IN the sixteenth chapter of Matthew we read of Christ Jesus' questioning of his disciples, evidently seeking to awaken them to a higher recognition of his spiritual selfhood and mission. To his question, "Whom say ye that I am?" Peter replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus' response was in part, "And I say also unto thee, . . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Peter saw beyond the human personality of the Master. He recognized Jesus' divine selfhood as the manifestation of God, the Christ-idea, embodying God's qualities and attributes. Jesus approved this recognition. From his statement we understand that the true Church is founded upon the rock of the impersonal healing Christ, Truth. Mary Baker Eddy gives us the definition of "Church" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which reads in part (p. 583), "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Against this Church "the gates of hell"—the dangers which lurk in the worship of and the bowing down to personality and material selfhood—cannot prevail.
Christian Science is built upon this same spiritual foundation and is distinguished for its healing efficacy. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, tells us in Science and Health (p. 35): "Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love,—casting out error and healing the sick." The Cause of Christian Science could not have prospered and endured if Mrs. Eddy had not first proved its divine origin and sanction by healing all manner of disease and distress. The various authorized biographies prove that her healing work emulated that of Jesus.
