The existence of institutions of such exalted rank, [Hands,
Counsellors, Auxiliary Boards]
comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no
legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of
priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a
feature of Baha'i administration unparalleled in the religions of the past. The
newness and uniqueness, of this concept make it difficult to grasp; only as the
Baha'i Community grows and the believers are increasingly able to contemplate
its administrative structure uninfluenced by concepts from past ages, will the
vital interdependence of the "rulers" and "learned" in the
Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable value of their interaction be
fully recognized.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 24
April 1972; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)
