Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
From Bahai9
Read online at http://www.bahai-library.com/writings/abdulbaha/wt/
Study Outlines
Paragraphs of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá included in part I of Bahá'í Administration are
(The paragraph numbering below is based on the version above.)
- First section: 2, 3, 4, 9 (first 2 sentences), 11, 13-25, 26 (first 8 sentences), 29, 30 (out of 32)
- Second section: 8 (beginning 4th sentence), 14, 15 (out of 15)
- Third section: 11-14 (out of 14)
Quotations on the need for Bahá'ís to read the Will and Testament
- See here (expand the + sign on sections 8.B and 8.C.)
Significance
Chief depository (along with the Kitáb-i-Aqdas) enshrining priceless elements of Divine Civilization
"...the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá...together with the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, constitutes the chief depository wherein are enshrined those priceless elements of that Divine Civilization, the establishment of which is the primary mission of the Bahá'í Faith"
- (Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 3-4)
What aspects of the Will and Testament for new believers to study left up to the N.S.A., but to refer to certain items on the Central Figures and Administrative Order (read below)
"24 BAHÁ'ÍS--NEW (On Presenting the Master's Will to New Applicants)
"Concerning the best method of presenting the Master's Will to the newcomers, Shoghi Effendi is of the opinion that the N.S.A. should first make some suitable extracts from the Testament and to send these to all the local Assemblies for their use, so that there may be full unity in circulating the provisions of the Will among the new believers. The problem of choosing such excerpts is left entirely to the discretion of the N.S.A. The main thing, as it appears to the Guardian, is that the full station of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá be clearly explained and that the origin, nature and working of the Administrative Order of the Faith be clearly stated. The full implications of such a recognition are evidently beyond the comprehension of any new believer. Such a knowledge can be acquired gradually and only when the essentials of the Faith have been clearly recognized and adequately understood."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 38, no. 100)
By verse
Part 1, par. 2:
- "'The Hosts of His Testament' refers to those who are firm in the Will and Testament of Bahá'u'lláh and who defend and uphold it."
- ((On behalf of?) Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 38, no. 100)
