Topic: Baptism of Water; Baptism of Fire and of the Holy Ghost; Adoption into the house of Israel

Matthew 3:13-17 > 2 Nephi 31:5-12 > Matthew 28:19-20 > Mark 16:15-16 > The Acts 2:37-38 > The Acts 22:16 > Ephesians 5:5-7 > 3 Nephi 11:33 > John 3:1-6 > Romans 6:3-5 > Colossians 2:12 > Galatians 3:26-29 > Joseph Smith or Greek Translation-Hebrews 6:1-2 > Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 > 2 Nephi 31:16-20 > Matthew 7:13-14 > Mosiah 18:8-14 > 3 Nephi 11:21-27 > Romans 8:14-17 > Galatians 4:1-7 

In many of my conversations with people of diverse faiths, and in opportunities I have had to teach the gospel to a wide variety of people there has been one remarkable consistent question. This one consistent question is, “Is baptism essential for salvation”. More times than not those who I have had gospel discussions with come up with the answer of, “No”. In this Scripture Train, I will show that baptism is indeed essential for our salvation.

Let’s begin with Christ’s own perfect example. I use the word perfect with great seriousness; for if Christ lived the perfect life while He lived on the earth, then it only makes sense that His example was perfect and we should follow it. In Matthew chapter 3 verses 13 through 17, we read of Christ’s baptism. Then in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi chapter 31 verses 5 through 12, we read why Christ was baptized. Matthew’s account teaches us that Christ was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. We learn that He went down into the water where John was baptizing. John, at first, refused stating that he should be baptized of Christ. Christ, however, told John that He needed to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness, which I would equate to keeping the commandment of the Father. Turning to the Book of Mormon passage, we see this to be so. A very important declaration is raised by Nephi, “If the Lamb of God, He being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!” You will notice that I underlined ‘need’. If there was a need for Christ to be baptized it certainly was not for the remission of sins; so it must be due to the fact that it was a commandment of God and for Him to set for us the perfect example! Therefore, if Christ needed to be baptized to keep the commandment of God, then we do too!

Another very important point of doctrine to learn is, when we are baptized, we enter into the kingdom of God. Obviously, we do not die and go to heaven, but rather, we enter into the earthly kingdom of God and Christ; in other words, we become members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

We further learn in these verses that baptism is not simply for the remission of sins or to enter into Christ’s church, but it is also a covenant making process. Christ humbled Himself before the Father and witnessed to Him that He would be obedient and keep His commandments. We also, just as Jesus did, witness, or covenant to keep the commandments of the Father. The promise of the Father in return is that we will be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Let’s continue now in examining more scripture and keep an eye out for the promises of God to those who come unto Him through baptism.

There is no greater evidence of the critical importance of baptism to our salvation than Christ’s own baptism, He setting the example for us! Another great evidence of the critical nature of baptism is the fact that Christ commanded His Apostles to baptize those who believe. In Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 and 20 and Mark chapter 16 verses 15 and 16, prior to His ascension into heaven, Christ commanded His apostles to call the world to repentance and to baptize those who would believe. We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this commandment in The Acts chapter 2 verses 37 and 38 when Peter calls upon his questioning listeners to repent and be baptized. Later, in The Acts chapter 22 verse 16, we see that this commandment continues to be carried out when Paul recites the words of the angel who appeared to him and called him to repentance. From these verses, we learn that baptism is clearly associated with the call to repent. We consistently see associated with baptism the remission of sins. Clearly, we learn that mankind is called upon to repent and then be baptized for the remission of sins. Also associated with the call to repentance and baptism is the reception of the Holy Ghost. All who are baptized will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. To reemphasize an important point, we read in Ephesians chapter 5 verses 5 through 7 that no unclean person can enter the kingdom of God. Learning this important point reemphasizes the necessity of baptism seeing that this ordinance washes away our sins. What a great blessing! There are yet other blessings that come to those who are baptized. The Doctrine we learn in the Bible is reemphasized in the Book of Mormon; 3 Nephi chapter 11 verse 33 teaches that those who are baptized will be saved and inherit the kingdom of God.

In John chapter 3 verses 1 through 6, our understanding of the importance of baptism is further enhanced. Christ explains to Nicodemus that unless we are born again we cannot see the kingdom of God. What exactly does this mean? Simply put, without a change of heart, without a new righteous desire being born in our hearts, a desire for the things of God, that we will never be able to recognize the kingdom of God. For example, if an individual has no desire in his heart for things of righteousness, but loves the world and the worldly life, then he will never recognize the kingdom of God, even when it is set before him. Being born again precedes being born of the water and of the Spirit. Christ then explains that unless we are born with water (baptized) and of the Spirit (the gift of the Holy Ghost), we cannot enter the kingdom of God. With this explanation, we further understand why Christ needed to be baptized, so He could enter the kingdom of God! We certainly are no better than our Savior is, so we need to be baptized too and not just with water, but with the Spirit. We need to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The scriptural evidence is irrefutable; we must be baptized by water and of the Spirit, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, if we want to live with God in His kingdom.

In the book of Romans chapter 6 verses 3 through 5, Colossians chapter 2 verse 12 and Galatians chapter 3 verses 26 through 29, we learn a little more of what it means to follow the example of Jesus Christ in baptism. Here we learn that when we are baptized we emulate Christ’s death and resurrection. Just as Jesus was laid down in the tomb, we are laid down into the water, laying down the old sinful person. Then, just as Jesus arose out of the grave a new and immortal man, we rise up out of the water a new and cleansed person following a new life with Jesus at the center.  With Jesus at the center of our lives and forever following Him and His example, we are promised that we will be heirs with Him according to the promise given to Abraham. What does it mean to be an heir with Christ? It means that we will inherit the same, even all that He will inherit! (See Galatians 4:1-7) Hebrews chapter 6 verses 1 and 2 simply reemphasize the fact that repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands are 3 fundamental, or first principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important to add here that we would not repent, be baptized by water and of the Spirit if we did not have faith in Jesus. These verses teach that it is because of our faith in Christ that we dare follow Him and His teachings. Thus faith becomes the leading principle followed by repentance as we learned in the previous scripture train; and once we feel the need and desire to repent, we seek out the opportunity to be baptized by water and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as the scriptures instruct that we must do. Doctrine and Covenants section 20 verse 37 emphasizes this doctrine. This verse teaches us that as we gain the Spirit of Christ or as we gain faith in Him, then we will repent and this repentance is manifest by our works. Once we repent then we will be received by baptism.

Returning to 2 Nephi chapter 31, let’s examine verses 16 through 20. After baptism all is not done! We have only come this far through exercising our faith in Christ unto repentance and baptism. We still have the rest of our lives to live! In the first verse we are taught that we must endure, in faith, following the example of Jesus Christ, or we cannot be saved. In other words, our works, our actions and our deeds must demonstrate our belief, our faith and our commitment to Jesus Christ. We learn that repentance and baptism is only the gate by which we enter the kingdom of God; we have not, as yet, regained His presence. We are treading the strait and narrow path. I would have you remember that no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God; we must remain clean, or strive to remain clean throughout the remainder of our lives. Repentance continues to be a key principle that we must employ if we desire to stay on the strait and narrow path and regain the presence of God. So, we press forward on this path, enduring all things, repenting, keeping the commandments, demonstrating our belief and faith by the lives that we live. Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 and 14 teach this same principle. Notice what our Savior teaches, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life”. Life is living in the presence of God; the path leads to eternal life; we gained the path through the gate; the gate is baptism!

In our discussions, we learned that Christ was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. God required Him to be baptized. Upon being baptized, Christ entered the kingdom of God. We call this type of two way agreement a covenant. Baptism is a covenant making process: We agree to received baptism, God agrees to allow us to enter His kingdom and the path to His presence. In Mosiah chapter 18 verses 8 through 14, the great prophet, Alma, outlines for us the meaning of the covenants that we enter into at baptism. We learn through these verses that baptism is an outward sign of an inner commitment to follow Christ. In verse 8 we learn that through baptism, we take upon ourselves His name, we are called His people. He amplifies what this means in the following verses. Throughout our lives, we try to do the things that Christ would do if He were in our position. We promise to do the things that Christ would do such as bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who need comfort, stand as a witness of Christ at all times and in all things and in all places. Certainly, this list is not exhaustive, but rather an example of what a covenant person would do. A true follower of Christ will learn what to do to exemplify His master’s life. We also learn in these verses that the better we are at following His example the greater portion of His Spirit will be ours to enjoy.

In 3 Nephi chapter 11 verses 21 through 27, during Christ’s visit to the New World, we learn that in order to baptize, a man must receive the proper authorization. Just as Christ gave authority to baptize to His disciples in the Old World, He also gave authority to His Disciples to baptize in the New World. Both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon testify that we must have authority to do His work. This is Christ’s church and therefore it must be conducted by His authority and after His will. Therefore, in these verses we learn exactly how this holy and vital ordinance is performed. Does it not make sense, that if this is His church, then things must be done His way? 

Romans chapter 8 verses 14 through 17, remind us of the beautiful principles that we recently learned. We are reminded that when we make these covenants through the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and are led by Him, we become the sons and daughters of God, we are His adopted children unless we are literal children of the house of Israel, but as His sons and daughters, we will inherit all things with all His children in His kingdom. His children are those of us who have entered into a covenant relationship with Him. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, teaches this same doctrine; it is a great summery. In Galatians chapter 4 verses 1 through 7, we learn that we all have the potential to inherit the kingdom of God. However, we must qualify for that right by becoming an heir with Christ by being baptized by water and the Spirit thus being adopted as one of God’s sons or daughters. Thus we see, that if we think we can skip the ordinance of Baptism of water and of the Spirit, then we will not take upon ourselves the name of Christ and be called by His name becoming His sons and daughters (adoption) and thus becoming an heir of all things, which God has to offer His children, which is salvation in His kingdom.