| 537 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 should walk in the 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. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ." Baptize, in the original, signifies to immerse‚ to overwhelm.-Now, unless we are buried in the water like unto Jesus Christ, we cannot be said to be buried with him by baptism. Neither can we expect to receive the approbation of the Father, by setting aside the ordinance of his Son, and substituting one in its stead, which has been made by man-which sprinkling evidently has, since it is no where to be found in the New Testament. We consider that baptism, by immersion, is equally necessary for our salvation, as faith, repentance, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We also consider, that all the commandments of God are equally essential to be observed, as Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: he that believeth not shall be damned." These are the Savior's words; we have neither added nor taken from them. We will farther refer you to Acts, x, which speaks of Cornelius a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house-who gave alms to the people and prayed to God alway. Notwithstanding all this, Cornelius was commanded by an angel to send for Peter, to tell him what he ought to do. When Peter came, he preached unto him Jesus. While he yet spake, the Holy Ghost fell upon all of them which heard the word, for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized, in the name of the Lord. This evidently proves that baptism is essential, notwithstanding that the Holy Ghost had been already poured out; if not, then the heavenly messenger had been sent in vain. This is the only instance on record wherein we read of the Holy Ghost being poured out previous to baptism.
We will farther refer you to the 9th chapter of Acts, and bring before you in testimony, the circumstances of Paul's conversion while on his way to Damascas [Damascus], whither he was directed, that he might be informed of all things which were appointed or him to do, by one Ananias, a servant of God. Ananias said unto him, "Why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." We might give various other testimonies; for instance, Philip and the Eunuch, who stopped the chariot at the first water, that he might obey the ordinance of baptism (although he had but a few moments previous to this, heard of Jesus for the first time.) Both of these persons went down into the water. The Eunuch went on his way rejoicing. We might also mention the jailor [jailer] and his household, and many others.
We have given sufficient proof that baptism, by immersion, is one of the ordinances of the Gospel, and that it was instituted by Jesus Christ.
Now we desire to show, that according to the order of the Gospel, the Holy Ghost is to be confered [conferred] by the laying on of hands. This ordinance ought also to be administered by those who have authority from God, otherwise it is illegal.-It should also be administered only to those persons who believe, repent, and are baptized for the remission of sins. See Acts, viii. 12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Again, verses 14 to 17-"Now when the apostles, which were at Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto then [them] Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received Holy Ghost," Here it is evident that they received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, for Simon, seeing that this was the case, offered them money, that he might receive that power: but he was rebuked for his wickedness, in supposing that the Holy Ghost could be purchased with money.
For father [further] testimony, let us refer to Acts xix. 4- "Then said Paul, John verily
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