# Facilitating Spiritual Joy: Workshop on Christianity

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> Jump to:
> Part One
>    Becoming Familiar with the Christian Bible
>     Bahá'í View of Bible and Christianity
>     The Coming of the Promised One
> Part Two
>    Bahá'í / Christian Dialogue
>     Christian Denominations, Doctrines & Creeds
>     Handling Potentially Divisive Issues
>     Trinity
>     Resurrection
>     The Rapture
>     Born Again
> Part Three
>     Biblical Introduction To The Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
>     Materials for Bahá'í / Christian Dialogue
>     Benefits of Spirituality
>     Divine Educators
>     Jesus Christ
>     Bahá'u'lláh
>     Bahá'í Writings
> 
> 
> 
> [+CHAPTER1]
> 
> Facilitating Spiritual Joy
> Part I
> 
> 
> 
> Purpose
> "Facilitating Spiritual Joy" is a curriculum designed to help
> Bahá'í teachers introduce the person and teachings of
> Bahá'u'lláh to people of Christian background. Its methods are
> modeled after the loving example of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. In his talks to
> Christian audiences, such as those recorded in Promulgations of Universal
> Peace, `Abdu'l-Bahá was kind, cautious and passionate. He served the
> cause of religious unity by lavishing praise on the Bible as the Word of God
> and Jesus Christ as the Son of God. 
> 
> Like a skilled farmer, he prepared the soil before planting the seed. He took
> great pains to establish a rapport with his listeners. He did not rush to
> proclaim the station of Bahá'u'lláh, but first built common
> ground with Christians by speaking at length about Moses and Christ and by
> general discussion of Biblical themes, such as unity, reverence for God and
> divine education. His approach was gradual, gently unfolding the verities of
> the Faith in a warm and logical manner. His expositions on the station of
> Bahá'u'lláh incorporated proofs from the Bible, especially the
> prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. 
> 
> This curriculum seeks to follow Abdu'l-Bahá's methods and to build
> skills that will allow Bahá'í teachers to follow suit. Through
> the use of individual and interactive group exercises, it provides instruction
> in how to locate verse in the Bible, identifies verses useful for teaching and
> provides practice in their use. 
> 
> "Facilitating Spiritual Joy" has four distinct goals:
> 
> *		To help Bahá'ís appreciate the spiritual value of Christ and the
> Christian Bible as revealed in the Bahá'í Writings.
> *		To help familiarize Bahá'í teachers with the various parts
> of the Old and New Testaments and help them acquire the skills needed to locate
> key Bible verses.
> *		To explain basic doctrines of modern Christian Churches and to show
> where they parallel and where they contrast with the teachings of the
> Bahá'í Revelation.
> *		To examine `Abdu'l-Bahá's teaching methodology and assist in the
> others to develop the attitudes and skills necessary for a productive
> Bahá'í / Christian dialogue,
> 
> It is truly hoped that these materials will assist Bahá'í
> teachers to cultivate a joy in teaching the Faith as well to grow in capacity
> to bring the joy of knowing and serving Bahá'u'lláh to others.
> 
> Bahá'í View of the Christian Bible
> 
> When Abdu'l-Bahá visited America in 1912 he had the opportunity to speak
> in various Christian Churches. Invariably he would use such opportunities to
> praise the Bible.
> 
> Fifty years ago no one would touch the Christian Bible in Persia.
> Bahá'u'lláh came and asked, "Why?" They said, "It is not the Word
> of God." He said, "You must read it with understanding of its meanings, not as
> those who merely recite its words." Now Bahá'ís all over the East
> read the Bible and understand its spiritual teaching. Bahá'u'lláh
> spread the Cause of Christ and opened the book of the Christians and Jews.
> (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 212)
> 
> Likewise Bahá'u'lláh Himself taught that the Bible, as we have it
> today, contains the Word of God. 
> 
> 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 could God,
> when once the Day-star of the beauty of Jesus had disappeared from the sight of
> His people... cause His holy Book, His most great testimony amongst His
> creatures, to disappear also? What would be left to that people to cling to
> from the setting of the day-star of Jesus until the rise of the sun of the
> Muhammadan Dispensation? What law could be their stay and guide? How could such
> people be made the victims of the avenging wrath of God, the omnipotent
> Avenger? How could they be afflicted with the scourge of chastisement by the
> heavenly King? Above all, how could the flow of the grace of the All-Bountiful
> be stayed? How could the ocean of His tender mercies be stilled? (The
> Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 89-90)
> 
> Exercises
> 
> 1) In your own word, explain the Bahá'í view of the Christian
> Bible.
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 2) What reasons does Bahá'u'lláh give for believing that the
> teachings of Jesus are accurately presented in the Bible?
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Focusing Questions
> 
> A useful technique for studying quotations in a group is by the use of focusing
> questions. These are questions that are answered verbatim in the quotation.
> There purpose is to direct or focus attention on the specific wording of the
> quotation. Such questions are useful as a first step toward memorizing key
> phrases in a quotation. 
> 
> In the first quotation on the preceding page, Abdu'l-Bahá comments on
> the value of the Christian Bible. Here are some examples of focusing questions
> and answers. Notice how the wording of the questions and the wording of the
> answers come directly out of the quotation.
> 
> Q: What was the situation in Persia fifty years ago?
> A: In Persia, fifty years ago, no one would touch the Christian Bible.
> 
> Q: Why did people in Persia refuse to read the Bible?
> A: They believed that it was not the Word of God.
> 
> Q: How did Bahá'u'lláh say that the Bible should be read?
> A: It must be read with understanding of its meanings. 
> 
> Q: What is the situation now?
> A: Bahá'í all over the East read the Bible. 
> Exercises
> 
> 1) Create a series of focusing questions and answers from the following
> quotation.
> 
> Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and re-adorned ...
> That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and
> dispensation. In the days of Moses it was the Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus
> the Gospel; in the days of Muhammad the Messenger of God the Qur'án.
> (The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 199)
> 
> Q:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> A:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Q:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> A:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Q:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> A:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Q:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> A:
> ________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Brief Overview of Christian Bible
> The word "Bible" means "library." Originally, the Bible was
> written on scrolls. The entire collection of divine scrolls constituted the
> Holy Library. In the first or second century after Christ, Christians
> popularized the "codex" or book format in the course of teaching their Faith.
> It was easier to use a bound book to flip quickly from one verse to another
> than to locate the verses in scrolls.
> 
> The Christian Bible is divided into two main sections; the Old and New
> Testaments. The Old Testament contains the sacred writings of Judaism. Starting
> with the creation of the world, it relates the origin of the Israelite nation,
> the revelation of the Law to Moses and subsequent history of Israel up to
> approximately 400 BC (four hundred years before Christ). The writings of over a
> dozen prophets, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel, and sacred literature, such as the
> Psalms and Proverbs, make up the remainder of the Old Testament.
> 
> The New Testament is comprised of the additions to the sacred library made by
> Christians. The Gospels describe the life and teachings of Jesus and the spread
> of early Christianity up to about 60 AD. A large part of the New Testament
> contains letters which the apostles Peter, Paul and others wrote to various new
> Christian congregations in the major cities such as Ephesus, Corinth and Rome.
> One prophetic work, the Revelation of St. John, completes the New Testament
> collection.
> 
> Timeline of Key Events in Bible History.
> (Traditional rather than modern scholarly dates are given).
> *		Creation of Adam. (4000 BC)
> *		Noah's flood. (2400 BC)
> *		The nomadic wanderings of the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (2000 BC)
> *		The enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. (1600 BC)
> *		Their liberation from slavery under Moses. (1500 BC)
> *		The revelation of the Ten Commandments. (1500 BC)
> *		The conquest of Canaan. (1450 BC)
> *		The Kingdom of Israel under Kings David and Solomon. (1050 BC)
> *		The division of the Kingdom into Judah and Israel. (1000 BC)
> *		The histories of their kings until conquest and exile of Jewish nation
> to Assyria & Babylon. (1000 BC to 580 BC)
> *		The return from exile. (530 BC)
> *		Malachi, last of Hebrew prophets. (400 BC)
> *		Birth of Jesus (1 BC)
> *		Crucifixion (33 AD)
> *		Imprisonment of St. Paul in Rome. (60 AD)
> *		Destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies. (70 AD)
> *		Writing of last books of New Testament. (98 AD)
> 
> Exercise
> 
> 1. Rearrange the following list and put it into chronological order. 
> 
> *		Jesus
> *		David
> *		Adam
> *		Paul
> *		Noah
> *		Moses
> *		Malachi
> 
> 2. Describe the contents of the Old Testament.
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 3. Describe the contents of the New Testament.
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Becoming Familiar with the Bible
> 
> The charts on the following pages list the various books of the Old and New
> Testaments. 
> 
> As you examine the charts, do the following exercises.
> 1. Identify the five books of Moses, (also known as the Torah or
> Pentateuch).
> 
> 2. Notice the description of the contents of the various books in the right
> hand column. 
> 
> 3. Using the column labeled "Literary Type" identify the divisions of the Old
> Testament into three categories, historical, instructional and prophetic
> books.
> 
> 4. List the starting and ending books of each category.
> 
> 5. Using the Pronunciation column as a guide, read aloud the names of the OT
> books.
> 
> 6. Notice that some books have a 1 or a 2 in front of them, such as 1 Kings and
> 2 Kings. These are pronounced "First Kings" and "Second Kings". Originally
> these books were too long to fit on one scroll, so they were divided into two.
> List all the books which are split into part I and part II in this way.
> 
> 7. Repeat for New Testament.
> 
> 8. Notice there are 4 books called John. There is the gospel of John, which has
> no number in front of it, located between Luke and Acts. Almost at the end of
> the New Testament there are three books which are letters written by John
> called, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. When looking up verses in "John" be sure to
> use the correct book.
> 
> 9. Most Bibles contain a table of contents in the front showing the starting
> page number for each book. What is the starting page number in your Bible
> for:
> 
> a. The Gospel according to John _____
> b. The first letter of John _____
> c. The second letter of John _____
> d. The third letter of John _____
> 
> Books of the Old Testament
> 
> In the Christian Bible, there are 39 books of the Old Testament. Originally,
> written in Hebrew with small sections in Aramaic, they are organized into three
> groupings; historical books, poetic and instructional writings and prophetic
> books. 
> 
> The histories begin with a narrative of the creation of the world and span the
> history of Israel up to about 400 BC (Before Christ). The first five books of
> this section are the Torah (Hebrew for "law"), also called the Pentateuch
> (Greek for "five rolls") or the Five Books of Moses. They are Genesis, Exodus,
> Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. 
> 
>  The poetic and instructional books include Psalms and Proverbs. The prophetic
> books contain the writings of over a dozen divine prophets.
> 
> 
> 
> Name of Book
> 
> Pronunciation
> 
> Traditional
> Author
> 
> Traditional
> Date
> 
> Literary
> Type
> 
> Contents
> / Highlights
> 
> Genesis
> 
> jen-e-sis
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Creation,
> flood, Abraham, Joseph
> 
> Exodus
> 
> ek-se-dus
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Israelite
> slavery and salvation from Egypt, Moses receives ten commandments & other
> divine laws at Sinai
> 
> Leviticus
> 
> li-vit-i-kus
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Law
> especially those concerned with priests & Levites
> 
> Numbers
> 
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Israelites
> wandering in the wilderness
> 
> Deuteronomy
> 
> doo-te-ron-o-my
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Summary
> of law, Song of Moses, Death of Moses
> 
> Joshua
> 
> 
> Joshua
> 
> c.
> 1450 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Conquest
> of Canaan
> 
> Judges
> 
> 
> Samuel
> (?)
> 
> c.
> 1100 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Tribal
> affairs before Israelite Kings
> 
> Ruth
> 
> 
> Samuel
> (?)
> 
> c.
> 1100 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Tale
> related to ancestry of David
> 
> 1
> Samuel
> 
> 
> Samuel
> & others
> 
> c.
> 1100 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Samuel's
> affairs, Saul, David & Goliath
> 
> 2
> Samuel
> 
> 
> Nathan
> & others
> 
> c.
> 1050 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Kingship
> of David
> 
> 1
> Kings
> 
> 
> Jeremiah
> 
> c.
> 580 BC
> 
> History
> 
> King
> Solomon, division of kingdom, kings of Judah and Israel
> 
> 2
> Kings
> 
> 
> Jeremiah
> 
> c.
> 580 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Later
> kings, Elijah, conquest of kingdoms
> 
> 1
> Chronicles
> 
> 
> Ezra
> 
> c.
> 450 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Genealogy
> of Israel, history of Israel and Judah until Solomon
> 
> 2
> Chronicles
> 
> 
> Ezra
> 
> c.
> 450 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Histories
> from Solomon through conquest of Judah and exile
> 
> Ezra
> 
> 
> Ezra
> 
> c.
> 450 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Restoration
> after Babylonian exile
> 
> Nehemiah
> 
> ne-uh-mi-ah
> 
> Nehemiah
> 
> c.
> 400 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Restoration
> of Jerusalem
> 
> Esther
> 
> 
> Mordecai
> 
> c.
> 400 BC
> 
> History
> 
> Salvation
> of Jews in Persian Empire
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Writings:
> Poetic and Instructional and Poetic Books
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Job
> 
> jôb
> 
> Moses
> 
> c.
> 1500 BC
> 
> Poetic
> epic
> 
> Sufferings
> of Job, why the innocent suffer
> 
> Psalms
> 
> salmz
> 
> David
> & others
> 
> c.
> 450 BC
> 
> Poetry
> 
> Prayers
> and songs
> 
> Proverbs
> 
> 
> Solomon
> & others
> 
> c.
> 450 BC
> 
> Poetic
> essay, wise sayings 
> 
> Wise
> advice to "son"
> 
> Ecclesiates
> 
> i-klee-zee-as-tes
> 
> Solomon
> 
> c.
> 1000 BC
> 
> Essay
> 
> Futility
> and the Meaning of life
> 
> Song
> of Solomon
> 
> 
> Solomon
> 
> c.
> 1000 BC
> 
> Love
> poetry
> 
> Allegory
> for the love of God
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Prophetic
> Books
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Isaiah
> 
> ii-zay-uh
> 
> Isaiah
> 
> c.
> 700 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption, prophecies of Messiah and Israel's redemption
> 
> Jeremiah
> 
> jer-uh-mi-uh
> 
> Jeremiah
> 
> c.
> 580 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption, prophecies of Messiah and Israel's redemption
> 
> Lamentations
> 
> 
> Jeremiah
> 
> c.
> 580 BC
> 
> Poetry
> 
> Lament
> over destruction of Jerusalem
> 
> Ezekiel
> 
> ee-zee-kee-el
> 
> Ezekiel
> 
> c.
> 600 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption, prophecies of Messiah and Israel's redemption
> 
> Daniel
> 
> 
> Daniel
> 
> c.
> 500 BC (?)
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Tales
> of Daniel and Three Hebrews, end time prophecies
> 
> Hosea
> 
> hô-zay-uh
> 
> Hosea
> 
> c.
> 750 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption, prophecies Israel's redemption
> 
> Joel
> 
> 
> Joel
> 
> c.
> 800 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption in Judah, end time prophecies
> 
> Amos
> 
> 
> Amos
> 
> c.
> 800 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> of corruption in Israel
> 
> Obadiah
> 
> ô-buh-die-uh
> 
> Obadiah
> 
> c.
> 600 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> against Edomites
> 
> Jonah
> 
> 
> Jonah
> 
> c.
> 800 BC (?)
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Tale
> of wayward prophet, denunciation against Nineveh
> 
> Micah
> 
> mi-cuh
> 
> Micah
> 
> c.
> 700 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciation
> against Judah, end time prophecies
> 
> Nahum
> 
> nay-hum
> 
> Nahum
> 
> c.
> 600 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciations
> against Judah
> 
> Habakkuk
> 
> ha-back-kuk
> 
> Habakkuk
> 
> c.
> 600 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciations
> against Judah
> 
> Zephaniah
> 
> zef-uh-nii-uh
> 
> Zephaniah
> 
> c.
> 600 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Denunciations
> against Judah
> 
> Haggai
> 
> hag-guy
> 
> Haggai
> 
> c.
> 500 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Post-exilic
> exhortation, restoration prophecies
> 
> Zechariah
> 
> zek-uh-rii-uh
> 
> Zechariah
> 
> c.
> 500 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Post-exilic
> exhortation, restoration prophecies
> 
> Malachi
> 
> mal-uh-kii
> 
> Malachi
> 
> c.
> 400 BC
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Post-exilic
> exhortation, restoration prophecies
> Books
> of the New Testament
> 
> The New Testament contains 27 books, originally written in Greek. They are
> organized into the same groupings as the Old Testament. The four gospels and
> the Acts of the Apostles make up the history books. The letters of the Apostles
> Paul, Peter and others make up the instructional writings. Revelation is the
> only prophetic book in the New Testament.
> 
> 
> 
> Name of Book
> 
> Pronunciation
> 
> Traditional
> Author
> 
> Traditional
> Date
> 
> Literary
> Type
> 
> Contents
> / Highlights
> 
> History
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Matthew
> 
> 
> Matthew
> 
> c.
> 40 AD
> 
> History
> 
> Gospel
> (history of Jesus' ministry)
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> Mark
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> History
> 
> Gospel
> 
> Luke
> 
> 
> Luke
> 
> c.
> 55 AD
> 
> History
> 
> Gospel
> 
> John
> 
> 
> John
> 
> c.
> 100 AD
> 
> History
> 
> Gospel
> 
> Acts
> 
> 
> Luke
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> History
> 
> History
> of early Christian Church
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Letters
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Romans
> 
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Wide
> discussion of Christian teachings; e.g. sin & salvation
> 
> 1
> Corinthians
> 
> kuh-rin-thee-ans
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 55 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Unity,
> cleanness of Church
> 
> 2
> Corinthians
> 
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Warning
> against false teachers and apostates 
> 
> Galatians
> 
> guh-laa-shunz
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 50 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Abrogation
> of law of Moses
> 
> Ephesians
> 
> i-fee-zhunz
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Unity
> of believers
> 
> Philippians
> 
> fi-lip-peenz
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Humility
> of Christ
> 
> Colossians
> 
> kuh-losh-enz
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Love
> as perfect bond of union
> 
> 1
> Thessalonians
> 
> thes-uh-lô-neenz
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 50 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Endurance
> through tribulation
> 
> 2
> Thessalonians
> 
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 50 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Warning
> against apostasy
> 
> I
> Timothy
> 
> 
> Paul;
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Instructions
> for appointments of Church leaders
> 
> 2
> Timothy
> 
> 
> Paul;
> 
> c.
> 65 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Urgency
> of teaching
> 
> Titus
> 
> ti-tus
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Warning
> against sectarian divisions
> 
> Philemon
> 
> ffi-lee-mon
> 
> Paul
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter
> 
> Personal
> forgiveness & reconciliation
> 
> Hebrews
> 
> 
> Paul
> (??)
> 
> ?
> 
> Essay
> 
> Typology
> of Christ in Law of Moses
> 
> James
> 
> 
> James
> 
> c.
> 60 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Faith
> without works
> 
> 1
> Peter
> 
> 
> Peter
> 
> c.
> 65 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Christ
> as exemplar
> 
> 2
> Peter
> 
> 
> Peter
> 
> c.
> 65 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> End
> time prophecies
> 
> 1
> John
> 
> 
> John
> 
> c.
> 100 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Warning
> against antichrist, God is love
> 
> 2
> John
> 
> 
> John
> 
> c.
> 100 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Exhortation
> to love God & Christ, warning against antichrist
> 
> 3
> John
> 
> 
> John
> 
> c.
> 100 AD
> 
> Letter
> 
> Exhortation
> to love God & Christ, warning against antichrist
> 
> Jude
> 
> 
> Jude
> 
> c.
> 65 AD
> 
> Letter/essay
> 
> Warnings
> against antichrist
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Revelation
> 
> 
> John
> 
> c.
> 100 AD (?)
> 
> Prophecy
> 
> Prophetic
> visions and end time prophecies
> How
> to Find Bible Verses
> 
> When speaking with Christians who are serious Bible students and who readily
> quote chapter and verse, it is often helpful for the Bahá'í
> teacher to know a few Bible verses and know how to look them up and read them
> from the Christian's own copy of the Bible.
> 
> In the front of most Bibles there is a Table of Contents that lists the 66
> books of the Old and New Testaments, either in alphabetical or traditional
> order. Memorizing these books in traditional order may be helpful, but it is
> not necessary. Our goal at this time is to learn how to locate a few key
> passages and this can be accomplished by knowing whether the verse you seek is
> toward the front, back or middle. 
> 
> Let's say we want to find John 16:12-13, where Christ foretells the coming of
> the Promised One. Open the Bible and locate the Table of Contents. Often there
> are two, one that lists the books in consecutive order and another that uses
> alphabetical order. 
> 
> Find the page number in your Bible where the gospel of John starts. (The one
> with no number in front of it.) Turn to that page. 
> 
> Now we want chapter 16. (John 16:12-13 indicates the sixteenth chapter, verses
> twelve through thirteen.) The chapter numbers are large and located at the
> beginning of each chapter. The verse numbers are smaller and begin anew in each
> chapter. After you have located the beginning of chapter 16, scan down the
> columns until you find the smaller 12, indicating verse 12.
> 
> Read the verse aloud.
> 
> Next practice by looking up the following Bible verses. Identify each one a
> pertaining to a) Prophecies that foretell to the Coming of the Promised One, b)
> Verses that teach the unity of mankind, c) Verses that provide guidance in
> distinguishing true and false prophets. Indicate your choice by marking the
> list below or create notes on the back inside cover of your Bible.
> 
> 1) Ezekiel 43:4			___________
> 2) Matthew 7:15-20		___________
> 3) Luke 6:32, 35			___________
> 4) Titus 2:11			___________
> 5) Jeremiah 49:38			___________
> 6) 1 John 4:1-4			___________
> 7) Isaiah 11:6-9			___________
> 8) Revelation 3:12			___________
> 9) Isaiah 35:1-2			___________
> 10) 1 John 4:20-21 		___________
> 
> The Promised One of the New Testament
> 
> In the Gospel of John, we find Jesus' promise that someone would come after Him
> who would further His teaching.
> 
> I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit
> when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He
> shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak.
> He shall show you things to come. (John 16:12-13)
>  
> This promised teacher would come after Christ. His teachings would be new,
> things that Jesus' disciples had not heard and were not ready for yet. This new
> teacher would guide the people into "all truth." He would be faithful to God
> and teach God's word in truth. He would be no false prophet. He would give
> reliable prophecies about things yet to come. Notice Abdu'l-Bahá's
> comments on this verse from John:
> 
> Now consider carefully that from these words, "for He shall not speak of
> Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak," it is clear that
> the Spirit of truth is embodied in a Man Who has individuality, Who has ears to
> hear and a tongue to speak. (Some Answered Questions, p. 109)
> 
> Shoghi Effendi identified Bahá'u'lláh as the one who fulfilled
> Jesus' promise:
> Did not Christ Himself, addressing His disciples, utter these words: "I have
> yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He,
> the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth"? ... from the
> words of Christ, as attested by the Gospel, every unprejudiced observer will
> readily apprehend the magnitude of the Faith which Bahá'u'lláh
> has revealed, and recognize the staggering weight of the claim He has advanced.
> (The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 25)
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh also referred to John 16:12-13 and publicly
> proclaimed that the prophecy has been fulfilled in Himself.
> Announce thou unto the priests: Lo! ... Verily, He Who is the Spirit of
> Truth is come to guide you unto all truth. He speaketh not as prompted by His
> own self, but as bidden by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Say, this
> is the One Who hath glorified the Son and hath exalted His Cause. (Tablets
> of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 12)
> 
> 
> 
> Exercises on John 16:12-13
> 
> 1) I have ______ many things to say unto you, but ye cannot ________ them now.
> Howbeit when He, the ____________ of _________, is come, He will __________ you
> into all __________: for ______ shall not __________ of Himself; but whatsoever
> He shall ________, that shall ______ speak. He shall show you ____________ to
> ________. 
> 
> 2) Memorize these verses.
> 
> 
> 3) Paraphrase the meaning of these verses in your own words:
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 4) Explain how we can tell that these words apply to a new revelation to come
> after Jesus:
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 5) What phrases in the verse indicate that these words must refer to a human
> prophet?
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Teaching by Using Questions
> 
> Questions can be powerful teaching tools. Instead of directly explaining a
> point to a seeker, the use of questions can involve the seeker in the
> discussion. These questions can be focusing questions, that highlight key
> phrases in the sacred Word, or they can be teaching questions that involve the
> seeker in the discussion and help to uncover the spiritual meaning of the
> verses.
> 
> What impact does the uses of questions have on the mind and heart of the
> seeker? When we use questions to draw out our seekers, we help them discover
> the truth for themselves. Also, we learn what she is thinking and can address
> her concerns more precisely.
> 
> Note the following examples which contrast straight forward explanation with
> teaching by using questions. 
> 
> Explaining:
> Bahá'í: Jesus was a divine educator. He taught the way of
> salvation and eternal life. However, he knew that the spiritual capacity of his
> disciples was limited. He told them that there were many things that He wanted
> to tell them, but that they were not ready to hear those things yet. He
> foretold another one, who would come after Him, who would reveal those things.
> 
> 
> In John 16:12-13 Jesus said: "I still have many things to say to you, but you
> cannot bear them now. However when He, the Spirit of Truth has come, He will
> guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever
> He hears, He will speak."
> 
> We can tell that Jesus was referring to another prophet, because He hears and
> He speaks. He has a will of His own. When the time is right, He uses His free
> will to teach the people the things that Jesus wants them to learn. 
> 
> Teaching with questions:
> Bahá'í: Did you know that Jesus spoke about a divine
> teacher who would come after Him?
> 
> Seeker: No, I have always believed that Jesus was the only one.
> 
> Bahá'í: No spiritual teacher could ever replace Jesus, but He
> explained that there were things He wanted to tell His disciples that they were
> not ready to learn yet. Are you familiar with that scripture?
> 
> Seeker: Not really! Where is that in the Bible?
> 
> Bahá'í: In the 16th chapter of John it says, "I still have many
> things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However when He, the Spirit
> of Truth has come, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His
> own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak." Isn't it logical that God
> would continue to give us the guidance we need through the centuries?
> 
> Seeker: I guess so, but I never thought about how that would happen.
> 
> Bahá'í: When we read these words carefully, we notice that it
> says that the one called the Spirit of Truth would hear, speak and accurately
> give God's message. He would prophesy about the future. Wouldn't that have to
> be a person?
> 
> Seeker: I guess so. 
> 
> Bahá'í: Here's a compilation of what the Founders of the
> Bahá'í Faith had to say about this prophecy.
> 
> Seeker: Thanks! I'll read it later.
> 
> Exercise on Focusing Questions and Teaching Questions
> 
> The next exercise works with two distinct types of questions, focusing
> questions and teaching or leading questions.
> 
> Focusing questions direct the seeker's attention to a particular key word or
> phrase in a quote. Teaching or leading questions help the seeker reason on the
> quote and leads them to the teaching point that will help them see the
> Bahá'í perspective. Read carefully Jesus' description of the
> Promised One and Bahá'u'lláh's fulfillment of that description.
> 
> 
> He will glorify me for He will take what is mine and declare it to you.
> (John 16:14)
> 
> Know thou that when the Son of Man (Christ) yielded up His breath to God,
> the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however,
> a fresh capacity was infused into all created things... We testify that when He
> came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things.
> (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 85-86)
> 
> Below there is a series of questions that draws the connection between the
> words of Christ and Bahá'u'lláh. (It is not necessary to answer
> the questions.) Mark each question to indicate what type of question it is. Use
> either an F for focusing questions and a T for teaching questions. 
> 
> 1. Who would the Promised One glorify? _____
> 
> 2. Would the Promised One belittle Christ? ____
> 
> 3. What happened to creation when the Son of Man died? ____
> 
> 4. What did Christ's sacrifice accomplish? ____
> 
> 5. Did Bahá'u'lláh glorify Christ? ____
> 
> 6. Would the Promised One replace Christ or be independent of Him? ____
> 
> 
> Worksheet for Teaching by Using Questions on Specific Texts
> 
> Fill out the following worksheet based on John 16:12-14.
> 
> 1. Identify two or three teaching points you want to make about the verse: 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 2. Select key phrases from the verse that support your teaching points.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> 3. Write an explanation of your teaching points based on the key phrases you
> have selected.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> 4. Create questions based on the text that lead the seeker to understand the
> points you want to make.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 5. Write out the answers to your questions. 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 6. On the reverse side of this sheet, create a dialogue between a
> Bahá'í teacher and a seeker based on the above questions and
> answers. Allow students the opportunity to present their answers and their
> dialogue to the class.
> 
> The Role of Rational Proofs in Spiritual Growth
> 
> Recognizing the station of Bahá'u'lláh is like falling in love.
> It is a magical experience that goes beyond thought or reason. Mysterious
> feelings excite the heart and unequaled passions are stirred up.
> 
> When the true lover... reacheth to the presence of the Beloved, the
> sparkling beauty of the Loved One and the fire of the lover's heart will kindle
> a blaze and burn away all veils. (The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys,
> p. 36)
> 
> What then is the role of the spiritual teacher? In some ways, it is like the
> role of a matchmaker, who introduces the prospective bride and groom. The
> matchmaker sets the stage, create expectation about the first encounter, boasts
> about the wonderful qualities of the proposed partner, arranges a romantic
> meeting place and explains why this would be a good match. Eventually, the
> matchmaker must step aside and allow the relationship between the couple to
> develop. 
> 
> Similarly, spiritual teachers must do more than simply explain the station of
> Bahá'u'lláh or give rational proofs of His Sovereignty. The
> seeker needs to be introduced to the person and grandeur of the Blessed Beauty.
> Rational reasons for accepting Bahá'u'lláh as Lord play only a
> partial, but necessary, role in effecting a match.
> 
> When Abdu'l-Bahá presented proofs, he often set the stage with words
> that exalted the person of Bahá'u'lláh in ways that would aid the
> seeker to fall in love with Him. Notice in the passages below, how
> Abdu'l-Bahá accomplishes this. 
> 
> Let us speak for a little of proofs. If you had come to this blessed place
> in the days of the manifestation of the evident Light, if you had attained to
> the court of His presence, and had witnessed His luminous beauty, you would
> have understood that His teachings and perfection were not in need of further
> evidence. 
>  
> Through the honor of entering His presence, many souls became confirmed
> believers; they had no need of other proofs. Even those people who rejected and
> hated Him bitterly, when they had met Him, would testify to the grandeur of
> Bahá'u'lláh, saying, "This is a magnificent man." (Some
> Answered Questions, p. 36)
> 
> 1. What was it like to be in the presence of Bahá'u'lláh?
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 2. How does `Abdu'l-Bahá's description of Bahá'u'lláh help
> the seeker to fall in love with God's new messenger?
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá continued...
> 
> There are some people who, even if all the proofs in the world be adduced
> before them, still will not judge justly! ...
>  
> The state in which one should be to seriously search for the truth is the
> condition of the thirsty, burning soul desiring the water of life, of the fish
> struggling to reach the sea, of the sufferer seeking for the true doctor to
> obtain the divine cure, of the lost caravan endeavoring to find the right road,
> of the lost and wandering ship striving to reach the shore of salvation...
> 
>  
> Furthermore, he must be able to endure all hardships. He must be absolutely
> pure and sanctified, and free from the love or the hatred of the inhabitants of
> the world. Why? because the fact of his love for any person or thing might
> prevent him from recognizing the truth in another, and, in the same way, hatred
> for anything might be a hindrance in discerning truth. (Some Answered
> Questions, p. 36-38)
> 
> 3. What does Abdu'l-Bahá say about the necessary attitudes of the
> seeker? 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 4. Why does Abdu'l-Bahá speak about the obstacles to recognizing truth
> before presenting proofs?
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> More Prophecies Concerning Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> 1) Jeremiah foretold that God's throne would be established in the last days in
> Elam, that is, in Persia. (Jeremiah 49:38, 39) Bahá'u'lláh was
> born and began his ministry in Persia. His kingdom was, like Christ's kingdom,
> a kingdom over the hearts of men.
> 
> 2) Ezekiel foretold that the glory of God would appear from the East, coming to
> the house of God by way of the gate. (Ezekiel 43:4) The prophet appears in the
> form of man (43:6) and speaks the message of God (43:7).
> Bahá'u'lláh was born and began his ministry in Persia, and came
> to Israel from the East of Israel. Bahá'u'lláh's name means the
> "Glory of God." 
> 
> 3) Isaiah foretold that the region of Israel around Mount Carmel would be
> especially blessed with the glory of God. (Isaiah 35:1-2) 
> 
> Shoghi Effendi explained the fulfillment of these prophecies in Ezekiel 43 and
> Isaiah 35 in terms of Bahá'u'lláh's arrival in the Holy Land at
> the fortress city of Akká. "Akká, itself, flanked by the "glory
> of Lebanon," and lying in full view of the "splendor of Carmel," at the foot of
> the hills which enclose the home of Jesus Christ Himself.... and alluded to by
> Ezekiel as "the gate that looketh towards the East," whereunto "the glory of
> the God of Israel came from the way of the East," His voice "like a noise of
> many waters." (God Passes By, p. 184) 
> 
> The prophet Isaiah also foretold that God would raise up a conquering king from
> the direction of the sunrise, the east. (Isaiah 41:2) The king would give his
> enemies to the sword (the word of God). Like Jesus, Bahá'u'lláh
> conquered his enemies with the sword of the Word of God (John 16:33, Romans
> 12:21, Hebrew 4:12) and renounced the use of physical weapons. (Matthew 26:52)
> 
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh's spiritual conquests have been great. Despite forty
> years of persecution, imprisonment, exile and trials, he never showed any
> hatred to his enemies. He kept conquering evil with good. As a result, many
> victories have been won over the hearts of men. Now there are over 5 million
> followers of the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh living in 300 nations,
> islands and territories. 
>  
> 4) The returned king would have a new, strange name, one that God would give
> him. (Isaiah 62:2-3) The name of Bahá'u'lláh certainly sounds
> strange to many people and this strangeness has been like a cloud that blocks
> the vision of the beauty of the sun. Yet whoever receives the name recognizes
> that the kingly spirit of Christ has returned in the clouds with His new name.
> (Revelation 3:12)
> 
> When the King returns, he makes available "hidden manna", which is new
> spiritual food. (Revelation 2:17) 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Worksheet for Teaching by Using Questions on Specific Texts
> 
> Break the group up into pairs. Assign one of the following verses to each pair.
> 1) Jeremiah 49:38; 2) Ezekiel 43:4; 3) Isaiah 35:1-2; 4) Isaiah 62:2-3; 5)
> Revelation 3:12. Fill out the following worksheet based on the assigned
> verses.
> 
> 1. Text Source:____________________________________
> 
> 2. Identify two or three teaching points you want to make about the verse: 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 3. Select key phrases from the verse that support your teaching points.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 4. Memorize those key phrases.
> 
> 5. Create two or three questions based on the text that lead the seeker to
> understand the points you want to make:
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 6. Write out the answers to your questions. 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 7. On the reverse side of this sheet, create a dialogue between a
> Bahá'í teacher and a seeker based on the above questions and
> answers. Allow students the opportunity to present their answers and their
> dialogue to the class.
> Identifying True and False Prophets
> 
> Whenever God sends a new prophet, the majority of people oppose Him. Christ
> came with a message of love but only a few uneducated men put faith in Him. He
> offered divine healing to a world that was bruised and battered, but the
> followers of the established religion of that age called Him a false prophet.
> 
> 
>  It is easy to close our eyes to God's new messengers and to stay with
> the old established ways. But if everyone did that there would be no Christians
> today. It took courage to be an early disciple of Christ, just as it took
> courage to follow Moses when all the armies of Egypt were arrayed against Him.
> To follow God's new prophet means avoiding blind imitation of the beliefs of
> our family and friends. We must investigate reality for ourselves. Not every
> new prophet is false. God promises that He will continue to send messengers to
> "guide us into all truth." 
> 
> The Bible provides the key to separating the true from the false prophets. The
> essential identifying mark of a true prophet is belief in Christ. False
> prophets make themselves known by disowning the LORD. 
> 
> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are
> of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you
> will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in
> the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus has come
> in the flesh is not of God. (1 John 4:1-3)
> 
> No one can say that Jesus is LORD except by the Holy Spirit. (1
> Corinthians 12:3)
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh glorified and honored Christ throughout His life. He
> could never be a false prophet. He clearly affirmed everything that the Bible
> teaches about Christ, stating that Jesus was the Son of God, the Word of God
> made flesh and LORD of creation. Thus Bahá'u'lláh clearly meet
> the qualifications for true Prophethood. 
> 
> Therefore Christ... for man needs from time to time a voice upon earth to
> bring God to him... had to become flesh, so that with our earthly ears we
> should be able to hear and understand." (God Passes By, p. 391)
> 
> The Lord of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ... (God Passes By, p. 151)
> 
> Another clear sign testifying to the divine spirit behind
> Bahá'u'lláh's mission is the impact that His teachings have had
> on people. They have fostered a spirit of divine love and brotherhood that now
> spans the globe. False prophets cannot bear such fruit.
> 
> Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
> they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits... every good tree
> bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad
> fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit... Therefore by their fruits you will
> know them. (Matthew 7:15-20) 
> 
> A true prophet will promote reverence for God, love of neighbor, honesty,
> kindness, and forgiveness. Bahá'u'lláh consistently affirmed the
> divine principles that Jesus taught. In return He was persecuted and
> imprisoned, just as Christ had been. Despite the hatred of His enemies, He
> always responded by showing love and mercy. 
> Exercises
> 
> 1) Beware of __________ prophets, who come to you in ______________
> clothing, but inwardly they are ________________ wolves. You will know them by
> their ____________... every good ________ bears good ____________ but a bad
> ________ bears ______ fruit. A good tree ____________ bear bad fruit, nor can a
> bad tree bear good fruit... Therefore by their fruits you will ________ them.
> 
> 
> 2) Memorize Matthew 7:15-20.
> 
> 3) What two signs does the Bible give for identifying true prophets?
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 4) How did Bahá'u'lláh manifest those two signs?
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> 
> The Fruitage of Love and Religious Unity
> 
> St. Paul wrote that "the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace..."
> (Galatians 5:22) and Jesus Christ taught the power of universal love, a love
> that goes beyond those who think or look like ourselves. It extends to every
> human being, since all are made in the image of God. Even our enemies are to be
> treated with love and kindness.
> 
> If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners
> love those who love them... But love your enemies. Do good... and your reward
> will be great and you will be sons of the Most High." (Luke 6:32,
> 35)
> 
> Obedience to Christ means to do good to all. If everyone on earth would live up
> to that high moral standard, love and peace would cover our planet. There would
> be no more prejudice, injustice or war. This is precisely what the Bible
> foretells for the future, a transformed world where everybody will get
> along.
> 
> The wolf shall dwell with the lamb... 
> They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, 
> For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover
> the sea. (Isaiah 11:6, 9)
> 
> Nevertheless, the modern world still contains much hatred and division.
> People are divided by race, religion and nationality. Racial and national
> differences continue to provoke tensions all around the globe. But the most
> intense troubles seem to center around religion, which should rather be a force
> for peace. The various religious sects and denominations continue to fight
> verbal and bloody wars over theological differences. Each one claims to be the
> true path to God. Yet, Protestants fight Catholics, Muslims fights Jews, Hindus
> fights Muslims. Even Protestant denominations often bitterly disagree and
> question one another's loyalty to God. Religious disputes do not honor God but
> rather cause people to doubt the value of religion. Distrust, estrangement and
> death are the bitter fruitage of disobedience to the divine law of love. 
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh brought a message of love applies the teachings of
> Christ to the situation in the world today. Bahá'u'lláh called
> upon the religious leaders of the world to give up their claims to supremacy
> and to work together for the common good. The power of the Sacred Word to heal
> and bring about real change in the lives of people is one of the surest signs
> that a message is truly of God. Just as Christ broke with the tradition of His
> day by associating with Samaritans and Gentiles, Bahá'u'lláh
> taught that we should set past animosities behind us and freely associate with
> peoples of all religions in a spirit of friendship, 
> 
> The doors of love and unity have been unlocked and flung open to the face of
> men. We have erewhile declared --and Our Word is the truth--: "Consort with the
> followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship."
> Whatsoever hath led the children of men to shun one another, and hath caused
> dissentions and divisions amongst them, hath, through the revelation of these
> words, been nullified and abolished... "It is not his to boast who loveth his
> country, but it is his who loveth the world." (Gleanings from the Writings
> of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 95)
> 
> What have been the practical results of these inspirational teachings? Peoples
> of all backgrounds have set aside their rivalries and established a worldwide
> brotherhood under the banner of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> Reflect also that in the short time since Bahá'u'lláh has
> appeared, people from all countries, nations and races have entered under the
> shadow of this Cause. Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Hindus and
> Persians all associate together with the greatest friendship and love, as if
> indeed these people had been related and connected together, they and theirs,
> for a thousand years; for they are like father and child, mother and daughter,
> sister and brother. This is one of the meanings of the companionship of the
> wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, and the lion and the calf.
> (Some Answered Questions, p. 64-65)
> 
> The fruitage of peace is a great testimony to the spiritual potency of
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> 
> Questions for Discussion
> 
> 1) What did Bahá'u'lláh teach about inter-religious
> fellowship?
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 2) How did Christ and Bahá'u'lláh break with the religious
> traditions of their day?
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 3) What was the fruitage of Bahá'u'lláh's teaching in terms of
> furthering the cause of love and peace?
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> The Veil of Imitation
> Blocks the Light of the Son of God 
> (Paraphrase from The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 198-200)
> 
> If Christians of all denominations would investigate reality, the foundations
> of Christ will unite them. No enmity or hatred will remain, for they will all
> be under the one guidance of reality itself. Likewise, in the wider field if
> all the existing religious systems will turn away from ancestral imitations and
> investigate reality, seeking the real meanings of the Holy Books, they will
> unite and agree upon the same foundation, reality itself. As long as they
> follow counterfeit doctrines or imitations instead of reality, animosity and
> discord will exist and increase. 
> 
> Let me illustrate this. Moses and the prophets of Israel announced the advent
> of the Messiah but expressed it in spiritual language, in symbols. When Christ
> appeared, the Jews rejected Him, although they were expecting His manifestation
> and in their Temple and synagogues were crying and lamenting, saying, "O God,
> hasten the coming of the Messiah!" Why did they deny Him when He announced
> Himself? Because they had followed ancestral forms and interpretations and were
> blind to the reality of Christ. They had not perceived the inner significances
> of the Holy Bible. 
> 
> They voiced their objections, saying, "We are expecting Christ, but His coming
> is conditioned upon certain fulfillments and prophetic announcements. Among the
> signs of His appearance is one that He shall come from an unknown place,
> whereas now this claimant of Messiahship has come from Nazareth. We know his
> home, and we are acquainted with his mother. 
>  
> "Second, one of the signs or Messianic conditions is that His scepter would be
> an iron rod, and this Christ has not even a wooden staff. 
>  
> "Third, He was to be seated upon the throne of David, whereas this Messianic
> king is in the utmost state of poverty and has not even a mat.... 
>  
> And so they spoke infamous words regarding Him. Now inasmuch as the Jews were
> submerged in the sea of ancestral imitations, they could not comprehend the
> meaning of these prophecies. All the words of the prophets were fulfilled, but
> because the Jews held tenaciously to hereditary interpretations, they did not
> understand the inner meanings of the Holy Bible; therefore, they denied Jesus
> Christ, the Messiah. The purpose of the prophetic words was not the outward or
> literal meaning, but the inner symbolical significance. For example, it was
> announced that the Messiah was to come from an unknown place. This did not
> refer to the birthplace of the physical body of Jesus. It has reference to the
> reality of the Christ--that is to say, the Christ reality was to appear from
> the invisible realm--for the divine reality of Christ is holy and sanctified
> above place. (John 3:13)
>  
> His sword was to be a sword of iron. This signified His tongue which should
> separate the true from the false (Hebrews 4:12) and by which great sword of
> attack He would conquer the kingdoms of hearts (Luke 17:21). He did not conquer
> by the physical power of an iron rod; He conquered the East and the West by the
> sword of His utterance. (Revelation 19:15)
>  
> He was seated upon the throne of David, but His sovereignty was neither a
> Napoleonic sovereignty nor the vanishing dominion of a Pharaoh. The Christ
> Kingdom was everlasting, eternal in the heaven of the divine Will. (Acts
> 2:34-36)
>  
> The purport is that all the meanings of the prophecies were fulfilled, but
> because the Jews were captives of ancestral imitations and did not perceive the
> reality of the meanings of these words, they denied Christ; nay, they even went
> so far as to crucify Him. Consider how harmful is imitation. These were
> interpretations handed down from fathers and ancestors, and because the Jews
> held fast to them, they were deprived. 
>  
> It is evident, then, that we must forsake all such imitations and beliefs so
> that we may not commit this error. We must investigate reality, lay aside
> selfish notions and banish hearsay from our minds...
> 
> The truth is that Christ fulfilled the Mosaic law and in every way upheld
> Moses; but the Jews, blinded by imitations and prejudices, considered Him the
> enemy of Moses.
> 
> Questions for Discussion
> 
> 1) What is a spiritual veil?
> _______________________________________________________________
> 
> 2) What blessing does one who is veiled lose?
> _____________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 3) How is the Christian today who is hearing about Bahá'u'lláh
> for the first time like a Jew in the first century who heard about Christ?
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 4) Write a dialogue between a first-century Jew and Christian to illustrate the
> obstacles blocking the recognition of a new prophet?
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> Teaching About the Return of the Spirit of Christ
> 
> The Bahá'í teachings about the return of Christ
> should be introduced to seekers with special care. To some, the entire subject
> is "flaky" and associated with fanatical predictions of the end of the world.
> To others, who interpret the Bible literally, Christ is to descend from Heaven
> on a Cloud, so that "every eye will see Him." Such preconceived notions about
> the way God will fulfill His promises can serve as a thick veil blocking the
> illuminating light of the New Revelation. 
> 
> `Abdu'l-Bahá's "cautious and gradual" approach to teaching the Faith is
> especially appropriate when discussing the subject of return of Christ. How can
> adequate groundwork be laid? It is often effective to refer to
> Bahá'u'lláh as the return of the spirit of Christ, since
> it was not the soul of Christ but His prophetic role that returned. The only
> other example of the "return" found in the Bible, that is the return of the
> spirit of Elijah.
> 
> The Return of Elijah 
> The Old Testament book Malachi refers to the return of prophet
> Elijah. Elijah had lived several hundred years previously. At the end of his
> prophetic mission, he was seen ascending to heaven in a chariot of fire (2
> Kings 2:9-11), much as the disciples saw Jesus ascending in the clouds. Malachi
> wrote that Elijah was to return before the day of the LORD.
> 
> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet 
> Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
> And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
> And the hearts of the children to their fathers. (Malachi 4:5,6)
> 
> The New Testament reports the fulfillment of this prophecy. However the
> fulfillment was much different from what the people had expected. When Jesus
> was asked when Elijah would come, he answered that Elijah had already come but
> the people had not been aware.
> 
> I say to you that Elijah has come already and they did not know him but did
> to him whatever they wished... And the disciples understood that they spoke to
> them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:12-13)
> 
> How strange Jesus' answer must have seemed to his disciples. The people had
> expected the same Elijah to return as had ascended to heaven. They expected
> that Elijah as a mature man would descend from the sky. Instead a different
> person was born into the world. How can this be understood? 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> explains:
> 
> The explanation is this: not the personality, but the reality of the
> perfections, is meant--that is to say, the same perfections that were in Elias
> existed in John the Baptist and were exactly realized in him. Therefore, John
> the Baptist was the promised Elias...
> 
> When spring comes, we say... spring has come back because all that was found
> in last year's spring exists in this spring. That is why Christ said, "You will
> see all that happened in the days of the former Prophets." (Some Answered
> Questions, p. 133)
> 
> John the Baptist returned in the spirit of Elijah. He was Elijah-like in a
> number of important ways. He arose in the wilderness of Judah to preach an
> unpopular message. During both Elijah's and John the Baptist's time Israel's
> leaders had turned away from God. Both John and Elijah issued a call for
> repentance and healing. Thus God's promise for the return of Elijah was
> fulfilled according to God's will, by another individual with a mission and
> message similar to Elijah. This fulfillment was completely different from what
> one might anticipate from reading the original prophecy. (Compare Isaiah
> 55:9.)
> 
> Now the question confronts us... What about Jesus' promised return? Could his
> return follow the scriptural pattern of Elijah? Could it be that another
> individual, born of women, would come and symbolically fulfill all the
> prophecies of the second coming of Christ? Could it be that like the return of
> Elijah, people would be unaware of his arrival? Christ had after all said that
> he would come as a thief in the night. Could it be that he has come and gone
> and that we slept through the whole thing?
> 
> 
> Exercise on Spiritual Return
> 
> 1. What Biblical example do we have of a prophet that returned centuries
> after his death?
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 2. Read 2 Kings 2:9-11. Describe how Elijah went away.
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 3. Read Malachi 4:5-6. What do these verse say about the return of the
> prophet?
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 4. Read Matthew 17:10-13. How was the prophecy of Malachi fulfilled.
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 5. In your own words, briefly describe the spiritual meaning of "return".
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Will Every Eye See the Thief in the Night?
> 
> Jesus told his disciples to stay awake and to watch for His return. He said He
> would come as a thief in the night. Those who were spiritually asleep would be
> unaware that the "thief" had come and gone.
> 
> But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the
> thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken
> into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man (Christ) is coming at an
> hour that you do not expect. (Luke 12:39-40)
> 
> In contrast to this description of a "quiet" second coming, Christians often
> speak of Christ's return as a public event accompanied by great fanfare.
> Certain verses, when first read, seem to support the idea of a "loud" second
> coming.
> 
> The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be
> shaken... Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son
> of Man (Christ) coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
> (Matthew 24:29-30)
> 
> Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him.
> (Revelation 1:7)
> 
> What, then, are we to expect? Will there be a "quiet" or a "loud" return of
> Christ? How can these two representations be reconciled? Consider: would a
> thief to sneak into a home and then turn on the lights and announce his
> presence? Hardly! If the householder were asleep, he would come in, do the
> "job" and go out quietly. 
> 
> When Jesus spoke of earth-shaking events, he was speaking in symbolic language
> that must be understood spiritually. Note how 'Abdu'l-Bahá explains the
> deep meaning of Christ's symbols.
> 
> Among other things it is said that the stars will fall upon the earth. The
> stars are endless and innumerable, and modern mathematicians have established
> and proved scientifically that the globe of the sun is estimated to be about
> one million and a half times greater than the earth, and each of the fixed
> stars to be a thousand times larger than the sun. If these stars were to fall
> upon the surface of the earth, how could they find place there? It would be as
> though a thousand million of Himalaya mountains were to fall upon a grain of
> mustard seed. (Some Answered Questions, p. 111-112)
> 
> What is the meaning of the "stars" falling from Heaven? The stars represent
> religious leaders who should be guiding lights for the people. (Compare Daniel
> 12:3) The loss of proper guidance in this secular age is fittingly pictured by
> stars falling out of the sky. 
> 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá sheds further light on true meaning of the prophecies by
> pointing out that Christ's first coming was described with many of these same
> symbols.
> 
> At His first coming Christ also came from heaven, as it is explicitly stated
> in the Gospel. Christ Himself says: "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but
> He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
> (John 3:13)
> 
> It is clear to all that Christ came from heaven, although apparently He came
> from the womb of Mary. At the first coming He came from heaven, though
> apparently from the womb; in the same way, also, at His second coming He will
> come from heaven, though apparently from the womb. The conditions that are
> indicated in the Gospel for the second coming of Christ are the same as those
> that were mentioned for the first coming. (Some Answered Questions, p.
> 110-111)
> 
> Heaven is a spiritual place, not a location in outer space. No one can
> travel from earth to heaven by flying up into the sky. "Flesh and blood cannot
> inherit the Kingdom." (1 Corinthians 15:50) Word-pictures that portray humans
> ascending into the sky, or descending on clouds are spiritual expressions for
> transcending the barriers of the flesh and entering the divine presence. The
> spiritual heaven, the throne of God, is not literally up or down. Christ on his
> first coming did not physically descend from the sky. Neither does he
> physically descend on his second coming. Christ's "coming down from Heaven" is
> meant to indicate that the reality of Christ comes, not from earth, but from
> God.
> 
> The description of Christ's first coming matches the second coming in another
> way. The prophecies say that "every eye" would see Christ's return. With
> reference to the first coming it was also written that "all flesh" would "see
> the salvation of God". (Isaiah 40:3-5) St. Luke reports that fulfillment at
> Luke 3:3-6 and St. Paul confirmed that this universal "seeing" had already
> taken place when he wrote that "salvation has appeared to all men'." (Titus
> 2:11) 
> 
> These verses could not mean that every single individual on the surface of the
> planet recognized Christ for who He truly was. That simply was not the case.
> There were thousands who saw Him, but did not believe Him when He claimed to be
> Messiah. Instead, the real meaning is that Jesus had a public ministry. His
> work was not secretive. He was known to all kinds of men, both believers and
> opposers. (Compare the usage of "all" in Ezekiel 20:48; Joel 2:28; John 12:32;
> Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 2:17.) His appearance would bring joy to the believers
> but "mourning" to those who opposed His divine message.
> 
> Finally, what is the meaning of "coming on clouds"?
> Bahá'u'lláh explained that clouds represent all obstructions that
> block the people from recognizing their returned Lord.
>  
> And now regarding His words, that the Son of man shall "come in the clouds
> of heaven." By the term "clouds" is meant those things that are contrary to the
> ways and desires of men...They mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in
> the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking,
> poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other
> things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such
> veils are symbolically referred to as "clouds."
> (Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 71-72)
> 
> Exercise on Symbols of Christ's Return
> 
> Write out the answers to the following questions. Then pair off and use
> role-playing to create a discussion between a Bahá'í and a
> Christian. Either read the questions and answers from your papers or ad-lib.
> 
> Q: Doesn't the Bible say that Christ will return by descending from Heaven? But
> Bahá'u'lláh was born from the womb of His mother. How can you
> explain that?
> 
> A:
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Q: What about the fact that "every eye" will see Him? How can you explain
> that?
> 
> A:
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> Q: How do you understand the scripture that says, "The stars will fall"?
> 
> A:
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> Q: How do you understand the scripture that says, "He will come on clouds"?
> 
> A:
> _________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
>  Time Prophecies of Christ and Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> One of the most intriguing evidences of Bahá'u'lláh's divine
> mission are the time prophecies in the book of Daniel. These time counts
> pinpoint the year for the coming of Christ as well as the coming of
> Bahá'u'lláh.
>  
> In the sixth century BC, the Jerusalem Temple lay in ruins. The ninth chapter
> of Daniel appoints seventy prophetic weeks from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to
> the martyrdom of Christ. Prophetic time is calculated in terms of "a day for a
> year" (Ezekiel 4:6), so that seventy weeks work out to 490 (7 x 70) years. The
> time count would start with the re-establishment of regular sacrifices at the
> sacred altar in 457 BC, when the Persian King Artaxerxes decreed that the
> priests and Levites should take the captured utensils and animals for sacrifice
> to the house of God and diligently do "whatever is commanded by the God of
> Heaven," as recorded in the seventh chapter of Ezra. The 490 years would run
> until the martyrdom of Christ in 33 AD when the sacrifice was accomplished and
> the altar's purpose fulfilled (457 years + 33 years = 490 years).
>  
> The third edict of Artaxerxes was issued four hundred and fifty-seven years
> before the birth of Christ, and Christ when He was martyred and ascended was
> thirty-three years of age. When you add thirty-three to four hundred and
> fifty-seven, the result is four hundred and ninety, which is the time announced
> by Daniel for the manifestation of Christ. (Some Answered Questions, p.
> 40-41)
>  
> After speaking about the death of Messiah, Daniel goes on to predict the final
> destruction of Jerusalem, "the city and the sanctuary" (Daniel 9: 26-27). In 66
> AD the inhabitants of Jerusalem rebelled against the Romans. Four years later
> the Roman armies recaptured Jerusalem and destroyed its Temple. 
> 
> Now that the appearance of Christ has been proved by the prophecies of Daniel,
> let us prove the appearance of Bahá'u'lláh and of His forerunner,
> the Báb. 
> 
> It is noteworthy that the death of Messiah and the destruction of the Temple
> are so closely linked. For Jesus compared His own body to the Temple of God.
> 
> 
> Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I
> will raise it up." 
> 
> Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple and
> will you raise it up in three days?"
> 
> But He was speaking of the temple of His body. (John 2:19-21)
> 
> 
> Here we can see that Jesus was referring to the temple as a symbol of God's
> presence where people gather to worship. Jesus as God manifest in the flesh
> likewise represented the presence of God. Thus the return of Christ is
> inseparably connected with the restoration of a spiritual Temple.
> 
> In the eighth chapter of the Book of Daniel, we find another time count that
> identifies the year of Christ's return which is symbolically depicted as the
> day that the temple is restored. In a vision, Daniel overheard a conversation
> between to holy ones or angels. The question was asked, `When will be temple be
> returned to its proper condition?' meaning when would the LORD return and
> re-establish pure worship.
> 
> Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that certain
> holy one who was speaking, `How long will the vision be, concerning the daily
> sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the
> sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?'" Then he said to me,: "For
> two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."
> (Daniel 8:13-14)
> 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá explained that the 2,300 days ended at the dawn of the
> Bahá'í era when the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh's
> forerunner appeared. 
> 
> Briefly, the purport of this passage is that he appoints two thousand three
> hundred years, for in the text of the Bible each day is a year. Then from the
> date of the issuing of the edict of Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem until the
> day of the birth of Christ there are 456 years, and from the birth of Christ
> until the day of the manifestation of the Báb there are 1844 years. When
> you add 456 years to this number it makes 2300 years. That is to say, the
> fulfillment of the vision of Daniel took place in the year A.D. 1844, and this
> is the year of the Báb's manifestation according to the actual text of
> the Book of Daniel. Consider how clearly he determines the year of
> manifestation; there could be no clearer prophecy for a manifestation than
> this. (Some Answered Questions, p. 42)
> 
> A full understanding of this topic requires much study as it corresponds to may
> other Biblical prophecies. For example, Malachi 3:1 depicts the LORD coming to
> His Temple to cleanse it as follows:
> 
> Behold, I will send my messenger. And He will prepare the way before
> Me.
> And the LORD, whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple,
> Even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight.
> `Behold, He is coming,' says the LORD of hosts...
> He will purify the sons of Levi (the tribe of temple servants)
> And purge them as gold and silver,
> That they may offer to the LORD 
> An offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:1,3)
> 
> In the years before 1844, these time calculations had been made. Many Christian
> groups in Europe, such as the German Templars, and in America, such as the
> Millerites, where expecting Christ to return in that year. Likewise, Shiite
> Muslim tradition had a time count that fixed 1844 as the date of the return of
> the Imam. Other religious traditions had similar expectations about the arrival
> of a spiritual liberator.
> 
> When the LORD returns, the Bible describes Him wearing many crowns. (Revelation
> 19:11-13) He comes to unify the peoples of the world just as the world was on
> the verge of becoming a global village through rapid transportation and
> communication. God's new messenger was bringing food in due season.
> 
> The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Moslem
> the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Sháh Bahran,
> the Hindoos the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists - a better social
> organization! Bahá'u'lláh represents all these, and thus destroys
> the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in
> their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites.
> (Introduction to Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá)
> 
> Review Questions
> 1. Which chapter in Daniel contains the prophecy about the
> first coming of Christ? ______
> 2. How long is the "70 weeks"? _______________
> 3. In what year did the 70 weeks begin? ____________ 
> 4. In what year did they end? ___________
> 5. Which chapter and verse in Daniel contains the prophecy about the coming of
> the Báb? _______________
> 6. How long are the 2,300 days? _____________
> 7. In what year did the 2,300 days begin? _______________
> 8. In what year did they end? _______________
> Bahá'í Resources on the Topic of Prophecy
> 
> The topic of prophecy is enormous and inexhaustible. In this course, we have
> only scratched the surface. As you have the opportunity to dialogue with
> Christians, many questions will come up which may be difficult to answer. This
> will prove to be a real blessing as it will give you the opportunity to do
> further study. 
> 
> In general, you will find that among Bahá'u'lláh's Writings,
> Kitáb-i-Íqán contains the most information on
> Biblical prophecy. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's talks in Some Answered
> Questions and Promulgations of Universal Peace are also a wonderful
> source especially since they were given to American audiences of predominately
> Christian background. Shoghi Effendi's The Promised Day Has Come is
> likewise valuable.
> 
> Of course, it is best if we can find answers to our questions in the Sacred
> Writings themselves but it can also be helpful to read Bahá'í
> secondary books. It should be kept in mind, however, that these authors often
> express their own private interpretations which are not authoritative. Helpful
> secondary works include Christ and Bahá'u'lláh by George
> Townshend, Understanding Biblical Prophecy and Prophecies of
> Jesus by Michael Sours, Thief in the Night by William Sears and
> He Cometh with Clouds by Gary Matthews.
> 
> Below find some topics and references that should prove useful for further
> study and Bahá'í / Christian Dialogues.
> 
> 1. Prophecies about the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, the Glory of
> God.
> 
> In God Passes By (184), Shoghi Effendi identifies several Biblical
> prophecies that speak of the advent of Bahá'u'lláh. (E.g. Isaiah
> 35:1-2; Ezekiel 43:4; Psalms 24:9-10)
> 
> In Thief in the Night, William Sears explores dozens of Biblical
> references to the Glory of God such as Ezekiel 43:4, Isaiah 35:1-2, etc.
> 
> 
> 2. Prophecies about the coming of Christ parallel prophecies about
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> In Promulgations of Universal Peace 198-200, 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> explains the veils that hindered the Jews from accepting Christ. These were
> expectations that the prophecies would have a material rather than a spiritual
> fulfillment, such as the Messiah being a political king rather than a spiritual
> king. 
> 
> 3. Time prophecies pointing to the date that Christ, the Báb and
> Bahá'u'lláh would appear.
> 
> In Some Answered Questions 36-44, 'Abdu'l-Bahá explains the time
> prophecies from Daniel. He shows that the seventy weeks of years (Daniel 9) the
> pointed to Messiah's coming in 30AD, the 2,300 years (Daniel 8) that pointed to
> the Báb's arrival in 1844 AD, and the 1,290 years (Daniel 12) points to
> Bahá'u'lláh's advent in 1863 AD .
> 
> In Thief in the Night (16-31) William Sears discusses various prophecies
> that point to the spiritual significance of the date 1844.
>  
> 4. The prophecy in Revelation 1:7 that Christ upon His return will descend
> in the clouds and every eye will see Him.
> 
> In Some Answered Questions 103, Abdu'l-Bahá explains the
> meaning of descending from Heaven.
> 
> In Kitáb-i-Íqán 71,
> Bahá'u'lláh explains that clouds represent veils.
> 
> In Understanding Bible Prophecy 119-122, Bahá'í author
> Michael Sours comments on the meaning of "every eye."
> 
> 5. The prophecy in Matthew 24 concerning Christ's return and the end of the
> age.
> 
> In Kitáb-i-Íqán 24-42,
> Bahá'u'lláh dedicates many page to explain a single verse (verse
> 29) where it is written that the sun would grow dark and the stars would fall
> from heaven. 
> 
> The entire book Prophecies of Jesus by Michael Sours is a verse-by-verse
> discussion of Matthew 24 which contains Christ's description of the sign of His
> return. Of particular note, is the discussion of verse 14, "The Gospel will be
> preached in all the inhabited earth and then the end (of the age) will come."
> On pages 55-60, Sours shows how the Christian Gospel had penetrated the heart
> of Africa, Asia and the other remote corners of the earth by the time of
> Bahá'u'lláh's declaration.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [+CHAPTER2]
> 
> 
> Facilitating Spiritual Joy
> 
> Part II
> 
> Defining the Purpose and Path of Dialogue
> 
> Note how one Bahá'í writer explains the process of dialogue:
> 
> Dialogue generally involves a collective process or a conversation, a two-way
> communication or a reciprocal process in which two or more parties holding
> significantly different beliefs endeavor to express to dialogue partners what
> they mean and to learn from each other in the process. But dialogue is more
> that just an exchange of views and has come to mean a personal process of
> refining the beliefs and values of one's own faith vis-à-vis the
> insights that one has gleaned from others.
> 
> Three goals of dialogue are (1) to know oneself more profoundly, just as one
> learns more about one's native land as a result of living abroad; (2) to know
> the other more authentically; and (3) to live ever more fully, a process
> described as "mutual transformation." Furthermore, a sharp distinction should
> be made between dialogue and "evangelistic witness." While the later aims at
> conversion, the former does not. The goal is rather mutual understanding,
> appreciation and transformation. (Adapted from Seena Fazel, "Interreligious
> Dialogue and the Bahá'í Faith: Some Preliminary Observations,
> Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on Bahá'í theology.
> Studies in Bábi and Bahá'í Religions vol. 8 (Los Angeles:
> Kalimat Press, 1997).
> 
> Dialogue by its nature is much less confrontational than "evangelistic
> witness." Since it respects the views of all participants, the atmosphere is
> congenial and no ones' views are undermined or attacked. Each individual is
> responsible for what they learn from other participants and for the shaping of
> their own faith. 
> 
> Topic for discussion:
> 1. What is dialogue?
> 2. What are the benefits of dialogue?
> 3. What are the differences between dialogue and "evangelistic witness"?
> 4. Is engaging in dialogue easier or harder than "witnessing"?
> 
> Following the Example of the Master
> 
> "Let us too bear in mind the example which our beloved Master has
> clearly set before us. Wise and tactful in His approach, wakeful and attentive
> in His early intercourse, broad and liberal in all His public utterances,
> cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential verities of the Cause,
> passionate in His appeal yet sober in argument, confident in tone, unswerving
> in conviction, dignified in His manners--such were the distinguishing features
> of our Beloved's noble presentation of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh."
> (Shoghi Effendi in Unfolding Destiny, p. 35)
> 
> Put the following phrases, which Shoghi Effendi used to describe
> Abdu'l-Bahá's method of teaching, into your own words and explain the
> importance of each.
> 
> "wakeful and attentive" ________________________________________________
> 
> _______________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> "broad and liberal" ____________________________________________________
> 
> _______________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> "cautious and gradual" ________________________________________________
> 
> _______________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> "passionate" ___________________________________________________________
> 
> ________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> "noble presentation" ___________________________________________________
> 
> ________________________________________________________________________
> 
> Brief History of Christianity
> 
> Christianity is a faith centered on the person and teachings of
> Jesus Christ. To Christians, Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised One of God
> whose coming was foretold in the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. Jesus walked
> the land of Israel and taught publicly. After his death, his twelve disciples
> carried on the work. The Apostle Paul was instrumental in bringing the message
> of Christ to Asia Minor and Europe. Thereafter, Christianity quickly spread
> through the Mediterranean world. In the 4th century, it became the official
> religion of the Roman Empire. 
> 
> Christians have a long history of dividing into rival groups. Numerous sects
> sprang up during the second and third centuries, notably the Gnostics, the
> Arians and the Athenasians. In the fourth century efforts were made to
> establish unity by the Roman emperor Constantine. This resulted in the
> formation of the Catholic (from the Greek word Katholikos, meaning
> "universal.") Church. Bishops debated differences of belief at Church Councils,
> such as the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, and produced statements of belief,
> called creeds, that sought to settle doctrinal disputes and to unite the
> various factions. 
> 
> During the 11th century, when all of Europe became Christianized, this main
> church divided into a Latin (Western European) and a Greek (Byzantine or
> Orthodox) branch over disputes about the role of the Roman Pope and church
> governance. 
> 
> The Western church was in turn divided during the Reformation of the 16th
> century into the Roman Catholic church and a large number of smaller Protestant
> churches: Lutheran, Anglican, Calvinist, etc. These divisions centered around
> differences of opinion about the authority of the Pope, the Catholic Church's
> policy of granting dispensation for sins in exchange for monetary
> contributions, the role of faith versus works in salvation and the role of the
> Bible. Since that time sectarian divisions have continued and multiplied. There
> are now approximately 2,000 distinct Christian denominations worldwide.
> 
> Main Christian Denominations
> Adapted From Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia
> 
> Roman Catholic Church, (1 billion members) the largest of the Christian
> churches, although present in all parts of the world, is identified as Roman
> because of its historical roots in Rome and because of the importance it
> attaches to the worldwide ministry of the bishop of Rome, the pope. 
> 
> Orthodox churches (between 100 and 200 million members) are a fellowship
> of administratively independent regional or national churches, united in faith,
> sacraments, and canonical discipline, each enjoying the right to elect its own
> head and its bishops. Traditionally, the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople
> (Istanbul) is recognized as the "first among equal" Orthodox bishops. Other
> orthodox church leaders include the patriarch of Russia; the archbishop of
> Cyprus; the archbishop of Greece and the archbishop of North America. The
> Orthodox Churches split with the Roman Catholic Church in 1054 AD over dispute
> about Church leadership.
> 
> The Church of England or Anglican Communion or Episcopal
> Church (27 million members) in its modern form, dates from the English
> Reformation of the 16th century, when royal supremacy was established and the
> authority of the pope repudiated. With the advent of British colonization, the
> Church of England established churches on every continent and achieved
> international importance. 
> 
> Protestantism is a movement in Western Christianity whose adherents
> reject the notion that divine authority is channeled through one particular
> human institution or person such as the Roman Catholic pope. Protestants look
> elsewhere for the authority of their faith. Most of them stress the Bible--the
> Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament--as the source and the norm of their
> teaching. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians also stress the
> authority of the Bible, but they also look to tradition, and, in the case of
> Catholics, to the pope as a source of authority. 
> 
> Lutheran Church (70 million members) is the branch of
> Protestantism that generally follows the teachings of the 16th-century reformer
> Martin Luther. Luther is famous for posting his 95 theses (points of
> disagreement with the Catholics) on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg
> on Oct. 31, 1517. His theses dealt principally with the corruption in the Roman
> Catholic church and his message of salvation by faith alone. The Lutheran
> movement diffused after 1517 from Saxony through many other German territories
> into Scandinavia. In the 18th century it spread to America and, thereafter,
> into many nations of the world.
> 
> Fundamentalism is a term popularly used to describe strict adherence to
> Christian doctrines based on a literal interpretation of the Bible. This usage
> derives from a late-19th- and early-20th-century transdenominational Protestant
> movement that opposed the accommodation of Christian doctrine to modern
> scientific theory and philosophy. Many Baptists, most Pentecostals and many
> smaller denominations are fundamentalists. With some differences among
> themselves, fundamentalists insist on belief in the inerrancy of the Bible, the
> virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ, the vicarious and atoning character
> of his death, his bodily resurrection, and his second coming as the irreducible
> minimum of authentic Christianity. This minimum was reflected in such early
> declarations as the 14-point creed of the Niagara Bible Conference of 1878.
> 
> Baptist Churches (35 million members) form one of the largest Protestant
> denominations. The following distinguish the Baptists from other Protestant
> communions: (1) their insistence on baptism of adult believers only; (2) their
> concern for freedom of speech and conscience and for freedom from interference
> by any civil or ecclesiastical authority; (3) the primacy they seek to give to
> Scripture in matters of faith, doctrine, and morals; and (4) the authority they
> give to the congregation in church affairs. 
> 
> Pentecostal Churches, (over 25 million) a worldwide Protestant movement
> that originated in the 19th-century United States, takes its name from the
> Christian feast of Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit
> upon the disciples. Pentecostalism emphasizes a postconversion experience of
> spiritual purification and empowering for Christian witness, entry into which
> is signaled by utterance in unknown tongues.
> 
> Mormons (7.7 million members) is the common name given to members of the
> Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) .Two-thirds of the church's
> membership is in the United States, especially in Utah, where its chief
> administrative body is located. Members are also found in many other countries,
> particularly in Latin America. The LDS Church as found by Joseph Smith in
> Fayette, N.Y., in 1830. Earlier he reported having visions of God and other
> heavenly beings in which he was told that he would be the instrument to
> establish the restored Christian church. The Book of Mormon, which is
> considered an addition to the Bible, tells the history of God's people and the
> ancient appearance of Christ in America. 
> 
> Jehovah's Witnesses (5 million members) are a society of Christians who
> preach door to door and actively promote home study of the Bible. They expect
> an early end to the present world system in a "great tribulation" from God that
> will soon rid the earth of suffering and restore the earth to its original
> Garden of Eden-like condition. Because they claim citizenship in the Kingdom of
> God, they refuse to salute any flag, serve in any army or vote. The modern
> movement was organized in Pennsylvania during the 1870s by Charles Taze
> Russell. They deny the Trinity and the existence of a literal hellfire.
> 
> 1. Describe and discuss the beliefs of the main religious groups in your local
> area.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Biblical & Bahá'í Texts on Salvation
> 
> Personal salvation is a central concern for many Christians and will
> undoubtedly be a theme that will come up repeatedly in dialogues with
> Christians. It makes sense therefore for Bahá'ís to have a clear
> understanding of just what the Bible, especially the New Testament, says about
> the requirements for salvation and also what various Church creeds have added
> to those requirements. This section sets out the Biblical position. Subsequent
> sections will explore the creeds.
> 
> Bahá'í beliefs are fully in harmony with Bible teachings.
> Therefore Bahá'ís can whole-wholeheartedly affirm and agree with
> much of what Christians say. However, often it necessary to give further
> explanation of Bahá'í beliefs so that a Christian seeker does not
> walk away with a wrong impression. A wonderful way to dialogue with Christians
> may be called "Affirm and Explain." First, affirm Bahá'í
> agreement with the text of the Bible and then explain the way it is understood
> in the light of Bahá'u'lláh's revelation. 
> 
> 
> Affirm that Christ Brings Spiritual Life
> Bible quote:
> For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever
> believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
> 
> Bahá'í quotes:
> Christ is the cause of the spiritual life of man, and with regard to the
> spirit, His was the spiritual fatherhood... Adam is the cause of man's physical
> life; but the Reality of Christ--that is to say, the Word of God--is the cause
> of spiritual life. (Some Answered Questions, p. 119)
> 
> Christ, Who is the Word of God, sacrificed Himself... Christ's intention was
> to represent and promote a Cause which was to educate the human world...a Cause
> which was antagonistic to all the people of the world and all the nations and
> kingdoms-- meant that He would be killed and crucified, so Christ in
> proclaiming His mission sacrificed His life. He regarded the cross as a throne,
> the wound as a balm, the poison as honey and sugar... He perished in body so as
> to quicken others by the spirit. (Some Answered Questions, p. 120-121)
> 
> 1. What does John 3:16 say is necessary for salvation? 
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 2. Identify the phrases from the Bahá'ís quote that show
> agreement with John 3:16.
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Affirm that Salvation is Impossible Without Jesus
> Bible quotes:
> Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
> the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
> 
> Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
> given among men by which we must get saved. (Peter's words in Acts 4:12)
> 
> Bahá'í quote:
> The supreme love and unity is witnessed in the divine Manifestations. Among
> Them unity is indissoluble, changeless, eternal and everlasting. Each One is
> expressive and representative of all. If we deny One of the Manifestations of
> God, we deny all. (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 208)
> 
> 1. What is salvation requirement is specified in these verses?
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 2. Can Bahá'ís agree with Christians that salvation is impossible
> without faith in Christ? How so?
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Explain that the Word of God is Older and More Widespread than
> Christianity
> 
> In the beginning was the Word... and the Word became flesh (Jesus) and dwelt
> among us. (John 1:1, 14)
> 
> The Bible clearly teaches that the Word of God is ancient, much older than the
> Christian religion. When the Prophet Micah wrote about Christ's birth in
> Bethlehem, he shows that Christ has been repeatedly "going forth" to mankind
> throughout history.
> 
> But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of
> Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel,
> whose goings forth are from of old. (Micah 5:2)
> 
> 
> 
> The Bible teaches and Bahá'ís believe that the Word of God has
> been active throughout human history, dealing with all the inhabitants of the
> earth.
> 
> That was the true Light, that gives light to every man coming into the
> world. (John 1:9)
> 
> For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
> (Titus 2:11)
> 
> Thus the Bible shows that God's message of salvation has not been limited to
> just one portion of the earth or to just the last 2,000 years. It is universal
> and has appeared to all peoples at all times. The Bahá'í writings
> concur.
> 
> He hath in every age and cycle, in conformity with His transcendent wisdom,
> sent forth a divine Messenger to revive the dispirited and despondent souls
> with the living waters of His utterance, One Who is indeed the Expounder, the
> true Interpreter, inasmuch as man is unable to comprehend that which hath
> streamed forth from the Pen of Glory and is recorded in His heavenly Books. Men
> at all times and under all conditions stand in need of one to exhort them,
> guide them and to instruct and teach them. Therefore He hath sent forth His
> Messengers, His Prophets and chosen ones that they might acquaint the people
> with the divine purpose underlying the revelation of Books and the raising up
> of Messengers, and that everyone may become aware of the trust of God which is
> latent in the reality of every soul. (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh,
> p. 161)
> 
> Worksheet for Teaching by Using Questions on Specific Texts
> 
> Fill out the following worksheet based on John 1:1 & 14; Titus 2:11 or
> Micah 5:2.
> 
> 1. Identify two or three teaching points you want to make about the verse: 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 2. Select key phrases from the verse which support your teaching points.
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________ 
> 
> 3. Memorize those key phrases.
> 
> 4. Create questions based on the text that lead the seeker to understand the
> points you want to make:
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 5. Write out the answers to your questions. 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 6. On the reverse side of this sheet, create a dialogue between a
> Bahá'í teacher and a seeker based on the above questions and
> answers. Allow students the opportunity to present their answers and their
> dialogue to the class.
> Focusing, Leading and Dialogue Questions
> 
> This exercise will examine three distinct types of questions based on
> their use in teaching. They may be called focusing, leading and dialogue
> questions.
> 
> Focusing questions direct the seeker's attention to a particular key word or
> phrase in a quote. For example, if you were discussing Titus 2:11 with a
> friend. First read the quote. "For the grace of God that brings salvation
> has appeared to all men." You might ask, "According to this verse who
> receives God's grace? This would be a focusing question because its purpose is
> to focus the seeker's attention on the phrase "all men".
> 
> Leading questions help the seeker reason on the quote and leads them to the
> teaching point that will help them see the Bahá'í perspective.
> For example, again concerning Titus 2:11, you might ask, "Is salvation limited
> to people from just one part of the world or is it restricted to those who
> lived after Christ?" This question is designed to lead your listener to the
> conclusion that that salvation has been available to mankind in all times and
> all places.
> 
> Focusing and leading questions are teaching tools that aid us to get our point
> across. In contrast to simply explaining Bahá'í views they help
> the seeker to see the logic behind what Bahá'u'lláh taught.
> 
> Questions for dialogue are genuine requests for information. They are listening
> tools in contrast to teaching tools. When we don't know what the seeker
> believes about a topic, we can ask them directly. Thus we might say, "The Bible
> says that the grace of God has appeared to all men. Yet many millions in China,
> Africa and America never heard about Jesus Christ during their life times. How
> do you believe that the grace of God appeared to them?" Then be prepared to
> listen and to ask follow up questions to get a clear understanding of their
> beliefs.
> 
> Exercise: Mark each of the following F for focusing question, L
> for leading question, D for dialogue question. Do not answer the
> questions, rather determine what type of questions they are. There is not
> always one correct answer. Some of these questions may be combined types with a
> dual purpose. (Answer the first three questions as a group and the remainder
> individually. Then discuss the answers.)
> 
> 1. What does salvation mean to you? _____
> 
> 2. According to Titus 2:11, what has appeared to all men? ____
> 
> 3. Could people who lived before Christ receive God's grace? ____
> 
> 4. What does the grace of God bring? ____
> 
> 5. How could people living in Tahiti 500 years before Christ gain salvation?
> ____
> 
> 6. Would it make sense for God to condemn people if they never had the
> opportunity to hear God's word or to learn about salvation? ____
> 
> 7. Bahá'ís believe that God has made a covenant with mankind to
> never leave them without divine instruction. So the Chinese, Indians and
> Islanders, all peoples in whatever age they lived, were all recipients of God's
> Word. What do you believe about that? _____
> 
> 8. According to Titus 2:11, who are denied the opportunity to hear the Word of
> Salvation? _____
> 
> 9. If you agree that God's Word appeared to all peoples in ancient times, how
> did that work? Did God send prophets to every nation and people? _____
> 
> 10. What do Baptists believe happens to all the people who lived before Christ?
> Are they all condemned to hell? _____
> 
> 11. Would it be just for God to bring a person into existence and give them
> life but fail to give them an opportunity to know and worship Him? _____
> 
> 
> 
> Opening Conversations with Dialogue 
> 
> One of the simplest and most effective ways to open conversations with people
> is by asking questions to find out what they believe. 
> 
> Bahá'í: Did you see that article in the paper today about
> the situation in Kosovo? 
> Friend: Yes, it is awful how inhuman people can be.
> Bahá'í: The sad thing is that much of the problem centers
> around differences of religion.
> Friend: That's true all around the world; Ireland, Israel, India.
> Bahá'í: (to her himself, whispered to the side: "I could
> start talking about the Unity of Religions now and how Abdu'l-Bahá
> taught that religions should unite rather than divide, but I think I'll find
> out more about my friend's beliefs first...)
> 
> Bahá'í (to friend): I know what you mean. Do you mind if I
> ask what religion you are?
> Friend: I'm Baptist. 
> Bahá'í: Baptists are pretty serious about the Bible,
> aren't they?
> Friend: Oh, yes, we have Bible studies are my Church several times a
> week.
> Bahá'í: I've been taking a class on the Bible, myself.
> We've been studying various denominations and what they believe. Do you mind if
> I ask you a question? 
> Friend: No, sure. Go ahead.
> Bahá'í: Why do you think there are so many different
> Churches and why can't they get along better? What about the Catholics and
> Protestants, etc?
> Friend: People just have different opinions and interpretations of the
> Bible, I guess.
> Bahá'í: Do you feel that belief correct doctrine is the
> basis for salvation? Can't people be saved even if they have different
> understandings of the Bible?
> Friend: Salvation is based on repentance and faith in the blood of
> Christ.
> Bahá'í: Yes, salvation is based on faith, not perfect
> knowledge. Even if people are mistaken about some of their beliefs, I believe
> that God will forgive them as long as they have faith.
> Friend: That's a very interesting thought. If everyone felt like that it
> would put an end to a lot of fighting and arguing.
> Bahá'í: Yes! People are divided up in too many different
> ways. By religion, race, nationality and so forth. Have you seen this booklet,
> Uniting the Human Family? 
> Friend: No!
> Bahá'í: I was reading this last night and found a quote I
> really like. (Turn to picture from page 8.) Notice how
> Bahá'u'lláh taught that peoples of all races and religions should
> set aside their differences and love one another. Would you like to look
> through this booklet?
> Friend: Sure!
> Bahá'í: Here. Let me know what you think. 
> 
> Christian Beliefs and Creeds
> 
> Creeds are a summary of essential Christian teachings. They were devised at
> various times in the history of the Church as tools against heresy. True
> believers were expected to affirm the truth of the creeds and thus to be
> identified as loyal Christians. Those who failed to affirm the creeds were
> considered heretics and apostates. Modern, individual Christians may vary as to
> their familiarity with these creeds and their personal understanding of them.
> Nevertheless the creeds represent the traditional statements of belief of the
> Catholic and many Protestant Churches.
> 
> Apostle's Creed
> 
>  The Apostle's Creed is the most popular creed in Western churches, both
> Protestant and Catholic, but it is relatively unknown in Eastern churches.
> Legend has it that the Apostles composed it; however, this is false. It was
> merely a creed that was used by the early Christians and passed down by word of
> mouth.
> 
> It initially appeared in the second century to refute the teachings of Marcion.
> Marcion held mystical beliefs about Christ and the nature of man that were
> viewed as contrary to the central teachings of the Church. Therefore, the
> Apostle's Creed was a re-statement of those central beliefs that Church leaders
> felt were vital. It was written down when there was no longer danger of it
> falling into the wrong hands. 
> 
> Now, it reads as follows: 
> 
> I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; 
> 
> And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy
> Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
> dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose from the dead;
> he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
> from whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
> 
> I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of
> saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
> everlasting. (Amen)
> 
> 1. List the teachings of the Apostle's Creed.
> a)
> b)
> c)
> d)
> e)
> f)
> g)
> 
> 
> Selections from the Athanasian Creed 
> 
> Definition of the Trinity:
> 
> Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the
> catholic faith; .Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled,
> without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. 
> 
> And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity
> in Unity; Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance. For
> there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy
> Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is
> all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such
> is the Son and such is the Holy Spirit. 
> 
> The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate. The Father
> incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit
> incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit
> eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there
> are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated and one
> incomprehensible. 
> 
> So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit
> almighty; And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the
> Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; And yet they are not
> three Gods, but one God.... 
> 
> So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in
> Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of
> the Trinity. 
> 
> 1. In your own words, describe what most Christian Churches teach about the
> Trinity.
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Bahá'í Concept of the Trinity
> Adapted From 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Explanation in Some Answered
> Questions
> 
> Question. -- What is the meaning of the Trinity, of the Three Persons
> in One? 
>  
> Answer. -- The Divine Reality is purified and sanctified from the understanding
> of human beings and can never be imagined by the people of wisdom and of
> intelligence. That Lordly Reality cannot be divided into parts; for division
> and multiplicity are properties of creatures which are contingent
> existences.
>  
> God is pure perfection, and creatures are but imperfections. For God to descend
> into the conditions of existence would be the greatest of imperfections; on the
> contrary, when the Word of God is made flesh, His appearance is like the
> reflection of the sun in a clear, pure, polished mirror. That reflection is the
> Manifestation of God in creation. All the creatures are evident signs of God,
> like the earthly beings upon all of which the rays of the sun shine. But upon
> the plains, the mountains, the trees and fruits, only a portion of the light
> shines, through which they become visible, and are reared, and attain to the
> object of their existence.
> 
> The Manifestation of God is the Perfect Man. He is in the condition of a clear
> mirror in which the Sun of Reality becomes visible and manifest with all its
> qualities and perfections. So the Reality of Christ was a clear and polished
> mirror of the greatest purity and fineness. The Sun of Reality, the Essence of
> Divinity, reflected itself in this mirror and manifested its light and heat in
> it; but from the exaltation of its holiness, and the heaven of its sanctity,
> the Sun did not descend to dwell and abide in the mirror. No, it continues to
> subsist in its exaltation and sublimity, while appearing and becoming manifest
> in the mirror in beauty and perfection. 
>  
> Now if we say that we have seen the Sun in two mirrors-- one the Christ and one
> the Holy Spirit--that is to say, that we have seen three Suns, one in heaven
> and the two others on the earth, we speak truly. And if we say that there is
> one Sun, and it is pure singleness, and has no partner and equal, we again
> speak truly. 
>  
> The Holy Spirit is the Bounty of God which becomes visible and evident in the
> Reality of Christ. The Sonship station is the heart of Christ, and the Holy
> Spirit is the station of the spirit of Christ. Hence it has become certain and
> proved that the Essence of Divinity is absolutely unique and has no equal, no
> likeness, no equivalent. 
> 
> This is the signification of the Three Persons of the Trinity. If it were
> otherwise, the foundations of the Religion of God would rest upon an illogical
> proposition which the mind could never conceive, and how can the mind be forced
> to believe a thing which it cannot conceive? A thing cannot be grasped by the
> intelligence except when it is clothed in an intelligible form; otherwise, it
> is but an effort of the imagination. 
>  
> It has now become clear, from this explanation, what is the meaning of the
> Three Persons of the Trinity. The Oneness of God is also proved. (Some Answered
> Questions, p. 113-115)
> Exercises
> Based on the above reading fill in the blanks and answer the
> following questions.
> 
> 1. So the Reality of _______________ was a clear and polished ____________ of
> the greatest purity. The ______ of Reality reflected itself in this mirror and
> manifested its __________ and heat in it; but from the exaltation of its
> holiness, and the ______________ of its sanctity, the Sun did not ____________
> to dwell and __________ in 
> the mirror. The Holy Spirit is the ______________ of God which becomes
> ______________ 
> and evident in the ______________ of ____________. 
> 
> Now if we say that we have seen the Sun in ______________________- one the 
> ____________ and one the Holy ____________ --that is to say, that we have seen
> three 
> Suns, ______ in heaven and the ______ others on the earth, we speak truly. And
> if we 
> say that there is one _______, and it is pure singleness, and has no partner
> and equal, 
> we again speak __________. 
> 
> 
> 2. What is the Sun of Reality?
> _____________________________________________________
> 
> 3. Where is the Sun?
> ______________________________________________________________
> 
> 4. How is God seen on earth?
> ______________________________________________________
> 
> 5. What two mirrors reflect the glory of the sun?
> ____________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 6. How many "suns" can we see?
> ___________________________________________________
> 
> 7. How many suns are there?
> ______________________________________________________
> 
> 8. Express Abdu'l-Bahá's explanation of the Trinity in your words.
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> Bible Verse Review
> Match the verses in the left-hand column to the phrases in the
> right-hand column.
> 
> 
> 
> 1. John 16:12-13
> 
> 
> 
> A. I am the way and the truth and the life
> 
> 2.
> Revelation 3:12
> 
> 
> 
> B. He will guide you into all truth.
> 
> 3.
> Titus 2:11
> 
> 
> 
> C. New name
> 
> 4.
> Ezekiel 43:4
> 
> 
> 
> D. Test the spirits to identify false prophets.
> 
> 5.
> Isaiah 35:1-2
> 
> 
> 
> E. Carmel shall see the Glory of the LORD.
> 
> 6.
> Matthew 7:15-20
> 
> 
> 
> F. Throne of God to be established in Elam.
> 
> 7.
> John 1:14
> 
> 
> 
> G. You will know them by their fruits.
> 
> 8.
> Jeremiah 49:38 
> 
> 
> 
> H. The Word became flesh.
> 
> 9.
> 1 John 4:1-4
> 
>  
> 
> I.
> Grace of God has appeared to all men.
> 
> 
> 
> 10. John 14:6
> 
> 
> J. Glory of God will come from the east.
> 
> 
> 
> The Resurrection of Christ
>  Adapted From 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
> Explanation in Some Answered Questions
> 
> Question.--What is the meaning of Christ's resurrection after three
> days? 
>  
> Answer.--The resurrections of the Divine Manifestations are not of the body.
> All Their states, Their conditions, Their acts, the things They have
> established, Their teachings, Their expressions, Their parables and Their
> instructions have a spiritual and divine signification, and have no connection
> with material things. For example, there is the subject of Christ's coming from
> heaven: it is clearly stated in many places in the Gospel that the Son of man
> came from heaven, He is in heaven, and He will go to heaven. So in chapter 6,
> verse 38, of the Gospel of John it is written: "For I came down from heaven";
> and also in verse 42 we find: "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of
> Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came
> down from heaven?" Also in John, chapter 3, verse 13: "And no man hath ascended
> up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is
> in heaven." 
>  
> Observe that it is said, "The Son of man is in heaven," while at that time
> Christ was on earth. Notice also that it is said that Christ came from heaven,
> though He came from the womb of Mary, and His body was born of Mary. It is
> clear, then, that when it is said that the Son of man is come from heaven, this
> has not an outward but an inward signification; it is a spiritual, not a
> material, fact. The meaning is that though, apparently, Christ was born from
> the womb of Mary, in reality He came from heaven, from the center of the Sun of
> Reality, from the Divine World, and the Spiritual Kingdom. And as it has become
> evident that Christ came from the spiritual heaven of the Divine Kingdom,
> therefore, His disappearance under the earth for three days has an inner
> signification and is not an outward fact. In the same way, His resurrection
> from the interior of the earth is also symbolical; it is a spiritual and divine
> fact, and not material; and likewise His ascension to heaven is a spiritual and
> not material ascension. 
>  
> Beside these explanations, it has been established and proved by science that
> the visible heaven is a limitless area, void and empty, where innumerable stars
> and planets revolve. 
>  
> Therefore, we say that the meaning of Christ's resurrection is as follows: the
> disciples were troubled and agitated after the martyrdom of Christ. The Reality
> of Christ, which signifies His teachings, His bounties, His perfections and His
> spiritual power, was hidden and concealed for two or three days after His
> martyrdom, and was not resplendent and manifest. No, rather it was lost, for
> the believers were few in number and were troubled and agitated. The Cause of
> Christ was like a lifeless body; and when after three days the disciples became
> assured and steadfast, and began to serve the Cause of Christ, and resolved to
> spread the divine teachings, putting His counsels into practice, and arising to
> serve Him, the Reality of Christ became resplendent and His bounty appeared;
> His religion found life; His teachings and His admonitions became evident and
> visible. In other words, the Cause of Christ was like a lifeless body until the
> life and the bounty of the Holy Spirit surrounded it. 
>  
> Such is the meaning of the resurrection of Christ, and this was a true
> resurrection. But as the clergy have neither understood the meaning of the
> Gospels nor comprehended the symbols, therefore, it has been said that religion
> is in contradiction to science, and science in opposition to religion, as, for
> example, this subject of the ascension of Christ with an elemental body to the
> visible heaven is contrary to the science of mathematics. But when the truth of
> this subject becomes clear, and the symbol is explained, science in no way
> contradicts it; but, on the contrary, science and the intelligence affirm
> it.
> 
> Exercises
> 1. Based on Abdu'l-Bahá's explanation of Christ's
> resurrection, fill in the blanks.
> 
> It is said that Christ came from ______________, though He came from the
> ________ of Mary. When it is said that the Christ is come from heaven, this has
> not an ______________ but an ____________ signification; it is a
> __________________, not a material, fact. The meaning is that though,
> apparently, Christ was ________ from the womb of Mary, in reality He came from
> ______________, from the ____________ World.
> 
> Therefore, we say that the ______________ of Christ's ________________________
> is as follows: The Reality of Christ, which signifies His __________________,
> His bounties, His ______________________ and His spiritual power, was hidden
> and __________________ for two or three days after His __________________, and
> was not resplendent and manifest. For the believers were ______ in number and
> were ________________ and ________________. The Cause of Christ was like a
> ________________ body; and when after three days the disciples became
> ______________ and steadfast, and began to __________ the Cause of Christ, the
> ______________ of Christ became ______________________; His religion found
> ________.
> 
> Such is the meaning of the __________________________ of Christ, and this was a
> ________ resurrection. 
> 
> 
> 
> Meaning of Resurrection in the Bible
> 
> Many Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. They say that
> Christ was put to death on the cross. He lay in the tomb for three days and
> then his body was raised to life again. For the next forty days, he appeared to
> the disciples on several occasions as recorded in the Gospel of John (chapters
> 20 and 21). Finally, he ascended to heaven in a cloud and sat down at the right
> hand of God's throne to await Judgment Day. (Acts 1; Psalms 110; Acts 2:22-36)
> When Christ returns, the dead are raised and judged. (2 Timothy 4:1)
> 
> The Bible uses the term "resurrection" in two ways. 1) Resurrection refers to
> the continuation of life after death. The burial of the body is compared to
> planting a seed which then grows and is given spiritual life. 2) The spiritual
> awakening that comes with actively living by the teachings of God. This regard
> to life after death, note the New Testament's explanation.
> 
> Someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they
> come?"... So also is the resurrection from the dead. The body is sown in
> corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised
> in glory. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body... Now I
> say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (1
> Corinthians 15:35, 42-44, 50)
> 
> Thus for Christians, denying the resurrection of the dead is the same as
> denying life after death.
> 
> If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
> Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only
> we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (I Corinthians
> 15:17-19) 
> 
> In view of the meaning that Christians attach to resurrection,
> Bahá'ís need to be careful in their explanation of
> Bahá'u'lláh's teachings. In the sense of life after death,
> Bahá'ís believe in a literal resurrection. If we say that we do
> not believe in a literal resurrection we may give the wrong impression for
> Bahá'u'lláh clearly taught that life literally continues in the
> next world.
> 
> The second meaning the Bible gives to "resurrection" refers to a spiritual
> reawakening. This is the symbolic resurrection. Those who are heedless of
> spiritual things are spiritually dead. When they turn their hearts to the glory
> of God, they are given a new life which is compared to being raised from the
> dead. Christian baptism, being dipped under the water, is compared to death and
> burial of the old self. Coming up out of the water is compared to spiritual
> rebirth. 
> 
> As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His
> death. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just
> as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
> should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) 
> 
> This concept of symbolic resurrection is used throughout the Bible. The
> prophet Ezekiel lived while Israel was in exile in Babylon. It was as if the
> nation were dead. He had a vision of the restoration of Israel that compares
> the restoration to a mass resurrection. 
> 
> In vision, Ezekiel sees a valley of dry bones. He sees the bones come to life
> as their bodies regain sinew, flesh, skin and breath. God explains the meaning
> of the vision as follows:
> 
> These bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, `Our bones are
> dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' Therefore prophesy and
> say to them, `Thus says the LORD God, "Behold, O My people, I will open your
> graves and cause you to come up from your graves and bring you into the land of
> Israel."' (Ezekiel 37:11-12)
> 
> In this case, exiled Israel was without hope. It was as if they were dead, dry
> bones. God gave them hope and renewed spiritual life, just as if dry bones were
> transformed into living bodies. 
> 
> 
> Exercises
> 
> In your own words, explain the two meanings of resurrection in the Bible.
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> The Rapture and the Spiritual Resurrection
> In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul
> describes how the believers become united with the LORD at the time of His
> return. We read:
> 
> "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
> remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For
> the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
> archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
> first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
> in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
> Lord. 
>  
> "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in
> the night.... "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
> overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of
> the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep,
> as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:6)
> 
> How are these words meant to be understood? Conservative Christians generally
> believe that upon Christ's return the living believers will bodily ascend to
> heaven. According to this view, millions of believers who have died during the
> centuries while faithfully awaiting the LORD'S return will be raised from the
> dead in mass and ascend into the clouds to meet the LORD. Sometime later, the
> living believers will follow.
> 
> What is the correct meaning of Paul's inspired words? There are official
> interpretation of the rapture offered in the Bahá'í Writings.
> However, many of the principles that relate to the spiritual nature of the
> resurrection seem applicable to a spiritual, rather than a physical,
> understanding of the rapture. 
> 
> To test whether the expectation of a bodily ascension to heaven is consistent
> with the other Biblical references, consider the following questions. Look up
> and discuss the cited verses as appropriate.
> 
> *		Are not the dead in Christ already in heaven with the LORD? (2
> Corinthians 5:1-8) If they are already in heaven, how can they rise to meet the
> LORD at his return?
> 
> *		How can the living ascend to heaven in view of Paul's saying
> that there can be no resurrection to heavenly life unless the body dies first?
> (1 Corinthians 15:36)
> 
> *		How can the living ascend to heaven in view of Paul's words
> that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God"? (1 Corinthians
> 15:50)
> 
> *		What kind of "sleep" is Paul referring to when he says, "Let
> us not sleep as do others"? Physical sleep or spiritual sleep?
> 
> *		What two kinds of death does the Bible speak of? (Matthew
> 8:22) 
> 
> *		What did Jesus mean when He said, "Let the dead bury their
> dead"? (Matthew 8:22)
> 
> *		How can an understanding of spiritual death and resurrection help us
> to understand the rapture? (Romans 6:3-4)
> 
> *		How can an understanding of what it means to be "born again" help us
> to understand the rapture? (See next section.)
> Being Born Again and Spiritual Transformation
> 
> Some Christians call themselves "Born-Again Christians" due to the
> emphasis they place on the Bible's teaching about "being born again". This
> emphasis is particularly strong among conservative, fundamentalist, evangelical
> Christians. The doctrine is based on numerous references in the New Testament,
> but particularly the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verses 1 through 8. (See also
> Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:17-24)
> 
> There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This
> man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a
> teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is
> with him." 
> 
> Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is
> born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 
> 
> Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a
> second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 
> 
> Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water
> and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
> flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel
> that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 
> 
> Jesus' teaching on being born again is strikingly similar to what
> Bahá'ís call spiritual transformation. Note
> Bahá'u'lláh's description of the process of spiritual rebirth:
> 
> Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of
> passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within
> the seeker's heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his
> soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and
> misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his
> being. At that hour will the mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the
> Spirit, shine forth from the City of God resplendent as the morn, and, through
> the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit
> from the slumber of negligence. Then will the manifold favours and outpouring
> grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker
> that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a
> new mind. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will
> penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will
> perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute
> certitude. He will discover in all things the mysteries of divine Revelation
> and the evidences of an everlasting manifestation. (The
> Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 195-196)
> Exercise on Being Born Again
> 
> 1. Fill in the blanks:
> There was a man of the Pharisees named __________________. Jesus said to him,
> "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is ________ again, he cannot see the
> ______________ of God. That which is born of the flesh is __________, and that
> which is born of the ___________ is ____________. Do not marvel that I said to
> you, 'You ________ be born __________.' "
> 
> Only when the _________ of search, of longing ____________, of
> ____________________ devotion, is ______________ within the seeker's __________
> will the darkness of __________ be dispelled, the mists of ____________ and
> ____________________ be dissipated, and the lights of __________________ and
> __________________ envelop his being. Then will the manifold ______________ and
> outpouring __________ of the holy and everlasting ____________ confer such
> ______ life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new
> ______, a new ______, a new ____________, and a new ________. 
> 
> One who is ________ again gains ______ life. Only the outpouring of the Holy
> and Everlasting ___________ can confer new ________. 
> 
> 2. Memorize John 3:3.
> 
> 3. Memorize the following words of Bahá'u'lláh: 
> The manifold favours and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit
> confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a
> new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind.
> 
> 4. Identify the similar concepts in these two quotes and the parallel terms
> that are used in each.
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 5. Compare being born again with a spiritual resurrection. What do they have in
> common?
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 6. Compare being born again with the "rapture." What do they have in common?
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [+CHAPTER3]
> 
> 
> 
> Facilitating Spiritual Joy
> A  Biblical Introduction
> To The Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Part III
> 
> 
> 
> 
> As our world becomes a global village, there is a striking need for a vision of
> unity that transcends the barriers of nationalism, racism, sexism and other
> forms of elitism. Human attempts to change society without personal spiritual
> transformation are doomed to fail. The spiritual teaching of the sovereignty of
> God and the brotherhood of man are essential to our eternal salvation and
> improving the quality of life on our planet. Love, peace and unity must be
> built from the bottom up, starting with personal transformation and then
> radiating outward into family, community, nation and ultimately the entire
> planet. (Romans 12:2)
> 
> The inspirational ideas presented here are by and large a compilation and
> distillation of the thought of spiritual teachers who have appeared on earth
> throughout human history. Our western heritage is Judeo-Christian, built on the
> teachings of Moses and the Prophets, and centered in the person of Jesus
> Christ, the Son of God. Accordingly, this course relies on the Bible, both the
> Old and New Testaments along with Bahá'í Scripture for its
> inspiration. In order to convey, as much as possible, the power of expression
> of the words of the Prophets, this course contains numerous references, both
> quotations from and paraphrases of the Holy Writings. The use of paraphrase is
> a response to modern tastes for simple and concise language. 
> 
> Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. (NKJV)
> 
> This Biblical introduction to the Bahá'í Faith, of course, can
> only be, just that, an introduction. Spiritual growth is a life long process.
> To all those who long after the Spirit, it is hoped that your search will be
> successful. May you find peace, happiness and great joy.
> 
> The Author
> 
> Group Study
> These materials may, of course, be read individually, but they
> are primarily intended to used be used for pair study. For larger classes,
> divide the group up into small groups of two or three and assign several
> sections to each group. They should read the paragraphs aloud and discuss the
> underlined questions. It is generally best to finish a chapter before
> discussing any additional questions that come to mind. If the group is so
> inclined, they may opt to look up the cited Bible verses. Controversy should be
> strictly avoided. A loving and warm spirit should be maintained during all such
> discussions. 
> The Search For Spiritual Joy
> 
> Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice. Let them ever shout for
> joy... Let them who love Thy name be joyful in Thee. 
> 								-- Psalms 5:11
> 
> A wise man once said, "Life is bittersweet." Good times are the sweet ones,
> filled with happiness, joy and peace. On the other hand, a measure of
> bitterness, sadness, anxiety and difficulty have always been part of the human
> experience. In recent years, life's problems seem to have multiplied. Many
> people feel overwhelmed by the stresses and pace of modern life. 
> 
> What do you think? How can real happiness be found? 
> 
> Spirituality paves the path to peace and happiness. It helps us to be thankful
> for the gift of life. It aids us to be at peace with ourselves, even under the
> most stressful circumstances. It is an anchor for the soul. (Hebrews 6:19)
> Without it we bob around like a toy boat on a stormy sea. 
> 
> Have you ever felt like that?
> 
> The need is very great, everywhere in the world, for a true spiritual
> education. Spiritual education assists us to deal calmly and lovingly with
> economic, personal and family problems. But spirituality means more than being
> calm in the midst of the hurry and scurry of daily activities. It means having
> a good conscience; feeling good about ourselves with nothing to be ashamed of.
> In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, "Blessed are those who hunger and
> thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) 
> 
> When a person responds to the blessings of God, the heart is happy, the spirit
> is exhilarated. These are the spiritual responses which express themselves in
> the deeds and actions when his heart is filled with gratitude. Spirituality
> means appreciating the bounties of God and the beauties of nature; with its
> lofty mountain tops, azure seas, starry night skies, deep green forests and
> delightful animals. It means being filled with the delicious taste of being
> alive. 
> 
>  What is your personal experience? Which of these things make you feel
> closer to God? A calm attitude? Having a good conscience? Feeling thankful?
> Being in nature?
>  
> Most importantly, spirituality ennobles the human spirit and develops
> higher human capacities. Faith opens the door to eternal life and shows us the
> way to live in joy and love. 
> 
> Prayer and Communion with God
> There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer.
> Prayer is communion with God; a source of great joy and training for the heart.
> Through devotional prayers and meditations the heart is strengthened in the
> love God and gains capacity to deal compassionately with fellowmen. Millions of
> people have found that taking a few moments each day for prayer helps to focus
> their thoughts on the things of the Spirit and creates a tranquillity that
> makes it easier to deal with the cares of the day. 
> 
> Consider the following prayer for inner peace:
> "O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers.
> I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no
> longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I
> will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not
> dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than
> I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord." (Abdu'l-Bahá)
> 
> Over time, such prayers for joy and freedom from anxiety will transform your
> soul. When combined with daily study of the Word of God, each of us can acquire
> true wisdom. Such wisdom when put into practice in daily life builds a personal
> foundation for a happy life. 
> 
> What do you think? What is the value of prayer and how can it contribute to
> your spiritual growth? What has been your personal experience with
> prayer?
> 
> 
> Love is the Purpose of Religion
> 
> Jesus Christ identified the two most important commandments. First is the love
> of our Creator, who is our Heavenly Father and the source of our being. Second,
> but absolutely essential, is love for our fellowmen, who are made in the image
> of God. (Matthew 22:37-40) 
> 
> Genuine spirituality is the only solution to the prejudice, hatreds and wars
> that divide the human family. The Apostle John wrote: "Beloved, let us love one
> another; for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows
> God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:8) It
> simply is not possible to love God and hate our neighbor.
> 
> Why is love for fellowman essential for spirituality? How does hating other
> people interfere with our love for God?
> 
> What is the purpose of religion? Bahá'u'lláh, the Persian founder
> of the Bahá'í Faith wrote: "The purpose of religion as revealed
> from the heaven of God's Holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst
> the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife. The
> religion of God and His divine law are the most potent instruments and the
> surest of all means for the dawning of the light of unity amongst men."
> (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 129) 
> 
> What do you think? What would the world be like if mankind recognized its
> unity before God?
> 
> If the purpose of religion is unity, why does religion always seem to stir up
> controversy? Why were the Prophets of God persecuted? Why was Moses exiled? Why
> was Bahá'u'lláh imprisoned? Why was Jesus opposed and put to
> death? Why do we sometimes experience opposition when we investigate religion?
> The answer can strengthen the soul and teach the heart wisdom. Often opposers
> are sincere and do not appreciate the spiritual value of God's Word. It takes
> kindness and patience on our part to reassure them. For the believers, tests of
> faith serve to refine the heart and to build up spiritual virtues. There is
> great reward for sticking up for what is right despite opposition. 
> 
> Have you seen people persecuted for their religion? Why does this
> happen?
> 
> Jesus promised, "Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and say
> all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly
> glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
> who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12) Similarly, Bahá'u'lláh
> promised, "Blessed is he who hath lain down his life in My path and hath borne
> manifold hardships for the sake of My name." (Tablet to the Christians, XXIV)
> If our friends or family oppose the cause of unity, we can take comfort and
> find joy in the knowledge of God's ultimate blessing. 
> 
> What do you think? How is the heart trained by opposition? What are the
> spiritual benefits?
> 
> We Are Leaves of One Tree, Flowers of One Garden
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá, one of the central figures of the
> Bahá'í Faith, often compared our spiritual training to the growth
> of a garden. God is the gardener and humanity is the soil under divine
> cultivation. He wrote: "Then will the garden of your hearts bring forth its
> flowers of delightful fragrance to refresh the nostril of (God) the heavenly
> Gardener. Let your hearts reflect the glories of the Sun of Truth in their many
> colors to gladden the eye of (God) the divine Cultivator Who has nourished
> them. Day by day become more closely attracted in order that the love of God
> may illumine all those with whom you come in contact. Be as one spirit, one
> soul, leaves of one tree, flowers of one garden, waves of one ocean." (The
> Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 24) 
> 
> In what ways is mankind like God's garden? 
> Educators of Mankind
> 
> "Thus saith the LORD...'I am the LORD thy God the one who teacheth thee to
> benefit thyself so that thy peace may be as a river, and thy righteousness as
> the waves of the sea.'" -- Isaiah 48:17-18
> 
> Nature teaches that the world is in need of an educator. If the earth is not
> cultivated, it becomes a jungle where useless weeds grow; but if a cultivator
> comes and tills the ground, it produces crops which nourish living creatures.
> It is evident, therefore, that the soil needs the cultivation of the farmer.
> 
> 
> If a man is left alone in the wilderness, he will take on the ways of the
> animal. If he is educated, he can reach the greatest heights of accomplishment.
> Were it not for educators, there would be no civilization. 
> 
> What do you think? What is the value of education?
> 
> Divine education is of the Kingdom of God. It promotes honesty, righteousness,
> justice, wisdom and love. It leads humanity to improvement of character. Since
> mankind is made in the image of God, man has the potential to acquire godly
> qualities, divine perfections. But in order to develop that potential, a
> qualified teacher must show the way. 
> 
> What do you think? Are people capable of educating themselves without divine
> teachers?
> 
> One such educator was Abraham. He was born into a society that worshipped
> nature as the sun god, the storm god and so forth. Alone and without help
> Abraham instructed the people in the worship of the True God. 
> 
> Moses freed the nation of Israel from the chains of slavery, brought them out
> of Egypt and into the Holy Land. He taught them to worship the One God, reject
> idols and obey the Ten Commandments. Throughout his life, Moses faced
> opposition from Egyptians and fellow Israelites, but nothing could stop him. He
> was guided by a supernatural power to educate the people for the challenges of
> those days. 
> 
> It is clear that human power cannot accomplish so great a mission. How could
> one solitary man without help and without support overcome mighty nations and
> teach with such marvelous wisdom? He must depend on the help of the spiritual
> and divine power. One Holy Soul can change the world through the power of
> revelation. 
> 
> What do you think? What did Abraham and Moses teach mankind?
> Jesus Christ, the Son of God
> 
> "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
> loved you, that ye also love one another." -- John 13:34
> 
> Jesus was surely a Divine Educator. He was born of Holy Spirit. He was the Son
> of God. He came with lessons of love and forgiveness. He showed compassion for
> the weak and the sick. He taught us a lesson in God's love by shedding His
> blood on the cross in order to open the way to everlasting life. (John 3:16)
> 
> What do you think? What was the significance of the life of Jesus Christ?
> His teachings? His crucifixion?
> 
> Jesus' teaching released new creative energies. New hopes and new spiritual
> ideals were brought into being. As a result, the world was uplifted. He opened
> the way to the Kingdom of God. Historians record that Christ did more to
> advance human civilization than all the legislators and philosophers of past
> ages combined. 
> 
> What were some of the lessons that Jesus Christ brought?
> 
> The early Christians spread Jesus' message of love. They taught the sacredness
> of life and the dignity of humanity. As soon as they could, they stopped the
> human sacrifice and the violence of the gladiatorial games that were common in
> the Roman Empire. Later they promoted education, built hospitals for the
> treatment of the poor, established charitable institutions and introduced
> juster laws into the Roman legal system. Such changes came about because of
> Christ's law was written on their hearts.
> 
> A new Christian civilization arose, one that was the best and most enlightened
> in the world at that time. Thus the transformative power of Jesus Christ as an
> Educator of Mankind can be clearly seen. (See Christ and
> Bahá'u'lláh, George Townshend, 21)
>  
> What effects do spiritual teachings effect have on society?
> 
> Jesus, like Abraham and Moses, had to deal with violent opposition. Eventually
> Jesus' opposers succeeded in crucifying Him. But God raised Him from the dead
> and His spirit is with us to this day. In life and in death, the Lord Jesus
> Christ was the Greatest Teacher and set an example for us to follow. 
> 
> What do you think? Why was Jesus persecuted? How did He treat His
> enemies?
> 
> When Bahá'u'lláh was on earth, He glorified Jesus in the
> most poetic terms and encouraged the people to be awake to Christ's voice. The
> Bahá'í Writings make clear the unsurpassed station of Jesus in
> the unfolding of God's plan of salvation: 
> 
> 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... 
> 
> "Know thou," Bahá'u'lláh has moreover testified, "that when
> the Son of Man yielded up His breath 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,
> the influence exerted by the most potent of rulers, 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.... He it is Who purified the world. Blessed
> is the man who, with a face beaming with light, hath turned towards Him." (The
> Promised Day is Come, p. 109-110)
> 
> What do the Bahá'í Writings say about Christ? 
> 
> 
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh, the Glory of God
> 
> "The wilderness... shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and
> singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel
> and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our
> God." -- Isaiah 35:1-2 
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh a spiritual teacher who lived about 150 years ago. He
> was the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He brought the same message
> as Jesus Christ and taught how it should be applied to modern times. He
> proclaimed the nearness of an age of worldwide peace and brotherhood between
> all peoples. As a result He was severely persecuted and spent His life in
> prison and in exile.
> 
> His message emphasized three eternal truths. The Oneness of God, the Oneness of
> Humanity and the Oneness of Religion. During the past two thousands years,
> verbal battles have raged over religious differences. Often such conflicts lead
> to bloody wars. Each sect and denomination claimed to be the only path to God.
> Religious wars do not honor God but rather cause people to doubt the value of
> religion. Bahá'u'lláh called upon the religious leaders of the
> world to give up their claims to supremacy and to work together. By following
> in the footsteps of the Divine Educators, they could glorify God and benefit of
> all the people. 
> 
> Are you familiar with the name of Bahá'u'lláh? What have you
> heard about him?
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh was an extraordinary individual who radiated love and
> warmth to all people. He spent His life teaching the love of God and His name
> means the glory of God in Arabic.
> 
> "Those who beheld Him were assured of His great happiness, for no trace of
> sadness or sorrow was ever visible upon His face. Even in prison He was like a
> king enthroned in majesty and greatness, and He ever bore Himself with supreme
> confidence and dignity." (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 383)
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh was born in 1817, the son of a Persian nobleman. He
> brought a divine message of love and righteousness to a nation that had lost
> its way. The original teachings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam had been
> abandoned over the centuries. Their governmental and religious institutions
> were corrupted. All elements of society were at odds. Yet even at that low
> point of history, a new age began. Bahá'u'lláh would instill life
> into a spiritually dead people and bring them back to life. He writes:
> 
> "This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out
> upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all
> created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile
> their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow
> of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness...Soon will the present-day order
> be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh
> the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen. (Gleanings from the Writings
> of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 6-7)
> 
> What do you think? Has present day society lost sight of the spiritual
> values? Are we in need of a modern day renewal? What sort of a renewal would
> you like to see?
> 
> 
>  The Claims of Bahá'u'lláh 
> and Independent Investigation of Truth
> 
> I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit
> when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He
> shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak.
> He shall show you things to come. (John 16:12-13)
> 
> When He was on the earth, Bahá'u'lláh made some extraordinary
> claims. He said that came to fulfill Christ's promise about the coming of the
> Spirit of Truth. He claimed to bring the divine teachings that the early
> disciples could not bear to hear, namely that all the major religions of the
> world have a divine origin. He claimed to have a new Revelation from God that
> could unite all mankind.
> 
> How can you determine if these claims are true? How can you determine if
> Bahá'u'lláh is the Divine Educator for this day? 
> 
> The first principle of Bahá'u'lláh is independent investigation
> of truth. It is up to each individual to examine the facts for themselves with
> a prayerful heart and an open mind. Blind imitation of the past must be
> replaced by a willingness to follow the teachings of God into a new way of
> life. Only in this way can the divisions and hatreds of the past be overcome.
> Only in this way can unity and love reign supreme among all peoples regardless
> of race, religion or nationality. 
> 
> How can you determine if Bahá'u'lláh's teachings are really from
> God and if he is the divine messenger that he claimed to be? How can you decide
> if His writings are the Word of God? One important step is to read His writings
> and experience the love and beauty they contain. Jesus said that His sheep
> would know his voice. In the spirit of love and devotion found in
> Bahá'u'lláh's writings we can hear the voice of the Shepherd.
> (John 10:27)
> 
> Another step that can be taken is to review the evidence that Jesus Christ
> fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament. For a Jewish person, living at the
> time of Christ, accustomed to the law of Moses, Temple worship and Jewish
> festivals, it would have been an incredibly large change to accept Christ.
> However, becoming a Christian did not mean abandoning Moses or giving up
> Judaism. Rather it meant investigating the claims of Christ to be the promised
> one that Moses foretold. Perhaps you were raised to believe in Christ, but what
> if you had not been? How would you know if Jesus the Nazarene was the Messiah?
> 
> 
> This same pattern applies to investigating Bahá'u'lláh's claims
> to be the promised one that Christ foretold. 
> 
> What promise did Jesus make? How is that promise similar to the one that
> Moses made? If you had been alive at the time of Christ how could you have
> determined if those claims were true. What claims did Bahá'u'lláh
> make? How can we determine if those claims are true? 
> Proofs of Christ
> 
> "And (Jesus) said unto them...'All things must be fulfilled which were
> written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning
> me.'" -- Luke 24:44
> 
> 1) The prophet Micah foretold that the future king would be born in Bethlehem.
> (Micah 5:2) 
> 
> 2) The prophet Hosea foretold that God's son would be called out of Egypt.
> (Hosea 11:1) 
> 
> 3) The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Jesus would be rejected. Many would not
> believe on him. Others would hate and persecute him. Finally, he would be put
> to death as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. (Isaiah 53:1-12)
> 
> 4) The prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah, who had been dead for many
> centuries, would return before the day of the Lord. (Malachi 4: 5) Elijah
> returned in a symbolic sense in the form of John the Baptist. (Matthew
> 11:13-14)
> 
> 5) The Prophet Daniel foretold the time that Messiah would appear and die as 70
> weeks of years or 490 years after the word went out to restore the Jerusalem
> Temple. (Daniel 9:25-27) The time count started with the edict of Artaxerxes in
> 457 BC and ended with Jesus' death in 33 AD.
> 
> Many more proof, in fact hundreds of proofs of this same sort, can be given
> that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and the Divine Educator for his day.
> Now, let's turn our attention to the proofs of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> What do you think? What reasons were there to believe that Jesus was who He
> said He was? Which do you think are the strongest proofs?
> Proofs of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith
> the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
> than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -- Isaiah 55:8-9
> 
> Several wonderful books have been written that go into great detail on the
> subject of proofs of Bahá'u'lláh's mission. Christ and
> Bahá'u'lláh by George Townshend and The Prophecies of Jesus by
> Michael Sours contain a wealth of evidence. In order to confirm
> Bahá'u'lláh's divine mission to your own satisfaction, you are
> encouraged to prayerfully study all the available evidence and make a fully
> informed decision. Only a few, brief examples of proofs of
> Bahá'u'lláh's claims are given here.
> 
> 1) Jeremiah foretold that God's throne would be established in the last days in
> Elam, that is, in Persia. (Jeremiah 49:38, 39) Bahá'u'lláh was
> born and began his ministry in Tehran, Persia. His kingdom was, like Christ's
> kingdom, a kingdom over the hearts of men.
> 
> 2) Ezekiel foretold that the glory of God would appear from the East, coming to
> the house of God by way of the gate. (Ezekiel 43:4) Persia lies due east of
> Jerusalem. 
> 
> 3) Isaiah prophesied that the glory of God would appear in the northern part of
> Israel, around Mount Carmel (Isaiah 35:1-2). After a series of exiles,
> Bahá'u'lláh was imprisoned in 'Akka, now part of Haifa, Israel in
> the region of Carmel The Bahá'í World Center is located on Mount
> Carmel.
> 
> The prophet Isaiah also foretold that God would raise up a conquering king from
> the direction of the sunrise, the east. (Isaiah 41:2) The king would give his
> enemies to the sword (the word of God). He would do no harm but would pursue
> his enemies in peace. (41:3) Like Jesus, Bahá'u'lláh conquered
> his enemies with the sword of the Word of God (John 16:33, Romans 12:21, Hebrew
> 4:12) and renounced the use of physical weapons. (Matthew 26:52) 
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh's conquests have been great. Despite forty years of
> persecution, imprisonment, exile and trials, he never showed any hatred to his
> enemies. He kept conquering evil with good. As a result, many victories have
> been won over the hearts of men. Now there are over 5 million followers of the
> teachings of Bahá'u'lláh living in 300 nations, islands and
> territories. 
> 
> 4) The returned king would have a new, strange name, one that God would give
> him. (Revelation 3:12, Isaiah 62:2-3) The name of Bahá'u'lláh
> certainly sounds strange to many people and this strangeness has been like a
> cloud that blocks the vision of the beauty of the sun.
> 
> 5) The Gospels speak of Bahá'u'lláh in a symbolic way. Because
> Bahá'u'lláh was so Christ-like in his teaching and suffering, his
> ministry could be called the return of the spirit of Christ. The Bible contains
> many examples of symbolic returns of past prophets. For example, John the
> Baptist was the return of Elijah. (Matthew 11:13-14) And Jesus was like the
> return of Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:15) In a similar way, prophecies that speak of
> the return of Christ find their fulfillment in Bahá'u'lláh. 
> 
> 6) The prophet Daniel foretold 2,300 years which would include defilement of
> the "sanctuary." The 2,300 years would end with the victory of a spiritual
> king, "the Prince of Princes" (Daniel 8:13-14, 25-26). Once again the sanctuary
> is the congregation of believers who were "defiled" and in darkness by the lack
> of divine education and the Prince is Bahá'u'lláh. The time
> counted started in 457BC and ended in 1844.
> 
> The parallels between the life of Christ and the life of
> Bahá'u'lláh are truly amazing. The fulfillment of so many details
> of so many prophecies, of which we have mentioned only a few, provide sound
> evidence that God was backing the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. Perhaps
> you are already convinced that Bahá'u'lláh is the Promised One of
> God for this day. If so, you are a Bahá'í in your heart and are
> invited to join the Bahá'í community for worship, study and
> fellowship. If you still have questions or these things sound strange to you,
> recall that Christianity sounded very strange when it was first preached. (Acts
> 17:19-10) You are invited to investigate further through personal reading and
> discussion with local Bahá'ís. It is vital to study these things
> for yourself that you too may be personally convinced of the glories of God's
> latest messenger. The spiritual benefits and joys of doing so are well
> expressed in Bahá'u'lláh's own words.
> 
> "Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its
> secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take
> heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of
> this Cause--a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have
> been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces beaming with joy,
> hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past,
> eternal in the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it; and as to him that hath
> refused to seek it--verily, God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His
> creatures. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
> 136)
> 
> What do you think? How similar are the proofs of Christ with the proofs of
> Bahá'u'lláh? Which do you feel are the strongest proofs? What
> books can you read to further investigate Bahá'u'lláh? 
> 
> 
> The Bahá'í Writings
> 
> "By their fruits you will know them." -- Matthew 7:20
> 
> The best evidence for the new Divine Educator can be seen by the fruits of His
> teachings. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that every good tree
> produces good fruit and every bad tree produces worthless fruit. A rotten tree
> cannot produce good fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20) This is the true scriptural test
> of the divine origin of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> The beauty and spiritual wisdom of Bahá'u'lláh's Writings make
> them a joy to read. By studying them and observing the effects they have on
> ourselves and other readers, the fruits of righteousness can clearly be seen.
> Bahá'u'lláh wrote tens of thousands of books and letters. Two
> good books to begin with are the Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh and
> the Book of Certitude. You can obtain these either at the public library or
> from the local Bahá'is. 
> 
> Below find short selections from these and other Bahá'í works
> that will give you a taste of their inspirational style and ethical content.
> You may like to use these quotations to create your own mini worship service."
> Set a reverent mood, by lighting a candle or playing background music. Then
> read the Words of Bahá'u'lláh aloud.. 
> 
> "O Son of Spirit! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to
> poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the
> essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from
> anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy
> thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me
> standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting. (The Hidden
> Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 7)
> 
> "But, O my brother, when a true seeker determineth to take the step of
> search in the path leading to the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must,
> before all else, cleanse and purify his heart, which is the seat of the
> revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all
> acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He
> must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the
> Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to
> water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments." (Book of
> Certitude, p. 192)
> 
> "Religion, moreover, is not a series of beliefs, a set of customs; religion
> is the teachings of the Lord God, teachings which constitute the very life of
> humankind, which urge high thoughts upon the mind, refine the character, and
> lay the groundwork for man's everlasting honour. 
>  
> "Note thou: could these fevers in the world of the mind, these fires of war
> and hate, of resentment and malice among the nations, this aggression of
> peoples against peoples, which have destroyed the tranquillity of the whole
> world ever be made to abate, except through the living waters of the teachings
> of God? No, never! 
>  
> "And this is clear: a power above and beyond the powers of nature must needs
> be brought to bear, to change this black darkness into light, and these hatreds
> and resentments, grudges and spites, these endless wrangles and wars, into
> fellowship and love amongst all the peoples of the earth. This power is none
> other than the breathings of the Holy Spirit and the mighty inflow of the Word
> of God. (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 53)
> 
> "Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the
> trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a
> treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the
> needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and
> guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men.
> Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for
> the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim
> of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a
> home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the
> fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the
> erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of
> fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body
> of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of
> virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge,
> a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light
> in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.
> (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CXXX)
> 
> "Release yourselves, O nightingales of God, from the thorns and brambles of
> wretchedness and misery, and wing your flight to the rose-garden of unfading
> splendor. O My friends that dwell upon the dust! Haste forth unto your
> celestial habitation. Announce unto yourselves the joyful tidings: "He Who is
> the Best-Beloved is come! He hath crowned Himself with the glory of God's
> Revelation, and hath unlocked to the face of men the doors of His ancient
> Paradise." Let all eyes rejoice, and let every ear be gladdened, for now is the
> time to gaze on His beauty, now is the fit time to hearken to His voice.
> Proclaim unto every longing lover: "Behold, your Well-Beloved hath come among
> men!" and to the messengers of the Monarch of love impart the tidings: "Lo, the
> Adored One hath appeared arrayed in the fullness of His glory!" O lovers of His
> beauty! Turn the anguish of your separation from Him into the joy of an
> everlasting reunion, and let the sweetness of His presence dissolve the
> bitterness of your remoteness from His court. (Gleanings from the Writings
> of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 319-320)
>
> — *Facilitating Spiritual Joy: Workshop on Christianity (Used by permission of the curator)*