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The manifestations associated with the bestowal of the "new teacher," and the reception of the apostles' preaching by the men of various races and nations gathered together at [[Jerusalem]], indicate the [[universal]]ity of the religion of [[Jesus]]. The gospel of the kingdom was to be identified with no particular [[race]], [[culture]], or [[language]]. This day of Pentecost witnessed the great effort of the spirit to liberate the religion of Jesus from its inherited [[Jewish]] fetters. Even after this [[demonstration]] of pouring out the spirit upon all flesh, the apostles at first endeavored to impose the requirements of [[Judaism]] upon their converts. Even Paul had trouble with his Jerusalem brethren because he refused to subject the gentiles to these Jewish [[practice]]s. No revealed religion can spread to all the world when it makes the serious mistake of becoming permeated with some national culture or associated with established racial, social, or [[economic]] [[practice]]s.

The manifestations associated with the bestowal of the "new teacher," and the reception of the apostles' preaching by the men of various races and nations gathered together at [[Jerusalem]], indicate the [[universal]]ity of the religion of [[Jesus]]. The gospel of the kingdom was to be identified with no particular [[race]], [[culture]], or [[language]]. This day of Pentecost witnessed the great effort of the spirit to liberate the religion of Jesus from its inherited [[Jewish]] fetters. Even after this [[demonstration]] of pouring out the spirit upon all flesh, the apostles at first endeavored to impose the requirements of [[Judaism]] upon their converts. Even Paul had trouble with his Jerusalem brethren because he refused to subject the gentiles to these Jewish [[practice]]s. No revealed religion can spread to all the world when it makes the serious mistake of becoming permeated with some national culture or associated with established racial, social, or [[economic]] [[practice]]s.

The bestowal of the Spirit of Truth was independent of all forms, [[ceremonies]], sacred places, and special [[behavior]] by those who received the fullness of its manifestation. When the spirit came upon those assembled in the upper chamber, they were simply sitting there, having just been engaged in [[silent]] [[prayer]]. The spirit was bestowed in the country as well as in the city. It was not necessary for the apostles to go apart to a lonely place for years of [[solitary]] [[meditation]] in order to receive the spirit. For all time, Pentecost disassociates the [[idea]] of [[spiritual]] [[experience]] from the notion of especially favorable environments.

The bestowal of the Spirit of Truth was independent of all forms, [[ceremonies]], sacred places, and special [[behavior]] by those who received the fullness of its manifestation. When the spirit came upon those assembled in the upper chamber, they were simply sitting there, having just been engaged in [[silent]] [[prayer]]. The spirit was bestowed in the country as well as in the city. It was not necessary for the apostles to go apart to a lonely place for years of [[Solitude|solitary]] [[meditation]] in order to receive the spirit. For all time, Pentecost disassociates the [[idea]] of [[spiritual]] [[experience]] from the notion of especially favorable environments.

Pentecost, with its spiritual endowment, was designed forever to loose the religion of the Master from all dependence upon [[physical]] [[force]]; the teachers of this new religion are now equipped with spiritual weapons. They are to go out to conquer the world with unfailing [[forgiveness]], matchless good will, and abounding [[love]]. They are equipped to overcome evil with good, to vanquish hate by love, to destroy [[fear]] with a courageous and living faith in truth. Jesus had already taught his followers that his religion was never passive; always were his disciples to be active and positive in their ministry of mercy and in their manifestations of love. No longer did these believers look upon Yahweh as "the Lord of Hosts." They now regarded the eternal [[Deity]] as the "God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ." They made that progress, at least, even if they did in some measure fail fully to grasp the truth that God is also the spiritual Father of every individual.

Pentecost, with its spiritual endowment, was designed forever to loose the religion of the Master from all dependence upon [[physical]] [[force]]; the teachers of this new religion are now equipped with spiritual weapons. They are to go out to conquer the world with unfailing [[forgiveness]], matchless good will, and abounding [[love]]. They are equipped to overcome evil with good, to vanquish hate by love, to destroy [[fear]] with a courageous and living faith in truth. Jesus had already taught his followers that his religion was never passive; always were his disciples to be active and positive in their ministry of mercy and in their manifestations of love. No longer did these believers look upon Yahweh as "the Lord of Hosts." They now regarded the eternal [[Deity]] as the "God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ." They made that progress, at least, even if they did in some measure fail fully to grasp the truth that God is also the spiritual Father of every individual.

Prayer did not bring the spirit on the day of Pentecost, but it did have much to do with determining the capacity of [[receptivity]] which characterized the individual believers. Prayer does not move the divine heart to liberality of bestowal, but it does so often dig out larger and deeper channels wherein the divine bestowals may flow to the hearts and souls of those who thus remember to maintain unbroken communion with their Maker through sincere [[prayer]] and true [[worship]].

Prayer did not bring the spirit on the day of Pentecost, but it did have much to do with determining the capacity of [[receptivity]] which characterized the individual believers. Prayer does not move the divine heart to liberality of bestowal, but it does so often dig out larger and deeper channels wherein the divine bestowals may flow to the hearts and souls of those who thus remember to maintain unbroken communion with their Maker through sincere [[prayer]] and true [[worship]].

==See Also==

==See Also==

[[Paper 194 - The Bestowal of the Spirit of Truth|Bestowal of the Sprit of Truth]]

[[Paper 194 - The Bestowal of the Spirit of Truth|Bestowal of the Sprit of Truth]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]