Christianity vs. Baha’i: What’s the Difference?

Comparing Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith can provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of these two world religions. Although they both promote values of love, compassion, and unity, they have distinct teachings and histories.

Christianity, founded by Jesus Christ around 4 BC-30/33 AD, teaches salvation through faith in Jesus as the Son of God. The Bahá’í Faith, founded by Bahá’u’lláh in 1863, emphasizes the oneness of humanity and religious unity. Christians follow the Bible, while Bahá’ís have their own scriptures.

In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith, including their beliefs about God, the nature of reality, and the purpose of human existence.

Comparing Christianity and Baha’i: At a Glance

The word “Christianity” comes from the Greek word “Christianos,” meaning “follower of Christ,” referring to Jesus Christ.

The word “Baha’i” is derived from the Arabic word “Baha,” meaning “glory” or “splendor,” which is used as a title for the founder of the religion, Bahá’u’lláh.

Feature	Christianity	Bahá’í Faith
Name	Christianity	Bahá’í Faith
Size	About 2.3 billion followers	About 7 million followers
Date Started	1st century AD	1844 AD
Founder	Jesus Christ	Bahá’u’lláh
Key Beliefs	Belief in the Holy Trinity; Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ	Unity of humanity, equality, world peace, and the independent investigation of truth
Key Practices	Prayer, Bible reading, worship, charity, communion	Daily prayers, fasting, observance of Bahá’í Holy Days, and community service
Divisions	Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism	There are no major divisions; the Bahá’í community is organized with elected bodies at the local, national, and international levels
Central Location	Vatican City for Roman Catholicism; various centers for other denominations	Haifa, Israel
Sacred Texts	The Bible (Old and New Testaments)	Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Kitáb-i-Íqán, Hidden Words, and other writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Why is the Baha’i religion centered in Haifa, Israel?

The central location of the Bahá’í religion is in Haifa, Israel, because it’s where the remains of the Báb, a central figure in Bahá’í history, were interred by Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the faith.

The area has since become the administrative and spiritual center of the Bahá’í community.

Why doesn’t Protestant Christianity have a central location?

Protestant Christianity doesn’t have a central location because it emphasizes the individual’s personal relationship with God and the autonomy of local congregations.

It emerged as a response to the centralized authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Many Protestant traditions embrace a more decentralized approach to ecclesiastical organization and practice.

Christian and Baha’i Beliefs: Similarities and Differences

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity holds that God exists as three persons but is one being. These three persons are God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

They are distinct yet coexist in unity, sharing the same divine essence and attributes.

Feature	Christianity	Bahá’í Faith
God or gods	One God, Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)	One God, unknowable in essence
The Universe	Created by God; subject to God’s will	Created by God; operates according to spiritual and material laws
Ultimate reality	God is the ultimate reality; the Kingdom of God will be established on Earth	God is the ultimate reality; humanity is gradually moving toward the establishment of a global civilization
Human beings	Created in God’s image; fallen but redeemable	Spiritual beings with a noble nature; free will enables them to choose their actions
Problem with the world	Sin and separation from God; human failings	Disunity and lack of recognition of humanity’s oneness
The solution to the problem	Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and reconciliation with God	Recognition and application of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to foster unity and peace
The afterlife	Heaven for the righteous; various beliefs about the nature of hell for the unrighteous	Spiritual progress continues in the next world; individuals are held accountable for their actions on Earth

Why does the Baha’i faith emphasize the oneness of humanity?

In the Baha’i religion, the oneness of humanity is a central principle. It teaches that all people are created equal and emphasizes the need for unity and cooperation among all races, cultures, and religions.

This principle seeks to promote global harmony and the betterment of the world.

Comparing Jesus Christ and Bah’u’llah

The exact date of Jesus Christ’s birth is not known because historical records from that time are sparse. The date of December 25th was chosen by the early Christian Church centuries later for symbolic reasons.

Area	Jesus Christ	Bahá’u’lláh
Meaning of Name	“Anointed One” or “Savior”	“Glory of God”
When They Lived	Approx. 4 BC – 30/33 AD	1817-1892
Where They Lived	Roman province of Judea, present-day Israel	Persia (Iran), Ottoman Empire (Turkey, Holy Land)
Information About Their Family	Mother: Mary; Father: Joseph; Siblings: had brothers	Father: Mírzá Buzurg; Wives: Ásíyih Khánum, Fatimih Khanum, Gawhar Khanum; Children: several, including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Central Message of Their Teaching	Love, repentance, salvation through faith in Him	Unity of humanity, recognition of all Prophets, world peace
Sacred Text Containing Their Story	New Testament of the Bible	Bahá’í scriptures, including the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Kitáb-i-Íqán

10 of the Most Important Events in Christianity and Hinduism

Knowing Christian and Bahai history is essential when comparing these faiths because it provides insight into the beliefs, practices, and events that have shaped these religions.

This knowledge helps to promote understanding and appreciation of the cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts that have influenced their followers and societies.

Christianity	Bahá’í Faith
Birth of Jesus Christ (circa 4 B.C.)	Birth of the Báb (1819)
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (circa A.D. 30)	Declaration of the Báb (1844)
Conversion of Paul (circa A.D. 33)	Martyrdom of the Báb (1850)
Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325)	Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation of His mission (1863)
Conversion of Constantine (A.D. 312)	Bahá’u’lláh’s exile to Akka (1868)
Great Schism (A.D. 1054)	Passing of Bahá’u’lláh (1892)
Protestant Reformation (1517)	Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1921)
Council of Trent (1545-1563)	Formation of the Universal House of Justice (1963)
Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)	Opening of the Bahá’í House of Worship in India (1986)
Election of Pope Francis (2013)	Bahá’í community’s efforts toward world peace (1985-present)

The modern growth of Christianity and Baha’i

Christianity’s growth in the 20th and 21st centuries has been marked by an expansion in the global south, particularly in Africa and Asia, through evangelism, humanitarian efforts, and migration.

Despite secularization trends in the West, Christianity remains the world’s largest religion.

The Bahá’í Faith, founded in the 19th century, has seen steady growth worldwide due to its focus on unity and inclusiveness.

The faith has attracted followers from various backgrounds and emphasizes community-building and service.

Despite facing persecution in some countries, the Bahá’í community continues to thrive and promote its vision of world peace and unity.