by jaffacake 7 Replies latest jw friends
Someone got baptised last week, and their partner who was present (I was not) says she was baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not a spirit-led organisation. He says the 2 questions did not refer to the organisation.
Is he mistaken?
I slept through the fact these questions had changed in 1985...the baptism talk is so boooooooooooring!
km 4/97 p. 3 Directing Students to the Organization Behind Our Name ***One of the questions that he will be asked during the baptism ceremony is:
"Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah?s Witnesses in association with God?s spirit-directed organization?"
w89 1/15 p. 13 What Prevents You From Getting Baptized? ***the first of two questions the speaker asks them is: "On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?"
w85 6/1 p. 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication ***At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ?s example. The first question is:
On
the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah?s Witnesses in association with God?s spirit-directed organization?Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism.
Many thanks, that's what I thought. Does this mean my friend was either lying or mistaken?
Do you know whether there is any part of the ceremony which uses the Scriptural words, "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
It is not in the talk or said to the candidates before or after these questions are asked before they leave to be dunked. If the brothers dunking them say it, it is at their own initiative and is not part of the "official" WTS procedure. Not that elders don't amend what the WTS tells them, right?!
In my area in the MIdwest, these words are not recited before during or after the dunking. Other areas may be different....but it is not by direction of the WTS.
Blondie
Thanks again blondie,
I've been nagging my friend for weeks about the changed questions and he's been denying any change having asked an elder. I suspect he wants not to believe me. I think he's kidding himself!
The best way to find out is to go to a baptism at a circuit assembly or special day where you are not known. In our area the talk is usually between 1:30 and 12 in the morning on Saturda (or Sunday if special day is on Sunday) Then tape the questions being asked; the people being baptized stand up just before they are asked.
He either doesn't listen at the assemblies/conventions and/or the elder is not being straight with him...like that never happens!
Blondie
Was he at a catholic baptism?? Haha JWs definitely do NOT say anything like "father, son, holy spirit", that is very trinity-ish which they do not believe.
Someone got baptised last week, and their partner who was present (I was not) says she was baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not a spirit-led organisation.
I was a JW and got baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..... 3 months after I told the WTBTS off and became a Christian instead of a cult disciple. Baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is for Christians and not members of a cult so you'll never hear it at a JW 'coming out' baptism.
