Discussion No. 24
Repent and Be Baptized
By this time your investigators should have read the Book of Mormon and should be convinced that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. A good spirit has been present at your meetings which should also be a testimony that your message is not an ordinary one. Call these things to their attention. The doctrines and ordinances you have presented are the same as those taught and obeyed in the days of Christ and His apostles, and have been substantiated by the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. This should cause them to apply for baptism. If they do not, I suggest you briefly sum up the important doctrines mentioned below showing a comparison of the doctrines of the New Testament church with those taught by the churches today.
New Testament Church: Church should bear name of Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:19-20; Eph. 5:23-24; 3 Nephi 27:8.
Churches of Men:Called after men, method, or movement.
Organization
New Testament Church: apostles, prophets, and other officers. 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-14
Churches of Men: Churches do not have apostles and prophets, yet it is the key given by which we may know the true church.
Authority or Priesthood
New Testament Church: Aaronic, Melchizedek. Heb. 7:11; Heb. 5:4
Churches of Men: No authority necessary, only need education.
Ordinances
New Testament Church: Baptism by immersion. John 3:3-5
Churches of Men: Baptism (any method or none at all will do).
New Testament Church: Laying on of hands for Holy Ghost. Acts 8:14-20
Churches of Men: No laying on of hands. Holy Ghost comes at conversion.
New Testament Church: Baptism for Dead. 1 Cor. 15:29
Churches of Men: Foolish to baptize for dead. Living can do nothing for dead.
New Testament Church: Anointing with oil for healing of sick. James 5:15
Churches of Men: If you are sick, send for doctor, not Elders. That’s just Mormon delusion.
New Testament Church: Eternal marriage. 1 Cor. 7:10-11, D. & C. 68:12, Matt. 16:19
Churches of Men: No marriage in heaven
Doctrines
New Testament Church: Personality of God. John 14:8-9
Churches of Men: God does not have a body. Three in one.
New Testament Church: Apostasy 2 Thess. 2:2-3
Churches of Men: Gospel always here.
New Testament Church: Restoration Rev. 14:6-7-8
Churches of Men: Not necessary. Angels do not come since the apostles’ days.
New Testament Church: Gathering of Israel Micah 4:1
Churches of Men: Just means the Jews.
New Testament Church: Degrees of Glory 1 Cor. 15:39-41
Churches of Men: Just two places: Heaven and Hell.
New Testament Church: Pre-existence Jer. 1:4-5
Churches of Men: We never lived until born here.
New Testament Church:
Churches of Men:
Gifts of the Spirit
New Testament Church: Healings, prophesying, etc. These signs shall follow them that believe. Mark 16:17
Churches of Men: These signs shall not follow the believers. They are done away with.
Baptism according to scriptures, follows immediately.
Read Acts 2Z:37; John 3:5; Luke 7:30; Acts 10:48; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 16:31-33.
Importance of Action
Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrines of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John verse 9.
Your listeners are in the same position as the people were on the Day of Pentecost. Tell them so. Peter answered them saying, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy ghost. Acts 2:38.
When the Savior sent his Apostles out He said, “He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not (therefore is not baptized) shall be damned.” Mark 16:16; Matt. 6:33; D. & C. 58:30; Matt. 11:28-30; Luke 9:61-62; Moses 7:61.
Warning
D. & C. 1:33; D. & C. 84:74; Alma 34:32-34; Luke 12:16; D. & C. 88:88-90; D. & C. 19:15-18.
In a revelation the Lord said “Therefore, as I said to mine apostles, even so I say unto you again, that every soul that believeth on your words and is baptized by water for the remission of sins shall receive the Holy Ghost.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water, in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father’s Kingdom where my Father and I am.
“And this revelation unto you, and commandment is in force from this very hour upon all the world.” D. & C. 84:74-75; 84:63-64; 2 Nephi 9:23-24.