In its broadest outline the first century of the Bahá’í Era
may be said to comprise the Heroic, the Primitive, the Apostolic Age of the
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and also the initial stages of the Formative, the
Transitional, the Iron Age which is to witness the crystallization and shaping
of the creative energies released by His Revelation. The first eighty years of
this century may roughly be said to have covered the entire period of the first
age, while the last two decades may be regarded as having witnessed the
beginnings of the second. The former commences with the Declaration of the Báb,
includes the mission of Bahá’u’lláh, and terminates with the passing of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. The latter is ushered in by His Will and Testament, which
defines its character and establishes its foundation.
- Shoghi Effendi (Preface
to ‘God Passes By’)