(about 147 BC, in the land called Mormon, somewhere in the Americas )
Mosiah 18
5 Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king.
6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words.
7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Alma explains the baptismal covenant--coming into the fold of God, being called His people, ("Christian"), bearing one anothers burdens, and standing as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
The people are SO excited that they clap!
12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.
13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.
14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.
15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.
That is a different prayer from what we say now, but it is very similar. You can see them compared here.
This scripture makes it very clear that baptism must be by immersion.
Alma had not been baptized, and there was not anyone else around to baptize him, so he baptized himself too. That is only ok when there is not anyone else around to do the baptism--now we always have someone else to do the baptism.
16 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God.
17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
Baptism is how we officially become members of God's church.
Showing posts with label baptismal covenant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baptismal covenant. Show all posts
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Christ
(30 AD, Jordan, Israel )
I think it only fitting that the first baptism story recorded here be that of Christ.
It is recorded in each of the four gospels. (Because I want this to be helpful for children, I have quoted only the verses that are part of the story, and added some italicised clarifications and definitions in brackets.)
Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias [Isaiah], saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord...
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [permit] it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway [immediately] out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Since Jesus came up OUT of the water, we know he was baptized IN the water, or by immersion.
John knew who Jesus was, and felt unworthy to baptise him. He knew that Jesus was perfect and did not need to be washed clean, but Jesus was baptized anyway "to fulfil all righeousness." This example shows us how important baptism is--Jesus did it because it was a commandment, even though he was without sins.
Mark 1
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 And [John] preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall not only baptize you with water, but with fire, and the Holy Ghost [*JST].
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Again, we see that Christ was baptized by immersion.
God the Father was so pleased with Christ's obedience that He spoke from heaven. We are also His children, and He feels the same way when we are baptized.
Luke 3
2 ...the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans [tax collectors] to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. [extra money was given to the poor]
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely [extortion]; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli...
31 ...which was the son of David,
32 Which was the son of Jesse...
Luke tells us how old Jesus was, and also explains that Jesus was the legitimate heir to the Judean throne at the time.
John the Baptist tells us a little about the baptismal covenant--that we should be honest, give to the poor, and be peacemakers.
Luke also clarifies that, after being baptized, Jesus prayed, and then the Holy Ghost descended upon Him. This is like how the confirmation blessing is separate from the actual baptism.
John 1
29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record[testified], saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John the apostle, also called "John the Beloved" was there at the baptism too, and gives his testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. He also makes it clear that John the Baptist also knew who Jesus was and what His mission was.
*JST is Joseph Smith Translation. Over the centuries the Bible has been through many translations, and some parts have been lost or confused in that process. Through revelation, Joseph Smith made many small additions and clarifications to the Bible.
I think it only fitting that the first baptism story recorded here be that of Christ.
It is recorded in each of the four gospels. (Because I want this to be helpful for children, I have quoted only the verses that are part of the story, and added some italicised clarifications and definitions in brackets.)
Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias [Isaiah], saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord...
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [permit] it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway [immediately] out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Since Jesus came up OUT of the water, we know he was baptized IN the water, or by immersion.
John knew who Jesus was, and felt unworthy to baptise him. He knew that Jesus was perfect and did not need to be washed clean, but Jesus was baptized anyway "to fulfil all righeousness." This example shows us how important baptism is--Jesus did it because it was a commandment, even though he was without sins.
Mark 1
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 And [John] preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall not only baptize you with water, but with fire, and the Holy Ghost [*JST].
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Again, we see that Christ was baptized by immersion.
God the Father was so pleased with Christ's obedience that He spoke from heaven. We are also His children, and He feels the same way when we are baptized.
Luke 3
2 ...the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans [tax collectors] to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. [extra money was given to the poor]
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely [extortion]; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli...
31 ...which was the son of David,
32 Which was the son of Jesse...
Luke tells us how old Jesus was, and also explains that Jesus was the legitimate heir to the Judean throne at the time.
John the Baptist tells us a little about the baptismal covenant--that we should be honest, give to the poor, and be peacemakers.
Luke also clarifies that, after being baptized, Jesus prayed, and then the Holy Ghost descended upon Him. This is like how the confirmation blessing is separate from the actual baptism.
John 1
29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record[testified], saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John the apostle, also called "John the Beloved" was there at the baptism too, and gives his testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. He also makes it clear that John the Baptist also knew who Jesus was and what His mission was.
*JST is Joseph Smith Translation. Over the centuries the Bible has been through many translations, and some parts have been lost or confused in that process. Through revelation, Joseph Smith made many small additions and clarifications to the Bible.
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