Christianity
The Baha'i View of Christianity:
As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any
hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally
acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are
fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully
recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the
Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the
Apostles, is upheld and defended. The Founder of the Christian
Faith is designated by Baha'u'llah as the "Spirit of God," is
proclaimed as the One Who "appeared out of the breath of the Holy
Ghost," and is even extolled as the "Essence of the Spirit." His
mother is described as "that veiled and immortal, that most beauteous,
countenance," and the station of her Son eulogized as a "station which
hath been exalted above the imaginings of all that dwell on earth,"
whilst Peter is recognized as one whom God has caused "the mysteries of
wisdom and of utterance to flow out of his mouth."
(Shoghi Effendi: The Promised Day is Come, pp. 109-110)
For the Faith of Baha'u'llah - if we would faithfully appraise it - can
never, and in no aspect of its teachings, be at variance, much less
conflict, with the purpose animating, or the authority invested in, the
Faith of Jesus Christ.
(Shoghi Effendi: World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 185)
The Revelation, of which Baha'u'llah is the source and center,
abrogates none of the religions that have preceded it, nor does it
attempt, in the slightest degree, to distort their features or to
belittle their value. It disclaims any intention of dwarfing any
of the Prophets of the past, or of whittling down the eternal verity of
their teachings. It can, in no wise, conflict with the spirit
that animates their claims, nor does it seek to undermine the basis of
any man's allegiance to their cause. Its declared, its primary
purpose is to enable every adherent of these Faiths to obtain a fuller
understanding of the religion with which he stands identified, and to
acquire a clearer apprehension of its purpose.
(Shoghi Effendi: World Order of Baha'u'llah, pp. 57-58)
The Power of Christ's Spirit:
See how many conquering kings there have been, how many statesmen and
princes, powerful organizers, all of whom have disappeared, whereas the
breezes of Christ are still blowing; His light is still shining; His
melody is still resounding; His standard is still waving; His armies
are still fighting; His heavenly voice is still sweetly melodious; His
clouds are still showering gems; His lightning is still flashing; His
reflection is still clear and brilliant; His splendor is still
radiating and luminous; and it is the same with those souls who are
under His protection and are shining with His light.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, pp. 152-153)
Jesus Christ gave His life upon the cross for the unity of
mankind. Those who believed in Him likewise sacrificed life,
honor, possessions, family, everything, that this human world might be
released from the hell of discord, enmity and strife. His
foundation was the oneness of humanity. Only a few were attracted
to Him. They were not the kings and rulers of His time.
They were not rich and important people. Some of them were
catchers of fish. Most of them were ignorant men, not trained in
the knowledge of this world. One of the greatest of them, Peter,
could not remember the days of the week. All of them were men of
the least consequence in the eyes of the world. But their hearts
were pure and attracted by the fires of the Divine Spirit manifested in
Christ. With this small army Christ conquered the world of the
East and the West. Kings and nations rose against Him.
Philosophers and the greatest men of learning assailed and blasphemed
His Cause. All were defeated and overcome, their tongues
silenced, their lamps extinguished, their hatred quenched; no trace of
them now remains. They have become as nonexistent, while His
Kingdom is triumphant and eternal.
The brilliant star of His Cause has ascended
to the zenith, while night has enveloped and eclipsed His
enemies. His name, beloved and adored by a few disciples, now
commands the reverence of kings and nations of the world. His
power is eternal; His sovereignty will continue forever, while those
who opposed Him are sleeping in the dust, their very names unknown,
forgotten. The little army of disciples has become a mighty
cohort of millions. The Heavenly Host, the Supreme Concourse are
His legions; the Word of God is His sword; the power of God is His
victory.
Jesus Christ knew this would come to pass and
was content to suffer. His abasement was His glorification; His
crown of thorns, a heavenly diadem. When they pressed it upon His
blessed head and spat in His beautiful face, they laid the foundation
of His everlasting Kingdom. He still reigns, while they and their
names have become lost and unknown. He is eternal and glorious;
they are nonexistent. They sought to destroy Him, but they
destroyed themselves and increased the intensity of His flame by the
winds of their opposition.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 5)
The Gospel and the Teachings of Christ:
We have also heard a number of the foolish of the earth assert that the
genuine text of the heavenly Gospel doth not exist amongst the
Christians, that it hath ascended unto heaven. How grievously
they have erred! How oblivious of the fact that such a statement
imputeth the gravest injustice and tyranny to a gracious and loving
Providence!
(Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 89)
Look at the Gospel of the Lord Christ and see how glorious it is!
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks, p. 48)
If you reflect upon the essential teachings of Jesus, you will realize
that they are the light of the world. Nobody can question their
truth. They are the very source of life and the cause of
happiness to the human race. The forms and superstitions which
appeared and obscured the light did not affect the reality of Christ.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 86)
You must follow the example and footprints of Jesus Christ. Read
the Gospels. Jesus Christ was mercy itself, was love
itself. He even prayed in behalf of His executioners - for those
who crucified Him - saying, "Father, forgive them; for they know
not what they do." If they knew what they were doing, they would not
have done it. Consider how kind Jesus Christ was, that even upon the
cross He prayed for His oppressors. We must follow His
example. We must emulate the Prophets of God. We must
follow Jesus Christ.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 42)
The Followers of Christ:
O would that all were truly Christian! It is easy to be a
Christian on the tongue, but hard to be a true one. Today some
five hundred million souls are Christian, but the real Christian is
very rare: he is that soul from whose comely face there shineth
the splendour of Christ, and who showeth forth the perfections of the
Kingdom; this is a matter of great moment, for to be a Christian is to
embody every excellence there is.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... `Abdu'l-Baha, pp. 29-30)
The grand aim of the religion of Christ was to draw the hearts of all men nearer to God's effulgent Truth.
If the followers of the Lord Christ had
continued to follow out these principles with steadfast faithfulness,
there would have been no need for a renewal of the Christian Message,
no necessity for a re-awakening of His people, for a great and glorious
civilization would now be ruling the world and the Kingdom of Heaven
would have come on earth.
But instead of this, what has taken
place! Men turned away their faces from following the divinely
illuminated precepts of their Master, and winter fell upon the hearts
of men. For, as the body of man depends for life upon the rays of
the sun, so cannot the celestial virtues grow in the soul without the
radiance of the Sun of Truth.
God leaves not His children comfortless, but,
when the darkness of winter overshadows them, then again He sends His
Messengers, the Prophets, with a renewal of the blessed spring.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks, p. 32)
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Bahá’ís
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