Editorial July 26, 1913 Issue

"FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST."

Archibald McLellan

In the fourth chapter of Acts we read that after Peter and John had been released by the high priest and his kindred, and they and "their own company" had prayed, "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." It is to be noted, however, that this speaking with boldness was not in any sense theoretical or academic, but it was accompanied by demonstration. In fact, the incarceration of these two apostles, from which they had just been released, was because they had not only preached the gospel, but had also healed a lame man at the gate of the temple. In a way, the healing of this man, a poor cripple who in the many years he had lain daily at the gate had become a familiar sight to the priests and to those who came there to worship, was a reproach to those who persecuted the apostles. Moreover, Peter had declared that it had been done "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," he whom they had so shamefully treated but a few weeks before, thinking that thereby they had put an end to the hold his teachings and works of healing had gained upon the people. It is not to be wondered at, then, that the council, "beholding the man which was healed standing with them, ... could say nothing against it." It was easier to release Peter and John than to justify their own failure to heal.

The apostles were, however, forbidden to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, and it is interesting to note the attitude of this little company of the followers of the Master, after they had listened to all that Peter and John told them of what the chief priests and elders had said. Their prayer was: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal." Surely they could speak with all boldness the word of Him whose "hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;" and the prayer of every Christian Scientist today should be of similar import. Genuine Christianity is no different now from what it was in the first century, and the healing of the sick is today just as much a part of the work which the Master commanded his followers to do, as it was then. Can we, indeed, consistently call ourselves Christians without this work? "Ye shall know them by their fruits," said Jesus, and his "fruits" were the countless healings wrought among those who gathered about him to listen to his teachings.

When Christ Jesus was questioned as to his Messiahship, he made no claims in unsupported words, but rather called attention to the works which proved the divine source of his teachings and the truth of his assertions. When Christian Scientists are questioned as to the truth of Christian Science, they likewise should be able to point to the fruits of its practise, as well as the letter of its doctrine, and those who heed their Leader's counsel to "study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit" (Science and Health, p. 495), will then answer with the boldness born of conviction. Christian Science with the healing omitted would be no more convincing than is other preaching without proof, and it was because of this that our Leader provided for the giving of testimonies of healing through our periodicals and at the Wednesday evening meetings. Every one who makes known through these channels the saving power of Christian Science, is doing precisely what Jesus told John's messengers to do, namely, "Go ... tell ... what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."

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