Christianity needs renewal. This powerpoint dicusses the link between Christianity and the Bahai Faith

1. The link between Christianity and the Baha’i Faith

2. Based on Christianity Renewed Volume 1 by Maxwell Alexander Published by Baha’i Publishing Trust of India See: www.christianityrenewed.com

13. We will now show a short movie which shows that we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The founder of the Bahá'í Faith tells us that if a person doesn’t believe in Jesus he has denied the face of God. Jesus tells us “Love your neighbour”. Bahá'u'lláh, the Glory of God wrote: “Love mankind”. There is no difference. Only the time is different.

14. Second part: The promise of a future in which peace and harmony will be established

16. Oneness of mankind And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Jews Hindoes Budhism Islam Christians

18. Baha’is believe that this promise is now fulfilled !

21. The dawn Of A new age HAS COME

23. Bahá'í Faith is a world embracing religion

24. Its purpose is to unite al the races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith .

25. Bahá'u'lláh means The Glory of God

26. Baha’is are the followers of Baha’u’llah

27. We believe Bahá'u'lláh is the Promised One of All Ages

29. Let’s reflect on the need for unity in the world to-day. Is it not clear that we need the Divine Educator to help us?

30. Baha’u’llah teaches that God is the unknowable essence

31. We should not make images in our mind , thinking of him as a man

32. The creation of heavens and earth, mountains and valleys, deserts and seas. Plants and animals

36. The Manifestations of God are like perfect mirrors that reflect the light of God in all its splendour

37. KRISHNA ABRAHAM MOSES ZOROASTER BUDDHA JESUS М UHAMMED BAB Baha’u’llah All these mirrors reflect same light ...

38. Spiritual steps for mankind “ While God is beyond our reach, these perfect Beings come to us from time to time, live amongst us, give us guidance, and fill us wit the energy we need to progress, materially and spiritually. God Family Tribe City State Nation World unity Krishna Rig-Veda Abraham Moses Torah Zoroaster Zend-Avesta Buda Tri-Patikas Jesus Holy Bible Muhammad Quran Báb Bayán Bahá’u’lláh Kitáb-i-Aqdas SPIRIT OBEDIENCE LAW - ORDER PURITY RENUNCIATION LOVE SUBMISSION NEW ERA UNITY

43. Based on Christianity Renewed Volume 2 by Maxwell Alexander Published by Baha’i Publishing Trust of India See: www.christianityrenewed.com

44. Part 3 What can we learn from the study of history of Christianity?

46. From a Christian article:

47. History of Christianity

50. T he Edifice which the Fathers of the Church reared after the passing of His First Apostle was an Edifice that rested in nowise upon the explicit directions of Christ Himself.

52. So a visitor to Rome around the year 200 AD would find a number of different churches in Rome Some early sects were: Marcionism, Monarchians, Montanists and Novatianists. For example: - Marcion (142 AD ) had his own church in Rome. and attracted lots of followers. Marcionism was a serious rival for the Roman Orthodox (Catholic) church and he was excommunicated. - Montanists; Followed Montanus who claimed direct revelation from God - Novatianist schism Novatian, in 251, had himself made Bishop of Rome in opposition to another bishop, Cornelius

53. Many efforts were made to stop the multiplication of different churches . Many councils as for example the Council of Nicea (325 AD) , the council of Ephesus (449 AD) , the council of Chalcedon (451 AD) were called together but every council led to more schisms. Christianity became only more divided. The aim of the Councils was not to get a better understanding of the nature of Christ but to separate the orthodox believers from the heretics. The burning of books, the persecution of heretics would culminate in the inquisition. Indeed how far had Christianity strayed away from the loving teachings of Jesus.

57. Fourth part: Analysis of the man-made teachings and conclusions

64. Spiritual meaning of the “Bread and the wine” Jesus says: “Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood has eternal life ”. They said: “¿Chow can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesús explains : “It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing; the Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life” (John52, 54, 63) Bread = teachings : “ Jesus said; Beware of the leaven( bread) of the Pharisees..Then understood they ..beware of the doctrine of the Parisees ” (Matt. 16:6-12) “ Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of Gods”. (Lucas 4:4) “ I have meat to eat that ye know not of ”. (Juan 4:32-34)

65. Spiritual Meaning of Miracles “ And Jesus said; for judgement I am come nto this word, …and that they which see might be made blind (John 9:39) “ But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she livveth”. (1Timothy 5:6) “ He that believeth in me follw me. Let the dead bury their dead (Matt.: 8:22)

67. “ The Devil is the ‘obstacle” when we progress to God “ Satan” is a Hebrew word which means “obstacle or “stumbling block”. “ Angel” means “messenger”. The Path of the Knowledge of God. “ .” (Bahá’u’lláh) “ The evil spirit,, Satan or whatever is interpreted as evil , refers to the lower nature of man. This lower nature is symbolized in various ways…all such ideas and nomenclature are symbols expressing the mere or earthly nature of man.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) The meaning of “Satan”

68. Fifth Part: What is the spiritual reality of Christ ?

80. The lamp is Jesus; the light is Christ. “ Before Abraham was, I am ”. (John 8:58 ) “ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending saith the Lord “ (Rev. 1:8) “… Christ the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever ” (Hebrews 13:8) “ Flesh and blood can not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven”. (1 Cor. 15:50) “ For Christ … being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18) “ If you reflect upon the essential teaching s of Jesus, you wil realice that they are the light of the world…They are the very source of life and the cause of happiness to the human race” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Christ Jesus

82. Sixth Part: The progressive nature of religion

83. Oneness of mankind And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Jews Hindoes Budhism Islam Christians

88. The Religion of God must be renewed from age to age “ Every good tree bringeth forth fruit ” ( Matt 7:17) Man-made ideas are like weeds. “ But in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ” (Matt. 15:9) “ Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted out” Matt. 15:13)

89. Progressive Revelation in the Bible Seed Abraham Obedience Trunk Moses Law Flower Jesus Love Fruit Bahá’u’lláh World unity

90. Spiritual steps for mankind “ God always gave guidance to mankind. Each divine Educator brought social teachings which were perfect for people who were living in that age. God Family Tribe City State Nation World unity Krishna Rig-Veda Abraham Moses Torah Zoroaster Zend-Avesta Buda Tri-Patikas Jesus Holy Bible Muhammad Quran Báb Bayán Bahá’u’lláh Kitáb-i-Aqdas SPIRIT OBEDIENCE LAW - ORDER PURITY RENUNCIATION LOVE SUBMISSION NEW ERA UNITY

91. Zoroaster Hinduism Judaísm Taoísm Buddism Christianity Islam Bahá’í Faith That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own . What is hateful to you do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. This is the sum of duty: do naught to others that which if done to thee would cause pain. The sage has no interests of his own, but regards the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind, he is also kind to the unkind: for virtue is kind.. Hurt not others with that which pains yourself. Do unto others you would have done unto you. No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself The Golden Rule in all the Religions of the world

92. Based on Christianity Renewed Volume 3 by Maxwell Alexander Published by Baha’i Publishing Trust of India See: www.christianityrenewed.com

93. Seventh part Proofs of the Manifestation of God

105. The exiles of Bahá’u’lláh

106. God’s Plan for Mankind “ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and my seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to the seed after thee ”. (Genesis 17:7) Isaac Ishmael 6 hijos

110. Thank you For more information : [email_address] Copyright : Marc and Helen Vloeberghs 2008