Editorial March 18, 1933 Issue

Christian Science Baptism

W. Stuart Booth

Many who are now Christian Scientists were associated formerly with churches where various forms, rites, and rituals constituted at least some part of the religious services. It has been a matter of surprise and wonderment that those who previously had been impressed by and had enjoyed ceremonial church worship now find a great degree of satisfaction and peace in the simple services held in Christian Science churches. The explanation lies in the fact that Christian Science preserves whatever is good in the former religious beliefs and practices of its students, and furnishes the true spiritual sense and substance of the truths symbolized in ceremonials and forms.

For instance, Mrs. Eddy's teachings stress the importance, yes, the necessity, of baptism in connection with Christian healing and happiness, with spiritual progress and prosperity. However, this is not the baptism of John, but of Jesus—that is, it is not physical, but metaphysical. In referring to the coming of Christ Jesus, John the Baptist said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." And the beloved disciple, referring to immersion, wrote that "Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples." The Master was a scientific Christian, dealing with mental causes instead of physical effects as was shown in his healing and reformative works: the sick were healed and the sin-bound were released and reformed by the spiritual power which impelled and supported his denial of the wrong thoughts that lay back of the discordant manifestation. This was the baptism of the Holy Ghost, or the purification of thought by spiritual power and means.

Although Christian Science is sometimes regarded by uninformed persons as a mere healing agency, the strictly religious and spiritual nature of its teaching and practice is indicated by the fact that genuine Christian Science healing carries with it a greater or lesser measure of moral reform and uplift according to the needs and response of each patient. Indeed, Christian Science healing is found to be coincident with and dependent upon some degree of spiritual awakening and regeneration on the part of patients. Referring to this Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 241): "We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity. The baptism of Spirit, washing the body of all the impurities of flesh, signifies that the pure in heart see God and are approaching spiritual Life and its demonstration." Christ Jesus indicated this important point when, in healing the man who was bedridden with palsy, he struck at the root of the trouble in the simple and direct announcement, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."

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