The Bahá'í Faith: Teachings, History, and Practices

[Pancho Frijoles]

Hi, @synergy

In response to your question about the meaning of the Holy Spirit in the Baha'i Faith, let me quote some extracts from the Baha'is scriptures:

The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth bringing, by its infinite power, life and illumination to all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine Radiance, conveying the blessings of God’s Mercy to the whole world. ​

The earth, without the medium of the warmth and light of the rays of the sun, could receive no benefits from the sun.​

Likewise the Holy Spirit is the very cause of the life of man; without the Holy Spirit he would have no intellect, he would be unable to acquire his scientific knowledge by which his great influence over the rest of creation is gained. ​

​

The illumination of the Holy Spirit gives to man the power of thought, and enables him to make discoveries by which he bends the laws of nature to his will. The Holy Spirit it is which, through the mediation of the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life.​

All these blessings are brought to man by the Holy Spirit; therefore we can understand that the Holy Spirit is the Intermediary between the Creator and the created. ​

​

The light and heat of the sun cause the earth to be fruitful, and create life in all things that grow; and the Holy Spirit quickens the souls of men. The two great apostles, St. Peter and St. John the Evangelist, were once simple, humble workmen, toiling for their daily bread. By the Power of the Holy Spirit their souls were illumined, and they received the eternal blessings of the Lord Christ​

​

(Taken from References to the Holy Spirit in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláhand 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pages 10,11).​

 

[mikesw]

You might have misunderstood me. I didn't say that the West is light years ahead. I said that Christianity is light years ahead. As such there can be no other religion that can absorb Christianity and subsume it into a global collective. Christianity is and forever will be God's Kingdom on Earth. Every other religion, as far as it doesn't recognize the true Christ, is headed by man. Religions like the Baha'i might dream of global religious conquests but Christ is already victorious and so are Christians.

Indeed Christ's kingdom is the one in power. There are attempts to mimic it by groups of men but it all appears to be satan's effort to imitate and undo God's kingdom -- sort of like trying to rewrite history by this doomed effort to make an ungodly replica.

 

[DavidTree]

The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion. Since its birth over a century and a half ago, it has taken root in more countries than any other religion except Christianity. Its more than five million followers are found in some 100,000 localities around the world and represent nearly ,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups. Its literature has been translated into over 800 languages. Its local institutions have been established in more than 10,000 communities. And its social and economic development projects operate in more than 100 countries. The worldwide Bahá’í community may well be the most diverse, organized body of people on the planet.

That people of nearly every ethnic, racial, and religious background have been attracted to the Bahá’í teachings confirms the vision of unity taught by the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh (pronounced “Ba-Ha-O-La”). In the nineteenth century, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed that he was the bearer of a new revelation from God and the one promised by the religions of the past. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and Buddhists who have embraced the truth of the Bahá’í Faith have been attracted by its unifying principles.

These principles include: there is only one God; all of humanity are children of God; and God has provided spiritual education for humanity through one process — the succession of the world’s great religions. People of faith and those of no faith, the mystically-oriented and the practically-minded have been attracted to this belief system, which is spiritual at its core, yet scientific in its methods. They have appreciated the way it addresses their personal spirituality as well as the promotion of a just and peaceful society.

The growth of the Bahá’í Faith is remarkable not only because of the diversity of humanity that has responded to its message but also because it has spread despite continuous and severe persecution since its birth in Persia in 1844. The Faith’s forerunner was publicly executed; its founder was subjected to 40 years of exile and imprisonment; its chief promoter was deprived of freedom for nearly half a century; and more than 20,000 of its early followers — men, women, and children — were put to death for their beliefs. In spite of such opposition, and at times because of it, the Bahá’í Faith has steadily spread to nearly every country in the world.

Vafai, Shahin.

"a god has provided spiritual education for humanity through one process — the succession of the world’s great religions."

You will never find that coming out of the Mouth of the Echad Elohim of the Holy Scriptures.

 

[synergy]

Hi, @synergy

In response to your question about the meaning of the Holy Spirit in the Baha'i Faith, let me quote some extracts from the Baha'is scriptures:

The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth bringing, by its infinite power, life and illumination to all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine Radiance, conveying the blessings of God’s Mercy to the whole world. ​

The earth, without the medium of the warmth and light of the rays of the sun, could receive no benefits from the sun.​

Likewise the Holy Spirit is the very cause of the life of man; without the Holy Spirit he would have no intellect, he would be unable to acquire his scientific knowledge by which his great influence over the rest of creation is gained. ​

​

The illumination of the Holy Spirit gives to man the power of thought, and enables him to make discoveries by which he bends the laws of nature to his will. The Holy Spirit it is which, through the mediation of the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life.​

All these blessings are brought to man by the Holy Spirit; therefore we can understand that the Holy Spirit is the Intermediary between the Creator and the created. ​

​

The light and heat of the sun cause the earth to be fruitful, and create life in all things that grow; and the Holy Spirit quickens the souls of men. The two great apostles, St. Peter and St. John the Evangelist, were once simple, humble workmen, toiling for their daily bread. By the Power of the Holy Spirit their souls were illumined, and they received the eternal blessings of the Lord Christ​

​

(Taken from References to the Holy Spirit in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláhand 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pages 10,11).​

Thanks for that information. I see recognition of the Holy Spirit as Intellectual, Thoughtful, Teacher, Enabler, Quickener, Illuminator. All attributes of a Person. Actually, Christ is the only Mediator between man and God but otherwise it's not bad for those who are not Christians. Are there any Baha'i Scholars that have commented directly about the Bible?




I see beginnings of an infection st

 

[TomL]

The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion. Since its birth over a century and a half ago, it has taken root in more countries than any other religion except Christianity. Its more than five million followers are found in some 100,000 localities around the world and represent nearly ,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups. Its literature has been translated into over 800 languages. Its local institutions have been established in more than 10,000 communities. And its social and economic development projects operate in more than 100 countries. The worldwide Bahá’í community may well be the most diverse, organized body of people on the planet.

That people of nearly every ethnic, racial, and religious background have been attracted to the Bahá’í teachings confirms the vision of unity taught by the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh (pronounced “Ba-Ha-O-La”). In the nineteenth century, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed that he was the bearer of a new revelation from God and the one promised by the religions of the past. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and Buddhists who have embraced the truth of the Bahá’í Faith have been attracted by its unifying principles.

These principles include: there is only one God; all of humanity are children of God; and God has provided spiritual education for humanity through one process — the succession of the world’s great religions. People of faith and those of no faith, the mystically-oriented and the practically-minded have been attracted to this belief system, which is spiritual at its core, yet scientific in its methods. They have appreciated the way it addresses their personal spirituality as well as the promotion of a just and peaceful society.

The growth of the Bahá’í Faith is remarkable not only because of the diversity of humanity that has responded to its message but also because it has spread despite continuous and severe persecution since its birth in Persia in 1844. The Faith’s forerunner was publicly executed; its founder was subjected to 40 years of exile and imprisonment; its chief promoter was deprived of freedom for nearly half a century; and more than 20,000 of its early followers — men, women, and children — were put to death for their beliefs. In spite of such opposition, and at times because of it, the Bahá’í Faith has steadily spread to nearly every country in the world.

Vafai, Shahin.

And it equates Muhammed and Buddha and Jesus Christ. Even making the latest the greater

 

[TomL]

The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion. Since its birth over a century and a half ago, it has taken root in more countries than any other religion except Christianity. Its more than five million followers are found in some 100,000 localities around the world and represent nearly ,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups. Its literature has been translated into over 800 languages. Its local institutions have been established in more than 10,000 communities. And its social and economic development projects operate in more than 100 countries. The worldwide Bahá’í community may well be the most diverse, organized body of people on the planet.

That people of nearly every ethnic, racial, and religious background have been attracted to the Bahá’í teachings confirms the vision of unity taught by the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh (pronounced “Ba-Ha-O-La”). In the nineteenth century, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed that he was the bearer of a new revelation from God and the one promised by the religions of the past. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and Buddhists who have embraced the truth of the Bahá’í Faith have been attracted by its unifying principles.

These principles include: there is only one God; all of humanity are children of God; and God has provided spiritual education for humanity through one process — the succession of the world’s great religions. People of faith and those of no faith, the mystically-oriented and the practically-minded have been attracted to this belief system, which is spiritual at its core, yet scientific in its methods. They have appreciated the way it addresses their personal spirituality as well as the promotion of a just and peaceful society.

The growth of the Bahá’í Faith is remarkable not only because of the diversity of humanity that has responded to its message but also because it has spread despite continuous and severe persecution since its birth in Persia in 1844. The Faith’s forerunner was publicly executed; its founder was subjected to 40 years of exile and imprisonment; its chief promoter was deprived of freedom for nearly half a century; and more than 20,000 of its early followers — men, women, and children — were put to death for their beliefs. In spite of such opposition, and at times because of it, the Bahá’í Faith has steadily spread to nearly every country in the world.

Vafai, Shahin.

And it equates Muhammed and Buddha and Jesus Christ. Even making the latest greater

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Thanks for that information. I see recognition of the Holy Spirit as Intellectual, Thoughtful, Teacher, Enabler, Quickener, Illuminator. All attributes of a Person. Actually, Christ is the only Mediator between man and God but otherwise it's not bad for those who are not Christians.

Hi Synergy

My apologies for not coming back to you before.
Yes, all those attributes can be those of a person, or else a personification as a literary tool, which is the case here.
So, basically, when a Baha'i say or read sentences like "The Holy Spirit guided me to choose this lady as my wife", we understand "God guided me to choose this lady as my wife".
We understand that God didn't interact with us literally and directly, because that wouldn't be possible considering the essence of God and our essence*. But we understand that God did it through his communication channel or process, that can include the words of a Messenger or holy text, the testimony of nature, advice from special people, and ultimately, our own minds.

*NOTE: One analogy of this could be man wanting to talk to ants. A direct transfer of information between men and ants is impossible, given the distant natures of our minds. However, man could setup or design a method to convey some chemical signals that ants could interpret their own way in order to take a given action.

Are there any Baha'i Scholars that have commented directly about the Bible?

About the Bible in general?
I don't know.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Hi, @synergy

Trying to address your question posted in the forum of Theology

This is confusing. Who's the Baha'i Mediator now?

What are you saying? In the end of the day, Jesus is no longer needed to be mankind's Mediator? What exactly are you saying. Don't be shy, spit it out.

Although we rarely use the term or concept "Mediator", as this has connotations applicable to audiences that understood the relationship with God through priesthood, we could say that Bahá'u'lláh is the current "Mediator", so to speak, between God and everyone who believes in His Cause.
We also believe that all Manifestations of God have been "Mediators" for their own time, and they remain "Mediators" for those who believe in Their Cause. They all "soar on the same heaven", and there is no distinction in position or authority. No competition.

 

[Adherent]

The apostle Paul writes In 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

What does it mean that there is one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is one mediator between God and man? What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:5?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[mikesw]

And it equates Muhammed and Buddha and Jesus Christ. Even making the latest greater

You must have felt this comment was worth repeating. No problem for the second copy of the post.

 

[TomL]

You must have felt this comment was worth repeating. No problem for the second copy of the post.

It appeared as it had not gone through. It sometimes happens when you have multiple copies of the same page open

 

[Bob Carabbio]

The worldwide Bahá’í community may well be the most diverse, organized body of people on the planet.

And totally false like every other non-Christian Cult that denies the simple FACT that the THE ONLY WAY TO LIFE is by FAITH in the SIN OFFERING that Jesus made on Calvary that cleanses a person of their SIN. (Isa 53:10)

Bahai is nothing but another phony spiritual rabbit trail leading nowhere, but to HELL.

5,000,000 followers isn't a particularly large heretical bunch, compared to Jehovah Witnesses at 8,800,000. Mormons at 17,000,000 or ISLAM with 1,700,000,000 victims (2017 estimate).

We believe that the God of Noah, Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh is the same God.

which is absolutely FALSE based on what God reveals about himself in the Bible.

 

[Administrator]

Bahai is nothing but another phony spiritual rabbit trail leading nowhere, but to HELL.

Thats why we as Christians need to share the Good News in a loving manner with them.

11 Reasons to Share the Gospel

The Holy Spirit used many people to set me on a path to glorify God with my life. I remain eternally grateful to those who answered God's call to share the gospel, and I look forward to our reunion one day in heaven.

www.crosswalk.com

And keep all banjos away from them. No telling where they might lead.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

And totally false like every other non-Christian Cult that denies the simple FACT that the THE ONLY WAY TO LIFE is by FAITH in the SIN OFFERING that Jesus made on Calvary that cleanses a person of their SIN. (Isa 53:10)

Bahai is nothing but another phony spiritual rabbit trail leading nowhere, but to HELL.

5,000,000 followers isn't a particularly large heretical bunch, compared to Jehovah Witnesses at 8,800,000. Mormons at 17,000,000 or ISLAM with 1,700,000,000 victims (2017 estimate).


which is absolutely FALSE based on what God reveals about himself in the Bible.

Thanks for your candid comment.
If you have any question about the Baha'i Faith that I can help with, please count on me.

Regarding going to hell, I invite you to reflect on the following:

You don't want me to go to hell.
I don't want to go to hell.
And most importantly...
God doesn't want me to go to hell.

So, whatever my weaknesses and smallness, I trust God's mercy. I feel safe in the arms of Our Father.

 

[TomL]

Thanks for your candid comment.
If you have any question about the Baha'i Faith that I can help with, please count on me.

Regarding going to hell, I invite you to reflect on the following:

You don't want me to go to hell.
I don't want to go to hell.
And most importantly...
God doesn't want me to go to hell.

So, whatever my weaknesses and smallness, I trust God's mercy. I feel safe in the arms of Our Father.

What Father would that be?

Zoroaster, Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed, The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh?

 

[synergy]

Hi Synergy

My apologies for not coming back to you before.
Yes, all those attributes can be those of a person, or else a personification as a literary tool, which is the case here.
So, basically, when a Baha'i say or read sentences like "The Holy Spirit guided me to choose this lady as my wife", we understand "God guided me to choose this lady as my wife".
We understand that God didn't interact with us literally and directly, because that wouldn't be possible considering the essence of God and our essence*. But we understand that God did it through his communication channel or process, that can include the words of a Messenger or holy text, the testimony of nature, advice from special people, and ultimately, our own minds.

*NOTE: One analogy of this could be man wanting to talk to ants. A direct transfer of information between men and ants is impossible, given the distant natures of our minds. However, man could setup or design a method to convey some chemical signals that ants could interpret their own way in order to take a given action.




About the Bible in general?
I don't know.

So you're willing to concede that the Holy Spirit has some intelligence. If that's not enough to convince you yet of his Personal Intelligence then give it more time and you'll eventually come around to no longer reducing him to an object or thing.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Hi, @synergy

In response to your question about the meaning of the Holy Spirit in the Baha'i Faith, let me quote some extracts from the Baha'is scriptures:

The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth bringing, by its infinite power, life and illumination to all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine Radiance, conveying the blessings of God’s Mercy to the whole world. ​

The earth, without the medium of the warmth and light of the rays of the sun, could receive no benefits from the sun.​

Likewise the Holy Spirit is the very cause of the life of man; without the Holy Spirit he would have no intellect, he would be unable to acquire his scientific knowledge by which his great influence over the rest of creation is gained. ​

​

The illumination of the Holy Spirit gives to man the power of thought, and enables him to make discoveries by which he bends the laws of nature to his will. The Holy Spirit it is which, through the mediation of the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life.​

All these blessings are brought to man by the Holy Spirit; therefore we can understand that the Holy Spirit is the Intermediary between the Creator and the created. ​

​

The light and heat of the sun cause the earth to be fruitful, and create life in all things that grow; and the Holy Spirit quickens the souls of men. The two great apostles, St. Peter and St. John the Evangelist, were once simple, humble workmen, toiling for their daily bread. By the Power of the Holy Spirit their souls were illumined, and they received the eternal blessings of the Lord Christ​

SO nothing of value here then, just more of the normal emotional/philosophic/universalistic foolishness.

Where's CLEANSING FROM SIN? Where's the SIN OFFERING of Jesus??? Where's Being Born again of the Holy Spirit and becoming a child of God???

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

SO nothing of value here then, just more of the normal emotional/philosophic/universalistic foolishness.

Where's CLEANSING FROM SIN? Where's the SIN OFFERING of Jesus??? Where's Being Born again of the Holy Spirit and becoming a child of God???

Do you find “nothing of value” in Judaism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism or the Bahai Faith?
I do find value in your religion, Bob. An infinite value. You are a follower of Christ. All I can do is to thank God for your existence and to ask him to bless you, your family, friends, job, banjo music and your participation in the Forum.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Do you find “nothing of value” in Judaism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism or the Bahai Faith?

Nothing whatsoever of ETERNAL VALUE.

I do find value in your religion, Bob. An infinite value. You are a follower of Christ. All I can do is to thank God for your existence and to ask him to bless you, your family, friends, job, banjo music and your participation in the Forum.

Any "Religious system/philosophy" which DOES NOT have as it's absolute CORE, Jesus, and FAITHE IN HIS SACRIFICE as the only way in which a person can be CLEANSED OF THEIR SIN, and become a child of God may have some features which are good in a practical, or interpersonal sense, but are WORTHLESS in the absolute when it comes to eternity, and where individuals will spend it. There's a HEAVEN and there's a HELL. and what a person does with the SIN OFFERING of Jesus makes all the difference. Simple as that.

Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Thanks for your candid comment.
If you have any question about the Baha'i Faith that I can help with, please count on me.

Thanks, but Bahai's confusion is of no interest to me whatsoever.