| 538 baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him who should come after him-that is on Jesus Christ. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied," See also, Hebrews, vi, 2-"Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement [judgment];" Now you discover in this passage that baptism is mentioned in the plural, which signifies, the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost; which was conferred by the laying on of hands-and that it is in accordance with the order of the ancient Apostolic Church.
Now we will endeavor to show forth the effects manifested by the Holy Ghost anciently, and the blessings which flowed from it. Let us turn to Cor. xii.-The Apostle Paul tells us that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now, there are diversities of gifts, or blessings-viz: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tougnes [tongues], interpretations of tougues [tongues], dreams, visions, &c., &c.; which were all manifested in the Body or Church of Christ; in which were set apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, &c., which were given for the perfecting of the saints, and the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness [fullness] of Christ.-Eph. iv.
Having presented before the public, in these pages, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was anciently taught by Christ and his apostles, which consisted of faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and the gifts, graces, and blessings, which were for the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ; and which were to continue until that which is perfect should come; we also wish to say, that as God is an unchangeable Being, we firmly believe that the same Gospel and plan of salvation. Holy Ghost, gifts, and graces, are equally necessary for the salvation of men, the edifying of the body, and the work of the ministry, in this generation, as they were eighteen hundred years ago; as the Gospel was committed to the Gentiles for the express purposes of preparing them for the second coming of Christ-which coming is nigh at hand; this is evident, from the signs of the times.
That the people in this city may be without excuse in the great and coming day of the Lord; and in order that our garments may be clear of their blood, we feel unwilling to close our subject until we bear testimony, by laying before them, that the Lord has set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which are of the house of Israel, and with them the fulness [fullness] of the Gentiles. And hath also sent a holy angel, who hath committed the everlasting Gospel, and restored the priesthood, and sent forth his servants to cry repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to prune his vineyard with a mighty pruning, for the last time-in order to establish permanent peace upon earth, for one thousand years, during which time Christ will reign upon earth with his Saints, according to the testimony of John. The everlasting Gospel must go forth to the nations of the earth, to seal up the righteous, and to prepare them for the hour of judgement [judgment] and dissolution that await the inhabitants of the earth: because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant.-See Ia, xxiv. 5.
O! ye inhabitants of this great city! we call upon you in the name of Jesus Christ, to repent of your sins and wickedness, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and be baptized in water for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: and be prepared to escape the judgments of God, which speedily await the world, and will come upon this generation like a whirlwind, and overtake them as a thief in the night-according to the testimony of the angel of God, who hath flown through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.-Rev. xiv. 9.
Heber C. Kimball,
Wilford Woodruff.
We are well aware that many persons feel disposed to condemn us, and to calumniate our characters, by styling us false prophets, and false teachers, without even taking the trouble to inquire into
(page 538) |
