In my last thread, http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/experiences/214315/1/Just-found-a-memory-box-of-priceless-artifacts-HILARIOUSLY-priceless-JW-artifacts-that-is I promised to type up my notes from the '98 DC Baptism talk from when I was baptised at the age of 18. So here they are... (I would say enjoy, but, um, yeeeaahhh....)
WARNING! - Paper Sick Bag Required!
Dedication & Baptism 1998 DC
Is your faith in Jehovah’s word? Your friends have nurtured you, but your faith brought you here.
2 Peter 1:1
1 Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith, held in equal privilege with ours, by the righteousness of our God and [the] Savior Jesus Christ:
Statistically speaking, as a JW you are 1 in every 1,000 walking on this earth.
Jude :21
21 keep yourselves in God’s love, while YOU are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view.
A holy faith, a treasure of knowing the truth.
Why is baptism a vital step to make in our growing up in the faith? There is no other way of demonstrating our dedication. Baptism is a gesture – the greatest gesture – Jesus laying down his life. Baptism is a Christ-like act. It will be recorded in the book of Jehovah.
Acts 2:41
41 Therefore those who embraced his word heartily were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.
Embrace = to hug – a physical connotation to take the challenge and physically hug.
Embrace the Mother Organisation which has fed, and clothed us, and taught us, etc.
Over 1 million in the last 3 years [1994/5-1997/8] have embraced the faith.
There are those who make it happen, and those who watch it happen. Baptism = making it happen!
Luke 14:26, 27 & 33
28 For example, who of YOU that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers might start to ridicule him 33 Thus, you may be sure, none of YOU that does not say good-bye to all his belongings can be my disciple.
We don’t hate our families but we hate compromising our integrity.
2 Peter 1:5-8
5 Yes, for this very reason, by YOUR contributing in response all earnest effort, supply to YOUR faith virtue, to [ YOUR ] virtue knowledge, 6 to [ YOUR ] knowledge self-control, to [ YOUR ] self-control endurance, to [ YOUR ] endurance godly devotion, 7 to [ YOUR ] godly devotion brotherly affection, to [ YOUR ] brotherly affection love. 8 For if these things exist in YOU and overflow, they will prevent YOU from being either inactive or unfruitful regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Stupid metaphor follows...]
Jehovah’s banking system – we can put in, and take out when we want.
5 meetings per week: 3 = input 2 = output
If we don’t put in we can get into spiritual debt. Looking at the World’s “banking systems”...Materialism, ‘pleasures’, immorality. Satan = World’s Bank Manager
2 Peter 1:10 & 11
10 For this reason, brothers, all the more do YOUR utmost to make the calling and choosing of YOU sure for yourselves; for if YOU keep on doing these things YOU will by no means ever fail. 11 In fact, thus there will be richly supplied to YOU the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A good balance = spending power – will motivate to be active and preach.
Heart – Input à Take in Mouth – Output à Declare
Some may have opposed you but inside they admire your determination. [WTF?]
Mark 9:23 & 24
23 Jesus said to him: “That expression, ‘If you can’! Why, all things can be to one if one has faith.” 24 Immediately crying out, the father of the young child was saying: “I have faith! Help me out where I need faith!”
Baptism Questions
Song – To God we are Dedicated
Baptism was held at the Circuit Assembly Hall just outside the city. A coach was provided by the WTBT$ to transport us there. Went there, got dunked, had to eat my lunch in a hurry on the coach back to the stadium. The coach arrived after the afternoon session had already started. It wasn't exactly the warmest day of July. I had to sit outdoors in the wind with wet hair. I caught a cold.
Last talk of the afternoon session was given by Brother Ellis of London Bethel in which he stated:
5 baptised [Only 5 for an entire District of approx 8,000!] – Staying in the truth is the problem most of us are having. Satan has had 6,000 years of experience in distracting people from the true course. Are we willing to pay Satan’s price for what he offers?
The cost – LSD flashbacks, pregnancy, STDs, DEATH!
Well Brother Ellis, I've yet to get an LSD flashback, STD or die...but hey, I'm imperfect, I'm sure the death thing will happen eventually. However, obviously Satan got to me as I got pregnant. Twice. I wouldn't be called Mummatron if I hadn't. I've paid Satan's price. I bear the scars. They're called stretchmarks. But who cares, 'cause children are a precious gift from God right?!
Mummatron x