Baptism and Your Relationship With God

"LOOK! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?" That question was asked by an Ethiopian court official in the first century.  A Christian named Philip had proved to him that Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Touched to the heart by what he had learned from the Scriptures, the Ethiopian man took action.  He showed that he wanted to be baptized! -Acts 8:28-36.

If you studied the earlier chapters of this book with one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you may feel ready to ask, 'What prevents me from getting baptized?' By now you have learned about the Bible's promise of everlasting life in Paradise.  (Luke 23:43; Revelation 21:3, 4)  You have also learned about the true condition of the dead and the resurrection hope.  (Ecclesiastes  9:5; John 5:28, 29)  You have probably been associating with Jehovah's Witnesses at their congregation meetings and have seen for yourself how they practice the true religion. (John 13:35)  Most important, you have likely begun to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah God. 

How can you show that you wanted to serve God?  Jesus told his followers: "Go . . .and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them." (Matthew 28:19) Jesus himself set the example by being baptized in water. He was not sprinkled with water, and he did not just have some water poured over his head.  (Matthew 3:16) The word "baptize" comes from a Greek term meaning "dip."  Christian baptism therefore means being fully dipped, or immersed in water. 

Water baptism is  a requirement for all who want to have a relationship with Jehovah God. Baptism publicly indicates your desire to serve God.  It shows that you are delighted to do Jehovah's will.  (Psalm 40:7, 8) To qualify for baptism, however, you  must take definite steps. 

Next time: KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH NEEDED 

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006