Baptism and the remission of sins are often linked in the scriptures. The remission of sins means the forgiveness of past sins and the cessation of future sins. In the scriptural framework, this is synonymous with justification, a state where an individual is freed from the guilt and eternal penalty of their past choices through continuously making the best choices they now know of. This occurs when one is born again.
Remission of sins is something you choose,4 not something that happens to you. You obtain the remission of sins through forsaking all sin.5 To have a remission of sins is to be in a state where you continuously follow the example of Jesus, as far as you understand him to be.6 In this state, you cease to sin as far as you know. It is called remission of sins and not just cessation of sins—which it includes— because a person who has stopped sinning has fulfilled the conditions given by Christ to be forgiven of their past sins.7
Sometimes, baptism and remission of sins are mentioned together because baptism and the remission of sins share the same requirement: keeping all God’s commandments as far as you know them.8 Baptism is a commandment,9 and all who keep God’s commandments will seek to be baptized. However, it is the keeping of all God’s commandments—not just baptism—that brings forgiveness of past sins.10
Baptism does not change you. Rather, it is a commandment that you follow and a symbol acknowledging the change you have already made. The distinction between baptism and the remission of sins is made clear in the case of people who have forsaken their past sins, yet do not have access to someone who can baptize them. They still have remission of their sins, because they are living how Jesus would in their place,11 even if they have not yet been baptized due to conditions beyond their own control. Likewise, there are many people who have been baptized, but who do not have a remission of their sins because they continue to think, feel, or act contrary to how they believe Jesus would in their place.
A remission of sins is a perishable state. If an individual willfully sins after having been forgiven, their former sins return to them,12 and they become even worse off than they were before.13
Footnotes
- 1. And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God. (Mosiah 5:5) ↩
- 2. ...and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it. 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. (Moroni 6:1-2) ↩
- 3. And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end. (Moroni 6:3) ↩
- 4. Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. (Alma 12:34) ↩
- 5. And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits. (Helaman 14:13) ↩
- 6. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43) ↩
- 7. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28) ↩
- 8. And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins; (Moroni 8:25) ↩
- 9. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. (2 Nephi 9:23) ↩
- 10. They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; (D&C 76:51-52) ↩
- 11. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. (Moroni 10:33) ↩
- 12. And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God. (D&C 82:7) ↩
- 13. But he that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost, hath not remission into without end, but he shall be guilty of everlasting trespass. (Mark 3:29, Wycliff Bible) ↩