Supplement to #25 Jesus and John the Baptist

Supplement to #25 Jesus and John the Baptist

In the Meridian of time, during Jesus’ and His Apostles earthly life, the true ordinance of baptism having been lost, was restored. Many assume that Jesus and John were doing that which was in practice among the Jewish nation at the time, but this is very much not so.

By the time of Abraham many parents were not having their children baptized at eight years old. Some followed the pagan practice of an ablution bath given by the parents, or a sprinkle of blood on the child, or making a cut on the child’s flesh … a pagan practice. Males were also to be circumcised at eight days old as a parent reminder that at eight years old. “By the time of Christ, circumcision had become the prevailing ordinance but not baptism. Baptism was used only to initiate gentiles or infidels into Judaism.” (Skousen)

The scriptures indicate that “the memory of the former days when everybody was baptized, remained sufficiently strong among the people so that they flocked to Bethabara to be baptized by John when he announced that this was necessary to gain a remission of their sins. Thus, through the ministry of John the Baptist, the original ordinance was restored.” (Skousen)   

It is interesting to note the baptism “In New Testament times, immersion (Greek: to dip, to plunge, to immerse) is the only from of baptism known to have been used. Rather early, pouring began to be substituted for immersion (baptism.)” (Barker) The doctrine continued to change: “Instead of baptism with the authority of the priesthood for the forgiveness of the sins committed by the individual, it became ‘baptism’ without authority solely (in the case of newborn infants) for the sin ‘inherited’ from Adam for original sin.” History shows that not only was the original mode of baptism by immersion changed but elaborate ceremonies were gradually introduced. (Barker)

In the period of 313-476 AD the acceptance of baptism without the authority of the priesthood became the practice and the testimony of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit ceased.

Augustine now becomes one of the very strong voices in Christianity. He teaches “infants die only to original sin; those who are older die also to all the sins which their evil lives have added to the sin which they brought with them. Even infants not baptized, who die before the age of reason go hell.” Augustine reversed the commandment of the apostles, “Repent and be baptized.” He said, “Let them be baptized first, afterwards we will instruct them.” (Barker)

There are great inconsistencies in the doctrines of Augustine which he could not explain and his opponents accused him of disregarding the traditions of the church, which he often did.

During this New Testament time period the governments increasingly influenced and dominated the early Christian church. Under the Roman emperors a long series of persecutions took place and many changes occurred in its ordinances. 

The Lord in His final restoration of the Gospel to this earth has come and told us the following: Baptism is a new and everlasting covenant. Authoritative baptism is required.

“Behold, I say unto you that all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing; and this is a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.

“Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your dead works.

“For it is because of y our dead works that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old.

“Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God.”

(Doctrine and Covenants 22: 1-4)

Glenn R. McGettigan

August 2015

References:

“Apostasy From The Divine Church.” Barker

“Days Of The Living Christ.” Volume 1. Skousen