Rev. Bixby: How can we receive more from the Teaching of Baha’u’llah than from the Words of Jesus?
‘Abdu’l-Baha: Jesus and the former Prophets laid the foundation of the Cause of God,—the Heavenly Kingdom. But their followers forget and overlook the foundation. Christ said, "Ye must be born again of water and spirit." "As children from the womb, so must ye be born again of Spirit." The essence of His meaning was that those who were taught by Him and became His real followers would become free from world-imperfections; they would become perfect, redeemed from animalism and human passions, transformed into angels; that is to say the earthly would become heavenly. These are the real disciples of Christ. These are real Christians. Galen, a Greek philosopher, who was pagan and not Christian, writing upon the subject of "Ancient Civilization of Nations," states that "the greatest shaping influences in the civilization of nations are religious principles; and that the effect of Christianity upon the lives and morals of its adherents is a great proof of this statement."
Now Baha’u’llah came and brought a new life into the hearts of mankind. He reversed the order of many former teachings. Vast numbers of His followers live in accord with the principles He set forth. Mirza Abu’l Fadhil for instance, whom you have named, was firmly fixed in his religious belief. Under the influence of Baha’u’llah’s words, he arose to serve this Cause. He was thrown into prison two years;—he was persecuted and driven out of Persia. Under all conditions of distress and suffering, he was thankful and filled with happiness,—constantly serving the Cause of Baha’u’llah.
This is the strongest proof that the Teachings of Baha’u’llah have within them the same power to mould and influence human lives as the Teachings of Jesus. They free the souls of men from world-attachments and imperfections. They open the doors in this age of the world to perfection. The Jews admit that Jesus appeared in the world and taught heavenly principles. If Christ had not appeared after Moses the mention of Moses would have been lost. The foundation of Jesus and the foundation of Moses were the same. The foundation of Baha’u’llah is likewise the same as Moses and Jesus. All religion has the same foundation.
Furthermore, consider how Baha’u’llah has upraised the standard of Christ in the East, in countries and among peoples where there was formerly no mention of Christ's name. He established the truth of the Bible among those who shunned and hated the Bible. They considered it a righteous act to burn and destroy the Book of Christianity. Baha’u’llah has taught them to read the Bible.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From an interview by Rev. Bixby April 13, 1912, hotel Ansonia, New York City, also present Rev. Howard Colby Ives; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 8, August 1, 1912)