Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Editorial introduction
Peter, the head of the Apostles, denied his Master three times before the cock crowed, and the one who was called the rock quaked for a moment. Paul began as an enemy of Christ and ended as His foremost servant. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returns to these two lives when consoling people who have stumbled under tests: a fall is not the final description of anyone. A fisherman who had never read a word of learning rose to a knowledge whose fragrance perfumed the world, and that was grace; a scholar of the Pharisees, once filled with Christ, forgot his philosophy and became a heavenly bird. The two are remembered too for the patient wisdom of their teaching, and for rising, bruised and barely able to move, to go to the next fair and begin again. On the shore after the resurrection Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him, and each time entrusted him with the care of the flock [1]. The journey from these two apostles leads naturally into the life of Christ and the story of Christianity itself.
There is no wonder if thou hast fallen into the tests, for, verily, the great Peter, who was the head of the Apostles, fell into tests thrice; but, verily, God made him so firm that he sacrificed his life in love for Christ.
And how many were very bad in the beginning but very good in the end, like Paul the Apostle who was an enemy of Christ in the beginning but became Christ's greatest servant in the end.
Paul in the beginning worked against the Spirit of God - Christ, but when he became confirmed he was the first servant of Christ. He became a bright lamp amongst mankind and a luminous star shining from the horizon of eternity.
One of these scorners was Paul the Apostle, who at first brought about so much trouble, but when he was awakened and became attentive, he offered such noteworthy services to the Cause of Christ!....
As for tests, they are inevitable. Hast thou not heard and read how in the days of Christ and after Christ divine tests appeared and the winds of trials grew severe, until even the illustrious Peter could not escape the talons of tests and was shaken, then awakened and wept as one bereft, his lamentation ascending to the Concourse on High?
It was trial (or temptation) which caused Peter - the great - to deny thrice, His Holiness Christ.
Peter, who was the Rock (of the Christian dispensation), was firm and solid; but, in the moment of Christis deliverance, that Rock quaked a little, until the crowing of the cock was raised.
The greatest of these disciples was Peter, and the weakness of even his belief was such that he denied the Master three times.
Consider the greatness of the Cause, and the severity of the tests, that Peter, whom Christ addressed: "Thou art Peter, an upon this rock will I build My Church" - denied Jesus thrice. This was not save on account of the severity of the tests. Now the nations of the world bless themselves in his (Peter's) name, and hope - kissing the dust beneath his feet, because of his relation to Jesus.
In that time no one but a certain few persons believed in Him; and the great one among them was Peter the disciple, who, through the burning of the fire of test and persecution, was in great fear and denied Christ three times; then the Jews who were scoffing persecuting, deriding and laughing at Him, despised Him as though He were a thief, a murderer, or a villain, and committed against Him that which made the hearts lament, distressed the minds, caused tears to flow and the foundations of existence to tremble and shake!
But the fisherman who was occupied with catching fish - when the Spirit [Jesus] passed by him and said "Come, I will make you a fisher of men" - instantly turned to Him, forsook the sea and fish and all therein. Having never seen a word of knowledge, he ascended to the kingdom of knowledge. Finally he reached such a station that his sweet fragrances perfumed the world. That is from God's grace - He giveth it to whom He willeth. This same Peter, despite his exalted station, at the end of his days showed that which was unworthy, but in an instant the hand of grace seized him again and he was sustained by the Kawthar of steadfastness. Blessed is he.
When thou hearest the call of thy Lord, say: "Here am I, O Beloved of the worlds!" Behold Peter, how he responded to his Master before being asking questions, and followed the Spirit with clear certitude.
Consider what was the quickening power of the Christ when He was on earth. Look at His disciples! They were poor and uncultured men. Out of the rough fisherman He made the great Peter, and out of the poor village girl of Magdala He made one who is a power in all the world today.
Just think that Peter and other apostles of Christ belonged to the common people and were not educated but as they expended whatever capacity they had in the path of Christ, they shone forth from the horizon of eternity. The results of the dedication of their lives to the Cause of Christ are yet continued.
At that time, Peter the Apostle, Paul the Apostle, and several other apostles who were outwardly silk-weavers, fishermen and craftsmen, arose to exalt the Word of God.
Peter was devoid of all schooling and so untrained that he could not remember the days of the week.
To illustrate: The great Rabbi Caiaphas becomes the abased one, whereas an humble fisherman such as Peter is so greatly elevated.
Give my greeting to Mr... and announce to him, "Caiaphas and Annas were the colossal pillars of the Mosaic Dispensation in the day of His Highness the Spirit; but as they did not acknowledge the Word of God, they fell from the apex of glory to the bottom of the pit of the greatest abasement. But Peter was a catcher of fish; as he turned his face toward the Word of God, the fame of his imperishable, deathless and immortal glory encircled East and West; and he found in the sovereignty of the Kingdom, eternal and everlasting majesty.
Peter believed in Him, but His own brothers did not believe in Him.
Christ was asking of His Disciples whom he was, and when Peter answered: "Thou art Christ, the son of the Living GOD". Christ wished to confirm this statement and also show that his whole religion was founded on this truth; that is why he called Peter by his name which means "Rock"; and He said: "I shall build my church on your belief, which is the true belief and the foundation of God's church."
Christ (may my spirit be sacrificed for Him) spoke one word regarding Peter - He did not write it in His own hand - and that word is this: "Thou art a rock and upon this rock I will build my church."
Jesus Christ said only a few words to Peter, telling him that upon that rock he would build his church. He left no written instruction or will, and yet because it was the Word of God, it took root, and millions have obeyed it.
Christ, for the preservation of Christian unity, spoke one word to Peter: "Thou art the rock, and upon this rock I will build my church." This word preserved Christian unity for eight hundred years, even though it was just a tradition.
For example, in the Gospel His Holiness Christ, praising Peter, said "that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.' Now, this was an obscure utterance and in regard to his successorship there was a difference.
Had the doors of comfort and wealth been opened to the apostles of Christ, how could the sincerity of Peter the Apostle have been distinguished from the treachery of Judas Iscariot? The virtues of the former and vices of the latter were only revealed through tests and trials.
Judas Iscariot and Peter were both sons of the kingdom, but Peter was the real son. Judas was the material son, consequently he was deprived.
This parable was revealed on behalf of Peter and Paul, because at first Paul was one of the adversaries of the Revelation of GOD, and thus was kept in evident darkness and had no Light, for he was gaining in knowledge from the Pharisees, and this is that which was mentioned as the "food for swine." At this point Paul realized he was excluded from Mercy and he returned to the Light of Jesus Christ. When he did this the fragrance of Jesus Christ enveloped him. When Peter realized this greatness of power which had been granted Paul, he had but little spiritual understanding, and he said, "I was the servant before Paul, and I was promulgating the Truth, and how is it that Paul has become so advanced?" Then the Spiritual message of Jesus Christ was given to him: "You are always with Me, and My Bounty and Abundant Grace are with you but Paul, your spiritual brother, was dead and is alive; was lost and has found guidance. All My revelations are for you, for you are Peter, and upon this rock will I build My church."
The "fatted calf" is the Heavenly Table of Knowledge; the "ring" is the Sign or Characteristics; the "sandals" are the symbol of action; the "robe" the Adornment or Embroidery of the Cause Peter promulgated the Cause more than any other.
A question was asked regarding the elder brother and the Master replied: In any cycle or time someone has shown pride. In the time of Christ it was Judas. In the days of the Blessed Perfection, Subhi Ezel. Now it is the head of the Nakazeen.
There were many Jewish scholars, but they were earthbound, while Saint Paul was heavenly - this is why he could fly. In his time no one recognized him; rather he spent his days in utmost contempt and trials. Later it became clear that he was not an earthly bird but a heavenly bird, not a natural philosopher but a divine philosopher.
… Although Saint Paul was learned, when he received news of Christ he completely forgot philosophy and became filled with Christ, as he mentions in his epistles.
When Saint Paul was asked about certain philosophical questions, he answered that before he had news of Christ, he knew everything, but when he received news of Christ, he became unaware of everything. For Christ so infused him that no room remained for anything else.
There were many Doctors amongst the Jews, but they were all earthly, but St. Paul became heavenly because he could fly upwards. In his own time no one duly recognized him; nay, rather, he spent his days amidst difficulties and contempt.
During the days of Christ there were many Rabbis and high-priests but none of them was confirmed except Paul. All of them were deprived but he became the confirmed King of the ministers. I hope that thou mayst become like Paul, receive a goodly portion from the heavenly Bestowals and arise in the service of thy fellowmen.
The monasticism of the Christian church was mistaken.
St. Paul was responsible for much of this because in one of his epistles he praises those who do not marry and prophesied that sects would arise which would not marry. St. Paul disapproved of marriage.
But God did not give us good gifts that we should reject them. He created all these blessings that His servants may bless Him.
This method will receive powerful confirmation, just as Peter the Apostle, servant of Christ (may my spirit be sacrificed for Him), carried out in Antioch. At first he spoke according to the disposition and capacity of the people. When hearts became attracted, he delivered the Word.
O ye who are attracted toward the Kingdom and have drunk the Wine, the nature of which is cool and exhilarating! In these days that the Bestowals of the Kingdom of Abha have encircled the visible and the invisible world; the effulgences of the Revelator of the Mountain of Tor are uninterruptedly descending from the unseen heaven like the torrential rain; the waves of the Most Great Sea have washed the shore of existence from the Ideal Realm; the lights of the Generosity of the Beauty of Abha are shining from all the horizons and the Sun of Hope has appeared from the dawning-place of Reality with the rays of singleness;- - we must show forth an effort, render a worthy service in the Threshold of God, take a high flight in the atmosphere of the Clement One, and play on harp and lyre in the Feast of the Lord God Almighty!
Indifference breeds deterioration; silence is the cause of retrogression; speechlessness leads to forgetfulness; passivity and inactivity produce oblivion, and absent-mindedness. Consequently do ye not seek one moment of rest by day or by night; nay, rather, strive after the composure of heart in the Paradise of Abha. Do ye not look for one second to gain the empheral tranquility of the soul, the satisfaction of the carnal desires and the gratification of the worldly joy of consciousness. Seek for divine happiness through the hardships and sorrows of this physical world, and behold spiritual enjoyment in the struggle of this ephemeral life. Extract sugar and honey out of the bitter poison of suffering. See the caress of favor in the dart of tests. Consider the lowest degree of humiliation in the Path of the Blessed Perfection as the highest station of Glory. Know the descent identical with the ascent and believe that death is the essence of life.
What is recorded in the Divine Tablets concerning 'wisdom' (or caution) means this: One must use the utmost precision and thoroughness in all the affairs and under all circumstances hold fast to reliable means which are in accord with the spirit of the time and place - - thus the patient may be wholly cured, the illness be diagnosed and the medicine be prescribed according to the nature of the disease. The sick soul must not be abandoned because his malady is grave and outwardly incurable. The temple of existence is diseased and the body of the world is indisposed. If the patient is given up and if the course of treatment is abandoned, more serious and graver complications may result, which might no doubt end in death.
You must bring to your mind the story of the Apostle Peter. In order to spread and teach the Cause of God, two of the Apostles went to the city of Antioch. No sooner had they arrived than they started to exhort and give counsels to the people. As the inhabitants of the city were totally uninformed of the Divine principles, they started to censure and arraign them, which finally ended in their persecution and torture and imprisonment. The details of these sad events did not reach the disciples, and thus the way of association and communication was entirely barred.
But when Peter heard about it, he started for that country without delay. Having entered the city, he commenced in the beginning to associate and fraternize with the people until little by little he became the loving companion and comrade of the nobles and ministers. In a short space of time he became well known for his piety, godliness, virtue, explanation, knowledge, perfections and excellences of the world of humanity. Finally he became acquainted with the King of that country, and consorted with him with joy and fragrance.
When Peter saw that the King was relying upon him with the utmost confidence, trust and assurance - - one night apropos of some question he brought in the names of the Apostles. The King told him that some time ago two such ignorant and illiterate souls had entered his city, and having begun to deliver seditious speeches, he had ordered his officers to arrest them and put them under chains and fetters. His Holiness Peter expressed a passing wish to meet them. The King commanded his attendants to bring them in the audience chamber.
According to the requirements of the place and the time, Peter appeared not to recognize them, and then asked: 'Who are you? Where do you come from?' They answered: 'We are the servants of His Holiness the Spirit of God (Christ), and we come from Jerusalem. Then he asked about his Holiness the Spirit: 'Who is He?' They said He is the Promised One of the Bible and the Desired One of all the servants.'
Afterward in a spirit of an antagonist, he asked them the universal and particular questions, and at every step contended with them. Often the very nature of the questions gave them a clue to how to answer. In short, one by one he put the doubts and scruples of the people in the form of questions, and they gave convincing answers. Now and then he would accept a number of their explanations, and anon he would wave aside a set of ethers, bringing forth certain counterpropositions, so that the audience might not find out that he was also one of them.
In brief, several nights were spent in these interrogations and answers, now in refutation, again in acceptance; then in discussion; and anon in controversial contention - until all those who were present became fully informed with the fundamental principles of God and all their uncertainties were dispelled. Then on the last evening, he dramatically announced that truly all that we have heard conforms with reality; and everyone concurred with him. Then and not until then everyone realized that this third person was the friend of the first two souls. For this reason it is revealed in the Blessed Verse: 'We have glorified them by the appearance of a third person.'
The above story illustrates fully the meaning of wisdom. Therefore the teacher must speak according to the acceptable standard of the place and the time, so that his words may affect the hearts and the people may understand his address. Teaching the Cause of God in this manner will produce fruits. We must not remain stationary and silent. If the thousand-voiced nightingale does not break into musical thrills and rapturous melodies, it is like a mute sparrow. If the thrush of the rose-garden of significances does not sing tuneful lays and dulcet airs, it is the speechless, wingless jay-bird. If the dove of the garden of mysteries does not coo, it is the raven of the wretched ash-heap. If the peacock of the 'Ferdouss' (Paradise) of immortality does not display its multi-colored plumage, it is the black raven of the desolate ruin of mortality.
Consequently if ye are of the birds of the gardens of sanctity, flutter ye your wings and soar heavenward. If ye are of the nightingales of the Ridvan of the Lord of Lords, then sing and warble His Glorification. If ye are of the lovers of the Countenance of the Almighty, then raise your voices and demonstrate your sincerity. If ye are of the wooers of the Face of the Beloved, then cry and weep disconsolately - - so that you may throw an earthquake into the pillars of the world, burn the hearts of mankind with the burning Fire of God's conflagration, intoxicate and exhilarate all the lovers and yearning cries with the Wine of devotion, upraise in this Paradise of Abha the Flag of Everlasting Glory and attain to the ultimate hope of the favored ones and the highest aspiration of the sincere ones.
Upon ye be Baha!
Through the favors of the Lord of Hosts, the Promised One, my hope is that this journey of thine may become like the journey of Paul and like the journey of Peter when he went to Antioch - see what mighty results it had!
We must strive to awaken sleeping souls, make the heedless mindful, and bring the divine teachings, which are the spirit of this age, to the ears of the people of the world. They must be published in newspapers and eloquently explained in gatherings. The approach should be like Paul's and the faith like Peter's. This sweet fragrance will perfume the nostrils of the people of the world, and this spirit will bring dead souls to life.
That is, God willing, like Paul the Apostle who, after receiving severe beatings, being struck on the head, slapped on the face and cheek, falling unconscious in the wilderness from unbearable blows, arose and hastened to the nearby city and proclaimed the Cause of God with most eloquent speech and wondrous explanation.
O steadfast one in the Covenant! Your inscribed letter was received and its abundant meanings understood. Praise be to God that in this journey you were confirmed in outstanding services and endured severe trials and tribulations in your love for the Ancient Beauty.
It is related that Paul and Peter entered a city whose inhabitants were Sabeans. When they entered the temple and, with perfect wisdom, began counseling those present and guiding them, gradually some souls were attracted. Immediately the Jews, sensing the influence of their words, hastened to that city and cast doubts, causing souls to waver and turn away from the slight attraction they had shown to the Spirit of God. Finally, they incited that great multitude to harm these two noble ones, and they stretched forth such oppressive hands that the Jews were pleased. They beat those two wanderers in the path of God's love to such a degree that no strength remained, and they fell to the ground. Then the obstinate people, at the instigation of the Jews, dragged those two praiseworthy lights outside the city. That night, they drank the sweet cup of tribulation in utmost torment, and from the severity of bone pain could not move.
In the morning, Paul arose and said, "O Peter, arise and hasten! There is a city nearby where on such a day each year there is a general market, and great multitudes gather from every direction. We must hasten to that city and begin counseling, opening our tongues in supreme guidance. Perhaps some souls will rend asunder the veil of remoteness and become illumined by the light of guidance, open their eyes and adorn their hearts with divine knowledge." Peter said, "O Paul, fear God! My bones are nearly shattered from severe pain, and weakness of body and exhaustion are such that movement is impossible. How can we hasten to that place?" Paul replied, "O Peter, if these blows, piercing wounds and killing were not in God's path, what sweetness would there be to taste, what comfort to heart and soul? The pleasure and sweetness lie in this: that we cry out and they revile; we speak and they strike. Arise, O Peter! Let not the opportunity slip away. Consider the time precious. While life and strength remain, let us sacrifice ourselves and endure tribulations and trials in God's path."
In brief, they went and spoke, and strung the pearls of meaning. Again those people did not fall short - they rendered proper service to them. And in truth, this was service, not harm; mercy, not hardship; sweetness, not torment; bounty, not tribulation; bestowal, not cruelty. For those days all passed, and that scene was folded up. Every prosperous one became deprived, every mighty one abased, and monarchs became captives of the bare and matless grave. Yet those two noble ones, though they fell into cruel hands and endured countless afflictions, ultimately found that torment became pure bounty, and that hardship became the mercy of the Divine Unity. Forever they shine and gleam like two rising stars from the horizon of the Kingdom.
The point is that although the discourteous ones showed discourtesy in serving you, loosed their tongues in derision, cursed and reviled, and finally, with utmost disrespect, dismissed you and banished you from the city, it matters not. You must offer thanks and praise that you were blessed with such a great bounty and achieved such a clear triumph.
O servant of Baha! The Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) was repeatedly exiled, taken from land to land and country to country. You followed the example of the Blessed Beauty and drank a cup from the sea of His tribulations. May you drink again from this joy-giving, exhilarating, brimming cup, and partake of this delicious fruit. How pleasant and delightful!
O my God! O my God! This is Thy servant who has forsaken the pleasure of comfort, the rest of repose, might, glory and greatness, and has traveled to distant lands in Thy path, traversing valleys, crossing mountains and deserts, wandering through the regions, calling out Thy Name among the righteous, summoning souls to the Kingdom of mysteries, and enduring every hardship and tribulation in Thy path from the wicked ones. O Lord! Assist him with the hosts of the unseen and enable him to achieve the greatest hopes, so that signs may indicate mysteries, appearances reveal inner meanings, and the manifest disclose the hidden. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Exalted, the All-Forgiving.
The letters you requested for those souls have been written and are enclosed. Send them on.
[Concerning the fact that blows, suffering and tribulations and trials endured by true believers are conducive to the progress and advancement of the Cause of God, 'Abdu'l-Baha said in part:]
Paul and Peter, the Apostles, once went into one of the cities of the Greeks and engage in teaching the Truth. In that city, there was a temple which bore the inscription, 'To the Name of the Unknown God.' Paul arose and, addressing himself to the multitude, said: 'We bring you tidings from the same "Unknown God,"' thus preaching to them the message of Christ. A great number of the Greeks became interested in the Cause.
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. Paul and Peter continued in a death-like unconsciousness all night.
Early in the morning, Paul, who was brought to himself, said to Peter: 'There is a fair today in a place in this neighborhood, at which many people will be present. Let us move along to preach the Gospel in that place.' Peter called attention to their wounded and bruised bodies; and although at first too weak to move, they finally arose and betook themselves to the fair and preached.
Briefly, these persecutions caused a further spread of the Cause of Christ, in that they caused them to be removed into a new place and preach to a new multitude.
If Paul had not stood firm, he would have accomplished nothing. See the result of his firmness! I hope you may be more steadfast than Paul and strive to accomplish greater things.
One evening 'Abdu'l-Baha said that "both Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom with all steadfastness by the order of Nero." He said, "This is a clear and indisputable fact." This statement proved of great benefit to me; for I had not yet seen any text in the revealed words of this Manifestation in regard to the martyrdom of St. Paul.
When Christ passed away, He had eleven disciples. The greatest among them was Peter, and he denied Christ three times, but when Baha'u'llah departed He had a hundred thousand believers who were calling out 'Ya Baha'u'l-Abha while they were under swords and daggers, and in these late years many men and women in Yazd were killed by inches without uttering a single cry or complaint, but rather called out the Greatest Name.
After three hundred years, Saint Helena went to the Holy Land and some people, for their personal benefit, came to her saying "We dug here and found the cross on which Christ was crucified." This was the foundation of Christ's tomb. Even the graves of Mary and the apostles are unknown. The Catholics say Paul and Peter's graves are in Rome, while the Orthodox say they are in Antioch. It was considered so unimportant that one of the philosophers of that time who wrote a book against Christ says this person Christ never existed and there was no such person - Peter and Paul invented him.
O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom of God! I supplicate God that thou mayest become like unto Peter, the "Rock"--unshaken, immovable and strong; be assisted by heavenly confirmation; be helped to the service of the Cause of God, opening thy tongue to teach the divine instructions, and living and walking according to the laws of the Book of Aqdas.
For thought and discussion