[While aboard the ship to America, an American asked whether the Bahá'í Faith accepted the Bible. `Abdu'l-Bahá replied:]
This Cause acknowledges the truth of all the Books and all the Manifestations of God. The heavenly teachings are composed of two kinds of commandments. One kind is concerned with spiritual verities, with the perfections and virtues of the world of humanity. These commandments never change or alter. Each of the Books and the Prophets was the promulgator of these principles upon which all the religions are based, hence the foundation of all the divine religions is one. The second category of commandments is concerned with material principles and social issues. These are altered according to the exigencies of the age. For example, at the time of Christ the social laws of the Torah were changed.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, aboard Cedric, on the way to America, March 27, 1912; Mahmud’s Diary)
