Gopher: You are so wrong for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
The 80 questions were in the "Lamp" book. The original book with baptismal questions. Came out in the late sixties.
changeling
Just what were the "80 questions?"
by avishai 31 Replies latest jw friends
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Amyfa
Why 80 questions you only need 3
Do you turn to Christ?
Do you repent of your sins?
Do you renounce evil? -
Nathan Natas
Ah, yes, The WATCHTOWER catechism.
cat·e·chism
n.1.
Eccles.a.
an elementary book containing a summary of the principles of the Christian religion, esp. as maintained by a particular church, in the form of questions and answers.b.
the contents of such a book.2.
a similar book of instruction in other subjects.3.
a series of formal questions put, as to political candidates, to bring out their views.Catechism Stunts Minds Teaching the Roman Catholic catechism to primary-school students “hinders intelligence from coming into play and its development is slowed,” asserted Serge Larivee of the University of Montreal in a recent interview. According to the Toronto Star, Larivee, editor of La Revue Canadienne de Psycho-Pedagogie, based his conclusions on about 100 recently published research papers. Regarding the claim that such instruction will “make the children enter into a living, personal relationship with each divine personage (of the trinity doctrine),” Larivee asked: “Have you ever tried, in a non-abstract way, to enter into a living and personal relationship with three invisible persons that make up one?” The confusion and hindrance of mind resulting from parroting Church doctrine and dogmas are in sharp contrast to the benefits that come from learning based on God’s Word, the Bible. “The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise,” says the psalmist. And, with the acquiring of the “knowledge of God, . . . thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” (Psalm 19:7; Proverbs 2:5-11) But, when the religious leaders themselves turn their backs on the Bible and teach human tradition and philosophy instead, what can they expect to impart to others, young or old? “Look! They have rejected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?”—Jeremiah 8:9. -- The WATCHTOWER, March 15, 1982, page 28, "Insight on the News"
10 During the Protestant Reformation, Luther, called by religious authorities “the father of modern catechetics,” taught that such instruction of learners “should not merely include the hearing of a recitation from the book, but also an explanation and application of it to the hearts of the pupils.” Yet, as time went by, in Germany, England and elsewhere, “the catechetical instruction degenerated into a mere formal routine of preparation for confirmation [not baptism, which had already taken place].” In the Protestant systems the aim of catechism was not to draw out what was in the mind of the pupil but merely to convey the desired teachings. The pupil was to “learn the words of the Catechism by heart.” So it became a ritual of memorizing words and repeating them by rote. There was little room for expression of the real thoughts and feelings within the heart and mind of the pupil. Furthermore, attention was concentrated almost entirely upon children.—M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. II, pp. 148-154.
11 Contrast this with the methods used by Jehovah’s witnesses. Their methods are based on the Bible accounts of the ministry of Jesus and his apostles and upon other Bible principles. Newly interested persons, usually adults, are located by active ministry to the homes of the public. (Acts 20:20) These interested persons are then provided with free home Bible study, at times entire families joining in. This hour-long weekly study deals with the fundamental teachings of the Bible and is developed around questions drawn from a Bible textbook. The one studying is encouraged to answer on the basis of his understanding and belief and has the opportunity to ask additional questions. (Rom. 10:10) Throughout the study, the Witness conductor is conscious of the importance of directing attention to Jehovah God as the Source of life, and of laying Christ as a foundation by teaching the truth about him. (John 17:3; 1 Cor. 3:11) He endeavors to aid the student to make belief in that truth a part of his own life, in fact, to build his life around that sure pattern. -- The WATCHTOWER, March 1, 1969, page 140, "Laying a Foundation for the Right Kind of Ministers"
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White Dove
I remember in the '70's a maroon book with 80 Q's, then the green ones came out. Before the maroon one, I was not aware of any questions being asked of anyone before baptism. My parents were baptized at 10 and 12 years of age without getting quizzed.
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Gopher
I posted those questions and answers with the hope that we might have a "Answers you will not hear at a pre-baptism meeting" post.
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lesterd
The same questions Philip asked the Ethiopean eunuch? I dont see 80 there, and it was the eunuch doing the asking....
Acts 8:
36
Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the eunuch said: "Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?" 37 —— 38 With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 When they had come up out of the water, Jehovah’s spirit quickly led Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him anymore, for he kept going on his way rejoicing.Quote from 1960 WT 5/15 "WhatPreventsMefromGettingBaptized?"
"Philip did not prevent the Ethiopian eunuch from getting baptized. He knew that as a Jewish proselyte he had enough knowledge and understanding to know what he was doing. Philip knew this was no snap decision on the spur of the moment. He also knew that the Ethiopian qualified as a candidate for baptism in the matter of moral cleanness. Was he not just returning from worship at the temple and had he not gone to the extent of a strenuous journey to do so? Had not Philip been called by the holy angel to witness to this man, indicating that God had ‘estimated the heart’ of the Ethiopian and was calling him into God’s organization for service? Yes. So why would Philip prevent the baptism?"
"No man can prevent another from being baptized if he meets God’s requirements. It is Jehovah God who decides what qualifications must be met by candidates for baptism."
Seems the 1960s held a different understandong of the scripture the WT used in conjuction with the body of overseers.
1 Thess 2: 3 For the exhortation we give does not arise from error or from uncleanness or with deceit, 4 but, just as we have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, as pleasing, not men, but God, who makes proof of our hearts.5 In fact, at no time have we turned up either with flattering speech, (just as YOU know) or with a false front for covetousness, God is witness! 6 Neither have we been seeking glory from men, no, either from YOU or from others, though we could be an expensive burden as apostles of Christ. 7 To the contrary, we became gentle in the midst of YOU, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, having a tender affection for YOU, we were well pleased to impart to YOU, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because YOU became beloved to us.
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Certainly YOU bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of YOU, that we preached the good news of God to YOU. 10 YOU are witnesses, God is also, how loyal and righteous and unblamable we proved to be to YOU believers. 11 In harmony with that YOU well know how, as a father does his children, we kept exhorting each one of YOU, and consoling and bearing witness to YOU, 12 to the end that YOU should go on walking worthily of God who is calling YOU to his kingdom and glory. -
AudeSapere
Jim_TX wrote: I remember going over them twice. Once with the group of five or so of us - and a second time - at the P.O.'s house. I think that he was on a 'power trip' - and just wanted to see if he could make my life miserable.
I was also baptized in the mid-70's and I thought there were just 80 questions - but my count could be off.
The questions were broken into 3 sessions and the elders rotated assignments to conduct each session with me.
It may be that your elders consolidated the process to just 2 sessions but the intent was for there to be three separate meetings and allow time for discussion so the elders could delve deeper and see what was really in your heart - not just what was parroted back to them from the paragraphs.
Didn't always work out that way but I believe that was the intent.
-Aude.
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Jim_TX
AudeSapere wrote: It may be that your elders consolidated the process to just 2 sessions but the intent was for there to be three separate meetings and allow time for discussion so the elders could delve deeper and see what was really in your heart - not just what was parroted back to them from the paragraphs.
No... I had gone to the 'three session' bit... as required.
This particular P.O. was a ... well jerk (to keep it nice). He had it out for my family - and was out to do anything that would screw us up. Like I said. A power trip. None of the others in the group had to re-do the 'lessons'. Just me. And... yes... I answered all the questions during the three sessions... as required (twice). I ain't slow either.
Regards,
Jim TX
P.S. I believe it was him whut threw away my application to go to Bethel. Cuz' it never got to New York. Of course... he did me a favor - and didn't realize it.
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Jankyn
Your Word is A Lamp To My Foot. That's the one we got the questions from in the '70s.
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VoidEater
Questions? There was a test? Hmm...maybe some of that comes back to me. But I was only 9 in 1969 and don't have perfect recall.
My dad was baptized at about 7 in 1946, when I understand the requirements for candidates were different - I believe the only question asked was, Do you want to serve Jehovah (without any detail on what that service meant).