Fishermen, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reminds us, were laughed at for believing in Christ: what station could such people have? Yet it was their ensigns that were raised in the end while the standards of the Pharisees toppled, and the apostles who were mocked, beaten unconscious, dragged outside the city and finally crucified became the founders of a civilization. The persecution of the early Christians raises a question that outlives its period: why does a community with no public power become a lasting spiritual force, and why do the learned and the powerful so often fail to see what the humble see? Bahá’u’lláh answers in part by pointing to the expectations of the day, a Messiah with David’s throne and armies rather than a despised man on a donkey, and to teachers who read the Torah according to their own desires. The Pharisees, though, were never a single uniform actor: Gamaliel, one of them, stood before the council and urged it to leave the apostles alone lest it find itself fighting against God [1]. His restraint keeps the accounts of particular opponents from hardening into a verdict on a whole people, and a later story of a Bahá’í family’s suffering shows the pattern recurring across communities. The road leads on to Christ Himself, to the rejection He met, and to the meaning of suffering.
God be exalted! Always, in the beginning of the Cause, common souls, who in the estimation of the people, were of no importance whatever, have advanced to the divine Manifestation. For example, these fishermen believed in His Holiness Christ. In the Koran it is revealed that the ignorant of the people would say to His Holiness the Messenger (Mohammed), 'None have followed thee except the most degraded of the people; the learned sages, the nobles and the high class count thee as a fool.'
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jun-12 in Tiberias -- ABU1258)
02
In the time of Christ, outwardly the acceptance of the disciples had no importance - people mocked them, saying "What station or worth do fishermen have?" They ridiculed and laughed at them.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Feb-28 in Paris -- ABU1544)
03
Thou must, no doubt, have read in the Bible how the disciples of His Holiness Jesus Christ were scoffed and scorned at, how they were cursed and vilified, how the Pharisees assaulted and assailed them; and yet, how finally the ensigns of the disciples were hoisted and raised aloft, while the standards of the Pharisees were toppled to the ground.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Jan-03, to B Alfred Hills -- AB02247)
04
O faithful leaf, in the Christian Dispensation and the Messianic cycle, after the ascension of the Spirit of Being to His glorious station, all the companions and friends were scattered except for one of the handmaidens of the All-Merciful whose blessed name was Mary Magdalene - and Magdala was a humble village on the shore of Lake Tiberias.
During their lifetime the Apostles were always under taunt and persecution of the enemies and no one deigned to consider their degrees and stations. Now they were prisoners in the dark jail, and anon thrown beneath the contempt and punishment of the adversaries. Finally many of them sacrificed their lives upon the cross for His Highness the Almighty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jul-28, to Albert B Vail -- AB01504)
06
This aroused jealousy in the Jews who began to make trouble. The multitude, aroused by these seditions, attached the Apostles and beat them until they fell unconscious. Then their bodies were dragged along the road and thrown outside the city.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ali Kuli Khan, spoken on 1906-Jun-10 -- ABU2367)
07
Consider ye! What calumny, slander, cruelty and oppression were brought down upon the apostles by the Israelites for the sake of faith and assurance! They unlocked the hands of pillage, persecuted and tortured those sanctified souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Feb-16, to Joseph H Hannen -- AB01661)
08
Therefore, when men like Caiaphas came in their own name, full of worldly power and qualities, they were accepted by the Jews as leaders of the people. Christ explained their unbelief, their rejection, when He said: How can you be a believer when you are looking to others who are imperfect, and thereby reject the everlasting honor which GOD can give?
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mary Lucas and other pilgrims, spoken on 1905-Feb-02 -- ABU1878)
09
You realize that a thousand Pharisees worshiping in the Holy of Holies were not accepted in the Kingdom: But the disciples, who were fishermen, carpenters, and some other souls, were accepted. Peter, who was a fisherman, was accepted in the Kingdom of GOD, but Caiaphas and some others, while outwardly of the learned ones, were not accepted.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Wilson, Engelhorn, Stewart, Brittingham, spoken around 1909-Oct-23 -- ABU1506)
10
Gracious God! Although people see with their own eyes that in the dispensation of Christ the eleven disciples were ordinary men who, because of their faith in Him, found eternal life and shone from the horizon of perpetual honor; and that the Jews, with all their worldly honor, became contemptible; and that Caiaphas, the greatest enemy of Christ, was, together with his whole family, obliterated from the face of the earth while a simple fisherman, because of his belief in Christ, became the great Peter, yet, despite all this, still they take no heed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken on 1912-Nov-16 -- ABU1377)
11
Yet when His beauty shone forth and His face appeared, they (the people) did not recognize Him, but continued to follow the superstitions of the Pharisees, who used to say: "Where is the authority of the Messiah? Where is the throne of David, the Glorious? Where is his iron rod? Where are his innumerable hosts? Where are his attacking armies? Where are his angels of heaven? Where do we see justice of government existing among people and even among beasts and insects? Where is his great majesty? Where is his power, which shaketh heaven and earth? Is not this a claim of one who is bewildered and wandering amidst valleys and hills? Doth he not ride upon as ass, while on his head there is a crown of thorns and he is despised?"
Look, then remember when the Spirit came: He was denied by the Pharisees who possessed knowledge of the Law and its minutiae, while those who caught fish believed in Him, as did those who were publicans. Take heed and be of them that remember. Reflect upon the cause of these men's rejection and the reason for those men's acceptance, that the truth may become manifest to thee and thou mayest behold the light shining from its manifest and luminous horizon.
Among the Pharisees were those who cited the Torah as proof of His falsity, after the Torah had testified of Him and what was revealed in the scrolls of the Messengers. Had they understood the Books and what God intended therein, they would not have been debarred from recognizing that which was their purpose.
He who sits with leper catches leprosy. He who is with Christ shuns Pharisees and abhors Judas Iscariots. Certainly shun violators. Inform Goodall, True and Parsons telegraphically.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Cablegram, 1921-Nov-12, to Roy C Wilhelm -- AB11246)
15
Consider the early centuries, how much the apostles of Christ were reviled and reproached, how they were persecuted and oppressed, and how due to religious prejudice their properties were seized and they were killed, and no extreme of cruelty and oppression was spared.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jul-20, to Majidi, Farajullah son of Muhammad Mihdi -- AB12076)
16
Behold the apostles of His Highness, Christ! They accepted all trials and persecutions and received all kinds of oppression and trouble until they became assisted by great bestowals and confirmed in the guidance of the people.
The girl, her mother and grandmother went through great hardships. Her grandmother was very good, very noble, had great knowledge, was severed, - was busy continuously with the mention of God, not resting for a moment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Fugeta, Mrs. P. et al, spoken on 1920-Jan-05 -- ABU0816)
18
The Standard of the Roman Emperors on account of their opposition to the Cause of God was shattered to pieces.
At first they were alarmed, but then he proved it with arguments and proofs, saying: "Consider how the Roman emperors and Eastern kings persecuted them, yet there is no doubt they will ultimately triumph. Therefore it is better that we enter into this Cause." He sent for and summoned some sincere Christians, gave them safety, and asked what one must do to enter the Christian religion. They said to empty one of the great temples, cast out the idols, renovate it, and on Sunday to come to the temple, repent, supplicate and pray.
One of the blessed and revered souls who was in reality following Christ, went to the king. After the king asked many questions and received answers he said: 'If one wishes to become a Christian what is one to do? We want to come under this flag of Christ and announce it, so that all our country may become Christian - what are we to do?' The Christians said: 'You have repented - that itself is faith - all your sins will be forgiven, and you will enter the everlasting life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Emogene Hoagg et al, spoken on 1920-Oct-24 -- ABU0609)
21
One of the monarchs in France realized that no matter how many Christians were slain, it bore no fruit. One day he summoned his ministers and consulted [with them]. Thereupon, he announced that he bore no opposition whatsoever to Christianity. This resulted in all the people being enticed to investigate, and gradually they became Christian.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1919-Dec-30 -- ABU3657)
22
Read the treatise of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl. It is recorded in church history that among others the Patriarch of Alexandria arose to cast doubts, and one and a half million people followed him, even the Emperor of Constantinople, and he caused a great tumult in the Christian nation. But ultimately he was obliterated and destroyed and fell into evident loss.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Aug-09, to Roy C Wilhelm -- AB00366)
23
The Jews who became Christians in the apostolic and after apostolic age were not attracted to the Christian doctrine by hospitals etc. On the contrary, they were beaten, persecuted and killed. Notwithstanding these things they accepted Christ.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken at Rue Lauriston 97 on 1913-Jun-07 -- ABU1592)
24
It is even as in the time of the Messiah, when the Pharisees and the pious were left without a portion, while Peter, John and Andrew, given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice, won the day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911, to Baha'is of Switzerland et al -- AB04648)
25
In the time of Christ, Christians suffered greatly. Twelve massacres took place. In France there was Louis [Clovis], the King of France, who greatly opposed the Christians. He was exceedingly antagonistic. He strove mightily to uproot Christianity, but failed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1915-Nov-25 in Haifa -- ABU0774)