The Gospel Described
The Gospel Described
By Brother D. M. Williams
How have they changed the ordinance?
In the first place, many have changed the ordinance of baptism; for in the original baptism by immersion, for the remission of sins, the converts of the numerous sects of our day can choose for themselves what kind of baptism they prefer. The greatest number are sprinkled, which is not the kind of baptism that Paul administered, as he acknowledged but one kind of baptism. See Eph. iv. 5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism."
For the proof that the original baptism was for the remission of sins, sec Acts ii. 38. Head what Paul says to the Romans, vi. 3-5:
"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."
Here Paul describes baptism as a likeness of the grave. Christ died for us, and His body was laid in the grave; therefore, before we are baptized, we make a covenant with God that we will cease to sin, or that we die to sin. Our sinful life is at an end; therefore it is called the death of sin. Then we give ourselves to the authorized servants of God, and they lay us down in the watery grave. This represents the grave of Christ after His death, and then we are raised out of the water, in the likeness of His resurrection from the dead; then comes the newness of life which Paul describes. We then begin to live a new life, even a righteous life. We are then considered £ad to sin ; but alive to righteousness. This newness of life, is the same as that second birth spoken of by the Savior. See John iii. 5.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Therefore, when a person is baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, the Savior calls it a new birth or being born again, because the one that is baptized commences a new. life in righteousness. The child that is born into this world commences to live here when he is born. It is a commencement of his earthly career; so, when we are born of water and of the Spirit, we commence to live. Where? In the kingdom of God.
In the second place, they have changed or rejected the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. See Acts xix. 6 ; viii. 17 ; ix. 12.
Does God give man any assistance to live righteously in his kingdom?
Yes, God gives the gift of the Holy Ghost to all that become citizens of his kingdom. See John xiv. 15-17. "If ye love me, keep my commandments: and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
Now, according to the Savior's words in this quotation, the Comforter that the Father would send to all believers was to abide with them forever, upon condition that they would keep the commandments of Christ. This Comforter is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, " because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you." It appears then, according to the words of the Savior, that the true believer knows the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, for He dwelleth with them, and shall be in them. Now read the 26th verse of the same chapter. " But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring: all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Reader, be not surprised because we call your attention to these things which the world consider new and strange; but they are not new, even if they are strange; for they were taught by the Son of God. And He promised that the Father would send us the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, which should teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoever the Savior had said.
How is the Holy Ghost given to the saints?
It is given through the ordinance of God. After a person believes, and repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of sins, the elders of the church lay hands on him, or her, according to the ancient order, for the reception of the Holy Ghost. See Acts viii. 17; ix. 12; xix. 6. ' The third cause for defiling the earth, according to the Prophet Isaiah, is that they have broken the everlasting covenant. What can this everlasting covenant be? This covenant was to stand forever, even everlasting. There is no end to this, it endures so long as eternal life endures; for it goes beyond the bounds of time. Is this not the covenant of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ? The covenant spoken of is everlasting, even as the gospel. They are connected together so close that they cannot be separated. See Mark xvi. 16. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Is this not a covenant that the Son of God made with all believers who come within its requirements? He that is saved is an heir to eternal life.
But is this all that is included in the everlasting covenant of the gospel ? Is it left barely with the promise of being saved ? 0 no, there are other glorious promises included in the everlasting covenant of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
''And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."
This covenant which the Savior gave to all believers of His gospel, has been preserved as it was recorded in full by Mark. Read it over and over again; treasure it up in your mind: for it is valuable above all. things, if we keep it unbroken; for then the treasures of eternity are ours. But if we separate it and try to choose or receive a part of it and reject the rest, then we are guilty of breaking it; for we only take a portion, while we have rejected all its other parts. Remember " what God hath put together, let no man put asunder." Was not the everlasting covenant given for the benefit of all future generations, that they could remember it in full, and know what to ask for in the name of the Savior. And when they would receive from God, according to the promises included therein, that they could know for themselves, Aat Christ is the Son of God.
Reader, all covenants and laws that are contrary to the covenant and law of the gospel, are destitute of that virtue which maketh hope to spring up as a plant set out in rich land, watered by the dews of heaven. All laws claimed as saving laws, except the one given by our Savior, are rules and laws introduced by men — uninspired men — forgetting, or rejecting the law that was given by the Prince of peace. And these different rules or laws, whatever they may be called, have many of them been handed down from parents to their children with great care; and the children, in their turn, receive them, and are very zealous to uphold and maintain the traditions of their fathers.
Reader, there is but one gospel given for the salvation of men, and that is the ' gospel of the New Testament. It is one, and not many. It was taught by Jesus Christ and His disciples; Peter taught it on the day of Pentecost; Philip taught it in Samaria; and Paul taught it in Ephesus; and he also taught it to the Galatians, and warned them against receiving any other gospel, saying that he that would preach any other gospel should he accursed. See Galatians i. 8. Yea, if an angel from heaven should teach any other gospel he should be accursed. The gospel that Paul taught is described in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, i. 5:
''For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance."
We can search the New Testament from beginning to end, and we shall find that the gift of the Holy Ghost was in connection with the gospel. One cannot be found without the other, so long as the words of the Savior and His power does not pass away. There was a power manifested through the gifts of the Holy Ghost that gave much assurance to the believers then. That is the testimony of Paul. I have given the testimony of Mark, and the everlasting covenant of God, given through His Son Jesus Christ; and the promise given by Peter, when he was inspired by the gift of God, on the day of Pentecost. Paul writes as follows to the Romans, viii. 16, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
Read another promise given by our Savior; see John vii. 17. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." What need is there to live in doubt any longer, while we have these promises before our eyes? It is every man's privilege, that will do the will of God, to know for himself and no longer doubt.
When these promises were proclaimed in my hearing, my heart was made to rejoice; because my mind had been troubled, and my soul lamented; for I knew not who had the true way of life. Still, I thirsted for knowledge, and I greatly desired wisdom. There is a beautiful promise in the Bible. See Po verbs ii. 3-5:
"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou sleekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Who can say that these things were not given through inspiration, so long as faithful witnesses can be found living upon the earth, who have received and realized these promises from God? Many say that the Latter-Day Saints are a deluded people; but how can they be deluded, when God fulfills his promises unto them? Their knowledge is past finding out by any other people; for there is but one way to receive it, and that in exact accordance with the instructions of the Savior. See again 1 Cor. i 9, 10 :
"But, as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
It seems that all men are without a knowledge of the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him, until they become citizens of His kingdom. Then God gives His Spirit to the meek and obedient, and these things which were a mystery before are revealed unto them by His [God's] Spirit; for this "Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." The great men of the world, yea, the wise and prudent men with all their learning, will try in vain to discover the wisdom of God, until they are born again of water and the Spirit; for the words of the Savior stand like an eternal barrier against them. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." See 1 Cor. ii. 12-14:
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things which are freely given us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Then it is no wonder if the world is opposed to these things, for they seem like foolishness unto them.
Remember, if you desire to walk in the way of life, ask God to assist you to understand His will; ask without doubt, but believing that you shall receive, and it shall be given unto you.
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