How to Follow Christ

Why should you share the good news?

Jesus taught his followers  to share the good news.  He told the apostles: "As you go preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near." (Matthew 10:7)  Jesus' followers have a  message of great value. Jesus prayed:  "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God." - JOHN 1 7:3.

Jesus foretold a work in which millions of his followers would share. He said:  "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations." (Matthew 24:14) If you have learned about God's Kingdom and believe what the Bible says, you will doubtless enjoy sharing what you know.  Many followers of Jesus start by speaking about God's Kingdom to their relatives. - JOHN 1:40, 41. 

Why should you be baptized? 

When Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan, he evidently said prayer:  'I am come to do your will, O God.' ( Hebrews 10:7) If you want to do God's will,  you too should be baptized.  Jesus commanded:  "Make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing the. - MATTHEW 28:19.

What responsibilities  and benefits come with being baptized? Baptized followers of Jesus serve God with their whole soul.  Jesus quoted God's Law, which says:  "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul." (Matthew 22:37)  He also said:  "If anyone wants  to come after me, let  him disown himself." (Matthew 1624) Baptism symbolizes a person's decision to own himself or herself and to be owned instead by God. Those in this special relationship can ask God to give them a clean conscience. - 1 PETER 3:21.

Next time: Raising Responsible Children

From the jw.org publications