Do you ask what is the purpose of baptism? As has been already suggested baptism serves to wash away sin, and to initiate the repentant believer into the Church of Christ. John's baptism was for "the remission of sins." Peter, the chief apostle, called to the people on the day of Pentecost, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." And it follows that since baptism is for remission of sins, those who have not reached the age of sinning have no need of baptism. There has grown up in the world a vicious habit of baptizing infants and little children. Such a practice is wrong. Jesus Himself said of little children, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Infants and little children have not learned to know the difference between good and evil. They cannot sin. Baptism should not be administered to them till they reach the age of discretion. "Little children need no repentance," wrote the Nephite prophet, "neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins." {135} [Sidenote: The door of the sheepfold.] This then did Jesus teach: Baptism is essential; it is correctly performed by complete immersion in water; it is for the remission of sins; it should be administered only to those who have reached the age of accountability; only by obedience to the law can one enter the kingdom of God. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Only through Jesus, you see, can one enter the sheepfold, and become a member of it. And the way to enter by Jesus was thus stated in His final commission to the eleven apostles, just before He ascended to heaven. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be dammed." THE REFERENCES Psalm 1. Acts 2:38. John 3:1-5. Moroni 8:8-14. 2 Kings 5:1-14. John 10:1-18. Matt. 3:13-16. Matt. 28:19-20. Rom. 6:3-5. Mark 16:15, 16. {136} THE QUESTIONS 1. What are the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel? 2. Show that baptism is required by the teaching of Jesus. 3. By what process does baptism wash away sin? 4. How does the law of obedience operate in the daily affairs of life? 5. How did Jesus show in His own acts that baptism is essential to salvation? 6. What is the proper mode of baptism? 7. What is the purpose of baptism? 8. To whom should baptism be administered? 9. Summarize the teachings of Jesus concerning baptism. 10. What is the teaching of our own Church concerning baptism? {137} XVIII THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST [Sidenote: What Jesus told Nicodemus.]