I mentioned Sunday that last Thursday (May 14) was Ascension Day. Every year, that day is marked on the church calendar 40 days after Easter (the time between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension back to heaven). This Sunday is Pentecost (50 days after the resurrection), the celebration of the birth of the church as recorded in Acts 2.
Those in our church tradition don’t often keep time by the church calendar, but these are significant events worth remembering.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He reminded the apostles of their commission (Acts 1:8), which was in effect from that time until His return. Believers continue under that same commission. The ascension reminds us that He is coming back “in the same way as [He went] into heaven” (Acts 1:11), and until then there is work to do.
Pentecost is a reminder that the church is God’s ordained strategy for accomplishing Jesus’ commission. At times, we think about Jesus’ ascension and the church as two separate, almost unrelated things.
We should think differently.
When I am reaching out to my circle, a profession of faith in Jesus is not the conclusion.
When people are reached with the gospel, they immediately join the church (universal), but in addition, the Bible also pictures every believer joined to a local church where they can live out their new family identity.1 In joining with a local church, that new believer is strengthened and equipped to continue reaching out to the world.
How are you fulfilling the commission given to all Christians on the original Ascension Day? Who are you inviting to experience the life of the church family as a testament to the transformation brought about by the gospel?
Ascension and Pentecost. A couple of $5 theological words that have everyday impact.
- I have been asked about baptism disconnected from the church (at a youth retreat or with friends at the lake). This truth is why those baptisms are not ideal. ↩︎