| 579 refered [referred] to show the importance of this ordinance, and certainly the ancients esteemed it as a commandment of God not to be justly rejected.
We also believe that it should in all cases be administered by immersion: for proof we cite to the following passages of scripture. Matt. iii. l6, John, iii.5 Acts. viii, 38. Rom. vi. 4. Col. ii. 12.
We believe that all who obey the before mentioned principles of the gospel in honesty, are entitled to the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the Holy Spirit of promise, and seal of adoption, or their sonship: for says the apostle, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God," "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." And also that this Holy Spirit is received by, or through the laying on of the hands of the proper officers of the kingdom of God, which is one of the principles of the gospel. (See Acts, viii, 17. Do. xix, 6. Heb. vi, 2) It evidently was, and is, an institution of heaven; for when the ancient saints practised [practiced] it, God sanctioned it by confering [conferring] his Holy Spirit on the occasions; and certainly professors have incured [incurred] the displeasure of God by rejecting it. "As we said before so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel, than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (See Gal. i, 8, 9) The ancients received the doctrine of the laying on of hands, and it will be remembered that it is an ordinance distinct from the ordination to the ministry; for it was practiced upon both men and women.
We believe that the church of Christ should be organized according to the New Testament pattern: for there is nothing in the bible that authorizes us to say that a church organized upon any different plan, is the church of God; and that all saints should earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints; and inasmuch as they have faith, to enjoy the promised blessings of the gospel of peace like christains [Christians] of primitive times. The apostle says, "And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps in governments, diversities of tongues." (See 1 Cor. xii, 28) "And he gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the saints; for the work of the ministry; for the edifying of the body of Christ." If any one should ask, how long they were to continue, let him examine the following verse: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith," &c. (See Eph. iv, chap) The constitution of these United States, directs that there should be an organization with proper officers, that necessary business may be transacted; so does the gospel or law of God, direct that the church of Christ should be organized with apostles, prophets &c. and guarantees to every faithful saint, the right of enjoying the spiritual blessings. Paul compares the church with all the before mentioned officers and gifts, to a perfect building; and as well might we remove from a building some of its most essential parts, such as sills, beams, doors, braces, &c., and call it perfect, as to take from the church the above officers and call it perfect without them. It is no where said in the New Testament that such officers and gifts of the church should be done away, or cease to be in the church, only through unbelief, and apostacy [apostasy]. It is folly to say that any sect worship God according to the true pattern when their organization does not resemble that plan laid down in the sacred volume. The Lord said to Moses, "See that thou make all things according to the pattern shown thee in the mount," (not according to your own notion:) so Christ commanded his apostles to teach the people to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them; and certainly they were commanded not to depart from the faith, or to apostatize; but the fact that men have departed from the ancient order of the gospel, and disorganized the church, proves that there has been an apostacy [apostasy]. This apostacy [apostasy] was foretold by the prophets, and apostles, (See Isa. xxiv, 5; 2d Thes. ii,3; 1st Tim. iv, 1; 2d Tim. iii, 5, and iv. 3, 4. 2d Pet. ii, 1)
We also believe that inasmuch as the Lord is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, that the gospel is the same now that it ever was; consequently that it is our privilege to enjoy the same Spiritual gifts that the ancients did; such as the gifts of prophecy, revelation, seeing visions, healing the sick, speaking in other languages, casting out devils, and ministration of angels, &c. Now all these gifts were enjoyed by the ancients, and
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