The true church

aidan · 11-18-2011, 03:57 PM

The Baha'i Faith is not classified as a church nor do we have church buildings although we do have some of the most beautiful temples known to man.Bethren WE most definitely are church in its most truely purest form as was intended by God and espoused by Jesus,Mohammed pbuh and Baha'u'llah.Church is not a hierarchy of ministers and doctors of faith,nor isit a mightly cathedral or basilica.The former are ideas of man and examples of striving to get close to God.Church in its truest form,designed by God is believers simply living a life that brings them together in a bond of unity to worship.Baha'is coming together in fellowship to pray and assisting each other to lead good lives is Church in it's naked essence.Just as valid an example of Church is an indigenous tribe coming togather to worship the great spirit that created them.These are examples of the one true church.Priests.ministers of religion in general are totaly superfluous as are buildings and paraphanalia,unnecessary for true church.We,the people of God are His one true church.It is through being church we validate our exsitance.thevery reason and nature of our existance.If we were not churc,we would have no purpose,no meaning,no reason to be.Being church is at the essence of our humanity,the very reason why we exist in the universe and not just in he mind of God

arthra · 11-19-2011, 10:15 AM

I think it's appropriate that Baha'is don't use the term "church" as it would confuse our Christian friends.. We also don't have mosques.. A church implies an order and ministers that have nothing to do with Baha'i Faith..so it's for this reason I think we don't use the term "church".

aidan · 11-19-2011, 10:34 AM

Im not advocating that we use the word "church" I am saying that we are church on a philosohical level.This was talked about in "Heart of the Gospel" a wonderful book wnich explains Christianity wonderfully.I would like Yeshua's opinion om this

Prodaytrader · 12-07-2011, 04:36 AM

I use the term church out of convience to others to not suffer long discussions when they ask simple questions. Where am I going, where was I: at church.

Where did Christians gather during biblical times? There weren't enough of them to build actual churches yet churches are where they met none the less. I think what your pointing out is that we continue to suffer from governmental recognition in the fullest sense. Sure we're recognized but not on the tax forms so to speak. In the military I had to mark 'other.'

The other component Arthra points out. There is very little dogma in Bahai faith since the emphasis is on you as the individual seeker of truth without need of place, person or item to discover that truth other then your writings that is.

cire perdue · 12-07-2011, 08:27 AM

I would never use "church" unless I was avoiding mentioning I was a Baha'i, and only rarely is that applicable. I say my "Faith" all the time however. I have worked hard at finding ways to mention the Faith without going into great detail, (but then I don't pack a weapon either in case they questin my word). I feel that pertains to the exhortations that we teach the Cause as much as we can. However in business relationships I almost never mention the Faith, as it is NOT appropriate in some settings at all.

11-18-2011, 03:57 PM	#1
aidan Senior Member Joined: Jul 2011 From: n ireland Posts: 413	The true church The Baha'i Faith is not classified as a church nor do we have church buildings although we do have some of the most beautiful temples known to man.Bethren WE most definitely are church in its most truely purest form as was intended by God and espoused by Jesus,Mohammed pbuh and Baha'u'llah.Church is not a hierarchy of ministers and doctors of faith,nor isit a mightly cathedral or basilica.The former are ideas of man and examples of striving to get close to God.Church in its truest form,designed by God is believers simply living a life that brings them together in a bond of unity to worship.Baha'is coming together in fellowship to pray and assisting each other to lead good lives is Church in it's naked essence.Just as valid an example of Church is an indigenous tribe coming togather to worship the great spirit that created them.These are examples of the one true church.Priests.ministers of religion in general are totaly superfluous as are buildings and paraphanalia,unnecessary for true church.We,the people of God are His one true church.It is through being church we validate our exsitance.thevery reason and nature of our existance.If we were not churc,we would have no purpose,no meaning,no reason to be.Being church is at the essence of our humanity,the very reason why we exist in the universe and not just in he mind of God Last edited by aidan; 11-18-2011 at 04:03 PM.

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11-19-2011, 10:15 AM	#2
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,055	I think it's appropriate that Baha'is don't use the term "church" as it would confuse our Christian friends.. We also don't have mosques.. A church implies an order and ministers that have nothing to do with Baha'i Faith..so it's for this reason I think we don't use the term "church".

11-19-2011, 10:34 AM	#3
aidan Senior Member Joined: Jul 2011 From: n ireland Posts: 413	Im not advocating that we use the word "church" I am saying that we are church on a philosohical level.This was talked about in "Heart of the Gospel" a wonderful book wnich explains Christianity wonderfully.I would like Yeshua's opinion om this

12-07-2011, 04:36 AM	#4
Prodaytrader Member Joined: Nov 2011 From: Dallas Posts: 31	I use the term church out of convience to others to not suffer long discussions when they ask simple questions. Where am I going, where was I: at church. Where did Christians gather during biblical times? There weren't enough of them to build actual churches yet churches are where they met none the less. I think what your pointing out is that we continue to suffer from governmental recognition in the fullest sense. Sure we're recognized but not on the tax forms so to speak. In the military I had to mark 'other.' The other component Arthra points out. There is very little dogma in Bahai faith since the emphasis is on you as the individual seeker of truth without need of place, person or item to discover that truth other then your writings that is.

12-07-2011, 08:27 AM	#5
cire perdue Senior Member Joined: Sep 2010 From: Louisiana Posts: 1,601	I would never use "church" unless I was avoiding mentioning I was a Baha'i, and only rarely is that applicable. I say my "Faith" all the time however. I have worked hard at finding ways to mention the Faith without going into great detail, (but then I don't pack a weapon either in case they questin my word). I feel that pertains to the exhortations that we teach the Cause as much as we can. However in business relationships I almost never mention the Faith, as it is NOT appropriate in some settings at all.