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Who Is Christ to Baha’is?

Brent Poirier | Updated Jun 7, 2021

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the authoritative views of the Baha'i Faith.

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Brent Poirier | Jun 13, 2014

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the authoritative views of the Baha'i Faith.

Who is Jesus Christ to Baha’is?  A good man?  A mere prophet?  The short answer: Baha’is believe Jesus is who he says he is.

We should keep in mind that when striving to understand Jesus, who is essentially divine, with our limited human minds, we should be careful not to limit Him to easy definitions.  Expounding on the station of the Messengers of God, the Baha’i teachings say:

“In every instance, they have voiced an utterance that would conform to the requirements of the occasion, and have ascribed all these declarations to Themselves, declarations ranging from the realm of divine Revelation to the realm of creation, and from the domain of Divinity even unto the domain of earthly existence. Thus it is that whatsoever be their utterance, whether it pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship, Prophethood, Messengership, Guardianship, Apostleship or Servitude, all is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt.”

The Holy Bible refers to Jesus by many of these same titles and stations.  These verses clearly affirm his Lordship, also referring to Him as the Son of Man, and as Teacher:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.” – John 13:13

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42

RELATED: What’s the Difference Between a Christian and a Baha’i?

Jesus Christ is referred to as a “Prophet” in these verses of the Bible.  Christians widely accept this verse as a promise of Jesus Christ in the Pentateuch:

“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

“But Jesus said to them, ’A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.’” Matthew 13:57

“Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” Luke 13:33

“So the multitudes said, ’This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’” Matthew 21:11

Does that mean that Jesus is “merely” a Prophet?  Let’s keep reading.  Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God:

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, ‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, ‘Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.’ – John 9:35-36.

These verses of the Bible refer to Jesus Christ as a “Messenger” –the “Messenger of the Covenant”:

Behold, I 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. – Malachi 3:1.

Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews refers to Jesus as an “Apostle” and as the “High Priest”:

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus… “

The Bible even expresses the servitude and meekness of Jesus.  In Isaiah God refers to Jesus as “My Servant,” and Jesus confirmed that the verse referred to Him: 

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!” Isaiah 42:1 (Matthew 12:17-18 confirms that this verse refers to Jesus.)

The Bible refers to Jesus as “savior”:

“Then the angel said to them, ’… For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

RELATED: How to Recognize All of the Prophets

Who, then, is Jesus?  According to the Bible He is the Son of Man, the Son of God, Lord, Prophet, Messenger, Teacher, Servant, Savior, Apostle, and High Priest. So the above-quoted Bible verses demonstrate the Baha’i explanation that in various circumstances the Manifestations of God identify themselves by different names and stations – even the station of divinity and Godhead:

“Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare, ’I am God!’ He verily speaketh the truth, and no doubt attacheth thereto. For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their Revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His name and His attributes, are made manifest in the world…”

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Comments

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  • Bill Carsley
    Jun 8, 2021
    -
    Brent, all of the Bible passages you quote are valid descriptions of Jesus. But I think you missed one of the most important ones. The introduction of John's gospel describes Jesus as the Word Who became flesh (John 1:14). He is the incarnation of the Logos (which is closely identified with God in verse one, although not necessarily identical with God the Father). This is the mystery which Christians have tried to explain with the Trinity, and Baha'is have tried to explain with the idea of Manifestations of God. The ultimate question is whether the Logos is uniquely and ...solely manifested by Jesus, or not.
    Read more...
  • Bill Carsley
    Jun 8, 2021
    -
    Brent, all of the Bible passages you quote are valid descriptions of Jesus. But I think you missed one of the most important ones. The introduction of John's gospel describes Jesus as the Word Who became flesh (John 1:14). He is the incarnation of the Logos (which is closely identified with God in verse one, although not necessarily identical with God the Father). This is the mystery which Christians have tried to explain with the Trinity, and Baha'is have tried to explain with the idea of Manifestations of God. The ultimate question is whether the Logos is uniquely manifested ...by Jesus or not.
    Read more...
  • Bill Carsley
    Jun 8, 2021
    -
    Brent, all of the Bible passages you quote are valid descriptions of Jesus. But I think you missed one of the most important ones. The introduction of John's gospel describes Jesus as the Word Who became flesh (John 1:14). He is the incarnation of the Logos (which is closely identified with God in verse one, although not necessarily identical with God the Father). This is the mystery which Christians have tried to explain with the Trinity, and Baha'is have tried to explain with the idea of Manifestations of God. The ultimate question is whether the Logos is uniquely manifested ...by Jesus or not.
    Read more...
  • Stephen Licata
    Jan 15, 2020
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    Yes, this is a well-written article. Baha'ullah's, The Book of Certitude. (Kitab-i-Iqan in Arabic). clearly illustrates the regretfully familiar patterns of misconceptions perpetuated by priests and rulers across thousands of years. Nonetheless, Baha'ullah affirms the Divinity of Christ (Jesus the man versus Christ the Alpha and Omega), the Virgin Birth and the fact that the Gospel has been preserved (despite many attempted changes) in an essentially valid form to provide absolute and infallible guidance back to the Creator.
  • Katherine Phillips
    Dec 28, 2019
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    Article very well put. Pacing of the read excellent. Being of Christian protestant background, glad to see this truth stated so well. Thanks Katherine Phillips
  • Justin LeCraux
    Sep 9, 2019
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    Jesus is God
  • Eric Fosbrooke
    May 5, 2018
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    We do not know of what Spiritual Substance our lord was made. But to me it seems good sense that Baha'u'llah and Christ Jesus are one. Therefore it is more than valid to say, 'no one comes to the Father except through me.' Baha'u'llah wrote a book about this very subject, it was probably the very first Book He wrote, it is called the, 'Book of Certitude' It is free on line or any Baha'i will gladly give you one. Eric F.
  • Simone Van der Spek
    Dec 1, 2017
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    John 14:6 John 14:6English Standard Version (ESV)
    6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
    Jesus = God
    If you are in trouble repent of your sins say the salvation prayer and your life will be changed, 180 degrees dor the better
    Jesus is the only way despite of What bahai says
  • Rachel Dell
    Nov 24, 2017
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    And I've also heard jesus is the Sun god created not his Son. Jesus actually had a father...
  • Rachel Dell
    Nov 24, 2017
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    I believe in Jesus. I don't believe his real name was Jesus because the letter J wasn't invented when he was born it was An I
    I also don't know why every pic of him is a white man with blue eyes and long blonde hair. When the bible says his skin was brass and hair like wool? Back then egypt and isreal were connected so Jesus was more then likely black. Plus there are so many more head scratchers about the bible itself. I believe there's some deception within Christianity. It's a political ...reilgon. Jesus did not bring Christianity that came after he died. And correct me (with proof) of I'm wrong, but i hear Baha'u'llah said the Only real holy book we can trust was the Qur'an
    Read more...
    • Amaan Radmard
      Jan 25, 2019
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      You are very wrong. Why would God let a book that is meant to guide his people (for even longer than the Quar'an) Be wrong research before you make blatant statements as Baha'u'llah said the opposite of this saying the bible is infallible. Christianity is not as political as Islam with the caliphs Baha'u'llah said it was poisoned in its birth by the materialistic ways of the Umayad caliphate who withed the pen from prophet Muhammad, although later on it was rectified (through shia Islam).The material look of Christ doesn't matter (whether black or white) although he in all ...likelihood was more like your description. Understand that is Islam is considered the most political religion out there(that is not a bad thing).
      Read more...
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