a watcher,
The reason I was disfellowshipped from the WTBTS is due to my examination of the vows I had made and their implications.
Yes, I made a baptismal vow to Jesus Christ and Jehovah:
1/ w85 6/1 p. 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
I continue to have no problem with that vow.
This is the vow that I deeply regret and now feel very humiliated that I allowed myself to be deceived by it:
2/ w85 6/1 p. 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
My regret started happening after reading this 1951 Watchtower Magazine Article:
w55 7/1 p. 411 Christian Baptism for the New World Society
15 A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit.
I was very dismayed and angered that the governing body actually had the audacity and presumption to re-invent Jesus Christs baptismal commandment. The consequences of their audacity is cleary stated by Jesus Christ himself:
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things."
I want Jesus Christ to be with me!
Being party to any organization that causes Jesus Christ to be distressed through the re-invention of his commanded baptism is not something I want.
Luke 12:49-50
49 "I came to start a fire on the earth, and what more is there for me to wish if it has already been lighted? 50 Indeed, I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how I am being distressed until it is finished!
abe