Ever been to a baptism?
What did the officiator say?
“Having authority…” or “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ…”
And the latter… unless they have indeed been given this power directly by Jesus Christ as taught in 3 Nephi, is simply standing in as a decoy. Unfortunate truth.
Years ago, Philip and I were taught a very interesting lesson on priesthood, and authority to perform ordinances.
In the vision/experience we were taken to the thrown of God and ordained to the office of priest and priesthess after the holy order of the son of God…
(Later we would be ordained by the Father and Mother to the Priesthood of the Gods, but that’s another story…)
We were shown that the only true authority to be had on the earth to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ was if a person was given that authority to do so directly by Jesus Christ.
This was fine for us, but we thought… Well… Then there won’t be very many people who are truly authorized servants to perform baptisms untill right up to getting close to the milinium when lots and lots of people enter Christs presence for them selves so that he can give them power to baptize in His name.
Well, this is an all too commonly over looked piece of information… We’ve all come to believe that anyone who’s been given the power by Jesus Christ can then just go around giving His power away to anybody they deem fit for that power. But this is NOT what Jesus had in mind… His intent was to select only those who had seen His face, and had received the power directly from HIM through their faithfulness in Him, to receive this power and perform these baptisms unto Him.
So here is what the Book of Mormon has to say about this:
3 Ne. 11
21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you.
23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.
24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
(emphasis added for clarity)
Power to baptize was only offered through Jesus Christ giving it directly to the individual.
Well… There is this:
38 The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;
39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;
40 And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—
41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;
42 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church;
43 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost;
44 And to take the lead of all meetings.
45 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are ledby the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.
AND THIS:
63 The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences.
Some say ALL must be baptized because of this:
34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
But… There ARE of course caveats to that… Little children and those not “under the Law” should NOT be baptized… At least not by man, possibly directly by the Holy Spirit.
IMO… The most fulfilling baptism is done directly by Christ or one He has directly given the power to baptize.
But… They say… “How can this be?! How can anyone escape the need for baptism?”
It is simple really… Those who are not under the law, who are alive in the Promise would be mocking Christ to receive the baptism which would insinuate that they believed not in His Promise that they have been given.
This group may include: Children born under the covenanted parents who have their Calling and Election Sure and so by default their children also have this promise so long as they do not fall, and even then their parents may take upon themselves their children’s transgressions.
Also those to whom the law was never given, however they will have a chance to receive baptism.
There are also those who receive the baptism directly from God or Christ via the Holy Ghost or other spiritual means. This group still receives baptism, but not via mankind other than the initial baptism and unveiling at birth.
A wise man once said: “I believe the individuals heart and their submission to Christ brings the ratification of the Holy Ghost more so than the individual who baptizes you”
I Agree!
For the sake of structuring and organizing of the physical Church on the earth which is another pre-curser to the Church of the Firstborn in full bloom, they began to have Elders ordain and vote on Elders and authorize them to perform baptisms. This is one of the greatest reasons why so many may receive a baptism, but they do not receive the baptism of fire that follows if it is performed by Christ directly or someone whom He has given this power to baptize.
Therefore, any person who is baptized this way has received a dead work that is a symbol only and they must receive the real thing either by Christ/God directly or via someone He has personally given that power.
IF you receive baptism in this way you will receive the baptism of fire… and the white dove, the holy ghost will decend upon you. Usually immediately, or shortly thereafter.
This system of surrogate power has bloomed out of a people where enough people couldn’t muster the faith and righteousness to receive Christ personally or directly. IF all would receive him, then this would in fact be done correctly… But then again… if that were the case the whole church would be lead and guided by the presence of Christ directly. And we would be under the Church of the Firstborn and not all these man-made movements of our time.
This post has a LOT of assumptions about the knowledge of the reader and lacks background on several points made, to the point that the beginning may feel a little disjointed. For that I apologize, but I’ve just got to get the thoughts down so I don’t loose them. I will try to get back to the nuanced details when I can.
************************************************************************************
Everything I type into my blog is my opinion, perception, and understanding. And I forget things ALL THE TIME… So standing corrected is not an uncommon stance for me.
I will throw in personal experiences from time to time, and some of those I retain in practically perfect recollection. Others… Especially since ALL of our spiritual journals were lost in a tragedy, may be a bit hazy to me. So I may write them out as I remember them only to be corrected on the facts by my husband or someone I’ve told in the past who reminds me of some little aspect that I’d forgotten. Such is the frailty of being mortal and… A full time Mom!
Besides… Put no man (or woman) up as your idol prophet above God. Doing so with any man is folly. Follow only God, the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, common sense, and of course our Lord The Christ.
Seek to receive these revelations for yourself. In your own personal language of understanding so that it can enter your soul and touch your heart. Opening your mind and your eyes to the beauty and Majesty of God with you.
So, all these things considered, please read my words with the spirit of the Holy Ghost which will teach you the truths that you are meant to receive and understand at this stage in your life.
Thank you all for reading!
Peace, and God Bless.
Mrs. Seeker