Jesus Christ

In 740 B.C., Isaiah recorded this prophecy: “The earth also is defiled . . . because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24: 5).

It is clear that the prophet is speaking of generations prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ, for the next verse states: “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left” (Isaiah 24: 6). The burning of which Isaiah speaks is the same that will consume the “tares” (Matt. 13: 36-40) just before the second coming.

The future time frame of Isaiah's prophecy necessarily occurs in the generations after Christ's mortal ministry, for Jesus must first establish His ordinance and covenant before it would be changed and broken centuries later.

So, which ordinance has been changed, what covenant has been broken?

A change in the ordinance of baptism is evidence in art through the ages. The painting (above) by Italian artist Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734) has Jesus standing at a shallow edge of the River Jordan with John pouring water over His head. Why didn't the artist depict Christ's baptism as given in the gospel according to Mark:

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1: 9-11).

The painting (right) by Spanish artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682) shows the same non-immersion method of baptism. But why did this artist also interpret the baptism of Jesus contrary to the account of Mark and Matthew?

The gospels do not describe a pouring or sprinkling method of baptism, but they do establish Christ's example of being baptized by immersion--“straightway coming up out of the water.” For centuries artists have helped re-write (re-paint) history by depicting the baptism of Jesus contrary to the way it is given in the gospels.

Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494) of Italy
Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altar (1470-1510) of Germany
Nicolas Poussin (1594-1675) of France
Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749) of Italy
Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) of Poland

Of course, these artists did not change the ordinance of baptism; they simply mirrored the religious traditions of their day--traditions that had broken and changed from the order set forth by the Savior.

The Bible establishes two unmistakable truths about baptism:

1) Jesus was baptized by immersion, and He said “come follow me.”

2) Baptism by complete immersion under water clearly complements the symbolism taught by the Apostle Paul, of being “buried” in the grave, and then “raised“ to a newness of life.

“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 alikeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6 3-5).

The word “baptize” derives from the Greek “baptizein,” meaning “to dip.” The very meaning of the word points to pouring and sprinkling methods as a change in the ordinance of baptism--departing from the way it was originally established by Christ. Because Christian traditions strayed from the Bible blueprint, Martin Luther (1483-1546) initiated the Protestant Reformation. The religious reformer wrote:

“I have sought nothing beyond reforming the church in conformity with the Holy Scriptures. The spiritual powers have been not only corrupted by sin, but absolutely destroyed; so that there is now nothing in them but a depraved reason and a will that is the enemy of God. I simply say that Christianity has ceased to exist among those who should have preserved it.”

The reformation movement led by Luther accurately pointed to the problem, but reformation was not God's final remedy. Instead, a fresh restoration of Christ's Church was God's answer to apostasy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" Church) does not rely solely upon logical interpretations of ancient scripture to understand the Lord's will and ways today; instead the LDS Church is governed by direct revelation from the head of the Church, Jesus Christ, to His latter-day prophets:

“Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, . . . to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves” (D&C 128: 12).

Believing in Christ and faithfully following His example is the essence of being Christian. Thus the first and foremost reason for receiving the ordinance of baptism is . . . to honor His words “come follow me.”

To follow our Savior, it is vital to understand the manner by which He was baptized, for our eternal salvation depends upon correct application of this single doctrine. The Savior said these sobering words about baptism:

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16).

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3: 3, 5).

The baptism of fire will be an important topic for another day. In the mean time, understood within the broader context of Christ’s example and His explicit words in the gospel of Mark, it is abundantly clear that being “born of water” refers to the saving ordinance of baptism.

Because our salvation hinges upon being baptized, it is of paramount importance that we do it right--following the same manner and method by which Jesus was baptized.

Given Christ’s foreknowledge of events, thousands of years before they occurred (and will yet occur), it is safe to say that the symbolism surrounding baptism has been thoughtfully contemplated by our omniscient Lord.

First, the etymology (historical origin and meaning) of the word “baptism” suggests immersion. But beyond the logical implication of a word, Christ’s own baptism by immersion clearly shows the way:

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matt. 3: 13-15).

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3: 16-17).

Without full immersion, the intended symbolism set by the Savior is not accomplished. The Apostle Peter taught that one purpose for baptism was for “remission of sins” (Acts 2:37-38)--the symbolism of complete cleansing by total immersion under water is orderly, significant, and necessary. Further, the Apostle Paul provides this parallel for the meaning of being baptized:

“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).

Clearly some methods of baptism fall short of the symbolism of being “buried with him”--symbolism expressly intended by the Savior. Because their practices were not in alignment with Bible teachings, this was the primary reason why Martin Luther protested against certain Christian churches of his day.

Baptism is necessary to the salvation of humanity; the order of this ordinance has been set by the Savior; thus it must be patterned after His example in two essential ways:

1) Baptism must be done by immersion under water.
2) Baptism must be performed by one with authority.

Paul taught that “no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God” (Hebrews 5: 4). This means that those who perform the ordinance of baptism must be commissioned by the Savior; they must be ordained by the tangible touch of Christ Himself or by someone who has previously received priesthood power from Christ, or by someone who has received authority from a chain of ordinations originating in Christ.

Mormons believe the Bible in a way that is comprehensive and all inclusive--leaving no detail of doctrine unaccounted.

The way of Heaven is orderly! So also must the earthly ordinance of baptism be performed in order; it must follow the method and manner that the Savior established. No mortal man can assume priesthood power to baptize, except that man is called of God and ordained by tangible touch of the Master--either directly or vicariously.