THE
OBJECT OF BAPTISM
Baptism was
instituted “For the Remission of Sins.” Baptism does not atone for sins;
but the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for that purpose, without which, there
could have been no pardon granted to man on any condition whatsoever. Though
Christ has atoned for the sins of the world, yet he has not forgiven them. Atonement
for sins is entirely distinct from the pardon of sins. The first is granted
through the mercy of God, in the gift of His Son, independent of the agency of
men: the second is granted in Christ, through the exercise of man’s agency. The
atonement is by free grace alone without works; while pardon is by free grace
alone on condition of works.
The first condition
for the sinner to comply with, is faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the
second, is repentance of all sins; the third, is baptism for the remission of
sins. Each of these three conditions are the gifts of God to fallen man,
purchased for him by the atonement; but man must exercise his agency in
accepting them, or the offered gifts will not benefit him. It is entirely a
mistaken notion, to suppose that God must do these works for man. If they are
ever done, man alone must do them. God will not believe for man; neither will
He repent for man; nor will He be baptized for the remission of man’s sins;
these are works for the creature to do, and which he has power to do, because
of the atonement.
Many have looked
upon baptism as merely “an outward sign of an inward grace”; but this is one of
the uninspired precepts of men, and is not a Bible doctrine; instead of
baptism’s being the “‘sign of an inward grace,” it is the ordinance through
which the believing penitent obtains a remission of sins which justifies and
prepares the heart for the reception “of an inward grace.” Remission of sins
and “an inward grace,” do not precede baptism, but follow it.
The numerous
multitudes that came to John were not baptized in Jordan, because they had
previously received forgiveness and an inward grace; but they came confessing
their sins and were baptized for the remission of them. (See Mark i. 4, 5; also
Luke iii. 3.)
The thousands who
were pricked in their hearts on the day of Penticost, made enquiry of Peter and
the rest of the Apostles, saying, “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 ii. 37, 38.) On the same day three thousand were
baptized, not as a sign of a previous remission of sins, but, for their
remission; baptism being God’s appointed way for believing penitents to be
pardoned.
Ananias whom God
sent to preach the Gospel to Saul of Tarsus, said unto him, “Why tarriest thou?
Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
(Acts xxii. 16.) Saul had believed, repented, fasted, and prayed, for about three
days, yet the Lord would not wash away his sins, until baptism. Without faith,
repentance, and baptism, there is no promise in the Gospel of pardon.
But is it
possible, under any circumstances, to obtain forgiveness of sins before
baptism? We answer, Yes. It is true, the Gospel does not promise pardon, until
after obedience to that ordinance, yet God may deviate from the usual method of
granting pardon, and bestow it, in some instances, before attending to the
ordinance of remission, When God sees that a man has faith in Him, and is
determined to obey every requirement of the Gospel, as soon as an opportunity
offers, He may accept the will for the deed, and grant a pardon, the same as if
baptism had already been administered. God accepted the intended sacrifice of
His Son, ages before that sacrifice was made on the cross. God accepted
Abraham's intended sacrifice of Isaac, the same as if the actual deed had been
done. A man who believes and repents with all his heart, and intends to be
baptized, may, in some instances, be forgiven, before he has an opportunity of
performing that duty. (Orson
Pratt, “Water Baptism,” in Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, comp. N.
B. Lundwall [Salt Lake City: N. B. Lundwall, 1946], 560-62)
On Orson Pratt teaching
exceptions to one needing water baptism to receive a remission of sins, see:
Joseph
Smith receiving a remission of sins before his baptism and water baptism being
salvific
