 The painting titled Pentecost
is based on the observation that the event described
in Acts involved a coming together of the people –
first the 120 followers who gathered in the upper room
and then the many foreign people in Jerusalem who
heard the disciples speaking their languages.The speaking in other languages shows that the disciples were empowered to reach out and convey Christ's message to Jews from all over the known world. (At that time they had not begun to preach to the gentiles.) There are two major symbols in the painting: a blazing fire and calm, reflective water. Fire represents the power of the spirit; water represents cleansing, purification, and peaceful reflection. Emblazoned across the middle of the picture and reflected in the water are the words: ALL ARE ONE. These words are lettered in a style of writing which was used by the early Christians. The message that all are one is the main point of Jesus's teaching. Thus, Pentecost is the disciples' putting that teaching into action. In a world that believed each person was an distinctly separate individual, their message of unity had to have been astounding. I'm sure the Roman Emperor did not care for that message one bit! What actions can you take to put Jesus's teaching into action?  CREATE A FREE ONLINE JOURNAL -- CLICK HERE or HERE  
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Copyright, James Bennett 2021