All the prehistoric Manifestations were sent by Baha’u’llah

One of the title that Baha’u’llah gave to himself is the “Ancient Beauty”.

Another similar title is the “Ancient Tree” or the “Lote Tree”.

Baha’is also exaggerate the station of Baha’u’llah:

“…Bahá’u’lláh is the greatest Manifestation to yet appear, the One Who consummates the Revelation of Moses; He was the One Moses conversed with in the Burning Bush. In other words Bahá’u’lláh identifies the glory of the Godhead on that occasion with Himself…”

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 19, 1947)

According to Baha’u’llah, he is the sender of the Messengers and revealer of all divine books.

“The Sender of the Messengers and the Revealer of the Books is Our station.”

(Stories of Baha’u’llah, Compiled by Ali-Akbar Furutan, George Ronald, Oxford, 1986, pp. 74–5)

Baha’is believe that all the prehistoric Manifestations were sent by Baha’u’llah.

Another Baha’i belief is that Baha’u’llah reveals “himself” only once every 500,000 years:

“This is the Revelation (Manifestation) that manifests itself (His own Self) every 500,000 years time only once. Moreover, we unveiled the cover and we lifted the veil. Blessed is the man that recognized (‘arif) the purpose of God. In his recognition (‘irafah) has rejoiced in his heart and been made firm in the cause such that he cannot be made to stumble by the entire creation. Verily We unveiled in this Tablet a secret wrapt in secrets. This Revelation We have concealed that which is the Hidden lest the tumult of the wicked rise.”

(https://www.hajir.org/excerpt-of-tablet-by-bahaullah-on-500000-years/)

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Manifestation of God

`Abdu’l-Bahā says:

“Everything is renewed and so, the essence of Divine Religion must be renewed too. Imitations must completely vanish and the light of truth must shine. The teachings that are the spirit of this era must be propagated, and those are the teachings of Bahā’u’llāh that are famous in the horizons and are the breath of the Holy Spirit.”

Reference:- Abdul Baha, Makatib (Egypt), Vol: 3, P.332

Baha’is claim that after the spring of each Prophet’s teachings a winter occurs in which another Prophet must appear:

“. . . The appearances of the Manifestations of God are the divine springtime . . . Bahā’u’llāh has come into this world. He has renewed that springtime.”

Reference:- Abdul Baha, The Promulgation Of Universal Peace, P.10

This is only a recipe prescribed for the previous religions. Although `Abdu’l-Bahā claims that religions must be renewed. However, Bahā’u’llāh believes that he himself is the last Manifestation and there will be no Manifestations after him. This is what he utters after expressing his dissatisfaction with the Bābīs who were making new claims by the day:

“Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God, ere the expiration of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a lying impostor. We pray God that He may graciously assist him to retract and repudiate such claim. Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If, however, he persisteth in his error, God will, assuredly, send down one who will deal mercilessly with him.”

Reference: Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitāb-i-Īqān, p. 32.

In the notes under this verse it has been clearly mentioned:

“The Dispensation of Bahā’u’llāh will last until the coming of the next Manifestation of God, Whose advent will not take place before at least “a full thousand years” will have elapsed.”

Reference:- Bahaullah, The Kitabi Aqdas, P. 195

These contradictions are very clear. In the first instance Bahā’u’llāh claims that no manifestation will ever appear again but elsewhere he claims a manifestation will appear no less than a thousand years from now!

The contradictions regarding the concept of cycles are even more severe.

Refer:- Twelve Principles – A Comprehensive Investigation on the Bahai Teachings

Holy Spirit – Intermediary Between Man & God

According to `Abdu’l-Bahā, the Holy Spirit is the intermediary between man and God by which man is given life, intellect, knowledge, thought, and eternal life.

Reference:- Abdul Baha, Paris Talks, pp. 57-59

Is the Principle “the World of Humanity is in the Need of the Breath of the Holy Spirit” New?

`Abdu’l-Bahā claims that the Holy Spirit is an intermediary between man and God not just the prophets:

“. . . there must be a Mediator between God and Man, and this is none other than the Holy Spirit . . . the Holy Spirit is the very cause of the life of man; without the Holy Spirit he would have no intellect, he would be unable to acquire his scientific knowledge by which his great influence over the rest of creation is gained.”

Reference:- Abdul Baha, Paris Talks, pp. 58-59

“Notwithstanding the high position it occupieth, still, with an eloquent tongue, through which the Spirit moveth, hearts are attracted and bosoms burn, it speaketh to the pure hearts and to the good and righteous souls in every spot of the earth . . . because the greatest and strongest proof for showing the abundance of the Spirit to the bodies is the very appearance of its power and influence in those bodies.”

Reference:- Abdul Baha, Baha’i World Faith- Selected writings of Bahaullah and Abdul Baha (Abdul Baha’s section only), P. 368-369

“The human spirit which is not fortified by the presence of the Holy Spirit is dead and in need of resurrection by that divine power; otherwise, though materially advanced to high degrees, man cannot attain full and complete progress.”

Reference: Abdul Baha, Baha’i World Faith- Selected writings of Bahaullah and Abdul Baha (Abdul Baha’s section only), P. 241-242

The concept of the Holy Spirit has been greatly spoken about in Christianity and there is no need to repeat it here. We can only conclude that this concept too, like all the other Baha’i principle is not new and has existed in previous religions.

Courtesy:- Twelve Principles: A Comprehensive Investigation on the Baha’i Teachings.