In subsequent centuries, however, this part of the gospel was lost, or neglected by some of the sects of Christendom, and when announced among them today, it is not unfrequently regarded as a new doctrine.[A] Yet it is not. We have seen that it was a doctrine practiced by the apostles and their immediate successors. Indeed, it is named directly as one of the principles of the doctrine of Christ by Paul. The following is the passage:
[Footnote A: It is a mistake to suppose all Christendom to have neglected the practice of this ordinance. The Catholics teach that "Confirmation (by the laying on of hands) is a sacrament instituted by our Lord, by which the faithful, who have already been made children of God by baptism, receive the Holy Ghost by prayer, unction (or anointing with holy oil called chrism), and the laying on of the hands of a bishop, the successor of the apostles. It is thus they are enriched with gifts, graces and virtues, especially with the virtue of fortitude, and made perfect Christians and valiant soldiers of Jesus Christ to stand through life the whole warfare of the world, the flesh and the devil. The first recorded instance of confirmation being administered to the faithful is in the eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where St. Peter and St. John confirmed the Samaritans who had been already baptized by St. Philip. 'They prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. . . . Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.'" (Catholic Belief, Bruno, pp. 97, 98). The Church of England, and, of course, the Episcopal churches in the colonies and the United States, teach practically the same thing.]
"Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment."[A]
[Footnote A: Heb. vi:1, 2.]
And here it may be well to call attention to the fact, that it is written that "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God."[A] And since a large part of the religious world has lost sight of this important doctrine of the laying on of hands for imparting the Holy Ghost, it is one evidence, among many others, that they have not God; for the absence of this part of the gospel proves that they have not continued in the doctrine of Christ.
[Footnote A: II John 9.]
7. The Manner of Spirit Baptism in the New Dispensation: In restoring the gospel to earth in the present dispensation, it seems, from the frequency with which it is mentioned, that particular prominence is given to this doctrine and ordinance through which the Holy Ghost is imparted. Out of the many passages in the Doctrine and Covenants relating to the subject I select the following:
In April, 1830, the same month and year in which the Church of Christ in this dispensation was organized, the Lord in explaining the office and calling of an apostle, said:
"An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize. * * * And to confirm those who are baptized into the Church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures."[A]
[Footnote A: Doc. and Cov., Sec. xx:38, 41.]