What is the Covenant?

aidan · 10-18-2011, 10:17 AM

Could someone please explain concisely what the Covenant is?What is the actual agreement?

Sen McGlinn · 10-18-2011, 01:24 PM

You could look at this article:
Covenant - Bahaikipedia, an encyclopedia about the Bahá

You are probably referring to the lesser covenant, which obliges Bahais to accept the leadership of Baha’u’llah's appointed successors and the administrative institutions of the Faith. Its terms are found in a succession of documents, first from Baha'u'llah in the Tablet of the Branch, then in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and most clearly in his Kitab-i-`Ahd (Book of the Covenant) which says in part,

Quote:

"The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent upon the Aghsan, the Afnan and My Kindred to turn, one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book [the Aqdas]: 'When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.' The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch [Abdu'l-Bahá].."
(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 220)

Abdu'l-Baha in turn specified the appointment of Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian, in his own Will, and in this and in numerous tablets Abdu'l-Baha upheld and specified the authority of the Houses of Justice (what we now call Spiritual Assemblies) and the Universal House of Justice that would be elected in the future (it was elected in 1963). The Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha says, in part:

Quote:

"After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon [all] to turn unto Shoghi Effendi .... as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, .... He is the Interpreter of the Word of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants.

The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the Universal House of Justice to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty... Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; ... May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him! The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the Guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the members of the House of Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the Guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him.
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Will and Testament, p. 11)

The purpose of the Covenant is to preserve the unity of the Bahai community. Because the line of succession is so clear, it is not possible for anyone who wants to dispute the leadership of the community to establish any credibility.

aidan · 10-18-2011, 02:12 PM

Thanks brother Sen.thats clear and concise

arthra · 10-18-2011, 02:58 PM

This is just my view but I think in a sense when you become a Baha'i there is a kind of covenant that you make...

Basically you indicate you are requesting enrollment "in the Baha'i Community with the understanding that Baha'u'llah has established sacred principles, laws and institutions which I must obey.".

So that's like a covenant or agreement.

The Eternal Covenant is:

The Ancient or Eternal Covenant between God and man is God's commitment that He will always provide guidance to humanity; humanity's obligation is to follow that guidance.

“Since time immemorial God has covenanted with His people that He would not leave them to
themselves alone but would send them Teachers or Prophets with unerring guidance to assist and help
them, to lead them to true knowledge and to show them the path of nearness to Him. This is the Great
Covenant, the Ancient Covenant of God through which God has unfailingly released His regenerating
Power, which has recreated all things and which has educated man enabling him to build an everadvancing
civilization. Each of His Manifestations in turn has always foretold the Prophets or Teacher to
come after Him....."

See this pdf file for details:

http://bahai-library.com/pdf/compila...nistration.pdf

10-18-2011, 10:17 AM	#1
aidan Senior Member Joined: Jul 2011 From: n ireland Posts: 413	What is the Covenant? Could someone please explain concisely what the Covenant is?What is the actual agreement?

10-18-2011, 02:58 PM	#4
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,063	This is just my view but I think in a sense when you become a Baha'i there is a kind of covenant that you make... Basically you indicate you are requesting enrollment "in the Baha'i Community with the understanding that Baha'u'llah has established sacred principles, laws and institutions which I must obey.". So that's like a covenant or agreement. The Eternal Covenant is: *The Ancient or Eternal Covenant between God and man is God's commitment that He will always provide guidance to humanity; humanity's obligation is to follow that guidance.* “Since time immemorial God has covenanted with His people that He would not leave them to themselves alone but would send them Teachers or Prophets with unerring guidance to assist and help them, to lead them to true knowledge and to show them the path of nearness to Him. This is the Great Covenant, the Ancient Covenant of God through which God has unfailingly released His regenerating Power, which has recreated all things and which has educated man enabling him to build an everadvancing civilization. Each of His Manifestations in turn has always foretold the Prophets or Teacher to come after Him....." See this pdf file for details: http://bahai-library.com/pdf/compila...nistration.pdf Last edited by arthra; 10-18-2011 at 03:04 PM.

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10-18-2011, 02:12 PM	#3
aidan Senior Member Joined: Jul 2011 From: n ireland Posts: 413	Thanks brother Sen.thats clear and concise