Baptism and Church Membership
Baptism Requisite in Conversion—Repentance, faith, and bap-
tism are the requisite steps in conversion.
Letter 174, 1909
.
Clinching Decision for Baptism—The souls under conviction of
the truth need to be visited and labored for. Sinners need a special work
[307]
done for them, that they may be converted and baptized.—
Manuscript
17, 1908
.
The Sign of Entrance to the Kingdom—Christ has made bap-
tism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this
a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be ac-
knowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the
threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of
the divine name, “The Lord our righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:6
.
Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who
are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that
they have forsaken the service of Satan, and have become members
of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed
the command, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ...
and touch not the unclean thing.” And to them is fulfilled the promise,
“I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be
My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:17,
18
.—
Testimonies For The Church 6:91
(1900).
The Christian’s Oath of Allegiance—As Christians submit to
the solemn rite of baptism, He registers the vow that they make to be
true to Him. This vow is their oath of allegiance. They are baptized in
the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus they are
united with the three great powers of heaven. They pledge themselves
to renounce the world and to observe the laws of the kingdom of
God. Henceforth they are to walk in newness of life. No longer are
they to follow the traditions of men. No longer are they to follow
[308]
dishonest methods. They are to obey the statutes of the kingdom of
268