He must understand that true repentance precedes true baptism for the remission of sins
Who will provide for the wives and children who are put away? Sin always bring serious problems. Prevention is always better than cure. The above question states one of the serious difficulties resulting from the sin of polygamy; True repentance is never easy because it requires undoing the sinful conditions of one’s sinful life. The prodigal son got up out of the country of riotous living and returned humbly and broken-heartedly to his father’s house (Luke -20). When he does this, God will surely assist him in putting away his adulterous wives in a fair and honorable way. Furthermore, he will either care for his children himself or will render a father’s rightful support of them in their mother’s care.
What about the money spent for many wives? Jesus said, “For what is a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew ). He also said to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all physical necessities would be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).
Should a polygamist be baptized before he puts away his sinful wives? A polygamist or any other sinner should not be baptized before he repents. But any sinner who repents ist must be thoroughly taught the meaning of repentance. He must understand that real repentance includes fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8). He must know that the remission of his sins depends upon true repentance. He must know that real repentance requires him to stop living as a husband with all wives but the true one. He must be preparing and beginning to put away the other wives honorably. He must be convinced of the great temptation which each former wife will be as long as she remains in his compound. He must understand that baptism is a burial of an old man which has died to the practice of sin (Romans 6:1-18). He must be taught that when he is raised from his watery grave of baptism that he must walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). When these matters are truly understood, accepted, and put into practice, a person thus tist. He will be a penitent believer in Jesus Christ who has turned away from polygamy and all other sins. He will then, and only then, be a proper subject for baptism. But on the other hand, if a polygamist does not understand the meaning of true repentance and true baptism, his baptism will not bring remission of sins. Or if a polygamist refuses to truly repent of his many wives, he might be dipped in the water, but without repentance there can be no remission of sins (Acts 2:38). A murderer might persuade a preacher to immerse him in the water, but if he had not repented of his murdering, his dipping would not truly be baptism. A thief might deceive a preacher into baptizing him, but unless he had repented of his stealing, his baptism would be worthless.
Any polygamist who repents may be baptized, but without repentance, the baptism of a polygamist would be unscriptural and vain
Should a polygamist be a leader in the church? 1 Timothy 3:2 requires that each of the bishops (or elders) in each congregation must be “the husband of one wife.” Elders are examples to all the flock or congregation (1 Peter 5:3). A corrupt member (especially a leader) may corrupt the whole church (1 Corinthians 6:1,6). A polygamist must not be asked to lead prayer, as “holy hands” must be lifted up in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8). They must not be asked to serve as treasurer or to do any other work, as this ist can no more serve as a leader in the church than can a murderer or a thief.