At a Glance
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The Baháʻí Faith
Unity of all religions; progressive revelation through divine manifestations
GodOne unknowable God manifested through successive prophets
ScriptureBaháʻí writings + all world scriptures (partially)
JesusOne of nine divine manifestations — not uniquely the Son of God
SalvationSpiritual development through Baháʻí teachings and good works
SinDistance from God through ignorance — not moral guilt
RevelationProgressive — Baháʻuʻlláh is the latest and greatest manifestation
ReligionsAll major religions are essentially one; all paths lead to God
EternityProgressive spiritual development in the afterlife
The ChurchA new world order — the Baháʻí Administrative Order
AssuranceNot a major concern — focus is on spiritual progress
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Sovereign Grace
God alone saves, by grace alone, through Christ alone
AuthorityScripture alone — Sola Scriptura
GodThe triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
SalvationGrace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
JustificationComplete, instantaneous, eternal — Romans 5:1
AtonementFinished once for all at Calvary — John 19:30
JesusGod the Son, crucified, risen, and reigning
EternityHeaven or hell — by God’s sovereign grace
AssuranceThe believer may and ought to know he is saved — 1 John 5:13
The ChurchAll elect believers; no earthly headquarters
PrayerTo God alone through Christ alone — 1 Tim 2:5
Detailed Doctrine-by-Doctrine Comparison
Topic
The Baháʻí Faith Teaches
Scripture Teaches
God & Progressive Revelation
BaháʻíThe Baháʻí Faith teaches that one unknowable God has progressively revealed himself through a series of divine manifestations — Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Baháʻuʻlláh. Each manifestation brought a revelation suited to its age. Baháʻuʻlláh’s revelation supersedes all previous ones and is the fullest yet.
GraceGod has definitively and finally revealed himself in his Son: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). The revelation of Christ is final and complete. Any claim of a superior or subsequent manifestation is false prophecy. Though we… or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel… let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8).
The Unity of All Religions
BaháʻíAll major world religions are expressions of one underlying divine truth, suited to their time and place. Their differences are superficial; their essential unity is real. The Baháʻí Faith does not seek to replace other religions but to fulfil and unify them. All sincere religious seekers are on a path toward the one God.
GraceThe Scripture declares that there is one true God, one true gospel, and one way of salvation. There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Christ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). All other religions are not partial paths to God but departures from him.
Jesus Christ
BaháʻíJesus is honoured as one of nine manifestations of God — a great prophet and teacher, but not uniquely the Son of God, not the final word of God to man, and not the only Saviour. His teaching was suited to his age but has been superseded by Baháʻuʻlláh’s more complete revelation.
GraceJesus Christ is the unique, eternal, only-begotten Son of God who is himself God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). He is not one manifestation among nine but the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). His revelation cannot be superseded because it is God himself speaking.
Sin & Salvation
BaháʻíThe Baháʻí Faith does not have a developed doctrine of sin as moral guilt before a holy God. Man is inherently noble but imperfectly developed. Salvation is understood as spiritual development — drawing closer to God through adherence to Baháʻí teachings, prayer, service, and moral development across this life and the next.
GraceMan is a fallen, guilty sinner who stands condemned before a holy God and can do nothing to save himself. There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). Salvation is not spiritual development but the forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness through faith alone. The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
Bahá'u'lláh & Prophetic Claims
BaháʻíBaháʻuʻlláh (1817–1892) claimed to be the fulfilment of the promises of all world religions — the return of Christ, the Imam Mahdi of Islam, the Shah Bahram of Zoroastrianism, and the Maitreya Buddha. His writings are considered the Word of God for this age.
GraceChrist warned: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24). The biblical test of a true prophet is 100% accuracy and conformity to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 18:22; Isaiah 8:20). Baháʻuʻlláh’s claims fail both tests.