Baha'i views on Salvation (Jesus, Kingdom, reincarnation, followers, grace)

[JayHawes]

How exactaly do Baha'i define salvation? Do you beleive that any adhernent in any faith can reach salvation in their respective faith, or must they convert to Baha'i?

[Popeyesays]

In the Baha`i view their is ONE Religion -- the religion of God. Christ revealedthe religion of God. Muhammad revealed the religion of God, Baha`u'llah revealedthe religion of GOd.

The purpose of man's creation is to know God and worship Him.

Each Prophet also had a specific purpose in His Revelation. THe purpose of Christ was forgiveness and salvation. Baha`i's and Muslims and Zoroastrians and Buddhists all have personal salvation from God.

There really is no conversion in the Baha`i Faith. Christians have always been followers of God's Revelation.

This does not mean that an individual will not profit best by recognizing and following the Prophet of his own day and age.

What is salvation in the first place?

Baha`i's do not believe that heaven and hell are physical places, but rather states of existence within all the Kingdoms of God.

In the next life God's Grace is still available to us, but in this life if we do not gather the attributes and senses critical to the next we will be in a state of existence that is less 'good' than if we had.

This life is best spent in serivce to mankind and to God's will. The same is true with next life. We will advance in understanding, knowledge and mirroring forth the attributes of God in this life and in the next.

"The world will pass away, and so will all the things whereat your hearts rejoice, or wherein ye pride yourselves before men. Cleanse the mirrors of your hearts from the dross of the world and all that is therein, that they may reflect the resplendent light of God. This, indeed, shall enable you to dispense with all save God, and to attain unto the good pleasure of your Lord, the Most Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We, verily, have unfolded before your eyes that which shall profit you both in this world and in the realm of faith, and which will lead you to the path of salvation. Would that ye might turn thereunto!"
(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 208)


Regards,
Scott

[JayHawes]

So you believe in reincarnation?

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by JayHawes

So you believe in reincarnation?

No, we do not. We get this one life in the physical body and it never comes again.

The next life is not physical.

Regards,
Scott

[JayHawes]

Does salvation require any sacrifices, if so how do you few the sacrifice of Jesus, and what does it mean to Baha'i?

[joeboonda]

Christ revealedthe religion of God. Muhammad revealed the religion of God,

Jesus said He must die and be raised the third day for our sins. Mohammad said an imposter died on the cross, not Jesus, and that "Allah has no Son'. One of these is NOT the religion of God...

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by joeboonda

Jesus said He must die and be raised the third day for our sins. Mohammad said an imposter died on the cross, not Jesus, and that "Allah has no Son'. One of these is NOT the religion of God...

Joe, we've discussed this to death on other threads. Let's not drift away from the topic here.

Regards,
Scott

[joeboonda]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

Joe, we've discussed this to death on other threads. Let's not drift away from the topic here.

Regards,
Scott

So you believe salvation is from both God who gave His Son, and from Allah who had no son and denies the crucifxion? How so? What must a man do to be saved?

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by joeboonda

So you believe salvation is from both God who gave His Son, and from Allah who had no son and denies the crucifxion? How so? What must a man do to be saved?

I'm not going to discuss Islam here, Joe.

I do believe that God and Allah are ONE, since there is only ONE God.
Since there is only ONE God, that ONE God sent all the Prophets.

Regards,
Scott

[UnityNow101]

And Joe...Muslims believe and uphold their belief in the virgin birth of Jesus. So He was miraculously brought to earth much in the way of Adam, who had neither father nor mother. That in no way means that God was His literal father.