…baptism in the days of John the Baptist was used to awaken
and admonish the people to repent from all sin, and to
watch for the appearance of the Kingdom of Christ. But at present in Asia, the
Catholics and the Orthodox Church plunge newly born children into water mixed
with olive oil, and many of them become ill from the shock; at the time of baptism
they struggle and become agitated. In other places, the clergy sprinkle the
water of baptism on the forehead. But neither from the first form nor from the
second do the children derive any spiritual benefit. Then what result is
obtained from this form? Other peoples are amazed and wonder why the infant is
plunged into the water, since this is neither the cause of the spiritual
awakening of the child, nor of its faith or conversion, but it is only a custom
which is followed. In the time of John the Baptist it was not so; no, at first
John used to exhort the people, and to guide them to repentance from sin, and
to fill them with the desire to await the manifestation of Christ. Whoever
received the ablution of baptism, and repented of sins in absolute humility and
meekness, would also purify and cleanse his body from outward impurities. With
perfect yearning, night and day, he would constantly wait for the manifestation
of Christ, and the entrance to the Kingdom of the Spirit of God.[1]
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
[1] i.e., of Christ, Whom the Muslims frequently designate
by the title of Rúhu’lláh, the Spirit of God.
