Baptism Opens The Gate Into God's Kingdom And Begins A Life Of Covenant Making And Keeping
Gospel Basics Series: The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
God made covenants with man from the beginning starting with Adam and Eve. Baptism is the first ordinance we make with the associated covenants. The candidate for baptism must first exercise faith and repent of his/her sins.
Covenants are solemn agreements you make with God. God sets the standards of the agreement and what will become of us if we keep them. God promises and is bound to bless us if we keep the covenant that we promise to keep. God never changes, and He always keeps His word. This is a big part of what makes Him a God. If we are not blessed, it is because we did not keep the promises that we made.
The most important thing we can do is align our lives with the covenants we made with God. Ordinances and covenants are the Lord’s way of helping us realize our greatest potential and enjoy the best life possible. Performing ordinances and making covenants with God are how you receive God’s power.
Covenants are a reminder for us to repent every day of our lives.
Covenants are made by means of sacred ordinances such as baptism. Ordinances can only be performed by the authority of God. They are not binding with God if they are not done by the correct authority. The priesthood is the authority of God to perform ordinances.
The Covenants You Make Through The Ordinance Of Baptism
- Take upon yourself the name of Christ.
- Always remember Him.
- Always keep His commandments.
What God Promises You
- Enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
- Remission of your sins.
- Being born again.
Baptism is a requirement for salvation and exaltation. Jesus Christ will not let anyone into the Father’s kingdom who has not been baptized. Jesus Christ set the example. He was perfect and so He didn’t need His sins forgiven. Jesus was baptized to be an example to us, and because it was required.
Jesus Christ was baptized by immersion, and that is how He has directed His church to baptize. The baptism by immersion has important symbolisms. Baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior.
Baptism in our life represents the death of our old sinful way of living, and a commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a rebirth. We become the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ becomes the Father of our new spiritual life.
Baptism is a requirement to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Lord’s restored church and to enter into His Kingdom. Baptism is a law of God and with all the ordinances and covenants must be performed with the correct authority.
Little children do not need baptism, in fact, the Book of Mormon prophets teach that it is a gross sin to baptize children. Little children are not accountable before God. Any wrong doing that they might do is unconditionally covered with the Lord’s atonement. Kids are not baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is 8 years old.
We don’t baptize for the fun of it. You must show the missionaries your desire for baptism by keeping the commandments the best you can before your baptism. After baptism, you exercise your faith by continue to keep the covenants. You also renew your covenants by partaking the sacrament. If you partake the sacrament worthily each week at church, you are clean before God just like you were at your baptism. Partaking of the sacrament worthily means to repent of your sins daily, and to take a special time during Sunday to strengthen your resolve to be a disciple of Christ.
Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament with His original apostles just before the atonement. The sacrament is a reminder of what He did for us in the atonement. It is a reminder of His broken body and shed blood.
The sacrament was restored through Joseph Smith. We renew what we promised God at baptism.
Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; (University of Utah, next to the institute) 801-562-8089. You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a worldwide church. Most likely there is a chapel near you.
Go here to find a chapel near you if you don't live in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
|
