JW Baptism

by UnDisfellowshipped 41 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  UnDisfellowshipped

  The Baptism of Jehovah's Witnesses compared with the Baptism of the Christians in the Bible

  Jesus Christ commanded:

  "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)

  Jehovah's Witnesses baptize people in the Name of Jehovah God, and in the Name of "Jesus Christ" [Michael the Archangel], and in the Name of the "spirit-directed" Watchtower Organization.

  The Bible says that people were baptized immediately after they believed in Jesus Christ:

  The Spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and join yourself to this chariot." Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the Prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He said, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the Passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, So He doesn't open His mouth. In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For His Life is taken from the Earth." The eunuch answered Philip, "Who is the Prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?" Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?" He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:29-38)

  ....[the jailer] said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." They spoke the Word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. (Acts 16:30-33)

  The Watchtower Society has Jehovah's Witnesses wait to be baptized until they can answer lots of questions about Watchtower Doctrine to make sure they are "qualified baptism candidates".

  The only questions in the Bible were "Do you believe in Jesus" and "Have you repented of your sins".

  Here is an oxymoron:

  The Jehovah's Witnesses correctly teach that baptism does not save people -- it is the Blood of Jesus' Sacrifice that saves you.

  Then, the JW's also say in some of their Publications that you must be a baptized JW in good standing to surivive Armageddon.
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  Prisca

  Good post.
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  Pistoff

  A great post and a good topic indeed. Why does the WT feel the need to change the baptism vows in the 80's? It is another case of the FDS wanting to increase the gap between the anointed and the other sheep.

  In nearly EVERY article written for serious study, the society discusses the advice/counsel/encouragement given to "anointed christians" and then discusses the faithful ones who are united with them; the intent is obvious: we are real scriptural israelites, and you are not.

  Thus the baptism: we are baptized in name of father son and holy spirit, but you get the spirit directed organization.

  How many JW's are not really baptized as christians?!
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  Cicatrix

  Good points-Un!

  I was just reflecting seriously on both of these issues this week. I was reading the Bible,and was surprised to read that Jesus was considered to be above the angels in power. The scriptures I was reading seemed to indicate that Jesus was NOT an angel at any point (the version I was reading said "God never said to any angel,"You are my Son, and today I have given you the honor that goes with the name."-Hebrews 1:5&6, The Living Bible. I checked other versions, and they seemed to be in agreement with this). Interesting. I don't ever remember discussing these verses at the meetings:)

  The baptism issue is what turned off most of my family members to the organisation. There was always some "reason" that my family members didn't qualify for baptism, even though their actions qualified them in every way. They came to believe it was simply that the presiding overseer didn't like something about them personally, so withheld their right to be full-fledged members of the congregation.There was never any concrete reason given by the elders for not baptising them, so I am inclined to believe them.

  When I read the passages on baptism, I couldn't see the need for all of the rules and regs either, just in the belief that Jesus was the way to salvation.

  When I was on my way out, I read an article about marrying outside of the "truth" in the WT. It stated that doing so would cause pain to the believer at Armageddon when Jehovah destroyed their unbelieving mate. I think it said unbaptised mate, but I won't state that for sure,as I got mad and tossed that WT and all the others,lol. I found that to be such a preposterous statement, knowing the situation of some of my own family members. How dare an organisation of men blandly state that all unbaptised people would be destroyed, when they were taking it upon THEMSELVES to deem who was worthy of baptism and who wasn't!!
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  KAYTEE

  What about the "evil-doer" on the stake next to Jesus. He wasn't baptised, as far as we know, but it was his faith in Jesus, and not baptism, that saved him.

  KT
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  unbaptized

  I kinda understand what u are saying cicatrix. But what I have come to realize is that the organization is filled with imperfect people. U should not let such thing's keep u from attaining the free gift of salvation. If u would take note of the fact that Jesus was born in Israel amongst very religious people who not only worshipped the true God, But also had his commandments and religious set up. Jesus had debated with the so called priest and scribes of Israel regarding his status during his whole ministry. Jesus even stated that Jerusalem was the killer of all the prophets even tho they were God's chosen people. Also take note of the fact that the first century christians had received some bad complaints from Jesus in the warnings to the seven congregations in the first century. Paul had to wirte many letters and speak to many in the congregation in regards to there spirituality and well being. If Israel and the first century christians acted this way, then we should expect this type of behavior in the last days of the wicked system. I feel that a lot of going's on in the JW could possibly be shady, But I feel that if I have a personal relationship with Jehovah and strive my hardest to do his will according to the way Jesus did thing's then I can wait until he comes and clean house inside and out. The bible states that if one evil man turns from his way toward a righteous path all the heavenly angels rejoice over that one repentant sinner than for a hundred dedicated righteous ones.
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  heathen

  Cicatrix- That's the way I see it . I mean they already declared the society as a mediator which is wrong but now they want to play messiah .

  KAYTEE- I think Jesus had the authority to forgive sins and prior to his death and resurection the baptism of John was just a symbol of repentance by the nation of Isreal and did not have the bennefits of being baptized in the name of Jesus so that all those baptized by John had to be redunked after Jesus was resurected so they could recieve the holy spirit. The criminal on the stake recieved a pardon personlly from Jesus .
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  UnDisfellowshipped

  Hello and Welcome to the Board UnBaptized!

  I'm also Un-Baptized (never was Baptized as a JW).

  You said:
  

  what I have come to realize is that the organization is filled with imperfect people.

  Everyone on Earth is imperfect. There is a difference between imperfect and evil.

  The Watchtower Organization is filled with imperfect Leaders who require you to obey whatever they command, or else be shunned by your family and friends.

  You said:
  

  U should not let such thing's keep u from attaining the free gift of salvation.

  I wholeheartedly agree with you on that statement.

  Notice what you stated, which is absolutely true -- Salvation is a Free Gift. The JW's teach that you must put in enough hours out in service to earn your Free Gift. How is Salvation "Free" if you have to earn it?

  You said:
  

  If u would take note of the fact that Jesus was born in Israel amongst very religious people who not only worshipped the true God, But also had his commandments and religious set up. Jesus had debated with the so called priest and scribes of Israel regarding his status during his whole ministry. Jesus even stated that Jerusalem was the killer of all the prophets even tho they were God's chosen people. Also take note of the fact that the first century christians had received some bad complaints from Jesus in the warnings to the seven congregations in the first century. Paul had to wirte many letters and speak to many in the congregation in regards to there spirituality and well being. If Israel and the first century christians acted this way, then we should expect this type of behavior in the last days of the wicked system.

  What happens to un-repentant evil-doers such as those you mentioned?

  You said:
  

  I feel that a lot of going's on in the JW could possibly be shady, But I feel that if I have a personal relationship with Jehovah and strive my hardest to do his will according to the way Jesus did thing's then I can wait until he comes and clean house inside and out.

  Couldn't the Catholics say the same thing?

  Not according to the JW's. The JW's always point out this Scripture:

  Revelation 18:4: I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, "Get out of her, My people, that you have do not share in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues"

  I agree that having a personal relationship with Jehovah and Jesus is most important of all. Then why do the JW's say that Jehovah will destroy you if you do not have a close relationship and good standing with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" -- Can you show me where this is stated in the New Testament, please?

  You said:
  

  The bible states that if one evil man turns from his way toward a righteous path all the heavenly angels rejoice over that one repentant sinner than for a hundred dedicated righteous ones.

  I truly wish that the JW Leaders would act like those angels.

  Edited by - UnDisfellowshipped on 13 January 2003 3:7:3
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  onacruse

  unbaptized, welcome to the forum!

  I feel that a lot of going's on in the JW could possibly be shady,

  Listen to your heart. Feel the hairs going up on the back of your neck. Hear those little voices in the back of your mind.

  God, and good sense, give you these warning systems to protect you.

  Craig
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  LittleToe

  One of the first things I did, after Disassociating myself, was approach a local Minister to baptise me properly. The guy had never seen me before, and didn't require that I be a member of his congregation. I was asked a few questions, to discern if I was a Christian, but after that I got wet.

  The WTS baptism is a mockery of what it should be, as are so many things (e.g. the "Memorial"Tm).