THE disciples of Christ Jesus were students, pupils of that God-sent Saviour whose spiritually prophesied mission was to reveal divine Truth to mankind. This great Teacher gave to his students the fundamentals of divine Science, the source of which is the Mind that is God.
On page 271 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "In Latin the word rendered disciple signifies student; and the word indicates that the power of healing was not a supernatural gift to those learners, but the result of their cultivated spiritual understanding of the divine Science, which their Master demonstrated by healing the sick and sinning."
The teaching of the Master explained the Word of God, confirmed the prophetic vision of spiritually-minded men centuries before, and demonstrated the scientific basis of its healing power. This power was taught to those followers of Jesus whose receptivity enabled them to cultivate spiritual understanding.
What sort of men were these disciples? They were neither intellectual giants, nor were they academic experts steeped in materialistic learning. One basic requirement was sound moral character. Nathanael is a good example. Jesus said of him (John 1:47), "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
Responding to the call of discipleship, Nathanael said to Jesus, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." His simple honesty and keen spiritual discernment made him a disciple—a willing student of the revelation of Truth.
A distinguishing characteristic of the teachings of Jesus is set forth in the first verse in the tenth chapter of Matthew: "When he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."
Was the Teacher successful? In other words, was the teaching scientific and practical and were the students able to put it to good use? Not only the twelve intimate disciples but many other followers were able to do healing work, according to the degree of their understanding and devotion. Luke says (10:1,17): "The Lord appointed other seventy also. . . . And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
It is both helpful and necessary to note that the word "disciple" is from the same root as the word "discipline." It is valuable for us to realize this. One meaning of "discipline" is "training or experience that corrects, molds, strengthens, or perfects." An important point to remember is that the discipline of human thinking through Truth results in the ultimate expression of all God's qualities in individual experience.
Anyone who studies the Word of God and loves and lives its teachings may be considered a disciple. We read on page 52 of Science and Health, "The highest earthly representative of God, speaking of human ability to reflect divine power, prophetically said to his disciples, speaking not for their day only but for all time: 'He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;' and 'These signs shall follow them that believe.'"
In Christian Science discipleship is both an opportunity and a demand. Not that students of this religion claim self-appointed discipleship; rather, the spiritual discipline of study, prayer, and practice of its teachings through healing anoint them with the growing realization of their status as disciples.
Because Mrs. Eddy discovered and founded Christian Science, divine law as applied to human needs, her work as revelator and teacher of divine metaphysics necessarily requires her followers to accept the twofold responsibility of being disciples —profound students and faithful workers in the vineyard of the Lord.
Remembering always that a faithful disciple is an enthusiastic student, the Christian Scientist appreciates with gratitude the truly inspired course of study available to him in the weekly Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly. This ever-unfolding plan of self-instruction in the Word of God is unmatched in the entire realm of human education. For what school in the broad fields of human learning teaches the absolute Science of God, man, and the universe? Where but in the scientific explanation of the Word of God can the great subject of Christian healing be studied and practiced?
It is important to know too that the Concordances to the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings offer the student a rich field of progressive endeavor as a disciple. It is not the intermittent but the constant research which is most rewarding. By this earnest study of spiritual truth, students are better able to prove for themselves and others that Christian Science healing is based on the consciousness of the allness and goodness of God, divine Mind, as Jesus taught.
It should be added that Christian Science does not replace the teachings of Jesus, nor does it displace the Saviour as the great Teacher sent from God. Rather, Christian Science is the scientific confirmation of the divine Principle of Christianity, that Principle being God, ever-present divine Love, whose tender power comforts, enlightens, and sustains one and all.
One may ask, "How can I become a truly good student of Christian Science?" A most helpful answer is found in the volume "We Knew Mary Baker Eddy," Second Series. There in the address titled "Our Leader as Teacher and Friend" is this statement from a letter written by Mrs. Eddy to one of her students (p. 27): "In reading my revised edition that is, by the way, published this week there is no special direction requisite. The general rule is to commence with the first chapter, read slowly and pause as you read to apply certain portions which meet your present need,—to thought that will carry them out in action."
Consecrated study brings to light in human consciousness the Mind-originated ideas that reveal the allness of good and the nothingness of evil—the conscious perfection of man's eternal existence.
With the continuing freshness of experience as student and disciple, we gain the deep satisfaction and spontaneous joy of a progressive understanding of God, and our days on earth are shown to be productive. True discipleship progresses from earnest study to the final demonstration of man as image, the conscious likeness of God.
