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Bahai Story Library
The Power of the Holy Spirit
“God’s grace is like the rain that cometh down from heaven: the water is not bounded by the limitations of form, yet on whatever place it poureth down, it taketh on limitations—dimensions, appearance, shape—according to the characteristics of that place.”
O thou handmaid of God! The heavenly glad tidings must
be delivered with the utmost dignity and magnanimity. And until a
soul ariseth with qualities which are essential for the bearer of
these tidings, his words will take no effect.
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O bondswoman of God! The human spirit possesseth
wondrous powers, but it should be reinforced by the Holy Spirit. What
thou hearest other than this is pure imagination. If, however, it be
assisted by the bounty of the Holy Spirit, then will its strength be
a thing to marvel at. Then will that human spirit uncover realities,
and unravel mysteries. Turn thy heart fully to the Holy Spirit, and
invite others to do the same; then shall ye witness wonderful
results.
2 / 12
O handmaid of God! The stars in the sky do not exert any
spiritual influence on this world of dust; but all the members and
parts of the universe are very strongly linked together in that
limitless space, and this connection produceth a reciprocity of
material effects. Outside the bounty of the Holy Spirit, whatsoever
thou hearest as to the effect of trances, or the mediums’
trumpets, conveying the singing voices of the dead, is imagination
pure and simple.
3 / 12
As to the bounty of the Holy Spirit, however, relate
whatsoever thou wilt—it cannot be overstated; believe,
therefore, whatsoever thou hearest of this. But the persons referred
to, the trumpet-people, are entirely shut out from this bounty and
receive no portion thereof; their way is an illusion.
4 / 12
O handmaid of God! Prayers are granted through the
universal Manifestations of God. Nevertheless, where the wish is to
obtain material things, even where the heedless are concerned, if
they supplicate, humbly imploring God’s help—even their
prayer hath an effect.
5 / 12
O handmaid of God! Although the reality of Divinity is
sanctified and boundless, the aims and needs of the creatures are
restricted. God’s grace is like the rain that cometh down from
heaven: the water is not bounded by the limitations of form, yet on
whatever place it poureth down, it taketh on limitations—dimensions,
appearance, shape—according to the characteristics of that
place.
6 / 12
In a square pool, the water, previously unconfined, becometh a
square; in a six-sided pool it becometh a hexagon, in an eight-sided
pool an octagon, and so forth. The rain itself hath no geometry, no
limits, no form, but it taketh on one form or another, according to
the restrictions of its vessel.
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In the same way, the Holy Essence of
the Lord God is boundless, immeasurable, but His graces and
splendours become finite in the creatures, because of their
limitations, wherefore the prayers of given persons will receive
favourable answers in certain cases.
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O handmaid of God! It is with the Lord Christ even as
with Adam. Did the first human being who came into existence on this
earth have a father or mother? It is certain that he had neither. But
Christ lacked only a father.
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O handmaid of God! The prayers which were revealed to
ask for healing apply both to physical and spiritual healing. Recite
them, then, to heal both the soul and the body. If healing is right
for the patient, it will certainly be granted; but for some ailing
persons, healing would only be the cause of other ills, and therefore
wisdom doth not permit an affirmative answer to the prayer.
10 / 12
O handmaid of God! The power of the Holy Spirit healeth
both physical and spiritual ailments.
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O handmaid of God! It is recorded in the Torah: And I
will give you the valley of Achor for a door of hope. This valley of
Achor is the city of Akká, and whoso hath interpreted this
otherwise is of those who know not.