The Way,the Truth & the Life

Questions from a Clergyman

The Bible tells us Christ—and therefore God—is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Doesn’t the concept of progressive revelation mean God changes?

Does God Change?“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” — Hebrews 1: 1-3

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.— Moses, Deuteronomy 18:15

If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say? — Jesus Christ, John 5:46,47

Jesus not only bore a different name and station, but He also changed some of the Mosaic laws—something that outraged the Jews.

‘Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” — Matt. 19:3-8 (also, Mark 10:2-5)

Did God’s feelings about marriage change?

Does God Change?

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. — Christ, John 9:5

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. — Christ, John 16:12

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. — Paul, I Corinthians 13: 9-12

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.— Christ, Revelation 3:12

Does God Change?

Jesus, Himself, declared: "I go away and come again unto you." Consider the sun. Were it to say now, "I am the sun of yesterday," it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of time in mind, claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth. In like manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is correct and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific attribute, a particular character. Conceive accordingly the distinction, variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness...and discover the answer to thy question as to why that everlasting Beauty should have, at sundry times, called Himself by different names and titles.… — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XIII

Does God Change?

If there was a set dispensation for the Faith of

Christ, why do the scriptures command us to "go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that

Christ commanded?"

Christ: Once for all time?

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."— Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus is speaking to His remaining 11 disciples—it is them He deputizes.

He sets a time span for the disciples’ mission: the end of the world or age, that is when He will return with a new name.

Most Christians agree that Moses’ dispensation ended when Christ was made manifest. Christ here sets His dispensation to the very end of the age—that is, until His return.

The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled. Out of Zion hath gone forth the Law of God, and Jerusalem, and the hills and land thereof, are filled with the glory of His Revelation. Happy is the man that pondereth in his heart that which hath been revealed in the Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Meditate upon this, O ye beloved of God, and let your ears be attentive unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace and mercy, drink your fill from the crystal waters of constancy, and become as steadfast and immovable as the mountain in His Cause.

— Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings X

Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come!

— Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 4

Christ: Once for all time?

Most Christians believe the prophecy of the coming of the Spirit of Truth fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples causing even those of different lands to understand their words.

Why don’t Bahá'ís believe this event fulfilled that prophecy?

The Spirit of Truth

Christ equates this Spirit of Truth with the Comforter, Counselor, or Paraclete spoken of in the book of Isaiah.

Christ says: “When the Counselor comes whom I will send to you from the Father, he will testify about me.”

The text of Isaiah reads: “For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 This is generally taken by Christian theologians as a prophecy of Christ's second coming, and in this context refers to a Person, not a disembodied spirit.

Doesn’t it makes sense to view Christ’s words about the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, in the same context?

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.—John 16:12-15

The Spirit of Truth

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” — Acts 2:2-6

The Spirit of Truth

Christ’s prophecy:Personification of the Holy SpiritGuide the believers to all truthSpeak at God's behest and with His authorityShow them future events (prophesy)Glorify ChristRemind the believers of Christ's teachings

Pentecost Event:

a sound like the blowing of a violent wind

... tongues of fire ... came to rest on each of them.

... filled with the Holy Spirit• … began to speak in other tongues • ... each one heard them speaking in his own language.”

The Spirit of Truth

Long after the appearance of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, the Apostle Paul wrote: “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. — 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

Paul did not feel he had been shown “all truth” and looks forward to a time when he will know completely.

• Question: If the disciples knew “all truth” at Pentecost, how can Paul say this?

• Question: If the Apostles knew “all truth” what is the purpose of the Revelation of Saint John which is to be sealed till the time of the end?

The Spirit of Truth

Wasn’t the message the disciples delivered to their audiences about the blood atonement and the resurrection?

Wasn’t the message the disciples delivered to their audiences about the blood atonement and the resurrection?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.— Matthew 28: 19,20

What did Christ command?

'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' — Mark 12:29,30

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life. — John 6:63

I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. — John 5:24

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. ... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you... You are my friends if you do what I command. ... This is my command: Love each other.— John 15:1-17

What did Christ command?

What did the Apostles teach?

In Acts 16:30-32 we are told that when asked how he might be saved, the disciples told the centurion that he must: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” The verse continues, “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him...”

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ... the word of the Lord stands forever.” —1 Peter 1:19-25

If the agent of our salvation is not the blood of Christ, what is it?

Agent of SalvationJohn 15:1-17 — The Word of God

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers...

• If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

You are my friends if you do what I command. This is my command: Love each other.

This does not say that love for our fellow man is the result of being connected to Christ; it says the connection is the result of obedience to the commandment to love.

Christ singles out no other commandment in this way.•Bahá’u’lláh also expresses this covenant relationship: O SON OF BEING! Love Me that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant!

The Word of God

Here are some further explicit statements of Christ about the power of His word:

... the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life. —John 6:63

... heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. — Matthew 24:35

He that rejects Me and does not receive My words has him who judges him: the word which I have spoken, that shall judge him in the last day. —John 12:48

The Word of God

The vitality of men's belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it...the corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society... [The] task of converting satanic strength into heavenly power is one that We have been empowered to accomplish. ... The Word of God alone, can claim the distinction of being endowed with the capacity required for so great and far-reaching a change. — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCIX

How can you tell someone is saved?

If our “works” contribute to our salvation, how can we know how many commandments must be obeyed in order to be saved?

Why do we need to know who is saved? If our correct understanding of doctrine determines our

salvation, how can we know which doctrines are most important and how much understanding is enough?

Why do we need to know who is saved? If our correct understanding of doctrine determines our

salvation, how can we know which doctrines are most important and how much understanding is enough?

Only God knows...

Doesn’t this focus on the Word of God mean Bahá'ís aren’t looking to the Person of Christ?

The Person of Christ

The Manifestation of God is the Word of God made flesh. Christ is the Word and the Word is the cause of this transformation.If we were not looking to the Person of Christ as the Word of God Made Flesh, His word would be meaningless to us.The “task of converting satanic strength into heavenly power is one that We have been empowered to accomplish. ... The Word of God alone, can claim the distinction of being endowed with the capacity required for so great and far-reaching a change. — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCIX

How do you respond to the accusation that Bahá'u'lláh is a false prophet?

Prophets true & false

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.— Matthew 7:11-21

Will there be any prophets?

Will there be true and false prophets?The answer must be “yes”. Why else would Christ make a point of how to recognize them?

Can we tell them apart?Christ says we can.

How? — by their fruitsGood fruit cannot come from a bad tree — we cannot “gather figs of thistles.”

Satan will not oppose himself. Christ says: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

What are the fruits of a true prophet?

Foremost is love. We’ve seen what Christ says of this “fruit.”

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” — Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The writings of Bahá’u’lláh on love are legion. According to Abdu’l-Bahá “Love is the secret of God’s most great dispensation...” Bahá’u’lláh has exhorted us to love God, love each other, love even our enemies, love mankind.

What are some other fruits of the true prophet?

Words — align with Christ’s words, testify of Christ, glorify Christ

Deeds

Prophecy fulfilled

Prophecy made & fulfilled (see Deuteronomy)

Test the Spirits...Test the spirits: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.— I John 4:1-3

Know thou that when the Son of Man yielded up His soul to God, the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth are now manifest before thee. The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands have produced ... are but manifestations of the quickening power released by His transcendent, His all-pervasive and resplendent Spirit. We testify that when He came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things. Through Him the leper recovered from the leprosy of perversity and ignorance. Through Him, the unchaste and wayward were healed. Through His power, born of Almighty God, the eyes of the blind were opened, and the soul of the sinner sanctified. — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XXXVI

What does Bahá’u’lláh teach about the Trinity?

Do Bahá’í’s recognize God in three Persons?

Father, Son & Holy Ghost

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.” — from the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost... — Matthew 28:20

Holy Spirit (Ghost) granted “personhood” because of Jesus’ promise of the Spirit of Truth. Here’s the logic:

Christ speaks of the Spirit of Truth as a Person

The Spirit of Truth and the Holy Ghost are the same The Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles at Pentecost Therefore the Pentecost event is the fulfillment of Christ’s

prophecy about the Spirit of Truth AND

Therefore the Holy Ghost is a Person

Manifestation or Incarnation?

Christ: “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. — John 17:6

The Apostle John: For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. — I John 3:8

The Apostle Paul: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. — II Corinthians 3: 18

Trinity: God, Light & Mirror

“This is the meaning of the Messiah's words, that the Father is in the Son. Dost thou not see that should a stainless mirror proclaim, `Verily is the sun ashine within me, together with all its qualities, tokens and signs', such an utterance by such a mirror would be neither deceptive nor false?” — Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha 19:11

Trinity: God, Light & MirrorThese sanctified Mirrors...are, one and all, the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. From Him proceed their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign of His deathless glory. ...Through them is transmitted a grace that is infinite, and by them is revealed the Light that can never fade... These Tabernacles of Holiness, these Primal Mirrors which reflect the light of unfading glory, are but expressions of Him Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles. By the revelation of these Gems of Divine virtue all the names and attributes of God...are made manifest. — Gleanings XIX

Doesn’t the Bible teach a physical Resurrection?

Physical resurrection

The Christian doctrine that if there is no physical resurrection, our faith is futile, is based on this verse:

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” — I Corinthians 15:12-14

From the same Letter to the Corinthians (15: 35-52)

When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed... But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. ... There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory...it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

Though it’s clear Paul is not referring to a physical (natural) body:he still concludes: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Physical resurrection

Bahá’u’lláh on Resurrection

Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the state of the soul after its separation from the body. Know thou, of a truth, that if the soul of man hath walked in the ways of God, it will, assuredly, return and be gathered to the glory of the Beloved. By the righteousness of God! It shall attain a station such as no pen can depict, or tongue describe. — Gleanings LXXXII:7

And now concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. — Gleanings LXXXI: 1

Do Bahá'ís accept Church doctrine as set in the Church Councils?

The simple answer is “No,” Bahá’ís do not accept the Church Councils as being infallible interpreters of the word of God.

Christ’s CovenantAccording to Christ:

Those who fail to obey the commandment to love are severed from the Vine.

Using Christ’s criteria and judging by their fruits revealed in the history of the church, were the church fathers connected to the Vine?

His words did not become void at His resurrection, for He Himself states: “My word shall not pass away.”

How closely do the “church fathers” adhere to Christ’s word and to the covenant He established with His disciples to love one another?

Questions? Comments?