The change and transformation of conditions, and the
succession and revolution of ages, are among the essential requirements of the contingent
world, and essential requirements cannot be separated from the reality of
things. Thus it is impossible to separate heat from fire, or wetness from
water, or the rays from the sun, for these are essential requirements. And
since change and transformation are among the requirements of all contingent
things, the commandments of God are also changed in accordance with the
changing times. For example, in the days of Moses, that which was required by
and consonant with the conditions prevailing at that time was the Mosaic Law.
However, in the days of Christ, those conditions had so changed as to render
the Mosaic Law unsuited and ill-adapted to the needs of mankind, and it was
therefore abrogated. Thus Christ broke the Sabbath and forbade divorce. After
Him four disciples, Peter and Paul among them, permitted the eating of such
animal foods animal foods as had been forbidden in the Torah, excepting the
consumption of the meat of animals that had been strangled, of sacrifices made
to idols, and of blood. They also forbade fornication. [Cf. Acts 15:20] Thus
they maintained these four commandments. Later, Paul permitted the eating of
strangled animals, of those sacrificed to idols, and of blood, but maintained
the prohibition of fornication. Thus in Romans 14:14 he writes: “I know, and am
persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to
him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” Moreover, in
Titus 1:15 it is written: “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them
that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and
conscience is defiled.”
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by
‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the
Baha’i World Centre)
