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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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BAPTISM OF FIRE
A symbol of purification by means of the buddhic
function, of the souls of those egos who have attained Christhood.
"He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."-MATTHEW
iii. 11.
This signifies the descent of the Spirit upon the faithful souls,
which takes place when they are gathered together in one accord,
looking within for the selfsame Light of Wisdom; when they know that
religion is progressive, and when they realise that the floodgates
of Truth are never closed up, but that REVELATION is a reality of
now and for ever. (See ACTS ii.)
"The Fire entereth into the soul secretly." - Pistis Sophia.
The Fire" (buddhi) cometh not to the ego with observation, for it is
not in the scope of the lower consciousness to perceive it.
"The fiery baptism will burn up the chaff of error with the fervent
heat of Truth and Love, melting and purifying even the gold of human
character."- Mrs. EDDY, Science and Health, p. 565.
"The Holy Spirit is fire. Now, whatever may be the meaning of the
emblem in the preceding and subsequent clauses (of MATTHEW iii. 11),
it can have but one meaning in our text itself-and that is the
purifying influence of the Spirit of God. Baptism with the Holy
Ghost is not one thing and baptism with fire another, but the former
is the reality of which the latter is the symbol. It may be worth
while to dwell briefly on the force of the emblem. Fire, then, all
over the world has been taken to represent the Divine energy.
Scripture has from the beginning used it. . . . Thus, then, there is
a continuous chain of symbolism, according to which some aspect of
the Divine nature, and especially of the Spirit of God, is set forth
for us by fire. The question, then, comes to be-What is that aspect?
In answer, I would remind you that the attributes and offices of the
Spirit of God are never in Scripture represented as being
destructive, and are only punitive, in so far as the convictions of
sin, which He works in the heart, may be regarded as being
punishments. The fire of God's Spirt at all events, is not a
wrathful energy, working pain and death, but a merciful omnipotence,
bringing light and joy and peace." - A. MACLAREN, Sermons, 2 Series,
pp. 229-31.
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