Times and Seasons, v2 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion

Communications.

Baptism for the Dead.

Why are they then baptized for the dead?-Paul.

A knowledge of the state and condition of the dead has been anxiously desired and sought after, by almost every nation and people in all ages of the world. This knowledge was once, by revelation, unfolded and understood; but like other truths of divine teaching, through neglect, contempt, and the malicious operations of the prince of darkness was shrouded, and lost, and mankind were left to mourn in dispair over the ashes of their departed friends and associates. Though Enoch, the seventh from Adam, wrapped in vision, was privileged to look through the vista of succeeding years, and centuries, and eras unnumbered, scan the history of convolving and conflicting empires, rising, rolling forth, dashing, and expiring; though he beheld myriads of intelligences embodying, growing dying, redeemed, restored, and rising; though the end from the begining was thus spread before him, and thousands were permitted to hear him descant upon the mysteries of redemption, delineate the modes and changes of being, and depict the glories of the celestial world; yet how soon did the Almighty look down from heaven and find them "all gone out of the way,"-"the imagination of the thoughts of their hearts only evil continually." And because they did not like to retain God in their thoughts, he gave them up to reprobacy of mind, to work out their own destruction greedily. From time to time, however, he renewed to the just the gospel covenant; established a lineal priesthood of wisdom, intelligence, virtue, and blessing; thus penetrating the gloom of moral darkness, and bespangling the firmamen of a benighted world with radiances, which, if heeded would have been sufficent to guide the wayward to "the port of peace." At length the "Sun of righteousness arose, and life and immortality were brought to light." Salvation for the living and the dead was proclaimed, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," faith in him established as a condition, and baptism with water, as a seal and pledge of the latter, and the effusion of the Holy Spirit, as an earnest of the promised and desired inheritance. No wonder the multitudes "gladly received the word, and were baptized;" when, by simply trusting in the Son of God, and going down into the laver of regeneration, in obedience to his command, they could come forth filled with hope and joy; and by the laying on of the hands of his duly commissioned and authorized servants, receive the fulness of his spirit; to lead them into all truth; to show them things to come; to take of the things of the Father and convey them unto them; to assure them that death was deprived of his sting, and the grave robbed of its victims; and to point them to a state of existence free from woes and ills, and glorious in all its associations and enjoyments. Such was the gospel. And as such it was proclaimed, by Christ and his apostles, to

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