The Plan of Salvation - The Gate and the Path

Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and Living the Commandments

If faith in Jesus Christ is enough...why was Jesus baptized?

If salvation comes by belief alone...why did Christ command baptism?

Why did Peter command every convert to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost?

And why did the apostles continually teach obedience to God's commandments?

Joseph Smith taught that faith and repentance are only the beginning of the journey.

They prepare us for sacred ordinances and covenant living.

In this chapter, we will examine baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and the commandments God has given His children.

The question before us is simple:

Are these merely good suggestions...or are they requirements for entering God's kingdom?

Part 1

Why Was Jesus Baptized?

One of the most important questions a Christian can ask is this:

Why would the sinless Son of God need baptism?

Matthew records:

Matthew 3:13-15

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."

John was confused.

Why should the Savior be baptized by him?

But Jesus answered:

"Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."

Then Jesus was baptized.

Immediately afterward, the heavens opened.

The Holy Ghost descended like a dove.

And the Father declared:

Matthew 3:17

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Notice what happened.

Jesus was baptized.

Jesus received the Holy Ghost.

Jesus fulfilled righteousness.

If Christ Himself followed this pattern, should we not follow it as well?

Part 2

Born of Water and of the Spirit

One night a ruler named Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking answers.

Christ gave him one of the clearest teachings in all scripture.

John 3:5

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Notice Christ did not say:

"Except a man believe."

He did not say:

"Except a man attend church."

He said:

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit."

Joseph Smith taught that this refers directly to baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

These are not optional ordinances.

They are requirements established by Jesus Christ Himself.

Mark's account reinforces this teaching.

Mark 16:16

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

Faith is required.

Baptism is required.

Both work together.

Part 3

Peter's Formula for Salvation

On the Day of Pentecost, the people were deeply troubled after hearing Peter testify of Christ.

They asked:

Acts 2:37

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter's answer was immediate.

Acts 2:38

"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."

Notice the pattern:

1. Faith.

2. Repentance.

3. Baptism.

4. The Holy Ghost.

This pattern appears throughout the New Testament.

The apostles taught it repeatedly.

Joseph Smith taught the same pattern.

Not because it was his idea.

But because it was Christ's.

Part 4

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Paul taught the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:5

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism."

One baptism.

Not many baptisms.

Not conflicting baptisms.

One baptism authorized by God.

Joseph Smith taught that priesthood authority is essential to performing valid ordinances.

The question of priesthood authority is a major topic by itself.

If you have not seen Chapter 5 of this series, "The Priesthood," I encourage you to watch it before continuing.

In that chapter, we examine the biblical evidence for priesthood authority, apostolic succession, and why Joseph Smith believed priesthood authority had to be restored before saving ordinances could be performed again on the earth.

The Bible records an interesting example.

Paul met disciples at Ephesus and asked:

Acts 19:2

"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"

Their answer surprised him.

They had not received the Holy Ghost.

After further questioning, Paul determined that something was missing.

He immediately had them baptized properly.

Then he laid his hands upon them.

Acts 19:6

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them."

Why baptize them again?

Because ordinances matter.

Authority matters.

The Holy Ghost matters.

Paul clearly believed that correct ordinances were essential.

Part 5

The Narrow Gate

Many people assume that sincerity alone is sufficient.

But Jesus gave a warning.

Matthew 7:13-14

"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Then He added:

Matthew 7:21

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven."

These words are sobering.

Good intentions alone are not enough.

Christ expects obedience.

He expects us to follow His way.

Not our own.

The gate is narrow because God determines the requirements—not man.

Part 6

If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments

After teaching His apostles about His coming departure, Jesus gave one of the simplest tests of discipleship.

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Notice what He did not say.

"If ye love me, merely profess my name."

He said:

"Keep my commandments."

A few verses later He added:

John 14:21

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me."

According to Jesus Christ, obedience is evidence of love.

The two cannot be separated.

Part 6b

The Law of Moses

Did Christ Abolish God's Commandments?

At this point, many Christians might ask:

"If Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses, why are commandments still necessary?"

This is an important question.

The Bible teaches that Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses.

The sacrifices, rituals, and ordinances that pointed forward to Christ were completed through His atoning sacrifice.

But fulfilling the law is not the same as abolishing righteousness.

Jesus Himself declared:

Matthew 5:17

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

Notice that Christ did not say He came to destroy God's law.

Rather, He fulfilled its purpose.

In fact, Jesus often raised the standard higher.

The Law of Moses said:

"Thou shalt not kill."

Jesus taught that even hatred in the heart is dangerous.

The Law of Moses said:

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Jesus taught that lustful thoughts violate God's standard of purity.

The old law pointed people toward Christ.

The higher law taught by Christ points people toward becoming like Him.

Joseph Smith taught that salvation through Christ does not eliminate the need for obedience.

Rather, Christ gives us the power to obey.

The question is not whether commandments still matter.

The question is which commandments God requires under the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus plainly said:

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Part 7

The Foundation of God's Law

Long before Christ's mortal ministry, God gave Israel the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 34:28

"He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments."

These commandments established the foundation of moral law.

1. No other gods.

2. No idols.

3. Honor God's name.

4. Keep the Sabbath holy.

5. Honor father and mother.

6. Do not kill.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not bear false witness.

10. Do not covet.

While many things changed under the higher law of Christ, these principles remain at the heart of Christian discipleship.

• God still expects righteousness!

• God still expects holiness!

• God still expects obedience!

Part 8

The Restored Commandments

Joseph Smith taught that God restored truths and commandments that had been neglected.

One most important to our Heavenly Father is:

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

Keeping the sabbath day holy has been taught since ancient times.

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, He declared:

Exodus 20:8

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

The commandment was not merely to rest.

It was to make one day different from the others.

• A day devoted to God.

• A day for worship.

• A day for spiritual renewal.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus honored the Sabbath.

He taught that the Sabbath was made to bless mankind, not burden it.

Mark 2:27

"The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

Joseph Smith taught that the Sabbath remains a sacred commandment for God's covenant people.

Not because God needs one day of our time.

But because we need time with God.

In a world filled with distractions like sports, work, and other endless demands, the Sabbath invites us to pause and remember what matters most.

It reminds us who gave us life.

Who redeemed us through His Son.

And where our true priorities should be.

By setting aside time to worship, study God's word, serve others, and draw closer to Him, we demonstrate our love for God and our gratitude for His blessings.

The Sabbath is more than a day of rest.

• It is a day of remembrance.

• A day of worship.

• And a gift from God to His children.

Another restored commandment is:

Tithing

The practice of giving one-tenth to God appears throughout scripture.

• Abraham paid tithes.

• Jacob paid tithes.

• Israel paid tithes.

Then came the famous warning from Malachi.

Malachi 3:8-10

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me."

God then explained:

"In tithes and offerings."

And gave a promise:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith... if I will not open you the windows of heaven."

Joseph Smith taught that tithing remains a commandment today.

Not because God needs our money.

But because God desires our faithfulness.

The Word of Wisdom

Another distinctive teaching restored through Joseph Smith was the Word of Wisdom.

This revelation encouraged God's people to avoid harmful substances and care for their bodies.

Why?

Because our bodies are sacred.

Paul taught:

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?"

Then he warned:

"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy."

Our bodies belong to God.

How we treat them matters.

The principle behind the Word of Wisdom is simple:

Respect the body God has given you.

Part 9

The Two Great Commandments

When asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus summarized the entire law.

Matthew 22:37-39

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart."

And:

"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Then Christ added:

Matthew 22:40

"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Every commandment ultimately points back to these two principles.

• Love God.

• Love your neighbor.

Everything else flows from there.

Part 10

Why Commandments Matter

Some people ask:

"If God loves us, why does obedience matter?"

John gives the answer.

1 John 2:3-4

"Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

Then John gives a warning.

"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar."

Those are strong words.

But they remind us that discipleship requires action.

Not merely belief.

Not merely words.

But a changed life.

A life patterned after Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Faith opens the door.

Repentance turns us toward God.

Baptism brings remission of sins.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost provides divine guidance.

And obedience keeps us on the covenant path.

Joseph Smith taught that these principles and ordinances are not burdens.

They are gifts from God.

They prepare us to receive greater blessings.

But there are still ordinances that go beyond baptism.

• Ordinances connected with temples.

• Ordinances connected with covenants.

• Ordinances connected with eternal families.

And those ordinances lead us to the highest blessings God has prepared for His children.

Next Chapter is The Plan of Salvation - Eternal Families and the Highest Ordinances -

Temple Ordinances, Eternal Marriage, and Families Forever