Pentecost Message from WCC
Diocesan Press Service. April 7, 1964 [XX-9]
"Every Pentecost, the whole people of God is called to self-examination," stated the presidents of the World Council of Churches in their annual message for Pentecost.
The message will be read in many languages around the world as the Council's Protestant and Anglican Churches celebrate the day of Pentecost on Sunday, May 17 and Orthodox Churches on June 21 this year.
The message asks each congregation to examine "whether it has taken to heart what the Faith and Order Conference in Montreal said about the need for local unity in order that we may truly share the gifts of God and what the Missions Conference in Mexico said about the call to each local church to show the love of God in Christ, in witness to the world at its doors."
The Presidents reminded the churches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, who descended upon a small group of followers on Pentecost, are sorely needed into today's world. They continue "the World should be able to look at the Church of Jesus Christ for these gifts - even in the places where the Church may be materially poor and insignificant 'Silver and gold have I none but what I have I give to you; in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk.' Too often, however, there are other marks which seem to distinguish us before the world: the spirit of obscurantism and irresolution, the spirit of cheap eloquence and retreat into selfishness, the spirit of fear, not of the Lord but of men. "
Finally, the message states that if Christians hope to regain the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they "must go back again to their source and pray, humbly but expectantly 'Come Creator Spirit and stir up in our midst the fullness of those gifts we have already received. "
The Presidents of the World Council of Churches are: Archbishop Iakovos, Sir Francis Ibiam, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Principal David G. Moses, Dr. Martin Niemoeller, Charles C. Parlin, and Dr. J. H. Oldham, Honorary President.