Watchtower says Baptism does NOT save you -- or DOES IT?

by UnDisfellowshipped 14 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  UnDisfellowshipped

  Do Jehovah's Witnesses teach that you must be baptized in order to be saved?

  The Watchtower, November 15th, 2008 Issue, Pages 20-22:
  "We are "saved through faith," "not owing to works" of the Mosaic Law or of those performed as Christians. Our faith should be more than mere professed faith. (Eph. 2:8-9; John 3:16) It should move us to godly action. [...]
  
  "Baptism is a requirement for those seeking salvation. However, baptism itself does not save us. Salvation is actually "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The baptismal candidate must have faith that salvation is possible only because Jesus died a sacrificial death, was resurrected, and "is at God's right hand," having authority over the living and the dead."

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  Compare that newer article to this older one:

  The Watchtower, August 15th, 1997, Page 7:

  "Baptized Christians are saved in the eyes of God. (1 Peter 3:21) During the coming destruction of this wicked world, God will save them completely by preserving them through that tribulation.—Revelation 7:9, 14."

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  Just one more flip-flop in their teachings? Another "New Light"? The light does get brighter and brighter (then darker) then brighter (then darker) -- dagnabbit, someone needs to stop playing around with the light switch -- that lightbulb is gonna blow! lol!
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  mrsjones5

  Depends on the roll of the bOrg die:

  
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  WTWizard

  The essence: You have to get baptized, and then you have to abide by all their rules. You have to do as much as Jehovah (who doesn't give a f*** about your personal situations) thinks you could have done, and then He has to accept it. Notice that there are two terms of uncertainty in the scripture "Probably you MAY be concealed in the day of God's anger"--the "probably" is discussed, but the "MAY" is not.
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  leavingwt

  When Armageddon begins, and that Angel is approaching a JW with his sword, if the JW has unconfessed sins and he is "not right with Jehovah", he will not be shown mercy. Just like in the Old Testament, the angel will not weep as he kills men, women and children JWs who are not without blemish from this world. If they were secretly partaking from the table of demons or living a double life -- loving the things of this world -- they will be executed along with the hardened criminals and (gasp) members of Babylon the Great. Jehovah is a jealous God. He will not tolerate any false worship, gross sins or idolatry.
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  Yizuman

  Um children no. Any child under the age of accountability under the Mosiac law will automatically be in the arms of God. They're too young to understand what sin is all about.

  As for baptism, no it will not save you, what saves you is through the blood of Christ Jesus. Because before he willingly gave up his Spirit, He said, "It is finished" and breathed his last.

  Yiz
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  leavingwt

  Um children no. Any child under the age of accountability under the Mosiac law will automatically be in the arms of God. They're too young to understand what sin is all about.

  In the WT world, children are not safe. If their parents are unacceptable to Jehovah, the kids get the sword.

  JW parents are constantly given a guilt trip about how they must do what is right, or else their kids will get it.
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  PSacramento

  LWT,

  That is one of the views that most disturbed me in my studies, that children would suffer in such a way.

  As for Baptisim, Paul didn't seem to make too much of a big deal about it and its debatable wither Jesus himself baptized, but I do think that the symbolic act of Baptisim is vital for those that believe in its significance, that of the forgiveness of Sins ( water Baptisim).
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  Chalam

  The answer is that neither JW baptism or the JW faith saves anyone.

  Romans 10:9 (New International Version)

  9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

  JWs do not believe Jesus is Lord, but Jehovah. Look in any NWT and see how the word Lord is translated, "Jehovah".

  Neither do they believe Jesus was rasied from the dead as the scripture says but as a "spirit creature"?!

  Luke 24:39 (English Standard Version)

  39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

  All the best,

  Stephen
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  leavingwt

  As for Baptisim, Paul didn't seem to make too much of a big deal about it and its debatable wither Jesus himself baptized, but I do think that the symbolic act of Baptisim is vital for those that believe in its significance, that of the forgiveness of Sins ( water Baptisim).

  The guy hanging on the _________ next to Jesus did not get baptized. Yet, Jesus assured him that he would see him in __________.

  "Some brothers have concluded that in certain cases, baptism is not required. We cannot say."

  -LWT
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  Yizuman

  JW parents are constantly given a guilt trip about how they must do what is right, or else their kids will get it.

  Mental and emotional abuse through the use of fear at it's finest!