The recent declaration by the Catholic church that hundreds of baptisms performed within its ranks are invalid because of one wrong word used in the baptismal rite has caused consternation and dismay among many of the practicing faithful.
A few priests used the words “We baptize,” rather than “I baptize,” during the rite, which the Church says is not correct, therefore, the baptisms are not legitimate. Efforts are being made to correct the mistakes.
But there’s good news for those who may worry about whether they are accepted and clean in the eyes of God. Christian Science has moved Christianity into the modern age with a spiritual explanation of baptism that is not dependent upon a priest, the “right words,” or any fallible human rite.
As defined in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, true baptism is, “Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit” (p. 581). Baptism is spiritualization of consciousness. It is not done by one man over another. It is between God and man. There is no human intermediary.
Baptism is an on-going experience with God where one actively purifies thought by putting off sin, walking in the footsteps of Christ, embracing spiritual mindedness, and living true to one’s identity as a child of God.
Jesus Christ did not baptize with water or with human ritual. He baptized with the Holy Spirit (See Mark 1:4-8).
So, take heart, for anyone concerned. Your baptism with God is safe and secure. The Holy Spirit showers God’s love over you every day and ensures you have everything you need to be fully welcomed into God’s fold. You are one of God’s beloved children now!
Amen
Thanks Evan for that clarity.
I like that baptism is not a ritual but a purification of thinking
Thank you Evan
‘Baptized every moment’:
https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/2f4pjvjj8s0?s=e
Angie…I appreciate the articles you share that always go along so well with what Evan is sharing. I get so much out of reading Evan’s posts and when you add an article it’s like a bonus that helps me dive further into the topics. It’s really thoughtful and kind of you to take the time to give us all additional angel messages. Thank you!
Angie, Terra wrote exactly what I think each time you give/gift us an article. Terra, thanks for saying my truth so well.
I agree.Terra. Thank you so much, Angie, and of course to Evan.
So many man-made laws trying to be God’s laws. This “problem” stems from the misunderstanding that man is God. Mankind make mistakes but a ridiculous thing like this makes no difference at all…only the belief of the person involved
Your comments are so true Diane. It makes me think how wonderful it is that on many walls in Christian Science churches and Sunday school is the quote “God is Love” from the Bible. I feel that Love is at the very heart of Christian Science, and what a gift it is to know and embrace! When you have Love, there is no room for man-made laws of fear, guilt, condemnation, bias, marginalization, judgement, etc.
Yes J. That statement is powerful. When we first started a group in my town, we were gifted the chance to meet and rent from the small Seventh Day Adventace church on Sundays since they met on Saturday. Each week we would take down our signs and put them back before our service. One Sunday we forgot the God Is Love sign over the podium. Sunday morning we found a note saying please leave it up. we believe that too.
correction: Adventist church. We eventially bought it when they built a new church.
Thanks, Evan, for this wonderful clarification on the news. and Angie and all.
I love this Jane b – thanks so much for sharing it!
When the Lord gave us the 10 commandments to live by he was very much in tune with his creation of the human species. He knew there would be issues in the future with the 4 th commandment and that was the reason he said to REMEMBER the sabbath day and keep it holy. For those that want to now the truth I would like to recommend “TEN Commandments twice removed” it is just a little over 100 pages in length and a good read. Just about any book store will have it. Blessings. Tom
I also recommend the song, “Ten Ways to Be Happy” by the Solo Committee. I gift this album to every newborn infant who graces my life. So wish I had this song taught be me as a child! It makes the 10 Commandments easy to understand and live by. And it is fun!!!
Thanks for addressing this topic and clarifying it.
AMEN! Thanks Evan, Angie, and all.
Silly man who can only see to the wall and not know how the wall is made nor what is behind the wall or on what principle all being is granted.
My brother is a fundamental Christian . We talk about our different religions and our common ground on email. I send this talk about baptism. I hope he will like it!
From the lesson and so relevant to what Evan says above – “You must understand your way out of human theories relating to…”. It could be disease or any other condemnation or sentence by mortal mind.
“Think less of the enactments of mortal mind, and you will sooner grasp man’s God-given dominion. You must understand your way out of human theories relating to health, or you will never believe that you are quite free from some ailment.
Let us banish sickness as an outlaw, and abide by the rule of perpetual harmony, — God’s law. It is man’s moral right to annul an unjust sentence, a sentence never inflicted by divine authority.“
S&H 381:20–24, 27
While serving in the military at a large training base a young recruit came to my office..He was of a Christian evangelical background but his Christian Science grandmother suggested he visit the Christian Science chaplain.
He asked me about baptism and I shared Mrs. Eddy’s article Pond and Purpose which speaks of three baptisms. Soon I got a call from his grandmother concerned I was going to baptize her grandson three times..
We got it all straighten out and her grandson was grateful to learn that baptism was a thought process not a ritual..
oh, how careful we must be to make sure our words are understood!
I find that true all the time in RR work. I have to pause often if i’m explaining something and say, ‘Does that make sense?”
Presenting radical spiritual concepts is often like cutting a path through a jungle — a jungle of deep-rooted pre-conceptions that obscure the words the minute they’re spoken.. Sometimes you wonder if talking accomplishes anything at all. But one woman looked at me after my earnest explanations and said, “Well, I don’t understand a word you said, but you’re so earnest and caring, I’m just going to buy the book and read it myself.’
So there! ‘When the heart speaks. . .”
Beautiful thought and reminder. Thank you Evan.
Truth!
Yet another AMEN!! Evan and Angie,
Many thanks for always sending us spiritward in addressing so many timely human issues…giving us the spiritview to pray about.
Thank you for sharing this. I see this blog post for what it is, to understand true baptism with our Father-Mother God and I also see it as an opportunity to in no way criticize, judge, or condemn another religion for not doing things “right.” For if I did, how could I be expressing my purity with my Father-Mother God? Self righteousness is a sneaky snake. We know everyone is experiencing true baptism with God and allow that to happen between each individual and God. Thank you.
Trista I’m glad you made this point that we need not judge another religion because they don’t appear to understand the idea of baptism/purification in the same way that Christian Scientists understand it.
What I gleaned from reading up on this current controversy is that the Catholic Church believes the words ‘We Baptize’ mean that the community is doing the baptizing, and that rather it should be ‘I Baptize’ to indicate that it is not humans doing the baptizing but that Christ Jesus is the ‘I’ who is actually doing the baptizing through the vehicle of the priest. Evan described the spiritual CS perspective to offer reassurance, comfort and love. But you are right that we must be careful, as you said, that we don’t unknowingly slip into self righteousness, that “sneaky snake.” Thanks!
Diane, w.a.- I can relate to your story of your conversation with a woman who, after your sincere and earnest explanations, still seemed so bewildered. In the many talks I’ve had with my brother who is an avid Bible student, I too often come away wondering if talking accomplishes anything at all. My efforts to explain the spiritual sense of the Bible and the all good nature of God seem futile. His thought seems to be stuck in a jungle of Genesis II beliefs, (the man-like nature of God, instead of the God-like nature of man). Even his reading of the Science and Health I gave him didn’t seem bring light to his understanding. But I know that spiritual sense is innate in all of us, and that somehow and in some way the Truth will dawn in his consciousness. When he is ready, the baptism of Spirit will come in like a flood with inspiration and immeasurable blessings.
Thank you Evan for your beautiful words that bless and baptize our lives.
Thank you for this reminder, Evan.
The true Babtism as Christian Science teaches us and how Evan explains it here in today’s wonderful SpiritView, is very important, as Mrs. Eddy writes in SH p. 35:19 “Our baptism is a purification of all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are newborn of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love…”
It is so good that Evan says, that Baptism is not done by one man over another, rather that it is between God and man. I just remember the following sentence contained in this week’s lesson on p. 249:8 “let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine “powers that be.” I love that truth sentence as it is so assuring.
Thank you so much, dear Evan that you give us this loving treatment, explaining us the spiritual sense of what others regrettably only understand materially presently. ♡
Thanks again dear Angie for the helpful article about baptism ♡ and thanks to all for the also helpful comments =)
Thank you Evan for the clarification regarding true baptism. Our baptism being submersion in spirit, realizing and accepting our true nature as spiritual being, is the most essential point of Christian Science! It is something we must contemplate and practice daily.
Am very truly grateful for your blog. It is life saving. The comments always add so much to your presentation of what is real and true. Thank you!
Lovelovelove it!!!
Wow! This is the first I’d heard of the controversy. Sad to think that such a problem could even get past one higher-up in a church. It deserves no audience. Thank you for setting the record straight and for mentioning “the modern age” that we have arrived at. I have dear friends of different r religions than mine and I don’t doubt their sincerity. For myself, I am SO grateful for Christian Science which teaches me to keep seeking God’s presence, God’s will and to enjoy a spiritual reality all the time not just far off. Thank you very muich for this message.
Many thanks Evan.
Would love to see Mr Putin behaving himself as we are still receiving reports otherwise.
I love how CHRISTIAN SCIENCE EXPLAINS BAPTISM, BECAUSE IT IS PURELY SPIRITUAL.