Two Baptisms by Immersion

Often, when we read “baptism by immersion for the remission of sins,” we think that the water baptism removes our sins. But the phrase seems to incorporate two baptisms by immersion — one in the water and one in the fire. Water baptism is but half a baptism, said Joseph Smith. You need the baptism of the Holy Ghost for a complete baptism, Joseph explained:

might as well baptise a bag of sand, as a man, if not done in view of the <​remission of sins, and​> getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism,<​July 9​> and is good for nothing without the other half, that is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Joseph Smith Papers)

The two baptisms by immersion that make up the one complete baptism are of the water and the spirit (fire or Holy Ghost.) So many times when Joseph or others talked about baptism for the remission of sins, they probably inferred these two baptisms — because, according to scripture, water baptism does not remove the sins, the baptism of fire removes sin:

For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.(2 Nephi 31:17)

But your baptism of fire for a remission of your sins may take longer than your baptism of water when you witness to God to keep His commandments. It may not occur when you are confirmed a member of the Church and enlisted to receive the Holy Ghost. For most, it happens much later, and there is a reason for this. So when I researched this concept, it became quite clear that going through the steps for most of us — having hands placed on your head to receive the gift — is not the realization of the second immersion.

Two Baptisms by immersion in the New Testament

The first baptism is by water, but the second baptism is by fire. Even after the laying on of hands, it is God who baptizes you with fire.  Luke records in the New Testament the account of John the Baptist:

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Luke 3:16)

Some people believe that the water baptism — being immersed in the water, “burying the old man/woman” is when you are washed clean of sin. What about the teaching that until the age of 8, you are sinless? How can you then have your sins washed away and be pronounced clean? Jesus was sinless and was baptized in water. Baptism by immersion in water has meaning, as it is a witness to God the Father that you are repenting and ascribing to a “newness of life” and willing to take upon you the name of Christ, to keep his commandments. Paul speaking says:

Therefore we are a 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 also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

Jesus explained to Nicodemus that there are two baptisms, and both are specific events, just as a birth is a specific event:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3: 3-7)

Two Baptisms by immersion in the Book of Moses

Moses records how Adam was baptized with these same two baptisms — of water and the spirit:

And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.

And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever; (Moses 6:63-65)

Two Baptisms by immersion in LDS Church history

I think some of the confusion comes from the fact that Joseph Smith received a vision of the Father and Son first before being baptized with water. And in this first vision, God forgave him of his sins (which was part of the reason for his prayer). For Joseph, it was out of order. Later, he and Oliver receive the priesthood and baptize each other in the water.

Joseph continued to understand the scriptures and establish the church, yet he learned more from the Lord as he progressed in the gospel. The records of the Articles and Covenants of the church in 1830 have been published in The Joseph Smith Papers, showing several different copies and wording of what became section 20 of our current Doctrine and Covenants, which instructed the church:

And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures; And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost; (D&C 20: 41-43)

At another time, Joseph received revelation for James Covel in 1831, referring to the baptism of water and fire. James was called to preach the gospel:

And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. (D&C 39: 5-6)

Two Baptisms by immersion in the Book of Mormon

Baptism by water is a witness to God that you are ready to keep his commandments. Christ is the example, as Nephi teaches his people about 559–545 B.C:

I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. (2 Nephi 31: 6-7)

As Nephi explains, the baptism of water is a sign or witness to God that we are willing to keep his commandments. Not to be sacrilegious by any means, but it is similar to making a promise — shaking hands with someone to confirm a decision. Or as a child, do you remember crossing your heart as part of a promise? You take out a car loan and promise to make the payments. Eventually, if you follow through, you own the car.

After John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a Dove. For Jesus, he received the Holy Ghost from God the Father. I assume that Jesus received the first comforter, the Holy Ghost, immediately because he did not need to repent or wait to prove himself in keeping the commandments. Most of us must wait. Jesus was the literal son of God — very different from you and me. Receiving a remission of your sins and the concomitant baptism of fire is very individual. And that’s not to say that God has not forgiven you of sins as you have been repenting. I think the remission of sins by the baptism of fire may be a complete purging of sin — the refiner’s fire kind of thing. And a specific, identifiable event, such as the sign of the Dove or an experience like Lorenzo Snow shared.

Nephi (about 559–545 B.C.) explains that Jesus set the example of how to get through the narrow gate and on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life:

And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. (2 Nephi 31: 10-11)

Then Nephi says the voice of the Son came to him, explaining that after you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, God the Father will give you the Holy Ghost (like he gave to Christ.)

He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; (2Nephi 31:12)

For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. (2Nephi 31:17)

In this example, God the Father baptizes with fire. Then your sins are forgiven, then you are clean, then the Holy Ghost can abide with you, and you will be able to speak with the tongue of angels. It is a big deal because Nephi explains that after this happens to you if you deny Christ, it would be better for you to have not known Him. And that’s why it is important to endure to the end. But you have to have received the baptism of fire first. And thus, I see why God may wait to give you this gift.

But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

And that’s probably why “endure to the end” is something that comes after this baptism of fire:

And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (2Nephi 31:14-15)

Nephi seems to be saying that the gate is repentance and baptism of water. After you get through the gate, there may be some period of time of testing, and then comes your baptism of fire and remission of sins that sets you on the straight and narrow path:

 For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. (2 Nephi 31:17-18)

Or Nephi could be saying that you need both baptisms to be through the gate and on the narrow path. After you have received the baptism of fire with its remission of sins, you will have the Holy Ghost more abundantly, and then you must remain steadfast by doing these things:

• press forward with perfect hope
• love of God, and all men
• feast upon the words of Christ
• endure to the end

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 2 Nephi 31: 20-21)

For the Lamanites who did not know they had received the baptism of fire — “they knew it not” — perhaps they did not know that this is called the baptism of fire. They obviously experienced the fire because it’s recorded in Helaman. Or maybe “it” refers to something else — such as the entire event of destruction, and then a cloud of darkness and then flaming fire, etc. that was similar to the event in 3 Nephi.  Reading in context may help. 

Also, there are examples in the scriptures of people receiving the baptism of fire before their water baptism. (King Lamoni being one.)

The Doctrine of Christ is receiving the two baptisms.

Nephi further explains that after you are in the path, after you have reached that point in your life when God has baptized you with fire, and you have the Holy Ghost — then you are to feast upon the words of Christ because the words of Christ will tell you what to do next. You have the Holy Ghost, who will show you all things you should do. And this is the Doctrine of Christ. Nephi says that there will be no more doctrine until after Christ manifests himself to you in the flesh.

Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.(2Nephi 32:6)

The Second Comforter

Nephi says that there will be no more doctrine until you receive the second comforter — Christ himself. When Christ manifests himself to you in the flesh, then you will have received the second Comforter — who is Christ himself.

After this, Christ will tell you what to do at this point. You will be like those who have seen his body — the nail marks and the piercing of his side. Then the sacrament prayer will have more meaning to you. It will be like the Nephites who were living when Christ appeared to them after his death:

And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.

And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. (3Nephi 18: 6-7)

When Jesus appears after his death to these Nephites, he also teaches them the Doctrine of Christ. (3 Nephi 11):

And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost

Jesus calls 12 men among the Nephites to serve as His disciples and gives them the power to baptize with water:

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. (3 Nephi 12: 1)

They will testify that they have seen Christ, and those that believe in their words and are baptized will be blessed:

And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. (3 Nephi 12:2)

Baptism by water is like signing an agreement with God to keep His commandments. It is like signing a loan agreement or promissory note for your new car — you promise to pay monthly, and over time, if you keep this up, you will one day own the car outright. With God, you promise to obey him, repent, keep his commandments, and over time He will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost and forgive your sins.

 

 

 

Originally posted April 2018