By
Wu Siu Yan
19 June 2003
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(Note : It is my personal view only, therefore use your judgement. Also it is written for those who have read the Book of Mormon. I am not a Mormon. I am against the practices of the Mormon Church, but I believe that Book of Mormon is true history of Mayans.) |
The Nephites (or Mayans) established CHURCH OF CHRIST after Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection.
They were firm in keeping the teachings of Jesus, especially Jesus' "SERMON ON THE MOUNT", which Jesus preached to them, and which is almost word for word the same as he had preached in Jerusalem [Mt 5-7].
Not only were they resolute in keeping the teachings of Jesus, they were also determined that there should be no law-breaker among them. Anyone who sinned, and repented in sincerity, they would forgive; anyone who would not repent, nor confess their sin, they would kick out of the church on the evidence of three witnesses [Moroni 6:7]. (Cf. [Mt 18:15-20])
Also, on the "breaking of bread and drinking of wine" during Passover, anyone who had not taken upon himself/herself the name of Jesus, they would not allow to eat the bread nor drink the wine, so that they may be ashamed, and try harder to walk the teachings of Jesus. (Note : those who have taken on the name of Jesus are those who are resolute in keeping the teachings of Jesus, so that they have the attitudes and qualities of Jesus.)
The church flourished when they were so determined to walk the teachings of Jesus; and the church flourished for two hundred years.
However, there is one thing I would disagree with their practice, i.e. on baptism.
If you have read to here, you must be a Christian. Then I would ask you : What is the meaning of baptism ? After you have your answer in mind, then read on.
The way they administered baptism in the years of Moroni was, (whether they did it at the very beginning, or just around the time of Moroni I do not know, but it is as follows,)
Book of Moroni [6:1-4]6:1 And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized, save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it; 6:2 neither did they receive any unto baptism, save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. 6:3 And none were received unto baptism, save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him unto the end. 6:4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ, and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. |
It seems to me that they had been too HARSH on this, in baptizing people.
In the Gospel, Gospel of Matthew, it was recorded that John the baptist would welcome all who came to him. John welcomed them all, including harlots.
Jesus' disciples also baptized people. The gospel did not record them refusing to baptize people who came to them.
On baptism, I have written a webpage, "The meaning of Baptism". In short, baptism is a physical manifestation of repentance, that one is sorry for his/her sins, and wish to live a new life again, relying on the promise of forgiveness from GOD in Eze 18:21-23], i.e. "death of the old self, and live a new life",
[Eze 18:21-23]
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Now, I wish to ask you a question : suppose someone lives in a very remote place in Africa, that the gospel is never preached to them. Suppose someone feels sorrow for his wrong doings, and repents and turns back from his errors. He prays to GOD (people all around the world have some idea of GOD) that he is sorry for his sins, and wishes GOD to forgive him, and wishes to live a sin free life afterwards . Would GOD forgive him ? Would GOD give him a new heart as Moses said in [Deut 30:11-14] ? And if he lives according to his "changed heart", obeying his new conscience, would GOD deny him salvation in the Last Day, because he has not been baptized ?
Mormon inquired of LORD about baptizing children, and LORD revealed to him that little children need no baptism, for they have not yet sinned [Book of Moroni, Chapter 8]. This, I think, re-affirms that baptism means "repentance and forgiveness of sins".
Suppose you repent and you approach a pastor for baptism, and he refuses to baptize you, what would you feel ?
Therefore I think the Nephites was wrong in this. My opinion is that, whosoever is sorry for his/her sins, and repents, in sincerity and in truth, and asks to be baptized, the church should grant their wish, just as John the baptist and the apostles of Jesus baptized all who came to them.
It seems to me that the Nephites were worried that if they baptized a person and he later failed to reach salvation, the church would be held responsible by GOD. I don't think such worry is well-founded. I think GOD will be grieved if the church refuses to baptize people who truly repent.
Chinese churches in Hong Kong are also quite harsh on baptizing people, demanding too much that many people would become upsetted and leave the church.