NECESSITY OF BAPTISM.
That Gospel baptism is necessary to salvation, is abundantly evidenced in the sacred writings. Christ, the highest authority known to man, asserted this most emphatically when he said to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;" John 3. 5.
So important did the Savior consider baptism, that when he went to John to be baptized, and John forbade him, he replied to him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness;" Matt. 3. 13-15. In this he taught John the doctrine that a fulness of righteousness or salvation, could not be received without it.
The prophet Nephi, who lived nearly 600 years before the birth of our Savior, clearly understood the necessity of baptism. Said he, "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;" 2 Nephi 31. 5.
The prophet Mormon, who lived nearly 1,000 years after Nephi, also taught the necessity of following the example of our Savior in being baptized, first, by water; Mormon 7. 10.
In the opening up of the latter-day dispensation, the Lord said to his prophet Joseph, "Whosoever believeth on my words them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit, and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit;" Doc. & Cov. 5. 16.
The Lord, in a revelation to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, speaking of those who should be worthy to come forth in the resurrection of the just, says, "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name;" 76. 51.
Bible.
Matt. 28. 19 go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them.
Mark 16. 16 he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
John 1. 33 he that sent me to baptize with water.
Acts 2. 41 then they that gladly received his word were baptized.
1 Cor. 12. 13 for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body.
Gal. 3. 27 as many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.
Eph. 4. 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Peter 3. 21 the like figure whereunto even baptism doth now save us.
Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 31. 11 the Father said, repent, and be baptized.
17 the gate by which ye shall enter is repentance and baptism.
Alma 5. 62 be baptized unto repentance.
9. 27 cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance.
3 Nephi 18. 5 one shall be ordained to break bread, and give to those who are baptized in my name.
28. 18 uniting to the church those who believe on their preaching, baptizing them.
Mormon 9. 29 see that ye are not baptized unworthily.
Moroni 6. 1-4 explains who are fit subjects for baptism.
8. 4-22 the reasons given why little children are not fit subjects for baptism.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 68. 8 preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
112. 29 he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned.
128. 12 baptism by immersion necessary to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other. Also in likeness of the resurrection of the dead, in coming forth out of their graves. This passage explains and beautifully accords with Rom. 6. 4, and Col. 2. 12.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page 16. the Holy Spirit promised to Adam, if he would repent and be baptized. Explanation of the necessity of being born of water and of the Spirit.
17. gives an account of the baptism of Adam.