IN the Scriptural record it is stated concerning the teaching of Christ Jesus that "he taught them as one having authority." To understand the nature of this authority is of primary importance to every individual who desires to follow in the footsteps of the great Way-shower. The theory that spiritual authority was bestowed upon Jesus alone would, if accepted, place in the realm of the miraculous his remarkable works, explaining them as the result of divine intervention in particular instances. Strange to say, despite the teaching of Jesus to the contrary, this misapprehension has in some measure continued. Yet. an understanding of the authority underlying Jesus' teaching is essential if his works are to be comprehended and repeated by his followers.
Was it not his recognition of the spiritual source of Jesus' power and authority which enabled the centurion to declare: "Lord. I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." The healing of the man's servant immediately followed. Would not such enlightened faith and humility ensure like results today? The answer of any individual who has accepted the teachings of Christian Science is emphatically in the affirmative.
Many persons have been led to the study of Christian Science through witnessing the healing of disease which had been pronounced incurable by material methods. These seekers learn that Christian Science has restored primitive Christianity, through which was wrought the healing of both sin and disease. The words and works of Christ Jesus are illumined when it is learned, in Christian Science, that a scientific understanding of Spirit, such as he possessed, alone confers the power to utilize and demonstrate God's law in the healing of human discords. The words, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do," are endowed with new significance when it is seen that the obligation to perform these "greater works" rests upon every individual who is endeavoring to follow the Christ, Truth.
