Page 17. Adam was laid under the water, and brought forth out of the water.

18. Enoch was commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

OBJECT OF BAPTISM.

The primary aim and end of baptism is the remission of sins. This subject is fully explained by the Lord to our Father Adam. "Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying, That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory: For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory;" P. of G. P., p. 16.

The above quotation is full of meaning, but it is evident, at once, that the object of baptism is to open the way through which, alone, men may attain to all the blessings of salvation and eternal life. It was especially the mission of John the Baptist to preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Mark 1. 4.

On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter very earnestly exhorted the multitude, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;" Acts 2. 38.

The Apostle Paul says, "Without shedding of blood is no remission;" Heb. 9. 22. John the Apostle also asserts the same doctrine: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin;" 1 John 1. 7. It is evident, from the tenor of the sacred writings, that only by being buried with Christ in water, by baptism, is the shedding of his blood available to man for the remission of sins.

Bible.

Luke 3. 3 John preached the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.