Many people seem to have trouble with our method of baptism. I don't know why, Jesus Christ was baptized by immersion. As He is our Great Exemplar in all things I can't begin to understand where the confusion comes in.
So to all my friends, readers, people I have yet to meet . . . I can promise that baptism by immersion is merely the way our Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to perform this ordinance.Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Baptism in the Lord's Way - The Savior revealed the true method of baptism to the Prophet Joseph Smith, making clear that the ordinance must be performed by one having priesthood authority and that it must be done by immersion: < "The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. "Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water" (D&C 20:73–74). Immersion is symbolic of the death of a person's sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of God and His children. It is also symbolic of death and resurrection. (See Romans 6:3–6.)
The Baptismal Covenant - Those who are baptized enter into a covenant with God to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37). Church members renew this covenant each time they partake of the sacrament (see D&C 20:77, 79).
Those who keep the covenants they made at baptism are blessed by the Lord for their faithfulness. Some of the blessings include the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, the remission of sins, and the privilege of being spiritually reborn. If they continue faithfully, they are promised eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:19–20).
Little Children and Baptism - From latter-day revelation, we know that little children are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. The Lord said, "They cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me" (see D&C 29:46–47). They are not to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which the Lord has revealed to be eight years of age (see D&C 68:27; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:11). Anyone who claims that little children need baptism "denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption" (Moroni 8:20; see also verses 8–19, 21–24).
Baptism by Immersion
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Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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Reviewed by Unknown
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Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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I wish all religions who belive in cristianity would become one instead of having to be right.
ReplyDeleteKate's Blog
Free Spirit Speaking
kate1949.blogspot.com
http://kate1947.blogspot.com is my correct blog address, I welcome your comments, life is a lesson taught by the verbal
ReplyDeleteI know we have different beliefs, but we all worship the same God. I too wish that we could come together as a common force and fight that good fight.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know I had your blog address wrong. Sorry about that and I'll get that fixed right away.
I grew up in the Baptist church and I was baptized by immersion.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Hugs!
Kat
Hi Candace,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say I so appreciate all your recent visits to A Chelsea Morning and I apologize that it took me so long to return the visit. No excuse at all. I just lazily let my day to day life get in the way of my cyber life.
:-)
Second, and I'm not being flippant, but I have to say this. My mother flip-flopped from church to church all the years of my raising and I've been everything from Pentecostal to southern Baptist (I'm from southeast Texas) to Methodist to Catholic to finally non-denominational. Non-denominational is MY choice, finally. I attend the Fellowship Church here in Grand Junction. There's a surprise.
For the record, my husband is from Panguitch, Utah and was raised Morman. His whole extended family is Morman although he and his siblings were not really raised Morman because their father was a Catholic.
Can CHURCH get any more complicated?
But I feel confident I'm good. I've been sprinkled and I've been immersed.
OK, that sounded flippant. I didn't mean it to.
I feel confident because I'm a Christian who knows she's going to heaven. Period.
If we could all come together into one religion, I'm afraid it would be boring. Adversity sponsors discussion and thought. But the bottom line is, if you accept God and live a good life, you're going to heaven. Right?
Right! :-)
Oh Barb, it might be boring, but just imagine all the good we could accomplish. I don't mean to come together as one church, but to come together as Christians and stand for what is right.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting religious history you have!