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God is, to humankind, the ultimate embodiment of love, justice, forgiveness, and all other divine perfections. It is because Christ, Baha'u'llah, and other Prophets possess such perfections that we say They manifest what we attribute to God. Hence, we refer to Them as Manifestations. Therefore, whoever among humankind, such as Christ, Buddha and Baha'u'llah, shows the `greatest' degree of these perfections and puts forth the claim, we appropriately designate a Manifestation of God. (109:1) Even though the Bible does not explicitly state that the verses or words of Scripture are the primary proof of a Prophet, it states this truth indirectly. This can be demonstrated because the Bible indicates that the ability of a Prophet to impart the Word of God is essential to His ability to give us salvation and eternal life. This makes the Word of God a clear biblical criterion for determining a true Manifestation of God. (109:3) For example, Paul tells us that we are "saved through faith" (eph 2:8) but that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (rom 10:17). Christ states: (110:1) see "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death to life." (john 5:24) (110:2) see Furthermore, Christ states that we must be "born again" (john 5:24), and Peter writes that we are born again "through the word of God." (1 pet 1:23) (110:3) see Since we gain faith (rom 10:17), rebirth (1 pet 1:23), and everlasting life (john 5:24) through the Word of God, the ability to mediate the Word of God must be the primary quality of a true Manifestation of God. (110:4) see For example, if we are saved by the Word of God, then for Jesus to be our Saviour He must be able to impart the Word of God. If Jesus did impart the word of God, He would not have given us that which, according to the Bible, is essential for our salvation. He would be our saviour. The evidence that He is Saviour is the fact that He imparted the Word of God, whereby souls were saved. (110:5) All of these points show how the Word of God, which is expressed through the life and teachings of Christ, is the primary means by which Christ accomplished His purpose to "save His people from their sins" (matt 1:21) and to bring us into "everlasting life" (john 3:16). Therefore, the ability to impart the Word of God is a primary and essential characteristic, or quality, of Christ. This also suggests the preeminent nature of the Word of God and its inseparability from Christ or from anyone who is truly a Manifestation of God. (110:6) see Since we are saved through the Word of God, then from the point of view of our salvation, anyone who claims to be a Manifestation of God must be characterized by the ability to impart the Word of God. If we hear Baha'u'llah's words and perceive that they are, if fact, the words of God, then they stand as evidence in support of Baha'u'llah's claim. (111:1) This suggests the true meaning of salvation. A Manifestation of God reveals divine qualities through His example and teachings. These divine qualities influence our lives, and this change brings about our salvation. These points supply a biblical explanation as to why Baha'u'llah offers the "words He hath revealed as proof of His reality and truth" (gwb 105)..
(111:2)
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