How Baha’is view Christ

December 20, 2010 - 4:51pm

At Christmastime and other Christian holidays, Baha'is are often asked what their religion has to say about Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is revered in the Baha'i Faith as a Manifestation of God, and anyone who embraces the Baha'i Faith - regardless of their religious background -- also recognizes the universal redemptive significance of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, as expressed in the following moving testimony from Baha'u'llah's own pen:

Know thou 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... We bear witness that through the power of the Word of God every leper was cleansed, every sickness was healed, every human infirmity was banished. He it is Who purified the world. Blessed is the man who, with a face beaming with light, hath turned towards Him.

Baha'i theology draws a distinction between the Spirit of Christ - infinitely glorious, absolutely unique and utterly indispensable as the only pathway to God - and the historical person of Jesus.

The Baha'i Scriptures affirm that Jesus is one of a series of Manifestations of God that includes Moses, the Buddha, Muhammad -- and, today, Baha'u'llah-- through Whom, from age to age, God has progressively revealed His Will and Purpose for humanity. All the Manifestations of God are like perfect Mirrors for the Spirit of God to come into the world.

Baha'u'llah explains: Inasmuch as these Birds of the celestial Throne are all sent down from the heaven of the Will of God, and as they all arise to proclaim His irresistible Faith, they, therefore, are regarded as one soul and the same person. For they all drink from the one Cup of the love of God, and all partake of the fruit of the same Tree of Oneness.

We wish all our Christian friends a very Merry Christmas!

The following resources are available to learn more about Baha'i teachings on Jesus Christ:

Online Baha'i Reference Library - Some Answered Questions (See Part Two: Some Christian Subjects)

Book - Thief in the Night: The Case of the Missing Millennium

Book - Kitab-i-Iqan: The Book of Certitude

Booklet - Preparing for Christ's New Name

Web site with multiple Baha'i resources on Christian topics - Stonehaven Press

The Baha'i Bookstore - a search under the name "Christ" brings up 21 entries

Comments

Christmas and Jesus Christ

Submitted by Adam (not verified) on January 12, 2009 - 6:42pm.

Hey Kathy, I came across this today and it reminded me of our conversations in the car and that one late night in the living room. Hope this is somewhat helpful in explaining how Bahai's view Christ. Take care. We miss you guys. Love, Adam

Does Baha'i view Jesus and Christ one and the same?

Submitted by Victor Stevens-Rosenberg (not verified) on August 7, 2009 - 5:01pm.

Does your way profess The Trinity? Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit? Your way of inclusivness instead of exclusivness is great. I am a seminary student who has also studied almost all of the religions, mythology, and spiritual practices for the last forty years.. I feel like a Jewish Buddhist Christian :) who knows that all the great religions have something to teach on our journey home to God. This year my book 'In The Name Of...A Jewish Boy's Journey To Jesus and The Truth' will be published and and the second book I am working on is called 'The Christian Buddhist'. I am going to spend my last year at the seminary doing course work but I am also going to study Bahai, the Vedic writings, and other holy scripture. You can imagine from what little I just wrote how much of a maverick and how much trouble I will be in for after being ordained a Evangelical minister next year. Oy Vey! See my new art website at www.victorstevensart.com if you like. Blessings, Victor Stevens-Rosenberg

So you have something in

Submitted by anne27 (not verified) on December 8, 2009 - 6:16am.

So you have something in common with all major religions, interesting point of view. You have Jesus Christ from christianity religion, Mohammad from Muslims, you have Buddha too. Hmm, you succeeded to bring together the most important religious figures and you found a way to respect them equally.

Yea- sounds like a great

Submitted by Mark (not verified) on December 21, 2010 - 11:48am.

Yea- sounds like a great start to a 'One World Government' as spoken of in the bible. Not a good thing.

TWO World Governments

Submitted by Tamara (not verified) on December 22, 2010 - 3:39pm.

Never forget that the Bible speaks of two world governments - one, satanic, wicked, counterfeit, the other the Kingdom of God on Earth. If you want to know which government the Baha'is are building, judge us by our fruits. If you want to know the evidences of the counterfeit "one-world" government - look all around you... (I speak for myself, of my own beliefs and interpretations, and not on behalf of the Glorious Faith of God, nor anyone but myself.) Tamara

The Bible is the Word of God

Submitted by Barmak Kusha (not verified) on December 31, 2010 - 3:33am.

Dear Mark, dear fellow believer in Jesus, come let us study the Bible together and thereby learn that Bahaullah is the Return of Jesus Christ... And please show me where in the Bible there is any mention of this "one world government?" I have read it cover to cover and see nothing about that.

The Foundations of Christian Faith

Submitted by Jeffrey Erwin (not verified) on December 21, 2009 - 11:39am.

The primary foundation of the Christian Faith is that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Yosef appeared in the flesh to many people after He had been tortured, executed, and buried, and also the the Rabbi performed many physical miracles such as restoring life to a deceased person, walking on the sea, etc. Bahai theology denies that these things actually happened. Thus there is a conflict, and both theologies cannot be correct at the same time. Now, in the 21st century, the Sign of Jonah, which Rabbi Yehoshua said would be "The only sign," has come to be fully revealed to the world. The extensive forensic evidence shows how the Rabbi was beaten, scourged, crusified, buried, and resurrected. Corroborating evidence can be found in Janice Bennet's excellent work: "Sacred Blood, Sacred Image." While Abdul Baha may have been given authority to interprete his Father's writings, the fact is that BahaUllah reserved Devine Certitude exclusively for Himself. Abul Baha's erronious statements aout Rabbi Yehoshua's miracles and resurrection ought to be corrected. Bahais say that they believe in science. I say that those who refuse to consider the forensic evidence have their heads in the sand.

Not entirely...

Submitted by Thomas O. (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 10:21pm.

There is no forensic evidence to prove any of the claims you've asserted. Far from it, in fact: it's impossible after 2000 years for any valid forensic evidence to survive. And this, being a scientific statement, is something Baha'is do agree with, which is why we don't have our heads in the sand. And 'Abdu'l-Baha, being the infallible interpreter of Baha'u'llah's Writings and the Center of the Covenant, knew what he was talking about when he explained the true, spiritual significance of Jesus' resurrection. Of course, this is a Baha'i belief, as only we'd believe what he says is true. I respect your disagreement with my faith as a product of your own, so I'll gladly agree that we're in disagreement. =]

Jesus, the only one, not a prophet but the son of God

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 16, 2010 - 11:10pm.

Jesus, through the old testament was already mentioned before his coming and when he came he filled all the prophesies. No other "prophet" life was announced like Jesus. No other "prophet" said "I am the light and nobody comes to the father but through me". He and the father are one. It is not for us "little ants" to understand that when he said" If you see me, you see the father and yet he said to Pilatus (I think he was) when he said to him: Don't you know I have the power to crucify you? He responded. You don't have any power over my father" something like that. I used to ask and ask and look and look through the years about this mysteries until I stopped. Like the nuns used to tell me in school "Have faith do not ask questions" and finally after all these years I have faith.We little creatures cannot in our little brains comprehend God's brain, simple as this. I only knows, Our father Creator loves us, just look around, we have to be blind and deaf not to believe in him and all the bad things that happens to us is because our arrogance, vanity etc. We have not changed from the Israelites who were going to the promised land and saw all the 7 plagues, or like even the apostle Thomas who saw and lived with Jesus still didn't believed. Have faith. I believe Jesus is our saviour, my personal saviour and I believe I am a sinner and anything that comes to me I will deserve it, I can only hope he forgives me. Who is Baha Ullah, or Smith or Budha, there were marvelous men with big hearts but nobody compares with the son of God who died for all of us incredulous.

Jesus is Savior, even to a Baha'i

Submitted by Thomas O. (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 10:28pm.

"Baha'u'llah affirms not simply the fact of Jesus on the cross, but agrees with Paul in seeing the passion as redemptive." http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/bahai/bhjesu.htm The above website is the *personal* opinions of a Baha'i (he was a Baha'i at the time of writing this). It's in response to a book Baha'u'llah wrote that identified Jesus and Imam Husayn as dying as a "ransom for the sins and iniquities of man." Jesus death does hold redemptive significance to Baha'is, on top of all the other significant spiritual qualities we associate with Jesus. I can comfortably say, as a Baha'i, that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Baha'u'llah and Buddha are not just "marvelous men," but also the same Christ spirit that was manifest in Jesus. That's why Baha'u'llah, too, is my Lord and Savior. And we as Baha'is hold no opinion of Jospeh Smith, Jr., prophet of the Mormon Church. We do not believe him to be a Manifestation or minor prophet.

Jesus, our saviour. Mine, yours all of us.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 16, 2010 - 11:22pm.

There are a lot of writings, beautiful writings from a lot of wonderful men and women but that is not the bible. The bible is an unique book dictated by the only God, Creator of everything. There is Mr. Baha'u'llah, Buda, Smith, the lady of Christian Science, the beautiful writings of the Jehova Witnes etc. but only the bible is the word of God, that I believe with all my heart. What they said that is not already said in the New Testament? Love, love, love! your parents, your neighbors and above all God! Say that to all the people on the planet earth. Not if they dont believe kill them etc. It is a book of love. Can't people see this? How can we be soo blind! All the bad things are our own doing not God. He made the rules and we just don't follow. Simple. Like our children, like a drunk driver, like a drug user, like abortionists, like all all the pleasures we want to have, there are consequences but still He forgives us if we repent and dont do it again.

Re: Jesus

Submitted by Nicholas J. Bridgewater (not verified) on December 21, 2010 - 4:18pm.

The Bible was inspired, but it was written by human beings. It contains human accounts of spiritual events. Baha'is believe that the Bible is an inspired book and accept the teaching of Jesus Christ that are contained in the Gospel narratives. That doesn't mean that every event in the Bible happened as narrated. Even various Gospel accounts differ in some details. But, in essence, the Bible contains the inspired Word of God. Baha'u'llah received revelations from God, just like the prophets of old, which He wrote with His own hands or which were written down by His secretary. These represent the authentic Word of God revealed by God's Messenger. They don't contradict the Bible. Rather, they explain the Biblical teachings and expand upon them. The Baha'i Writings are the Word of God. They do not take anything away from the Bible. Rather, they fulfil the Biblical teachings. God's Word has no end. That's why God didn't just leave us with the Pentateuch. He revealed new teachings through Jesus Christ. And now Christ has returned through Baha'u'llah. He has revealed even newer teachings that are suitable for the day and age in which we live. They fulfil all the promises of the Bible and open the way for the realisation of God's Kingdom on earth. Don't worry about names. Baha'u'llah has come with a "New Name" as promised in the Bible. Even as John the Baptist is the Return of Elijah with a "New Name", Baha'u'llah is the Return of Christ with a "New Name". Christ is Baha'u'llah and Baha'u'llah is Christ. They differ only in personality, not in quality. They are both the Mouthpieces of God and the Messengers of God. Baha'u'llah is the Return of Christ in the Glory of the Father.

Christ returned

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 2, 2011 - 4:46pm.

Is "returned" just another way of saying "reincarnated"?

Dear seeker, Depends on

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 4, 2011 - 4:55pm.

Dear seeker, Depends on what you mean by reincarnation. If you mean what is thought of generally in conversations, then no. It is the spiritual return; not a reincarnation of the same soul in a new body, the way some Hindus believe for example.

What happened?

Submitted by Myislav (not verified) on November 25, 2010 - 10:59pm.

While visiting Jakson hole Wy, last summer and shopping in a shop, a small plaque was displayed on the counter. It was a statement made by the Bahai prophet. The sales person said, "it reads like the sermon on the mount, doesn't it?" I responded, "it sure does!" My question is where did Jesus fail? He said he would be with his followers to the conclusion of this world (Matthew 28:19,20)This world hasn't ended yet, has it? He also said, "I am the way, truth, life-No one an come to the Father except through me! (John 14:6)Then there is the matter of the ransom. No one that ever lived could provide that perfect ransom since no one else besides Adam who ever lived was perfect to provide that ransom, except Jesus-which was necessary.(Eye for eye) To compare Jesus with any other messenger of God ever-isn't that an insult and bordering on Blasphemy? To accept as one's leader someone else that Jesus, isn't that a dangerous position to be in?

Re: Jesus

Submitted by Nicholas J. Bridgewater (not verified) on December 21, 2010 - 4:41pm.

Hi, You'll find answers to these questions throughout the Baha'i writings. The Logos or Word of God is revealed through Jesus Christ. Christ is the Word made flesh, but the Word does not literally descend from heaven and enter or form a body. Spirit is exalted about matter. Jesus Christ is like a perfect Mirror. God is like the sun. The sun is reflected in the mirror but the sun doesn't descend into the mirror. When Christ says "I am the way" and only through Him can we know God, this is referring to the Word of God, not the person who was born two thousand years ago. Jesus was the Mouthpiece of God and His Perfect Mirror, but He is not literally God descended into flesh. The Bible never says this is the case. The Father is in Him because He mirrors the Father. He is perfect and sinless. Baha'u'llah is the Return of Christ because He is another perfect Mirror of God. He is also the Word of God made flesh and the Son of God. He is the same Christ, but not the personality of Jesus. The person of Jesus is exalted in the world beyond. But Baha'u'llah possesses the same perfection and quality of Jesus Christ. Christ's teachings did not invalidate the teachings of Moses. The teachings of the Torah are important and special. But Christ expanded upon them and gave new teachings for His time. Now, Baha'u'llah has expanded upon Christ's teachings and given new teachings which we need for this time. With regards to the end of the world, this refers to the system of the world, not the destruction of the planet. Baha'u'llah has brought a new law and a new system for society. Even as we speak, the old world order of oppression and tyranny is disappearing and the world is becoming a global village. Baha'u'llah's teachings are about world unity and world peace. His teachings will be the foundation of a new world civilization. The Book of Daniel prophecies that Christ will return in 1844. You can find more details on this in Some Answered Questions. There is nothing dangerous about accepting Baha'u'llah, because one is not rejecting Christ. Christ is Baha'u'llah. Christ said, "Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed in Me, for He spoke of Me." A Christian does not reject Moses, but rather, accepts Moses. A true follower of Moses should recognise Christ. Likewise, a true follower of Christ should accept Baha'u'llah and will not lose Jesus by accepting Him. Believing in Baha'u'llah is a confirmation of one's belief in Jesus Christ. I hope that answers your question.

*And God said unto Moses, "I

Submitted by Mark (not verified) on December 21, 2010 - 11:44am.

*And God said unto Moses, "I Am That I Am," and He said, "Thus shalt you say unto the children of Isreal, I Am hath sent me." Exod.3:14

*Jesus said unto them, "verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was I Am." Jn.8:58

*All through the bible Jesus said He was God.

*Who is it that you say Jesus is?

He is The Son of God....

Submitted by Barmak Kusha (not verified) on December 31, 2010 - 3:30am.

Jesus is..... and Baha'u'llah is the return of Jesus Christ in the Glory of the Father....

Bahaullah is the Return of Jesus Christ

Submitted by Barmak Kusha (not verified) on December 29, 2010 - 3:11pm.

Dear fellow believers in Jesus Christ, Jesus is the Way, the Light, and the Truth, yes! ....and you must know that Bahaullah is the Return of Jesus Christ!!! He cannot be coopted or ignore!!! He has issued us a challenge and we must investigate His extraordinary Claim....!!!!

Baha'is love Jesus Christ

Submitted by Shamim Bina (not verified) on December 29, 2010 - 9:15pm.

As Baha'is we love and respect ALL the Manifestations of God because they are all in essence one and the same. Each Manifestation of God came for a specific reason and addressed the issues of His day. Each Manifestation has built upon the previous Revelations of former Manifestations. The message of ALL Manifestations are legitimate and non is more valid or superior than the rest. Baha'u'llah has come to unite the world and establish World Peace. A mission Baha'is are working on around the world. Baha'is love and respect everyone! I have a deep respect and love for His Holiness Jesus Christ.

...Yes we do because...

Submitted by Barmak Kusha (not verified) on December 31, 2010 - 3:28am.

....Baha'u'llah is the return of Jesus Christ, and He has unsealed all the mysteries of the Bible, and has now finally revealed to us all those things that He in His first Advent in 30-33 AD said we "could not bear to hear." I invite all my dear fellow believers in Jesus Christ to learn about His Return and His New Name.

Who do Baha'is believe Jesus is?

Submitted by Brent Poirier (not verified) on January 7, 2011 - 9:55pm.

... exactly who the Bible says He is: Son of Man, Son of God, God, man, servant, High Priest, Prophet, Lord, Apostle, and Messenger.

gift to Bahai

Submitted by cal shummon (not verified) on January 15, 2011 - 12:47pm.

missionnairesdusaint-esprit coat of arms w/ mission statement and prayer representing respect and love while honoring supreme architect of the universe.

Bahai and Christianity do not agree!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 15, 2011 - 6:26pm.

Bahai is not Christianity and neither does it agree with Christianity! Read your bibles brothers and sisters before it is too late! God warns us in Hosea 4:6 that His people will die for lack of knowledge. The knowledge that He speaks of is the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. While it is true that all Christians are instructed to love all people, it is also true that this love will not always be reciprocated. In Matthew 10:22 Jesus warns His followers, "you will be hated by all for My name's sake." Jesus Christ is omniscient, He knew that as much as we tried everybody would not accept the gospel of Christ. He knew that darkness would never commune with light so He said,"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34)." Jesus also said,"Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak (John 12:50)." So this is not a difference in "personalities" as Bahai's claim. Jesus is the only Savior, He spoke the true Word of God, and there will be no universal peace until He returns. It is my sincere prayer that my fellow Christians really develop a relationship with the Savior and His word. This is more important than life or death, this is about the salvation of your souls. The bible says, "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:23-24)." The bible also lets us know that the second coming of Jesus Christ will not be a secret, "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24:27)."

Resurrection

Submitted by Roger David (not verified) on January 15, 2011 - 9:10pm.

The New Testament teaches the literal and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. A scholarly book by N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003) makes a good case that the Biblical term "resurrection from the dead" was not used to refer to some kind of spiritualized and non-empirically / non-falsifiable living again after being literally dead. If the Bahia Faith accepts the account of Jesus' resurrection in the sense it was written and understood 2000+ years ago (and I'm not yet clear how the Bahia Faith understands that central teaching of Biblical Christianity), if Baha'ullah died, is still dead in the literal and bodily sense, and has not been resurrected in the sense that "resurrection" is used in the Bible, then this seems to raise an issue as to whether Baha'ullah is the second coming of Christ. It has been said that Biblical Christianity rises or falls on the historicity of Jesus' literal and bodily resurrection (compare with what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, especially verses 1-20). If one concludes on the basis of available historical evidence that Jesus did, in fact or at least most likely, arise literally and bodily from a tomb, that would at least seem to get Jesus a hearing regarding all claims and statements attributed to Him by those early followers willing to die rather than deny what they had witnessed. Also, what these witnesses recorded in the New Testament about Jesus' return seems out of sync with the life and history of Baha'ullah, who did not come in the manner described for Jesus' Second Coming. In addition, the fact that Baha'ullah died and has not arisen seems very inconsistent with the reign of the returning Christ, as prophesied in the Bible. A not unreasonable conclusion would be that Baha'ullah was one of the false Christs whom Jesus said would come. In your view, where have I gone wrong here? A key factor years ago in my turning from near atheism or agnosticism was a consideration of evidence which--after non-supernaturalistic, a priori biases were weighed in the mix--pointed collectively to Jesus' resurrection. Upon realizing that an open-minded inquiry could not dismiss the New Testament account of Jesus Christ, repentance and faith came to me, with a peace of sins forgiven, looking forward to eternal life with Him, the only Savior and Lord. I intend to weigh carefully your response to my "where have I gone wrong" question with an open mind, and I look forward to reading that response.

Resurrection

Submitted by Roger David (not verified) on January 16, 2011 - 10:01am.

This is a follow up to a comment sent yesterday. My apologies regarding an oversight in using your spell checker. When writing Bahai, the first choice for correction is "Bahia," which I clicked each time, without noticing that the correct spelling "Baha'i" was also listed. I don't have a saved electronic copy of my comment. If in reviewing my comment for publication and reply you could make the "correct correction," that would be appreciated.

myth

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 12, 2011 - 8:54am.

You people need a life. Yall should talk about something real instead of fanatizing santa clause myths.

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