Discover more from Mysticism 2020 (formerly Christianity 2020)

Virtually everything that can be said about mysticism has already been said. I've re-launched this blog with a new, quicker-to-read format: I start with a quotation from someone, then add a little bit of commentary which (hopefully) will contextualize it.

The Spirit of God descends into Jesus

Dr. Steven Shaffer

Oct 22, 2023

The description of what happened to Jesus when he was baptized very clearly describes a moment of mystical enlightenment. Literally, when Jesus is baptized, the Spirit of God descends upon and into him. He now becomes an anointed one, a Christ.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.
Mark 1:9-10

I know that this will seem like blasphemy to almost everyone who reads it. We're taught that “the Son” / Christ / Jesus has existed since the beginning, along with “the Father” and “the Spirit.” However, this was not the original belief of all (or even most) Christians. Just look into the reasons way the Council of Nicaea was necessary.