Denies
Water baptism rejected; baptism = inward spiritual cleansing by Truth
Christian Science does not practice water baptism, interpreting baptism as a purely spiritual process. True baptism is the inward washing away of error and material consciousness through the recognition of divine Truth and Love. Matthew 28:19 is understood not as a command to perform water rituals but as a spiritual instruction to understand God (Father, Son, Holy Ghost as Life, Truth, Love). The three names represent divine attributes, not persons. Christian Science teaches that material rituals like water baptism are unnecessary and may even distract from true spiritual transformation, which occurs through individual awakening to divine Truth.
Key Distinctions
- Baptismal formula:
- cleansing through understanding Truth
- Baptism mode:
- Baptism recipients:
Scripture References
Sources
- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy