BAPTIZED BY ONE HAVING AUTHORITY
Marcel Kahne
Translated by Gerald D. Woodard
(Original French text at www.idumea.org)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints affirms its belief in the teachings of the Bible. It affirms that, according to the Bible, all men must be baptized by someone having authority from Jesus Christ in order to enter into the Kingdom of God. The Bible is very clear on this. Strangely, however, it would seem that much of the Christian world (which claims to be based on the Bible) feels that baptism is not essential, any more than the authority to act in God’s name.
The Form of Baptism
The word baptism and the various forms of the verb to baptize appear 92 times in the New Testament. It should be noted that baptism, as set forth in the New Testament, is performed by immersion (the Greek verb baptizein means to immerse, to sink), as it symbolizes the death and burial of the sinner and rebirth to a new life (inasmuch as possible) without sin, i.e. a commitment by the new Christian to lead a life that now complies with the teachings of the Saviour.
The descriptions of baptism in the New Testament provide details that confirm that baptism is by immersion.
“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Matthew 3:5-6)
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16)
“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there.” (John 3:23)
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38)
Paintings and other illustrations that show Christ and others being baptized while standing in the water while John the Baptist pours water on their heads are not only historically untrue, but go against the symbolism sought by this rite:
“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.” (Romans 6:4).
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
Was baptism optional in the New Testament?
The case of Christ alone should resolve the issue:
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” (Matthew 3:13-15).
The Book of Mormon makes this very relevant comment:
“And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments [. . .] And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.” (2 Nephi 31:5‑9).
Christ himself performed baptisms: “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized” (John 3:22). Did Christ perform something that was optional?
We must remember the purpose of baptism: “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4). If baptism is for the remission of sins, how can it not be necessary?
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 3:21). If baptism is for salvation, can it be optional?
There are other passages in the same vein:
“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 7:30).
Christ’s commandment to his apostles: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthieu 28:19).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not [and is therefore not baptized] shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16).
“Now when they heard this [from Peter], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37-38).
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12).
“Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:46-48).
“And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ananias to Paul – Acts 22:16).
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5).
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:29-33).
These passages, and others that we have not mentioned in the interest of brevity, leave no doubt as to the mandatory nature of baptism. It is impossible to see how one could claim to believe in the Bible and state that baptism is optional.
Need one be authorized to perform baptism?
If I wanted to conduct a search or to direct traffic, I would certainly be asked “by what authority?” In our society, not just anybody can do just anything. In each case, there must be a mandate from a recognized authority. Curiously, many people do not see the need to have such a mandate when it comes to religion and find it perfectly normal for the house of God to be a house of confusion rather than a house of order.
People in Christ’s day were not as casual as people today: “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?” (Matthew 21:23).
In the same vein, Paul wrote: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? (Romains 10:14-15).
Speaking of the function of high priest, Paul wrote: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:4-6).
How was Aaron Called?
God told Moses:
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar [. . .] And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” (Exodus 28:1; 40:13-15).
Aaron and his sons were thus called by revelation from God to Moses, on whom He had conferred the authority of prophet, and they were washed, dressed and anointed, a practice that we can see continue in our fifth article of faith.
“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”
This concept that we can only act in the name of God when we have received a mandate from Him (directly or indirectly through one of his servants) is found in many passages in the Bible.
Moses received his authority from God as follows when he encountered him on Mount Sinai:
“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” (Exodus 3:12-15).
Isaiah: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go.” (Isaiah 6:8-9)
Jeremiah: “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
John the Baptist: “but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” (John 1:33).
Christ: In the Gospel According to John, Christ uses the expression “he/the father who sent me” 25 times.
Paul: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (2 Corinthians 13:10).
The Apostles: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16). “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you [. . .] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:21, 23).
Peter: “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19).
Barnabas and Saul: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3).
Paul, Barnabas, Jude and Silas : “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:22-25).
Timothy: Paul wrote to Timothy: “I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6).
God established the authority of the Church:
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28)
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [. . .] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:11, 14).
Some had authority to baptize, but not confer the Holy Ghost:
“Then Philip [selected as a deacon in Acts 6:1‑6] went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city [. . .] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17).
Only one well-defined baptism is valid:
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6).
The Bible clearly condemns those who act in God’s name without being commissioned:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed [. . .] I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (Jeremiah 14:15, 23:21).
“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:13-16).
This list would not be complete without mentioning the one who gave his name to a sinful practice that many have turned to over the centuries that followed, simony:
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. [. . .] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:5-20).
And Paul concluded very logically: “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” (2 Corinthians 10:18).
Conclusion
The fact that baptism
must be performed by someone having divine authority clearly leads to an idea
that is highly unpopular in our times, that there is only one true Church.
Christ said: “Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth
to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the
gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it. (Matthew 7:13-14). People today would like to
make the narrow way a highway where all religious systems and philosophies lead
to God. Some trends in Christianity lead the way because their doctrinal
system’s lack of provisions for the many people who are or were unable to be
baptized by someone having authority leads them to adopt this non‑biblical
position to give a chance to everyone. We, as Latter‑Day Saints, by modern
revelation, have a system that meets both the requirements of Scripture and the
basic requirements of justice for everyone. (See Man: One Body and One
Spirit, to be posted soon on this site, or the original French version on
the Idumea
site). We can never thank God enough.
