Article April 26, 1952 Issue

"HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE"

CHARLES PORTER LOWES

Those uninstructed in Christian Science often question how it was possible for Jesus to heal what are considered the most dangerous types of disease so quickly without directing any apparent attention to the body. When referring to the Christ, Truth, which was the motive power of all the unprecedented works and acts in the healing ministry of Jesus, the Apostle Paul proclaimed (Eph. 4:8), "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." Students of Christian Science are daily proving that the mental causes of fear, sin, and ignorance of God must be led captive or destroyed by spiritual illumination, in order for them to find freedom from the captivity of disease, sorrow, and pain, which are the effects of such false beliefs.

Jesus claimed no ability of his own, but he used the divine power which was bestowed upon him by God to nullify every supposed material penalty and law. His holy mission was to heal mankind and save them from the impositions of evil, and he glorified God in all that he did.

When they brought to him the man who was born blind, Jesus, recognizing no cause but God, or good, refuted the mortal mind evidence of incurability and the claims of heredity and restored sight to the afflicted one. Jesus never treated the physical body or used material means to restore it to health and usefulness. He never diagnosed disease or recommended drugs, diet, surgery, or a change of climate as a means of regaining health. He knew that mortal mind, so called, and not matter, needed to be healed and purified of erroneous beliefs, and in almost every case his healings were instantaneous.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

PROGRESS TOWARD THE SUMMIT