Acts 2:38 repent and be baptized Orson F. Whitney Faith, however, not repentance, is the first requirement. The probable reason why Peter omitted to mention faith at that time, was because he perceived that the multitude already had faith, already believed what he had told them of the crucified Redeemer. Had it been otherwise, they would not have been pricked in their heart. and would not have anxiously inquired, What shall we do? Belief was the first requirement made by the Savior, through his chosen twelve, when he sent them into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:16). He declared salvation dependent on faith and works: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned. (Gospel Themes [Salt Lake City: n.p., 1914], 28.) John Taylor When they heard these things, they were pricked to the heart, and cried out, Men and brethren, what shall we do? You have heard this kind of cry in those revival meetings among the sectarians: people would get convinced and under a sort of contraction of mind, and they would want to know what they should do to be saved. Now, here was a lot of people gathered from all parts of the surrounding country, speaking different languages; and Peter was preaching to them to believe, repent, and be baptized: and while reasoning upon the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, they cried out, What shall we do? Did he tell them to go to the anxious seat to be prayed for? No, he did not know anything about such a seat: the Devil had not yet invented it. Did he tell them to go and put their names into a class-book, and that they would receive them on probation, and then, if they were worthy, they would be received as members? No: this is something in advance of Peters time; it is something of Christian civilization. It was necessary that we should have the enlightenment of the 19th century to reveal these things. Did he tell them to pray? No, he did not. Prayer is well enough in the season thereof; but they had something else to do. Is it not right to go into your closet and pray? Yes. But when you have ordinances to attend to, then that is your business. What did Peter say to them? He said, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 243.) Acts 2:38 be baptized...for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Joseph Smith By this we learn that the promise of the Holy Ghost is made unto as many as those to whom the doctrine of repentance was to be preached, which was unto all nations...We discover here that we are blending two principles together in these quotations. The first is the principle of repentance, and the second is the principle of the remission of sins; and we learn from Peter that remission of sins is to be obtained by baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; and the gift of the Holy Ghost follows inevitably, for, says Peter, you shall receive the Holy Ghost. Therefore we believe in preaching the doctrine of repentance in all the world, both to old and young, rich and poor, bond and free...But we discover, in order to be benefitted by the doctrine of repentance, we must believe in obtaining the remission of sins. And in order to obtain the remission of sins, we must believe in the doctrine of baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And if we believe in baptism for the remission of sins, we may expect a fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Ghost, for the promise extends to all whom the Lord our God shall call; and hath He not surely said, as you will find in the last chapter of Revelation-And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17). (History of The Church, 2: 256 - 257.) John Taylor Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38.) That was the testimony which they bore to the people. That is the testimony which the elders of this church bear. There is something about this that is reasonable, that is intelligent, and that is susceptible of proof. It was a very fair proposition for the apostle to make, promising the people who would obey the requirements which the gospel imposes upon its adherents, that they should receive the Holy Ghost. And what should this do for them? It was to cause their old men to dream dreams and their young men to see visions, daughters prophesy; it was to bring things past to their remembrance, to lead them into all truth, and to show them things to come. (The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor, selected, arranged, and edited, with an introduction by G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1941], 88 - 89.)
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 22:22:48 +0000
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