Pentecost Sunday is a major celebration on the Christian calendar each year, although there exists some different perspectives amongst various streams of the Church regarding the role and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. No matter what, we celebrate God’s power at work within us, as Paul declares in Ephesians 3:20, that is, the personal presence of God indwelling everyone who believes in and trusts in Jesus Christ.




Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)



On this day above others, we are reminded that while the Holy Spirit is the agent of God’s working in the “inner life” of all Christians – to bring revelation of who Jesus is and empower saving faith in the heart, to transform and renew the mind, to give a new heart and bring holiness. But we are also reminded that the baptism Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:5 is one of power for mission and witness (Acts 1:8), to be “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). This is not an either/or option but as the Bible shows, God wants BOTH for us – His Holy Spirit working in us, but also through us.