Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

Acts 19–20. Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

In the book of Acts chapter 19 and 20 we read of at least five priesthood ordinances that the Apostle Paul preformed. Namely, he baptized in the name of Christ, conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost, administering blessing to the sick and afflicted, casted out a demon, and raised the dead. All of this was done in the name of Jesus Christ and will proper priesthood authority.

As I studied these verses I was reminded of a question that was raised in the gospel principles class of my ward. The question raised by a visiting investor was, “If I have already been baptized, why would I need to be baptized again?” The investigator seemed to be hurt and very upset by the notion that his previous baptism was somehow not valid. The instructor quickly changed the lesson plan to cover the question more in depth asking the class to turn to chapter 20 of their manuals instead of chapter 4 which was listed on the black board. I remember us going over in detail the principle of baptism and the need for this ordinance to be conducted by someone having the proper authority. However, I do not recall being given a clearer example than the one that Paul shared.

When the Apostle Paul was in Ephesus he came across some disciples and asked if they had received the Holy Ghost. The disciples replied they didn’t know what he was talking about. Then Paul asked how they were baptized seeing that they did not have the Holy Ghost. They replied that they were baptized according to John’s Baptism. Upon hearing this Paul set out to correct the work that had been done by administering the ordinance in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the priesthood authority of Christ. In doing this, Paul shows us the importance not only of the ordinance, but also of the authority needed to perform the ordinance. Paul goes on to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost to the disciples he has just baptized by the laying on of hands.

Further study reveals on which day the Sabbath was now being observed—it being the first day of the week namely, Sunday. Act 20:7 says, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached. The book of John gives us more insight as to why the Sabbath day was changed—John 20:1, 19. The Sabbath day was changed as a way to recognize the resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that Christ church has been restored to the earth even his priesthood authority also. I am grateful for this knowledge and am glad to share in it with all that care to come and see for themselves the truths of the gospel—in Jesus Name Amen.