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(The Christ-mission)
Jesus established his church and maintained his mission
on a spiritual foundation of Christ-healing. He taught
his followers that his religion had a divine
Principle, which would cast out error and heal
both the sick and the sinning. He claimed no intelligence,
action, nor life separate from God. Despite the
persecution this brought upon him, he used his divine
power to save men both bodily and spiritually.
(Ancient spiritualism)
The question then as now was, How did Jesus heal the
sick? His answer to this question the world rejected.
He appealed to his students: "Whom do
men say that I, the Son of man, am?" That
is: Who or what is it that is thus identified with casting
out evils and healing the sick? They replied, "Some
say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and
others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." These prophets
were considered dead, and this reply may indicate that
some of the people believed that Jesus was a medium,
controlled by the spirit of John or of Elias.
This ghostly fancy was repeated by Herod himself.
That a wicked king and debauched husband should have
no high appreciation of divine Science and the great work
of the Master, was not surprising; for how could such
a sinner comprehend what the disciples did not fully
understand? But even Herod doubted if Jesus was controlled
by the sainted preacher. Hence Herod's assertion:
"John have I beheaded: but who is this?" No
wonder Herod desired to see the new Teacher.
(Doubting disciples)
The disciples apprehended their Master better than
did others; but they did not comprehend all
that he said and did, or they would not have
questioned him so often. Jesus patiently persisted in
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