Pentecost Day ushers in the New Testament era of missions. In the book of Acts the story of missions can be summarized in these three words: "up, down, and out."

Jesus went up: The Ascension of our Lord (Acts 1:9) is an important event in the history of missions. Now sitting at the right hand of God, He has full authority in heaven and on earth. He is especially concerned about the growth of the church, which is His body. As our God and as our Savior, we look to Him for salvation from our sins as He died and rose again for our salvation. There is no other way of salvation!!

The Holy Spirit came down: Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit down upon His disciples. If the Spirit had not descended, Christ’s mission would never have gotten off the ground. With the coming of the Lord and Giver of Life, the era of missions was born. Our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the One and Only God, blesses all efforts of bringing people to faith in their Savior Jesus.

The disciples went out: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4). This is but one of many passages reporting that not only the apostles but also the members of the early church went into all the world to preach the Gospel. The church assembled in Jerusalem scattered—by persecution, but especially in obedience to Christ’s missionary command to preach the Good News to all creation Mark 16:15).

The ascent of Jesus and the descent of the Spirit on Pentecost are past events. But not yet completed is our mission of continually going out into the world to proclaim Christ’s Gospel. Because Jesus went up and the Spirit came down, we are enabled to go out as Christ’s ambassadors. May God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless all efforts to bring people to faith in the Savior Jesus. By Grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves - not of works lest any man should boast. It is ONLY by the Lord Jesus Christ!