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Baha'u'llah further arranged that an International House of Justice, representative of all Baha'is throughout the world, should be elected to take charge of the affairs of the Cause, control and coordinate all its activities, prevent divisions and schisms, elucidate obscure matters, and preserve the teachings from corruption and misrepresentation. The fact that this supreme administrative body can not only initiate legislation on all matters not defined in the Teachings, but also annul its own enactments when new conditions require different measures, enables the Faith to expand and adapt itself, like a living organism, to the needs and requirements of a changing society (85:1) Moreover, Baha'u'llah expressly forbade interpretation of the teachings by anyone but the authorized interpreter. In His Will and Testament 'Abdu'l-Baha appointed Shoghi Effendi to be the Guardian of the Faith after Him and to be empowered to interpret the Writings (85:2) In a thousand or more years another Manifestation will appear, under the shadow of Baha'u'llah, with clear proofs of His mission, but until then the words of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Guardian and the decisions of the International House of Justice constitute the authorities to which all believers must turn for guidance. No Baha'i may found a school or sect based on any particular interpretation of the teachings or any supposed divine revelation. Anyone contravening these injunctions is considered a "Covenant- breaker."1 (85:3) 'Abdu'l-Baha says: - One of the enemies of the Cause is he who endeavors to interpret the words of Baha'u'llah and thereby colors the meaning according to his capacity, and collects around him a following, forming a different sect, promoting his own station, and making a division in the Cause (85:4) In another Tablet He writes: - These people (promoters of schism) are like the froth that gathers on the surface of the sea; a wave will surge from the ocean of the Covenant and through the power of the Abha Kingdom will cast this foam ashore... These corrupt thoughts that emanate from personal and evil intentions will all vanish, whereas the Covenant of God shall remain stable and secure (85:5) There is nothing to keep men from forsaking religion if they wish to do so. 'Abdu'l-Baha says: "God Himself does not compel the soul to become spiritual. The exercise of the free human will is necessary." The spiritual Covenant, however, clearly makes sectarianism within the Baha'i community quite impossible
(85:6)
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