The gospel of Jesus Christ requires more than simply refraining from evil deeds or even doing good toward others. Jesus taught that we must be “born of water and of the Spirit” to receive eternal life (John 3:5). So what does that mean?
The gospel of Jesus Christ includes these requirements for an eternal life of joy with God:- Faith in God and faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior
- Repentance of our sins (disobedience to God’s laws)
- Baptism
- Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
- Enduring to the end by continuing to follow Jesus throughout the rest of our lives
Baptism and the Holy Ghost
Baptism is a sacred ceremony in which we are immersed under the water and brought back up again, symbolizing rebirth and the washing away of our sins. When we are baptized, we make promises to God to keep His commandments and always remember Jesus Christ. In return, we are spiritually reborn as a new person in Christ.
After baptism we also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, who is the third member of the Godhead alongside God and Jesus. The Holy Ghost, sometimes known as the Holy Spirit, brings us comfort, guidance, and warnings from God. The gift of the Holy Ghost means we will have that influence with us always, as long as we live righteously.
Jesus Set the Example of Baptism
Jesus visited John the Baptist, a prophet who had been given priesthood authority by God to perform baptisms. John baptized Jesus by immersion. Afterward God’s voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), and the Holy Ghost descended on Jesus.
Today, we follow Jesus’s example of baptism by immersion by someone with priesthood authority. If you repent and are baptized, you can find a new start in life as you become a true part of Jesus Christ’s Church. Missionaries can teach you more about the promises you make to God at baptism and help you prepare to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints. |
