Holy Spirit

The power/infallibility of

(Talks on)

• Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 248-251
• Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 320-322
• Paris Talks, pp. 163-166

Only true Explainer of the Book of God

"The only true Explainer of the Book of God is the Holy Spirit, for no two minds are alike, no two can comprehend alike, no two can speak alike. That is to say, from the mere human standpoint of interpretation there could be neither truth nor agreement."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 212)

Breath of Holy Spirit needed for spiritual quickening, enlightenment, and the Most Great Peace (racial, patriotic, political, diplomatic, concentrated opinion, or other human agencies are insufficient)

"Bahá'u'lláh teaches that the world of humanity is in need of the breath of the Holy Spirit, for in spiritual quickening and enlightenment true oneness is attained with God and man. The Most Great Peace cannot be assured through racial force and effort; it cannot be established by patriotic devotion and sacrifice; for nations differ widely and local patriotism has limitations. Furthermore, it is evident that political power and diplomatic ability are not conducive to universal agreement, for the interests of governments are varied and selfish; nor will international harmony and reconciliation be an outcome of human opinions concentrated upon it, for opinions are faulty and intrinsically diverse. Universal peace is an impossibility through human and material agencies; it must be through spiritual power. There is need of a universal impelling force which will establish the oneness of humanity and destroy the foundations of war and strife. None other than the divine power can do this; therefore, it will be accomplished through the breath of the Holy Spirit."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 108-109)

Only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about (not the material)

"The eleventh principle of Bahá'u'lláh is:

"The Power of the Holy Spirit, by which alone Spiritual Development is achieved

"It is only by the breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual development can come about. No matter how the material world may progress, no matter how splendidly it may adorn itself, it can never be anything but a lifeless body unless the soul is within, for it is the soul that animates the body; the body alone has no real significance. Deprived of the blessings of the Holy Spirit the material body would be inert."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 133)

The susceptibilities of humanity can only be made one through the Holy Spirit, not through human philosophers

"The eighth principle of Bahá'u'lláh is that philosophy sufficeth not and is not conducive to the absolute happiness of mankind. Great philosophers have been capable of educating themselves, or a few who followed them, but generally education, ethical education, they could not endow. Therefore, the world of humanity is evermore in need of the breadth of the Holy Spirit. The greatest peace will not be realized without the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit of God which insures the safety of humanity, for human thoughts differ, human susceptibilities differ. You cannot make the susceptibilities of all humanity one except through the common channel of the Holy Spirit."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Oneness of the Reality of Humankind, Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration)

Identification thereof in the Manifestation of God

Greatest power of the Holy Spirit exists in the Divine Manifestations

"The greatest power of the Holy Spirit exists in the Divine Manifestations of the Truth. Through the power of the Spirit the Heavenly Teaching has been brought into the World of Humanity. Through the power of the Spirit life everlasting has come to the children of men. Through the power of the Spirit the Divine Glory has shone from East to West, and through the power of the same Spirit will the divine virtues of humanity become manifest."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 87)

The (infallible) power of the Holy Spirit is limited to Bahá’u’lláh and the interpretation thereof to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

"The Blessed Beauty entered into this Covenant for obedience and not for opposition. I say this merely for the protection of the Cause of God and for the purpose of safeguarding unity among the friends. Were it not for the removal of vain imaginings and the eradication of differences, I should not have asserted that I am `the Center of the Covenant'. We must obey the Blessed Beauty. We must never forget His favors and exhortations. If even a breath of egotism is found in us, we shall perish at once. The friends must be alert. Everyone who expresses a word not from the texts sows discord among the believers. The Blessed Beauty entered into this Covenant for obedience; that is, that no one should utter a word from his own self or cause any conflict. If it were not so, everyone would open a way for himself and expound the Words of God in his own manner. One would say, for instance, `As I have the power of the Holy Spirit, I have a greater capacity for understanding.' Others, even these old ladies, would at once retort, `We, too, have the power of the Holy Spirit.'

"The power of the Holy Spirit is limited to the Blessed Beauty and the interpretation thereof to none but me. If it is so, then there will be no differences. We must occupy ourselves with thoughts of spreading the Cause. Know that whoever has any thought other than this will become the cause of discord among the friends."

(Mahmúd's Diary, July 7, 1912)

The Holy Spirit can be found today in rich abundance in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh; to study, meditate, and associate mind and heart with its atmosphere

"The Guardian will pray for the quickening of your souls, the unfolding of the divine mysteries, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives new life, and this can today be found in rich abundance, in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. His Words and Teachings are the Water of Life, and the sustenance of spiritual growth. Therefore you should study the Word carefully, meditate on its import and, having been touched by its spirit, associate your mind and heart with its atmosphere, then the way will become clear, and the doors be opened."

(From a letter dated 11 June 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Bahá’í Study Group in Columbus, Ohio; in Prayer and Devotional Life, sel. 105)

How to attract the blessings of

Gifts of Holy Spirit received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God

"When a person becomes a Bahá'í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 6, 1954: Living the Life, pp. 18-19, in Lights of Guidance, no. 247)