Lesson: Baptism

Jesus set the example of baptism for us

 Today's lesson, taught by Margie Clark, Gospel Principles, Lesson 20, Baptism

Why must we be baptism?

1. We must be baptized for the remission of our sins.
2. We must be baptized to become members of the church of Jesus Christ.
3. We must be baptized before we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
4. We must be baptized to show obedience
5. We must be baptized to enter the celestial kingdom

Elder Hales:

...when we are baptized by immersion by one with the proper priesthood authority and choose to follow our Savior, we then are in His kingdom and of His kingdom.

Being of the kingdom of God requires that we heed the Savior’s admonition “Follow thou me”. Nephi taught that we follow Jesus by keeping Heavenly Father’s commandments: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” 

At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world.

How must we be baptized?

Paul said:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

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.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).

Who and when?
Every person who has reached eight years of age and is accountable (responsible) for his or her actions should be baptized.

Baptism by immersion by a person having the proper authority is the only acceptable way of being baptized.

The Lord's Pattern: Make covenants, receive blessings

Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the Lord to:

1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.
4. Serve God and keep His commandments.

When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord promises to:

1. Forgive our sins.
2. Pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us.
3. Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost.
4. Let us come forth in the First Resurrection.
5. Give us eternal life.

Baptism in his kingdom changes us forever.
Elder Hales:

Many members of the Church do not fully understand what happened when they went into the waters of baptism.

It is very important for us to understand the marvelous gift of the remission of sins, but there is much more.

Do you understand and do your children understand that when they are baptized they are changed forever?

Adult converts to the Church often have a better understanding of this transformation because they feel the contrast as they come out of the world into the kingdom of God.

...By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate—not isolate—ourselves from the world.

Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord.

We will be examples “of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Think of your baptism. Has it changed you forever?!

References:
- To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom, Elder Hales, 2001
- Study by topic: Baptism

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