A mother, who is newly practicing Christian Scientist, was inspired to learn that real baptism is not of material water, but of the Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ never baptized followers with water. He baptized them with the Holy Spirit.
As John the Baptist, who preceded Jesus Christ, distinguished himself from Jesus by saying, “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mark 1:8, NLT). Christian Science continues the tradition of Jesus Christ by teaching baptism of the Holy Spirit as well, which is not a singular event. It’s an on-going purification of thought that happens every time thought is spiritualized with spiritual truth.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, defines baptism as, “Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 581).
Later, the mother was concerned because a family member, who was not a Christian Scientist, and believed baptism requires a religious rite involving water, was pressuring her to get her daughter baptized with water. This mother was wondering if she should follow through to please this other family member. She knew no harm would come from a christening but wondered if anything truly good would come of it either.
As we chatted about the options, she realized that her daughter was being baptized in the Holy Spirit every day from the study and sharing of spiritual truth they shared in her home. Her daughter wasn’t lacking anything, she knew.
And then the question “Can one ever please another’s personal sense?” arose, which is what she would be trying to do if she followed through merely to please this family member.
“Give them room to grow on the subject,” I said to her. You are clear on what true baptism is and know that you’re already receiving its full benefit. There is room for your family member to grow in their understanding of what true baptism is. Maybe the wisest step is to live true to your ideals and give them room and space to learn more about true baptism too!
Time will tell what happens. But either way, the lesson of “Give the other person opportunity to grow,” is a way to stay true to thyself and benefit others too.
wonderful message !
After a dinner with friends from years back who have moved back to the island.. my C S studies .. seemed losing ground…..the ‘daily baptism’ dimming.
To let one remain quiet and ‘see’ …be calm, …felt more honest than being frustrated..
out side of the conversation… personal sense, buts in as if ‘invited.’
“To give others the opportunity to grow..” to be aware,.. Truths goodwill…is present,
is more honest,…there is no retrograde as we progress…to the right side, right?
Thank you Evan.
I am grateful to you Tina, for your reinforcing how you remedied “losing ground”. Feeling more honest, we can set an example to all those around us, that remaining quiet may demonstrate the best results, which teach us how to rely wholeheartedly on God for the doing. Today I am seeing that activity directly affecting the stability of the citizens in our country, but as we remain vigilant, resting in Divine Love, those depending on God’s will are supported by that Love and growing.
My Top 10 citations from the Aug. 31 Bible Lesson on Christ Jesus (Part 1 | 1-5)
-John 8:31 … If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
-Luke 6:31 … as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
-S&H 494:11 … It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.
-S&H 454:17-19 … Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way.
-Philippians 3:15-17 … Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Great message! Spiritual growth is always taking the high road to understanding all things spiritual
Leave those dear ones just starting to learn the Truth about God and Man to God and the Christ message going forward.
Sometimes Christian Scientists who are married to non CSs, get too “holier than thou” and not only does that not work, but it is not loving, tolerant or Christian to try to force others to do (or not do) what we think is right. I know a young woman who is an atheist but married to a “died in the wool” Catholic who insisted their children be christened? baptised?. The mother was terribly upset and very against it all. Still, when she called me about it, it seemed right to say, “Let him do it…it makes no difference to the babies or to you, but it makes HIM feel as if he has done the right thing…it puts his mind at ease, so it is loving to your husband to just allow it, while we both know the babies are pure and beautiful either way. It cannot hurt them or do anything, but it WILL hurt HIM to make a fuss. LOVE is the universal solvent, as Mrs Eddy states. It is more important to be loving and patient that to force your beliefs on others when they are not ready.
Thank you Diane, thank you Evan,
Blessings to all at SV
Great and very important subject today to progress in our spiritual reality .
When we really feel that we belong
To the One Spirit, the reflection is infinite.’
When my children were very young, my husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, wanted them to have their shots stating that they would be required when they went to school. I talked with my teacher about this. She stated they are his children too and he wanted the best for them. And as I prayed about it, I realized those shots could do them no harm. He would take them to get their shots, I would stay home and prayed to know they could not be harmed. They never suffered from any reaction to the shots like some children did with fevers and all. I always felt so grateful for this demonstration. I will add, this was the only time he ever asked for something like this. He supported CS, he just felt it was impirtant for school.
Thank you for this valuable insight.
This sounds like my life, except that my mother, unbeknownst to me at the time she was babysitting, took my infant son to get baptized at her church! I found out years later. Of course, it wasn’t right on her part, but I knew she did it out of fear of something terrible happening to him if he wasn’t baptized, and because she loved him. She also went to a priest to ask him about Christian Science, when I first started learning about it and he said, “Don’t worry, Mary. There’s only one God.” (Wise priest!)
That was indeed a very wise and open-minded priest KM! I remember many years ago mentioning CS to a very religious person from a different denomination and she emphatically said, “Oh, stay away from that!” She implied it was dangerous. I was new to CS at the time and was taken aback by her response and after that I pretty much stopped mentioning it to most people who seemed religious who are non-CS’ists.
But yes there is One God….loving and caring for and guiding us all.
A deep message today, requires much pondering.
I’ve had to keep a distance from some family members for several years because I felt it was best for my emotional well-being. I pray about the situation and pray to see they are God’s children and pray to forgive. I have felt some guilt at times. I see now from reading today’s message that perhaps I’ve been giving them (and maybe myself too) the opportunity and space to grow. I never thought of it that way, this puts a more healing understanding and perspective on my choice to keep apart from them. Thank you Evan for that insight. More to learn, God will show the way….
Thank you for this in particular: “Maybe the wisest step is to live true to your ideals and give them room and space to learn more about true baptism too!” Wise advice on any subject!
I am reminded of Mrs. Eddy’s “Pond and Purpose” pg. 203 …
in Miscellaneous Writings in Prose Works. She writes, “As in water face
answereth to face, so the heart of man to man”, mirroring what Solomon
had said. Also, she writes, ” The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion of
human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is the last scene in
corporeal sense.”
I have noticed many birds taking a bath in the birdbath today. It is so
lovely to see them so happy and filled with the “holy Spirit”. Their
immersion in such joy brings a smile whenever I see them frolicking in
such heavenly peace.
That is all very lovely,Carol – I particularly love
” The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion of
human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is the last scene in corporeal sense.” Good to be
reminded of that.
Also the joyful birds in your garden bathing in the birdbath, because we love the birds that come into our garden, and have had some wonderful insights into their lives. . Each species have different ways
of acting and living, and a lot can be learned from
them – God made them all perfect in their own way.
As we can trust in God to care for all His creatures,
so we can trust in God to show us how to help
each other, but not to interfere with God’s will for
them. He needs no help from us – but we need
to listen for His guidance in all things..
Thanks Evan! Good, practical, insights!
Larry
Dear Evan, I love this SpiritView about real baptism. it is God’s pouring out of the holy ghost, like he did on the day of pentecost on all people there. baptizing with water could be spiritualy understood as a cleansing act , as Mrs. Eddy says “… a purification by Spirit …”
I love to look for a suitable hymn in our CS hymnal book.
I found the first verse of hymn 118 suitable:
Holy Spirit , Light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Kindle every high desire;
Cleanse my thought in Thy pure fire.
Thank you very much, dear Evan, for the so inspiring and enlightening Spiritual Views ! ♡
Thanks Evan for another interesting topic and a great response. And thank you all for sharing your comments and experiences.
I liked Jrm’s teacher’s response, and how Jrm and her husband compromised in that situation. And I felt compassion for KM’s mother. People believe what they believe, and so I can understand the mother doing what she did out of love. I do feel most push back in situations is out of love and concern.
Evan’s comment about the religious rite of water made me think of a family member who has a small bottle of holy water and has sprinkled it on grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in new homes throughout the years. With each sprinkle a prayer/blessing is given that always includes lots of love. 🙂
Thnk you everyone for your thoughts today They were so refreshing and joyful.
and you Evan for starting and mantaining Spiritview.