The Baha'i World Faith: Part 1 - ORIGINS OF THIS MUSLIM OFFSHOOT RELIGION

There's over 5 million Baha'is in 200 countries. Imagine a religion started in the 19th century that tries to combine many religions. Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (YouTube channel: CANSWERSTV at http://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV?feature=mhee) & Steve Morrison, Ph.D, director of Research for Christian Answers (Steve is the creator of our 3 websites: http://www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, http://www.HISTORYCART.COM & http://www.MUSLIMHOPE.COM) analyze the truth claims of the Baha'is.

Co-Founders: Mirza Ali Muhammad (Bab); Mirza Husayn Ali (Baha'u'llah).
Founding Date: 1844.
Official Publications: The American Baha'i, The Baha'i Newsreel, Brilliant Star (for children), One Country, World Order.
Organizational Structure: Universal House of Justice (nine members) administrates the Baha'i Faith internationally. National Spiritual Assemblies (nine members) administrate national Baha'i concerns. Local Spiritual Assemblies (nine members) administrate Baha'i concerns on a local level. All governing bodies are elected democratically.
Sacred Scriptures: Over 100 volumes written by the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l Baha. Some of the most notable are: Selections From the Writings of the Bab, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book), Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitude), Baha'i Prayers, Some Answered Questions.
Unique Terms: Most Great Peace, Manifestation, He-Whom-God-Will-Manifest, Fireside discussion.

History
The roots of the Baha'i faith lie in the Shi'ite sect of Islam which was led by 12 successive Imams, descendants of Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali. The 12th Imam, as a child, withdrew from society.