THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 22
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, April 1830. HC 1: 79—80. This revelation was given to the Church in consequence of some who had previously been baptized desiring to unite with the Church without rebaptism.
1, Baptism is a new and everlasting covenant; 2—4, Authoritative baptism is required.
1 B
EHOLD, I say unto you that all
old covenants [ The Law of Moses? ] have I caused to be done away in this thing; and this is a new and an
everlasting covenant,
[ Baptism is part of everlasting covenant - a contract or agreement between two parties, God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word _berith_ is always thus translated. _Berith_ is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19) So in other words just as those who are covenanted to the other shepard so to are we covenanted or belong to a new master. ] even that which was from the beginning.
2 Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the
law of Moses,
[ Or the “old covenants” that were referenced in verse 1. While the old law was sufficient (cf. Mosiah 13:27-28), it is not now (cf. 3 Ne. 15:1-5). Interesting note; their was, and still is, a ritual of ablution by immersion called “tevillah” had among the Jews. Ritual washing in Judaism, or ablution, takes two main forms. A tevilah (טְבִילָה) is a full body immersion in a mikveh, and a netilat yadayim which is the washing of the hands with a cup. By referencing the Law of Moses the Lord is indicating that seemingly pious works have no merit with Him unless they are performed according to His dictates. People who perform outward acts according to their own dictates are not submitting to the will of the Lord. ] neither
by your dead works.
[ Or the works of those who do not have the power to save and hence they are dead. D&C 1:30 the Lord indicates that the only true and living Church is this Church. No other church has legitimate authority as far as He is concerned, cf. 3 Ne. 27:8. Regarding works that seem pious, but that the Lord will reject, see Matt. 7:21-23. It is interesting to note that 3 Ne. 27:8 also references both the “church” of Moses and the “church” of men as does this verse. ]
3 For
it is because of your dead works [ The ancient Christian Church founded by Jesus was corrupted early on and ultimately subverted by Judaizers, those who would not let go of the Law of Moses. This is evidence in the conflict between Paul and the various Judaizing Christians detailed throughout the book of Acts. The apostasy of the Priesthood among ancient Christians necessitated a restoration. The implicit connection to the book of Acts may be intentional to suggest the context of Acts 19:1-6. ] that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old.
4 Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, [ Baptism is the “gate” to the church. ] as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God. [ The Lord is irritated with those who are spurning His commands. They claim that He is their God, yet they fail to follow His council. The core underlying issue is whether or not they accept Smith as the Lord’s mouthpiece. They profess belief in Christ, but are unwilling to really submit to His prophet and therefore Him. ] Amen.
[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 22 Smith makes no comments on this revelation. The single source of contemporary comment on the matter is from Orson Pratt, as quoted below. Excerpt from The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith Initially considered part of the “Articles and Covenants” of the Church [i.e., D&C 20], section 22 was given to Joseph Smith in answer to the question of whether believers who had received baptism in other churches, should again be baptized. In 1873 Orson Pratt recalled the historical setting of this revelation, In the early days of this Church there were certain persons, belonging to the Baptist denomination, very moral and no doubt as good people as you could find anywhere, who came, saying they believed in the Book of Mormon, and that they had been baptized into the Baptist Church, and they wished to come into our Church. The Prophet Joseph had not, at that time, particularly inquired in relation to this matter, but he did inquire, and received a revelation from the Lord [section 22].... These Baptists had to be re-baptized: there was no other way to get into this Church. [quoted from JofD 16:293-294] (Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 33). ]