“O concourse of priests! Leave the bells, and come forth, then, from your churches. It behoveth you, in this day, to proclaim aloud the Most Great Name among the nations. Prefer ye to be silent, whilst every stone and every tree shouteth aloud: ‘The Lord is come in His great glory!’” ~ Baha’u’llah
There are many souls in Christianity who have felt a higher calling in their lives. They have responded to this calling by rising up and taking on the mantle of leadership in the Christian community. Ever since it began, Christianity has had a clergy, in some form or another. And this was for good reason, as most of the people were illiterate. The leaders of Christianity have done great things for the world. They have served the poor, healed the sick, comforted the dying, inspired the downtrodden, led the lost, and been true shepherds to Jesus’ flock.
Baha’is believe that today is the fulfillment of all that these Christian leaders have built over the millennia. Baha’u’llah called out to the leaders of Christianity, in fulfillment of the prophetic warning of the Bible that states, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:13). Baha’is believe that the time has come for the leaders of Christendom to recognize the return of their Lord and call all the multitudes to accept Him in His new Name (Rev 3:12).
Many priests, ministers, and church leaders have accepted the Baha’i Faith over the years. Leaders from all religions have turned to Baha’u’llah after a careful and prayerful consideration of the facts, explanations, and interpretations offered by the Baha’i Holy Writings. These leaders have come to the conclusion that to be faithful to their life’s work, to be faithful to their Lord, they had to accept Baha’u’llah.
Here are some quotations of Baha’u’llah’s appeals to Christian leaders:
“O concourse of bishops! Trembling hath seized all the kindreds of the earth, and He Who is the Everlasting Father calleth aloud between earth and heaven.” (PB, p. 92)
“O concourse of priests! Leave the bells, and come forth, then, from your churches. It behoveth you, in this day, to proclaim aloud the Most Great Name among the nations. Prefer ye to be silent, whilst every stone and every tree shouteth aloud: ‘The Lord is come in His great glory!’” (PB, p. 94)
“O concourse of priests! The Day of Reckoning hath appeared, the Day whereon He Who was in heaven hath come. He, verily, is the One Whom ye were promised in the Books of God, the Holy, the Almighty, the All-Praised. How long will ye wander in the wilderness of heedlessness and superstition? Turn with your hearts in the direction of your Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous.” (PB, p. 94)
“O concourse of monks! Seclude not yourselves in churches and cloisters. Come forth by My leave, and occupy yourselves with that which will profit your souls and the souls of men. Thus biddeth you the King of the Day of Reckoning. Seclude yourselves in the stronghold of My love. This, verily, is a befitting seclusion, were ye of them that perceive it.” (PB, p. 94)
“O concourse of patriarchs! He Whom ye were promised in the Tablets is come. Fear God, and follow not the vain imaginings of the superstitious. Lay aside the things ye possess, and take fast hold of the Tablet of God by His sovereign power. Better is this for you than all your possessions. Unto this testifieth every understanding heart, and every man of insight. Pride ye yourselves on My Name and yet shut yourselves out as by a veil from Me? This indeed is a strange thing!” (PB, p. 92)