Editorial November 20, 1909 Issue

"IN CHRIST"

Annie M. Knott

As we study the New Testament in the light of Christian Science, we are deeply impressed by the many evidences of a new order of things which finds expression in the Gospels and epistles, spiritual law and order displacing belief in a material order, on the part of those who had awakened to the truth of being. It is especially interesting to observe that this awakening was not confined to the Jewish people, who had for long centuries regarded themselves (and with some justice) as the custodians of the truth, for we read of a Roman centurion who with deepest reverence sought healing for his servant, and we are told that Jesus granted his request, and marveled at his faith, saying that he had not found any so great, "no, not in Israel."

We also read, in Acts, of Cornelius, another centurion, a devout man who "prayed to God alway." The story of his guidance by the one Mind is beautiful and wonderful, for it shows us how all earnest seekers are led to Christ, Truth, and also to the one best fitted to help them in the working out of their human problems. It was on this occasion that Peter declared to all who were assembled in the house of Cornelius, that "God is no respecter of persons," and that God had "anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed." Then we read that "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."

In Paul's epistles we are often reminded of what it means to be "in Christ." In the sixteenth chapter of Romans he refers to some of his kinsmen, saying that they had been "in Christ" before him. The great significance of this expression may be gathered from his words in the fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians: "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Again he says, "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ;" then he speaks of the veil which hides from mortals the truth, and he says that this veil "is done away in Christ." He says further: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;" and in the first chapter of Ephesians we find this remarkable statement: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of time he [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth." Then he prays that the Father "may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," the purpose of this enlightenment being that we might know "what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe."

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