever. The Spirit is calling us to be a Church that resists racism, economic inequality, and violence. As theologian Willie James Jennings writes, Pentecost is “a revolution of joining,” where God brings people together in radical communion (Acts: A Theological Commentary, 2017).

Our Pentecost Path Forward

So what can we do?

• Pray boldly for the Spirit to guide our ministries and personal lives.

• Speak truth with courage, just as Peter did, addressing injustice with gospel clarity.

• Live in community, holding one another accountable in love.

• Welcome diversity, not as a burden, but as a blessing from the Spirit.

The Spirit is still speaking. Pentecost is not over—it is ongoing. As United Methodists, our task is to carry the fire forward. With open hearts, let us continue Christ’s mission in word, in action, and in love.

Bibliography

• González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: Volume 1, The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. HarperOne, 2010.

• Jennings, Willie James. Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible. Westminster John Knox Press, 2017.

• The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016. The United Methodist Publishing House, 2016.

• Watson, Kevin M. The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience. Seedbed Publishing, 2014.

• Wesley, John. The Journal of John Wesley. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. https://ccel.org/ccel/wesley/journal/journal