The world of humanity cannot advance through mere physical
powers and intellectual attainments; nay, rather, the Holy Spirit is essential.
The divine Father must assist the human world to attain maturity. The body of
man is in need of physical and mental energy but his spirit requires the life
and fortification of the Holy Spirit. Without its protection and quickening the
human world would be extinguished. His Holiness Jesus Christ declared,
"Let the dead bury their dead." He also said, "That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is
spirit." It is evident therefore according to His Holiness that the human
spirit which is not fortified by the presence of the Holy Spirit is dead and in
need of resurrection by that divine power; otherwise, though materially
advanced to high degrees man cannot attain full and complete progress.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)
