Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-07-10 WT Study (January 15, 2010, pages 3-7)(BELONG JAH/UNDESERVED)
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WHY DEDICATE YOURSELF TO JEHOVAH? “This night there stood near me an angel of the God to whom I belong."--ACTS 27:23.
OPENING COMMENTS
The Jews dedicated themselves to "Jehovah" since there was no Messiah or Christ yet. But what about Christians?
Who do they belong to God or Jesus? (next week)
(2 Corinthians 1:21) . . .But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ . . .
(Galatians 5:24) . . .Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus . . .
(1 Corinthians 15:23) . . .But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ
during his presence. . .
(Galatians 3:29) . . .Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a
promise.
(Mark 9:41) . . .For whoever gives YOU a cup of water to drink on the ground that YOU belong to Christ, I truly tell YOU,
he will by no means lose his reward. . .
(Romans 1:6) . . .among which [nations] YOU also are those called to belong to Jesus Christ—
(1 Corinthians 3:22-23) . . .whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things now here or things
to come, all things belong to YOU; 23 in turn YOU belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God.
(2 Corinthians 10:7) . . .YOU look at things according to their face value. If anyone trusts in himself that he belongs to
Christ, let him again take this fact into account for himself, that, just as he belongs to Christ, so do we also. . .
(Galatians 5:24) . . .Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and
desires.
COMMENTSCan people just come to the kingdom hall and spend time in the ministry as unbaptized publishers and be considered
dedicated? What will happen to such people at Armaggedon if they are not baptized?
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1. What steps have those presenting themselves for baptism already taken, and what questions does this raise?
"ON THE basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to
do his will?" This is one of the two questions answered by baptismal candidates at the conclusion of a baptism talk.
Why do Christians need to dedicate themselves to Jehovah? How does being dedicated to God benefit us? Why can
one not worship God acceptably without being dedicated to him? To understand the answers, we first need to consider
what dedication is.
COMMENTSWhy do they leave out the second question? This has been the question since 1985? What was it before in 1973?
Notice how "the enlightening power of the holy spirit" becomes "God's spirit-directed organization." Yes, the WTS
teaches that holy spirit God can only be obtained through the Watchtower organization! No baptism in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the holy spirit but rather in the name of a spirit-directed organization.
What is the difference between a spirit-directed organization and a spirit-anointed one? Does "spirit-directed" mean
the same as "inspired"?
QUOTES
*** w06 4/1 p. 22 ‘Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them’ ***Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with
God’s spirit-directed organization?
*** w73 5/1 p. 280 par. 25 Baptizing Follows Discipling ***consider the following two questions, which are asked of candidates for baptism:
(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned
sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father,
through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God
to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power
of the holy spirit?
Q 2. What does it mean to dedicate oneself to Jehovah?
2. What does dedicating oneself to God mean? Note how the apostle Paul described his relationship with God. Before
many others aboard an imperiled ship, he called Jehovah "the God to whom I belong." (Read Acts 27:22-24.) All true
Christians belong to Jehovah. In contrast, the world in general is "lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19)
Christians come to belong to Jehovah when they make an acceptable dedication of themselves to him in prayer. Such
a dedication is a personal vow. It is followed by water baptism.
COMMENTSNotice how they pick out the one scripture where Christians are said to belong to God by Paul; what about all the
scriptures under Opening Comments?
Notice how the WTS demonizes all non-jws by saying that "the world in general" are under Satan's power. Whether
directly or indirectly the WTS says these people are worshipping Satan "the god of this system."
If a person gets baptized without making that personal dedication or vow, is their baptism valid per the WTS?
QUOTES
*** w64 2/15 p. 126 Did You Make an Acceptable Dedication to God? ***One therefore should not waver in his mind as to whether he had a correct understanding of the matter when he was
immersed. In all probability, if he presented himself for baptism among the candidates he likely had sufficient
knowledge to know what he was doing, which would mean that his dedication and baptism were valid.
*** w58 8/1 p. 477 pars. 15-16 Baptism ***In event that an individual was baptized but had not cleaned up his life properly and was still living immorally or
otherwise infracting God’s law, baptism could not consummate a dedication to do Jehovah’s will. Such a pretense of
dedication would not be accepted by Jehovah. An unclean offering is not acceptable to Almighty God and we are to
present ourselves to do God’s clean will.
In event a person found himself in this condition, it would be necessary for him to clean up his life, make a true
dedication and then be baptized again. Even though an unclean individual had been baptized, his dedication would not
have been acceptable to Jehovah. When he cleans up, then he should be rebaptized because under such conditions
his dedication can be acceptable to Almighty God and the water baptism is valid.
*** w56 12/15 p. 762 Questions From Readers ***Also, some were told years ago that their immersion in water by one of Christendom’s religious systems was sufficient
to symbolize their dedication if they understood at the time that they were dedicating themselves to do Jehovah’s will,
but now this article (page 406, paragraph 14) says that baptisms in Christendom’s religious systems today are not valid
and that these individuals should be baptized again by Jehovah’s theocratic organization.
Q 3. What did Jesus' baptism symbolize, and how can his followers imitate his example?
3. Jesus provided an example for us when he made a personal choice to do God's will. Because he had been born
into the dedicated nation of Israel, he was already dedicated to God. Still, at his baptism he did something more than
what was required under the Law. God's Word indicates that he said: "Look! I am come ... to do your will, O God."
(Heb. 10:7; Luke 3:21) So Jesus' baptism symbolized his presentation of himself to God for the doing of his Father's
will. His followers imitate his example when they offer themselves for baptism. However, in their case, water baptism is
a public demonstration that they have made a personal dedication to God in prayer.
COMMENTSNotice it says "personal choice." Jesus was not pressured by his parents to get baptized by a certain age or have to
move out of the house. Jesus did not get baptized until he was 30. If he had been a jw, he would have been tossed
out on his ear 12 years before that.
The WTS is not a dedicated nation into which children are born already dedicated. So that means Jesus made the
choice not because his parents "encouraged" him or because his parents were serving God.
HOW DEDICATION BENEFITS US
Q 4. What does the friendship between David and Jonathan tell us about commitment?
4. Christian dedication is a serious matter. It is more than a mere commitment. How, though, does making a dedication
benefit us? By way of comparison, let us consider how making a commitment in human relationships brings benefits.
One example is friendship. To enjoy the privilege of having a friend, you have to accept the responsibility of being a
friend. That involves a commitment--you feel an obligation to care about your friend. One of the most outstanding
'friendships described in the Bible is that of David and Jonathan. They even made a covenant of friendship with each
other. (Read 1 Samuel 17:57; 18:1, 3.) Although friendships with that level of commitment are rare, most friendships
flourish when companions are committed, or feel some obligation, to each other.--Prov. 17:17; 18:24.
COMMENTSYes, Christian dedication and then baptism is serious; it puts the person in the position to be disfellowshipped and
shunned by all their jw family and "friends."
I guess Uriah, Bathsheba's first husband, wasn't a very good friend of David's.
When you stopped attending the meetings, did your jw friends feel any obligation to you?
Q 5. How could a slave permanently benefit from belonging to a good master?
5. The Law that God gave to Israel describes another relationship in which people benefited by making a commitment.
If a slave wanted the security of belonging permanently to a good master, he could enter a permanent and binding
agreement with him. The Law states: "If the slave should insistently say, 'I really love my master, my wife and my sons; I
do not want to go out as one set free,' then his master must bring him near to the true God and must bring him up
against the door or the doorpost; and his master must pierce his ear through with an awl, and he must be his slave to
time indefinite."--Ex. 21:5, 6.
COMMENTSLaw--OT not bind on Christians
1st century Christians lived in a world of legal slavery---did they follow this?
Even if you had a "good" master, would you want to be in slavery to an imperfect person for the rest of your life.
Notice how the WTS leaves out an important part of this scripture. If he comes into this limited slavery (6 years, freed
on 7th) and was married before that, his wife left with him. But if he married after his period of slavery began AND he
had children, his wife and children would not be freed with him in that 7th year. The only way he could stay with them is
to become a permanent slave. So was it due to love for his master or love for his family and wanting to stay with them?
(Exodus 21:2-6) 2 “In case you should buy a Hebrew slave, he will be a slave six years, but in the seventh he will go out
as one set free without charge. 3 If he should come in by himself, by himself he will go out. If he is the owner of a wife,
then his wife must go out with him. 4 If his master should give him a wife and she does bear him sons or daughters, the
wife and her children will become her master’s and he will go out by himself. 5 But if the slave should insistently say, ‘I
really love my master, my wife and my sons; I do not want to go out as one set free,’ 6 then his master must bring him
near to the [true] God and must bring him up against the door or the doorpost; and his master must pierce his ear
through with an awl, and he must be his slave to time indefinite.
Q 6, 7. (a) How does commitment benefit people? (b) What does that indicate about our relationship with Jehovah?
6. Marriage is a relationship that requires a high level of commitment. It is a commitment, not to a contract, but to a
person. Two people who merely live together without getting married can never enjoy real security; neither can their
children. But partners who are committed to each other in honorable marriage have an impelling Scriptural reason for
striving to resolve their difficulties with love when problems arise.--Matt. 19: 5,6; 1 Cor. 13:7, 8; Heb. 13:4.
COMMENTSNotice that the WTS says that marriage is a commitment not a contract. Are Christian women the property of their
husbands as Israelite women were? Can jw women be sold for a price?
QUOTES
*** w60 12/1 p. 718 par. 25 Married Believers Called to Peace and Salvation ***She makes it easier for herself as a wife, because she is marrying a man “in union with the Lord,” a man who is under
orders to maintain his husbandly ownership and exercise his headship and law according to the Christian “new
personality.” He does have the ownership of her, but as a Christian he may not abuse or misuse this Christian property,
as it also belongs to Christ who bought her with the price of his perfect human life.
*** Family book chap. 2 p. 17 Preparing for a Successful Marriage ***Bride-Price and Dowry: In some lands the groom’s family is expected to give money to the bride’s family (bride-price).
In others, the bride’s family gives money to the groom’s (dowry). There may be nothing wrong with these customs as
long as they are legal. (Romans 13:1) However, in either case, the receiving family should avoid greedily demanding
more money or goods than is reasonable. (Proverbs 20:21; 1 Corinthians 6:10) Further, the paying of bride-price
should never be construed to imply that a wife is simply purchased property; nor should a husband feel that his only
responsibility toward his wife and his in-laws is a financial one.
7. In Bible times, people benefited from having binding contracts in business and employment. (Matt. 20:1, 2, 8)
Today, the same holds true. For example, we benefit from having a binding written agreement, or written contract,
before we begin a business venture or start working as an employee in a company. Hence, if commitment enhances
relationships such as friendship, marriage and employment, how much more will making an unreserved dedication
benefit you in your relationship with Jehovah. Let us now consider how people in the past have benefited from being
dedicated to Jehovah God and how this was far more than just a commitment.
COMMENTSOT--Bible times
Now it is a contract?!
So what written agreement did Israelites fill out in regard to marriage?
What about a Christian's relationship with Jesus which the NT says he/she belongs to?
Do you get the feeling that quite a few people attending the khs are not getting baptized????
HOW DEDICATION TO GOD BENEFITED ISRAEL
Q 8. What did being dedicated to God mean for Israel?
8. The nation of Israel as a whole became dedicated to Jehovah when they made a vow to God. Jehovah had them
assemble near Mount Sinai, and he said to them: "If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant,
then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples." The people answered unanimously: "All
that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.” (Ex. 19:4-8) Being dedicated meant much more for Israel than being
committed to do something. It meant that they belonged to Jehovah, and Jehovah treated them as his "special
property.”
COMMENTS"special property" but then how did God view them, as his wife, and wives were property.
So those people at that time were dedicated; what about their grandchildren who were not there when those words
were spoken in Exodus.
Are all jws "special property" or only anointed jws?
(1 Peter 2:9) . . .But YOU are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that
YOU should declare abroad the excellencies” of the one that called YOU out of darkness into his wonderful light.
COMMENTSThe WTS cross-references 1 Peter 2:9 to this:
(Exodus 19:5) . . .And now if YOU will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then YOU will certainly
become my special property out of all [other] peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. . .
Q 9. How did Israel benefit from being dedicated to God?
9. The Israelites benefited from belonging to Jehovah. He was loyal and cared for them as a loving parent cares for a
child. To Israel, God said: "Can a wife forget her suckling so that she should not pity the son of her belly?" Even these
women can forget, yet I myself shall not forget you.” (Isa. 49:15) Jehovah gave them the guidance of the Law, the
encouragement of the prophets, and the protection of the angels. A psalmist wrote: "He is telling his word to Jacob, his
regulations and his judicial decisions to Israel. He has not done that way to any other nation.” (Ps. 147:19,20; read
Psalm 34:1; 19; 48:14.) As Jehovah cared for the nation that belonged to him in the past, so he will care for those who
dedicate themselves to him today.
COMMENTSIs God the parent of any but the anointed jws? The "other sheep" are said to become "sons of God" at the end of the
1,000 year reign.
There was a time in the WTS, prior to 1932, that baptism for the "other sheep" was not required.
WHY WE SHOULD DEDICATE OURSELVES TO GOD
Q 10, 11. Are we born into God's universal family? Explain.
10. While contemplating Christian dedication and baptism, some may wonder, 'Why can I not worship God without
dedicating myself to him?' The reason becomes clear when we consider the reality of our present standing before
God. Remember, because of Adam's sin, we are all born outside God's family. (Rom. 3:23; 5:12) Dedicating ourselves
to God is a vital requirement for being accepted into his universal family. Let us see why.
COMMENTSSo had Abel, Noah and his family, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives dedicated themselves to God; were they
then unable to worship him?
When can non-anointed jws join this universal family; not until the end of the 1,000 year reign per the WTS.
11. None of us have a natural father who could pass on to us life as it should be--perfect life. (1 Tim. 6:19) We were
not born as sons of God because when the first human pair sinned, the human race was separated from its loving
Father and Creator. (Compare Deuteronomy 32:5.) From that time onward, the world of mankind has lived outside
Jehovah's universal family, alienated from God.
COMMENTSBut what they leave out is that the WTS teaches that non-anointed jws will not be adopted into the family until the end of
the Millenial rule of Christ.
Q 12. (a) How can imperfect humans become members of God's family? (b) What steps must we take prior to
baptism?
12. Nevertheless, as individuals we can request that God accept us into his family of approved servants.* How is that
possible for sinners such as we are? The apostle Paul wrote: "When we were enemies, we became reconciled to God
through the death of his Son.” (Rom. 5:10) At baptism we make a request to God for a good conscience so as to be
acceptable to him. (1 Pet. 3:21) Prior to baptism, however, there are steps we must take. We must get to know God,
learn to trust him, repent, and change our ways. (John 17:3; Acts 3:19; Heb. 11:6) And something else remains to be
done before we can be accepted into God's family. What is that?
*Jesus' "other sheep" will not become sons of God until the end of the thousand years. However, since they have
dedicated themselves to God, they can properly address God as "Father" and can rightly be considered members of
Jehovah's family of worshippers.--John 10:16; Isa 64:8; Matt. 6:9; Rev. 20:5.
COMMENTSWe can request but it will not be granted if we are of the other sheep until.........
Only jws even have a chance of being accepted per the WTS; all non-jws will descend into eternal death at
Armageddon.
Q 13. Why is it fitting for a person to make a vow of dedication to God in order to be part of His family of approved
worshippers?
13. Before someone who is alienated from God can become a member of God's family of approved servants, he first
needs to make a solemn promise to Jehovah. To understand why, imagine a respectable father who shows kind
interest in an orphaned youth and wishes to adopt him as a member of his own family. The father is known to be a good
man. Still, before accepting the youth as his son, the man wants the boy to make a promise. So the man says, "Before I
accept you as a son, I need to know that you will love and respect me as your father.” Only if the youth is willing to
make a solemn promise will the man admit him into his family. Is that not reasonable? Similarly, Jehovah accepts into
his family only those who are willing to make a vow of dedication to him. The Bible says: "Offer your very selves to him:
a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for his acceptance."--Rom. 12: 1, The New English Bible.
COMMENTSWhere is Jesus in this paragraph?
APPROVED by whom?
So only adopted sons have to make this promise?
The WTS teaches that only people becoming jws can make a "proper" vow of dedication, that the baptisms of all
people outside the WT organization are void and valueless; that is why people who were baptized in their church have
to be re-baptized.
Why does the WTS use the NEB? What does the NWT say that is inadequate to support their statements? The term
"dedicated" is not used.
(Romans 12:1) . . .Consequently I entreat YOU by the compassions of God, brothers, to present YOUR bodies a
sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with YOUR power of reason.
AN ACT OF LOVE AND FAITH
Q14. In what way is dedication an expression of love?
14. Making a vow of dedication to God is an expression of our heartfelt love for Jehovah. In some ways it is similar to a
wedding vow. A Christian bridegroom expresses his love by vowing to be loyal to his bride, come what may. It is a
pledge to a person rather than merely a promise to do something. A Christian bridegroom understands that he could
not have the privilege of living with his bride if he would not make a marriage vow. In a similar way, we cannot fully enjoy
the benefits of being a member of Jehovah's family without making a vow of dedication. So we dedicate ourselves to
God because, in spite of our imperfection, we desire to belong to him and are resolved to be loyal to him, come what
may.--Matt. 22:37.
COMMENTSSo is it love or a desire to get the reward--everlasting life on a paradise earth. Many jws view dedication and baptism as
a talisman of protection at Armageddon which is why some push their children to get baptized so you.
So do we get the privilege of living with God if we make a dedication and promise to love him? Not according to the
WTS, on 144,000 people get to do that.
No dedication/baptism--no eternal life on a paradise earth.
QUOTES
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the
protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system
dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the “flesh” that Jesus Christ
said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.
*** w07 7/1 p. 13 Highlights From the Book of Ezekiel—I ***9:3-6. Acquiring the mark—the evidence that we are dedicated, baptized servants of God and that we have the
Christian personality—is essential for surviving the “great tribulation.” (Matthew 24:21) Anointed Christians, represented
by the man with the secretary’s inkhorn, are taking the lead in doing the marking work, that is, the Kingdom-preaching
and disciple-making work. If we want to retain our mark, we must zealously help them in this work.
Q 15. How is dedication an act of faith?
15. When we dedicate ourselves to God, we perform an act of faith. Why is that so? Our faith in Jehovah makes us
confident that drawing close to God is good for us. (Ps. 73: 28) We know that it will not always be easy to walk with God
while living among "a crooked and twisted generation," but we trust in God's promise to support us in our efforts. (Phil.
2:15; 4:13) We know that we are imperfect, but we are confident that Jehovah will deal mercifully with us even when we
make mistakes. (Read Ps 103:13, 14; Romans 7: 21-25.) We have faith that Jehovah will reward our resolve to keep
our integrity.--Job 27:5.
COMMENTSDrawing close to God or the WTS organization?
Is it God' mercy or the WTS mercy?
crooked and twisted generation--all non-jws
DEDICATION TO GOD LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Q 16, 17. Why does making a dedication to Jehovah lead to happiness?
16. Being dedicated to Jehovah results in happiness because it involves the giving of ourselves. Jesus stated a basic
truth when he said: "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving." (Acts 20:35) Jesus fully experienced
the happiness of giving during his earthly ministry. When necessary, he went without rest, food, and comfort so that he
could help others to find the road to life. (John 4:34) Jesus found delight in making his Father's heart rejoice. Jesus
said: "I always do the things pleasing to him." --John 8:29; Prov.27:11.
COMMENTSBut jws dedicate themselves to a spirit-directed organization. Happiness comes from giving to the WTS which many
jws are not doing enough of and the WTS is having to renege on the policy not to ask for money. Do jws go without
rest, food, and comfort for the lowly in the congregation? What have you observed?
QUOTES
*** w06 4/1 p. 22 ‘Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them’ ***Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with
God’s spirit-directed organization?
17. Thus, Jesus pointed his followers toward a satisfying way of life when he said: "If anyone wants to come after me,
let him disown himself.” (Matt. 16:24) Doing so draws us closer to Jehovah. Could we place ourselves in the hands of
anyone else who could care us more lovingly?
COMMENTSAre jws following Christ or an organization?
Are they drawing close to Christ?
Q 18. Why does living in harmony with our dedication to Jehovah bring more happiness than being dedicated to
anything or anyone else?
18. 'Dedicating ourselves to Jehovah and thereafter living in harmony with that dedication by doing his will brings more
happiness than being dedicated to anything or one else. For example, many people devote their life to the pursuit of
material wealth without attaining true happiness and mine satisfaction. However, those who dedicate themselves to
Jehovah find lasting happiness. (Matt. 6:24) The honor of being "God's fellow workers" makes them happy, yet their
dedication is not to a work but to our appreciative God. (1 Cor. 3:9) No one could be more appreciative of their
self-sacrifice than he is. He will even restore his loyal ones to their youth so that they can benefit from his care
forever.--Job 33:25; read Hebrews 6:10.
COMMENTSMore happiness than dedication ourselves to anything or one else--even a spirit-directed organization?
Many people--only nonjws--devote their life to the pursuit of wealth
Can they be God's fellow workers without being jws?
What does the WTS mean that jws are not dedicated to a work?
Restore to their youth--another way of saying they can hope to never die surving through the GT into paradise.
Q 19. What privilege is enjoyed by those who are dedicated to Jehovah?
19 Dedicating your life to Jehovah brings you into a close relationship with him. The Bible says: "Draw close to God,
and he will draw close to you”. (Jas. 4:8; Ps. 25:14) In the following article, we will consider why we can be confident
about making the choice to belong to Jehovah.
COMMENTSWhere is the relationship to Christ? It is no surprise that jws are very comfortable being called Jehovah's Witnesses
rather than Christians.
How Would You Answer?
• What does dedicating oneself to God mean?
• How does being dedicated to God benefit us?
• Why do Christians need to be dedicated to Jehovah?
CLOSING COMMENTS
Next week, Belonging to Jehovah--An Undeserved Kindness.
How does the word "undeserved" resonate in you? Do you feel "special"?
Were you in the WT when they had a different interpretation of Psalm 91? When did it change?
Have a good week, spring is near, yay, were making our plans and doubling the size of our garden. What about you?
Love, Blondie