Researching one’s genealogy has become a very popular hobby. It’s fascinating to look back and discover not only who our ancestors were, but how they lived, the challenges they faced, and where and why they moved. With the help of various websites and tests, you can even trace your DNA back to its country of origin and identify possible relatives. This pastime can easily cause many late nights and unexpected surprises.
I got hooked on this time consuming pursuit several years ago when my father loaned me his Gochenour family book. Since then, I’ve continued to work on our lineage to discover connections to other people and to historical events. (One of my ancestors voted for George Washington in an election for the Virginia House of Burgesses!)
I’ve often wondered, however, about my spiritual ancestry. Although I know that my parents introduced me to the Savior with help from many others at Valley Pike Church, but who led them to Jesus? And going back another generation, who shared the gospel with their spiritual grandparents? And so forth. 
Such records do not exist but they could if we asked our living spiritual ancestors who was important to their faith journey. We may not be able to go back too many years, but we could lay a foundation for those who will follow us.
It would be fascinating, for example to know if the line of Gospel sharing goes back to one of the original twelve disciples, and if so, which one. Or maybe it was the Philippian jailer who became a believer because of Paul. Or was it Cornelius or Lydia, Dorcas, Titus, or Timothy? Do our lines of ascent run backwards through the Church at Smyrna or include Mary Magdalene or the Ethiopian eunuch? More recently, do they include John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, or Billy Graham?
This Sunday is often called the Church’s Birthday since it commemorates Pentecost. In Acts 2, Luke describes how all the apostles were praying together and asking God for the gift Jesus had promised them. They didn’t understand the full implications of what that Gift would mean or what it would empower them to do, but they were anxious for it nonetheless.
As they prayed in one accord, a sound like a rushing mighty wind engulfed the house and all the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit of God! They immediately began relying on this new power to share the saving message of Jesus with everyone they met.
Luke also tells us that there were many foreigners in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast and heard the disciples preaching the gospel in their own languages. As a result, the early church exploded that day as 3000 new converts were baptized! What is even more exciting is that each of these went back to their homes all over the world and took the Good News of Jesus with them!
Wouldn’t it be cool if we could trace our spiritual heritage back to one of those gathered there that day who heard the gospel for the first time and in their own native tongue? Only in heaven will be able to meet and thank all the individuals who were faithful to pass along the gospel message through each succeeding generation like a relay baton until it reached us.
Tragically, imagine what would have happened if one of those individuals hadn’t shared the news? How many less Christians would there be today if just one of the Apostles failed to proclaim Jesus? What if a parent neglected to tell his or her child? Although God can arrange all the affairs of the universe to accomplish His purposes, there is also the doctrine of individual accountability.
Which, of course, brings us to ourselves. Who have we passed this message of salvation along to? Do our children, neighbors, co-workers and teammates know about Jesus? And conversely, who have we neglected to share this best news with? Are we breaking our chain of salvation?
As the church celebrates Pentecost Sunday, thank God for the faithfulness of the original Apostles and of all the others who have handed the faith down through the ages until it came to you. If you’ve never heard it, receive it from me now. And then pass it on to someone else that Jesus’ family tree might be complete.
Blessings, George