WHY BE BAPTIZED? - Wholehearted Dedication Vital

Wholehearted Dedication Vital

The baptism of Jesus' followers must also be preceded by a wholehearted dedication to God.  Dedication signifies a setting apart for a sacred purpose.  This step is so important that we should express to Jehovah in prayer our decision to give him exclusive devotion forever.  (Deuteronomy 5:9)  Of course, our dedication is not to a work or to a human but to God himself.

When we dedicate ourselves to God through Christ, we express a determination to use our life in doing the divine will as set forth in the Scriptures.  In symbol of that dedication, baptismal candidates undergo water immersion, even as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River to symbolize the presentation of himself to God.  (Matthew 3:13) It is noteworthy that Jesus was pray8ing on that very important occasion. -Luke 3:21, 22.

Jesus' baptism was a serious but joyful event.  So is present-day Christian baptism.  When we see people symbolize their dedication to God, our joy may be expressed by respectful applause and warm commendation.  But cheering, whistling, and the like are avoided out of regard for the sacredness of the expression of faith.  our joy is express in  a dignified manner.

Unlike those who sprinkle or force Scripturally uniformed masses to be baptized, Jehovah's Witnesses never coerce anyone into baptism.  In fact,  they do not baptize  those who do not qualify spiritually. Before anyone  can become even an unbaptized  preacher of the good news, Christian elders make sure that he understands basic Bible teachings, lives in harmony with them, and gives and affirmative response to a question of this kind, "Do you really want to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?" 

With few exceptions, when individuals are having a meaningful share in the Kingdom-preaching work and express a desired to be baptized,m Christian elders hole discussion with them to make sure that they are believers who have made a dedication to Jehovah and who meet divine requirements for baptism.  (Acts 4:4; 18:8) Personal responses to over 100 questions on Bible teachings help the elders to determine whether those responding meet Scriptural requirements for immersion.  Some do not qualify and therefore are not accepted for Christian baptism.

Next time: WHY BE BAPTIZED? - Is Something Holding You Back?

The Watchtower, 2002