July 26, 2010

Christ united the Roman, Greek, Chaldean and Egyptian through the power of the Word of God

… through the supreme efficacy and power of the Word of God He [Christ] united most of the nations of the East and the West. This was accomplished at a time when these nations were opposed to each other in hostility and strife. He led them beneath the overshadowing tent of the oneness of humanity. He educated them until they became united and agreed, and through His spirit of conciliation the Roman, Greek, Chaldean and Egyptian were blended in a composite civilization. This wonderful power and extraordinary efficacy of the Word prove conclusively the validity of Christ. Consider how His heavenly sovereignty is still permanent and lasting. Verily, this is conclusive proof and manifest evidence. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 367)

July 23, 2010

"Let the dead bury their dead."(Matthew, 8:22); and 'Those that are born of the flesh are flesh and those that are born of the spirit are spirit." (John 3:6)

The third power of man [next to his soul and mind] is the power of the Spirit. It is an emanation from the Divine Bestower. It is the effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the radiation of the celestial world. In short it is the essence of the Spirit of Faith of which His Holiness Christ speaks when He says, 'Those that are born of the flesh are flesh and those that are born of the spirit are spirit." The spirit is the axis around which the eternal life revolves. It is conducive to everlasting glory; it is the cause of the exultation of the world of humanity. Again His Holiness Christ says, "Whosoever has not received a portion of the spirit is as dead. Let the dead bury their dead." In another place Christ says, "You must be baptized with the spirit." This Spirit is the life of the world of humanity; the cause of eternal illumination. It inspires man to attain to the virtues and perfections of the divine world.
May each one of you become the recipient of the Spirit. This is my hope.

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, a talk given on January 30, 1913, at 30 rue St. Didier Paris; from Persian notes, translated by Ahmad Sohrab; Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 2, April 9, 1913)

July 22, 2010

Through Christianity the greatness of Moses became known among all nations

Through Christianity the greatness of Moses became known among all nations. It is a fact that before the appearance of Christ, the name of Moses had not been heard in Persia. In India they had no knowledge of Judaism, and it was only through the Christianizing of Europe that the teachings of the Old Testament became spread in that region. Throughout Europe there was not a copy of the Old Testament. But consider this carefully and judge it aright: Through the instrumentality of Christ, through the translation of the New Testament, the little volume of the Gospel, the Old Testament, the Torah, has been translated into six hundred languages and spread everywhere in the world. The names of the Hebrew prophets became household words among the nations, who believed that the children of Israel were, verily, the chosen people of God, a holy nation under the especial blessing and protection of God, and that, therefore, the prophets who had arisen in Israel were the daysprings of revelation and brilliant stars in the heaven of the will of God.

July 19, 2010

Question: What are the signs of His [Christ’s] coming and how are they fulfilled?

Answer: by George Townshend, Hand of the Cause and former Canon of Anglican St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland.

The signs of the Second Coming of Christ given in the Bible are many and various. Some of them seem to contradict others . All however are reconciled and fulfilled in the Baha'i Faith through the Coming of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

For example: It is promised that Christ will come with power and great glory, (Mark 13:26), that He shall be as the lightning shining across the heavens from the East to the West (Luke 17:24 and Matt.24:27); and on the other hand that He shall come as "a thief in the night" (Luke 12:39 and I Thess. 5:2) and as a "snare," taking people “unawares.”

These signs are fulfilled today through the unique majesty and range of Baha'u'llah's Message, through His giving it to mankind while imprisoned, through its rapid extension around the globe, through its educative effect upon human minds impelling them towards an understanding of the oneness of mankind, through its breaking up the old material world order and creating a spiritual system throughout the globe instead, and in many other ways. He is the first of all the Revelators t o claim that He represents the Glory of God Himself; others were entitled "Friend of God" (as Abraham), "Interlocutor with God" (as Moses), "Son of God" (as Jesus Christ ) .

July 13, 2010

How can we be sure that the promises of Christ to return are not merely the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Churches?

Answer by George Townshend:

Jesus said to His disciples, "...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:20)

He also said to His disciples. "...I go away and come again unto you... (John 14:28)

These are two distinct promises. The first refers to His continuing presence through the Holy Spirit. The second to His departure and His return. (George Townshend, Questions About the Second Coming Asked by Baha'is of Kampala, Uganda, Africa: Answers by George Townshend; Wilmette, Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1953)