In a familiar Bible scene Christ Jesus questioned his disciples to see if they recognized his true identity, his true nature. When Jesus asked (Matt. 16:13), "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" they told him what others were saying. The Master then put the question directly to the disciples themselves, "But whom say ye that I am?"
It was Peter who perceived that Jesus was looking for an answer of much deeper significance; so he replied, saying, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
The Master commended Peter and turned his disciple's thought to the source of enlightenment with the statement that this revelation came from the Father. He then followed with the declaration, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Here we learn that the Master's concept of Church is one that is actually not built upon person but upon the Christ, Truth.
Although there is no record of his establishing a church organization such as began to develop some years after his ascension or of his building a church edifice in which to worship God, the Master was erecting in the consciousness of those with whom he came in contact the true sense of Church. This was accomplished through his preaching, his teaching, and his demonstrations of healing. He knew God to be eternal, ever-available Truth and unchanging Love, and his understanding of the nature of God enabled him to transform the lives of those receptive to his ministry.
Mrs. Eddy, in the textbook, Science and Health, gives this definition of the spiritual idea of "Church" (p. 583): "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."
The pure idea, Church, exists as a complete idea in divine Mind, fulfilling its God-appointed task, embracing every idea in the universe of Mind. Continuous unfoldment is the nature of Church; the human sense of beginning or of growth cannot be used in reference to true Church. Church is forever active, progressive, and, being spiritual, is not subject to change. Instead, Church expresses changeless Truth, changeless Love, and forever unfolds in changeless Mind.
But what of the institution, the representation of the spiritual idea in human affairs? The institution is the Christly expression of the spiritual idea, and it has a high standard and goal. Mrs. Eddy continues the definition of "Church" in these words: "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
Like the disciples, we have the Master's guidance in our demonstration of Church. Christ Jesus was illustrating the practical meaning of Church for his disciples when he cast out devils and healed the sick. The institution was prefigured in their consciousness when they beheld these demonstrations of the power of Truth and Love. It matured as they confidently healed the sick through Christ, Truth.
There is a parallel in the Master's work with what took place in the founding of the Church of Christ, Scientist. The beginnings were seen in the activity of the healing Christ. After Mrs. Eddy's discovery of Christian Science through her own healing, she began to heal others, and the thought of church developed steadily in her consciousness and that of her followers.
The "Historical Sketch," included in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, tells us (p. 17), "In the spring of 1879, a little band of earnest seekers after Truth went into deliberations over forming a church without creeds, to be called the 'Church of Christ, Scientist.'" The next paragraph states, "At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." The institution took tangible form after that meeting.
The original edifice of The Mother Church was completed in 1894. The light of Truth and Love radiated under Mrs. Eddy's personal Leadership, and when she passed on in 1910, there were many branch churches throughout the world. Under the Church Manual, Mrs. Eddy's Leadership continues, and growth continues to exemplify the true Church, founded upon the Rock, Christ.
Increase in the number of churches is not the only sign of progress. Many departments of The Mother Church have expanded as their spiritual purpose has been perceived. Some departments have expanded as the need has arisen, while others have come into being as a result of a broader view of Church.
Our church is always going forward; it is unfolding, advancing. The maturing institution becomes stronger as the members advance in spiritual understanding and demonstration. And the individual church body grows more vigorous as the idea, Church, unfolds in consciousness. Whatever the need, this unfolding idea reveals the steps that can be taken to keep the church body healthy and vigorous. Health is just as important to a church body as it is to the individual, and the law of progress applies to both.
The Christian Scientist learns that progress grows out of experience. Mrs. Eddy states in Miscellany (p. 181): "Progress is spiritual. Progress is the maturing conception of divine Love."
As the understanding of divine Love and the demonstration of it mature in human consciousness, the race is elevated, and from this higher level both the individual and the church body are better able to grasp and to utilize spiritual concepts. So the process goes on, fulfilling the law of God, which calls for progress and the eternal unfolding of His individual and collective ideas.
The spiritual perception of Peter that enabled him to identify Jesus properly as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," is available to all. It was this spiritual perception of true being, or understanding, which the Master cherished in Peter. This understanding, looking beyond material sense, is a sure foundation, the rock upon which a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, is built. This spiritually discerned church matures under God's loving laws and stands against the storms of material sense. As these living laws of Truth and Love are demonstrated, they assure a progressive and permanent institution. A church demonstrating the Christ reflects the durability of Spirit, God.
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.—Isaiah 40:9–11.
