I have been talking to the missionaries and I'm about ready to be baptized. My friend said that anyone that holds the Melchizedek preisthood can baptize me, give the gift of the Holy Ghost and be my witness. (So basically I could choose my close friend to) Is this true?
2007-11-20 13:33:33 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He does hold the Melchizedek priesthood.
2007-11-20 14:03:18 · update #1
You can have your close friend baptize you and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost on you if he holds the Priesthood After Order of the Son of God, which is the Melchizedek Priesthood. This priesthood was restored back to the earth by Peter, James, and John, 3 of the chiefest Apostles of the Lord who held this authority anciently. Peter, James, and John bestowed this authority and power upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and it has continued in a long line of succession to the present Prophet of the Church today, Gordon B. Hinckley. Without these keys of authority it would be impossible to perform holy ordinances of Christ's Church that are recognized and ratified by Almighty God. God is a god of wisdom and order. It would be chaos if any person thought he could perform these ordinances with authority from God. One must hold the Priesthood of the everlasting God. Let me also make clear to you that, although your close friend holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, he cannot perform these ordinances for you unless under the supervision of the Bishop of the ward you are being baptized into. Although your close friend holds the power to do it, he does not hold the keys to initiate it. Your Bishop holds the keys to unlock the ability for your friend to perform this most holy ordinance of Baptism and Confirmation. God bless.
2007-11-20 13:43:24 · answer #1 · answered by Arthurpod 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Priests within the Aaronic Priesthood can also baptize but don't confer the Holy Ghost, that is a Melchizedek Priesthood ordinance. The Bishop in charge of your baptism can guide you on who to select to perform this ordinance. If your friend is a member of the local ward, this is not a problem. If he is a member of another ward, then he will have to get permission from that same local Bishop to perform the ordinance. This is usually a simple task taken care of in a simple interview and call to the other person's ward.
2007-11-21 04:17:12 · answer #2 · answered by rac 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Any worthy member that holds the Melchizedek Priesthood can both baptize and confirm you. A worthy holder of the Aaronic Priesthood office of Priest can also baptize (but not confirm, too).
2007-11-21 02:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by Kerry 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Actually anyone who is a priest in the Arronic preisthood can baptize and witness. How ever you must hold the Melchizedek preisthood to give the gift of the Holy chost.
And congradulations. I wish you the best.
2007-11-20 13:41:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 0⤋
Yes. As long as he holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, it should be fine.
Congratulations!
2007-11-21 02:59:37 · answer #5 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Priests in the Aaronic priesthood can also baptise. So if your friend holds the office of "priest" in the Aaronic priesthood, or any office in the Melchizedek priesthood, then he can baptise you. :-)
2007-11-20 13:39:43 · answer #6 · answered by MumOf5 6 · 11⤊ 0⤋
baptism is a statement of identity, an act of outward obedience to the Truly Obedient One. man's baptism is by faith like the baptised... Jesus' baptism is by power and authority, and He Alone can send The Comforter. unless you and the church are true isrealites, Rom:11, do it by faith.
2007-11-20 13:48:53 · answer #7 · answered by yeshuaseedplanter 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes this is true. Good luck with your baptism.
2007-11-20 14:48:46 · answer #8 · answered by LADY WITH AN ATTITUDE 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes thats true
2007-11-21 07:25:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
as far as I understand it any priesthood holder so any adult male, (for the most part), who is in the church can...
2007-11-20 13:40:06 · answer #10 · answered by vegan_geek 5 · 1⤊ 6⤋