Editorial July 30, 1927 Issue

On Speaking with Authority

Albert F. Gilmore

Christ Jesus spoke with a degree of authority without parallel in human history. As none before or since his day have spoken with an equal degree of understanding of Truth, so none have exercised so great power as he. What wonder, then, that at the close of the incomparable Sermon on the Mount we are told that "the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

This simple man, reared in the hill-set town of Nazareth, remote from the social centers of his day, spoke with greater authority than any potentate or king, than any ruler, ancient or modern. In consideration of this fact two queries present themselves: What was the source of Jesus' conscious power, which enabled him to speak with an authority that convinced his hearers of the truthfulness of his teachings, revolutionary though they were? and, Is this power and authority available to mankind to-day? Beyond question, Jesus realized to the fullest the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, the Father of all. He also knew that as the Son of God, divine power was available to him in proportion to his obedience to God's will. He understood the character and attributes of God as has none other, and in consequence he loved the Father with a fullness wholly unique. This was the source of his authority; and the same power and ability to exercise it which Jesus possessed are available to all in proportion as the Mind of Christ is gained.

On page 225 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy fully corroborates the Master's position. "The history of our country, like all history," she writes, "illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking." As we think rightly, we shall gain power which may be expressed in terms of dominion over error in any one of its manifold guises.

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Christian Healing
July 30, 1927
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