A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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Spiritual Assemblies |
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Before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá completed His earthly mission, He had laid a basis for
the development of the administrative order
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established in Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings. To show the high importance
to be attributed to the institution of the Spiritual Assembly,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a tablet declared that a certain translation
must be approved by the Spiritual Assembly of Cairo before
publication, even though He Himself had reviewed and corrected
the text.
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By Spiritual Assembly is meant the administrative body of
nine persons, elected annually by each local Bahá’í community,
in which is vested the authority of decision on all matters of
mutual action on the part of the community. This designation
is temporary, since in future the Spiritual Assemblies will be
termed Houses of Justice.
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Unlike the organization of churches, these Bahá’í bodies are
social rather than ecclesiastical institutions. That is, they apply
the law of consultation to all questions and difficulties arising
between Bahá’ís, who are called upon no to carry them to the
civil court, and seek to promote unity as well as justice
throughout the community. The Spiritual Assembly is in no
wise equivalent to the priest or clergy, but is responsible for
upholding the teachings, stimulating active service, conducting
meetings, maintaining unity, holding Bahá’í property in trust
for the community, and representing it in its relations to the
public and to other Bahá’í communities.
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The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways
and means, its extension, its consolidation, essential as they
are to the interests of the Cause, constitute by no means
the only issue which should receive the full attention of
these Assemblies. A careful study of Bahá’u’lláh’s and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets will reveal that other duties, no
less vital to the interests of the Cause, devolve upon the
elected representatives of the friends in every locality. It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious, discreet and watchful, and protect at all times the Temple 181 of the Cause from the dart of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the enemy. |
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They must endeavor to promote amity and concord
amongst the friends, efface every lingering trace of distrust,
coolness and estrangement from every heart, and
secure in its stead an active and whole-hearted cooperation
for the service of the Cause. They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of color, caste and creed. They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá’í educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development. … They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual and spiritual interests of their fellow-men. They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its infancy all Bahá’í publications and translations, and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Bahá’í literature and its distribution to the general public. |
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The possibilities inherent in Bahá’í institutions can only be
estimated when one realizes how rapidly modern civilization is
disintegrating for lack of that spiritual power which can alone
supply the necessary attitude of responsibility and humility to
the leaders and the requisite loyalty to the individual members
of society.
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