The Gospel: An Exposition of its First Principles: Revised and Enlarged EditionRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
The Gospel: An Exposition of its First Principles: Revised and Enlarged Edition
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saint churches
Again it is said: "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried
with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life * * * knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin."[J] In this passage also, as well as in those previously
considered, stands the grand truth that, connected with baptism is
the crucifixion of the old man of sin, the destruction of "the body
of sin;" and that as Christ arose from the grave by the power of the
Father, so those who in baptism have been buried with Christ should
also rise from the watery grave to a newness of life. What, I ask, does
all this mean, if it does not mean that through baptism it is ordained
that men receive a remission of sins, and are made new men in Christ
Jesus?
[Footnote J: Romans vi: 3-6.]
If we turn from the scriptures to the traditions of the early
Christians, we shall find that their understanding of the subject is in
harmony with the observations and deductions in the foregoing.
Justin Martyr, who wrote about the middle of the second century, in
describing the customs observed in receiving new members into the
Christian societies, says: "Those who believe and are persuaded that
the things we teach and inculcate are true, and who profess ability
thus to live, are directed to pray with fasting, and to ask of God
the forgiveness of their former sins. * * * Then we conduct them to a
place where there is water; and they are regenerated [baptized] in the
manner in which we have been regenerated [baptized]; for they receive
a washing with water in the name of the Father of all. * * * This
washing is likewise called illumination; because the minds of those
who have learned these things are enlightened." He then describes the
manner in which the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered;
and thus concludes: "And this food is called by us the Eucharist,
which it is unlawful for any one to partake of, unless he believes the
things taught by us to be true, and has been washed [baptized] with the
washing _for the remission of sins_ in regeneration, and lives according
to what Christ has taught."[K]
[Footnote K: _Second Apology_ of Justin Martyr. Quoted in Murdock's
Mosheim, 3d ed., vol. I., p. 137--note.]
Of baptism in the third century Dr. Mosheim says: "Baptism was publicly
administered twice a year, to such candidates as had gone through
a long preparation and trial; and none were present as spectators
but such as had been themselves baptized. The effect of baptism was
supposed to be the _remission of sins_."[L]
[Footnote L: Murdock's Mosheim, vol. I (3d edition), p. 189.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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