WHY BE BAPTIZED? -Importance nof Repentance and Conversion

Importance of Repentance and Conversion

Except in the case of the sinless man Jesus, baptism is a God-approved symbol associated with repentance.  When we repent, we feel deep regret, or contrition, over something  we have done or have failed to do>  First-century Jews who wanted to please God had to repent of their sins against Christ.  (Acts 3:11-19) Certain Gentile believers in Corinth repented of fornication, idolatry, stealing, and other grave sins.  Because of their repentance, they were "washed clean"  in Jesus' blood; were "sanctified," or set apart, for God's service,and were "declared righteous"   in  God's name and with God's spirit.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Repentance is a vital step toward gaining a good conscience and God-given relief from guilt over sin. -1 Peter 3:21.

Conversion must take place prior to our baptism as Witnesses of Jehovah.  Conversion is a voluntary act performed freely by one who has made a wholehearted decision to follow Christ Jesus.  Such individuals reject their former wrong course and determine to do what is right in God's sight.  In the Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek verbs pertaining to conversion have the sense of turning back, turning around.  This action denotes a turning to God from a wrong way.  (1 Kings 8:33, 34)  Conversion calls fro "works that befit  repentance.  (Acts 26:20) It requires that we abandon false worship, act in harmony with God's commandments, and render exclusive devotion to Jehovah.  (Deuteronomy 30:2, 8-10; 1 Samuel 7:3)  Conversion results in changes in our thinking, objectives, and disposition.  (Ezekiel 18:31) We "turn around" as ungodly traits are replaced by the new personality. -Acts 3:10; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:5-14.

Next time: Wholehearted Dedication Vital

The Watchtower, 2002

WHY BE BAPTIZED? - Accurate Knowledge Essential

Accurate Knowledge Essential

Christian baptism is not for everyone.  Jesus ordered his followers:  "Go . . .and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you."  (Matthew 28:19, 20)  Before being baptized, people must be 'taught to observe all the things Jesus commanded his disciples.'    Hence, forced baptisms of those lacking faith based on accurate knowledge of God's Word are valueless and contrary to the commission Jesus gave his true followers. -Hebrews 11:6.

What does it mean to be baptized  "in the name of the Father"?  It means that the baptismal candidate recognizes our heavenly Father's office and authority.  Jehovah God is thus acknowledged as our Creator, "the Most High over all the earth," and the Universal Sovereign. -Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 4:24.

To be baptized 'in the name of the Son' means to recognize Jesus' office and authority as God's only-begotten Son.  (1 John 4:9)  Those qualified for baptism accept Jesus as the one through whom God has provided "a ransom in exchange for many."  (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6)  Baptismal candidates must also acknowledge the "superior position" to which God has exalted his Son. - Philippians 2:8-11; Revelation  19:16.

What is the significance of baptism 'in the name of the holy spirit?  This indicates that the baptismal candidates recognize that the holy spirit is Jehovah's active force, used in various ways in harmony with his purpose.  (Genesis 1:2; 2 Samuel 23:1, 2; 2 Peter 1:21)  Those qualifying for baptism  acknowledge that the holy spirit helps them to understand "the deep things of God," to carry on the Kingdom-preaching work, and to display the spirit's fruitage of "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." -1 Corinthians 2:10; Galatians 5:22, 23; Joel 2:28, 29.

Next time: WHY BE BAPTIZED? - Importance of Repentance and Conversion

The Watchtower, 2002

WHY BE BAPTIZED? - A New Reason for Baptism

A New Reason for Baptism

The baptisms performed by John differed in purpose from immersions carried out by Jesus' followers.  (John 4:1, 2)  John baptized people as a public symbol of their repentance over sins against the Law.  (Luke 3:3)  But something new was involved in the baptism of Jesus' followers.  At Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter urged his listeners: "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins."  (Acts 2:37-41)  Though he was addressing Jews and proselytes, Peter was not talking about baptism to symbolize repentance over sins against the Law; nor did he mean that baptism in Jesus' name pictures the washing away of sins. -Acts 2:10.

On that occasion, Peter used the first of "the keys of the kingdom."  For what purpose?  In order to unlock for his listeners knowledge about the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 16:19) Since the Jews had rejected Jesus as the Messiah, repenting and exercising faith in him was a new and vital factor in seeking and receiving God's forgiveness.  They could give public evidence of such faith being immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ.  In that way they would symbolize their personal dedication to God through Christ.  All who desire  divine approval today must exercise similar faith, dedicate themselves to Jehovah God, and undergo Christian baptism in symbol of an unreserved dedication to the Most High God. 

Next time: WHY BE BAPTIZED? - Accurate Knowledge Essential

The Watchtower, 2002

WHY BE BAPTIZED?

"Go . . .and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them." -MATTHEW 28:19.


THE Frankish King Charlemagne compelled the conquered Saxons to get baptized en masse in 775-77 C.E. "He forced their conversion to a nominal Christianity," wrote historian John Lord.  Similarly, after marrying a Greek Orthodox princess in 987 C.E., the Russian ruler Vladimir I decided that his subjects must become "Christians."  He decreed mass baptisms of his people-at sword point if necessary!

Baptism - How?

When Charlemagne and Vladimir I forced people to undergo baptism, those rulers were acting out of harmony with God's Word.   In fact, no good is done when baptisms involve sprinkling, the pouring of water on the head, or even immersion of individuals who have not been taught Scriptural truth.

Consider what took place when Jesus of Nazareth went to John the Baptizer in 29 C.E. John was baptizing people in the Jordan River.  They had voluntarily come to him for baptism.  Did he merely have them stand in the Jordan while he poured a little river water on their heads or sprinkled them with it?

What happened when John baptized Jesus?  Matthew reports that long after being baptized "Jesus immediately came up from the water." (Matthew 3:16)  He had been down in the water, having been immersed in the Jordan River.  Likewise, the devour Ethiopian eunuch was baptized in "a body of water." Such bodies of water were needed because the baptisms of Jesus and his disciples involved total immersion. -Acts 8:36.

Greek words translated "baptized," "baptism," and so forth, refer to immersing, dipping, or plunging under water.   Smith's Bible Dictionary says:  "Baptism properly and literally means immersion."  Certain Bible translations thus refer to "John the  "immerser"  and "John the dipper."  (Matthew 3:1; Rotherham; Diaglott interlinear ) Augustus Neander's History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries observes:  "Baptism was originally administered by immersion."  The noted French work Larousse du XX Siecle (Paris 1928) comments:  "The first Christians received baptism by immersion everywhere where water was found."  And the New Catholic Encyclopedia states:  "It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion."  (1967, Volume II, page 56) So today, baptisms as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is a voluntary step involving water immersion.

Next time:WHY BE BAPTIZED? - A New Reason for Baptism

The Watchtower, 2002

Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Millions Are Now Reasoning on the Scriptures

Millions Are Now Reasoning on the Scriptures

Jesus foretold a global campaign of spiritual education that would announce God's incoming Kingdom.  He said:  "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end [of the present world, or system will come." -Matthew 24:14.

Around the world some six million of Jehovah's Witnesses are sharing that good news with their neighbors.  They invite you to learn more about God and his Kingdom by "carefully examining the Scriptures," using your power of reason.  Doing so will fortify your faith and make your eyes glow with the hope of life on a paradise earth, which will be 'filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." -Isaiah 11:6-9.

Next time: WHY BE BAPTIZED?

The Watchtower, 2002

Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - "Let Your Kingdom Come"

"Let Your Kingdom Come"

After praying for God's name to be sanctified, Jesus said:  "Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matthew 6:10) Concerning that passage, we may ask:  "What is God's Kingdom? And what does its coming have to do with God's will being done on earth?

In the Bible, the word "kingdom" basically means a "rulership by a king."  Logically, then, God's Kingdom would refer to a rulership, or government, by God, with a king of his choosing.  This King is none other than the resurrected Jesus Christ-the  "King of Kings and Lord of lords."  (Revelation 19:16; Daniel 7:13, 14) Concerning God's Messianic Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, the prophet Daniel wrote:  "In the days of those kings [human governments now ruling] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin.  And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people.  It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite,"  that is, forever. -Daniel 2:44.

Yes, God's Kingdom will take complete control of the earth, ridding it of all the wicked and ruling "to times indefinite," that is, forever.  In this way, God's Kingdom is the means by which Jehovah sanctifies his name, clearing it of all the lying reproach of Satan and wicked humans. -Ezekiel 36:23. 

Like all governments, God's Kingdom has subjects.  Who are these?  The Bible answers:  "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."  (Psalm 37:11) Similarly, Jesus said:  "Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth."   Of course, these ones have accurate knowledge of God, which is a requirement for life. -Matthew 5:5; John 17:3.

Can you imagine the whole earth filled with meek, mild-tempered people who truly love God and love one another?  (1 John 4:7, 8)  That is what Jesus prayed for when he said:  "Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  Do you appreciate why Jesus taught his followers to pray that way?  More important, do you see how that prayer's fulfillment may affect you personally?

Next time: Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Millions are Now Reasoning on the Scriptures

The Watchtower, 2002

Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Understanding the Lord's Prayer

Understanding the Lord's Prayer

To See the difference between having an accurate knowledge of the Bible and having a passing acquaintance with what it says, let us consider what is commonly called the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer, recorded at Matthew 6:9-13.

Millions regularly recite Jesus' model prayer in church.  But how many have been taught its meaning, especially the first part of the prayer dealing with God's name and Kingdom?  These subjects are so important that Jesus placed them firs in the prayer.

It begins: "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified," meaning hallowed, or made holy.  Note that Jesus said to pray for God's name to be sanctified.  To many people, that raises at least two questions.  First, what is God's name?  And second, why does it need to be sanctified?

The answer to the first question can be found in over 7,000 places in the Bible in original languages.  One is at Psalm 83:18: "That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."  Concerning the divine name, Jehovah, Exodus 3;15 says:  "This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation." But why does the name of God, which is the very epitome of purity and holiness, need to be sanctified?  Because it has been reproached and maligned from the very beginning of human history. 

In Eden, God told Adam and Eve that they would die if they ate the forbidden fruit.  *(Genesis 2:L17) Satan brazenly contradicted God, saying to Eve:  "You positively will not die."  Hence, Satan accused God of lying.  Yet, he did not rest there.  He heaped still more reproach on God's name,telling Eve that God was unjustly withholding valuable knowledge from her.  "For God knows that in the very day of your eating from [the tree of the knowledge of good and bad] your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad."  What slander! - Genesis 3:4, 5.

By partaking of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve took their stand with Satan.  Most humans since then, knowingly or  not, have added to that reproach by rejecting God's righteous standards.  (1 John 5:19) People still malign God by blaming him for their suffering-even though it may be due to their own bad ways.  "A man's own folly wrecks his life, and then he bears a grudge against the Lord," says Proverbs 19:3.  (The New English Bible) Can you see why Jesus, who truly loved his Father,prayed that His name be sanctified?

Next time: Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND -  "Let Your Kingdom Come"

The Watchtower, 2002

Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Mind and Heart Cooperate

Mind and Heart Cooperate

As mentioned earlier, true worship involves both the mind and the heart.  (Mark 12:30) Think back to the illustration in the preceding article of the hired painter who used the wrong colors when painting a house.  If he had listened carefully to his employer's instructions, he could have put his heart and soul into his work and had confidence that his work would have the  owner's approval, the same applies to our worship.

"The true worshipers,"  Jesus said, "will worship the Father with spirit and truth." (John 4:23)  Hence, the apostle Paul wrote: " That is also why we . . .have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him."  (Colossians 1:9, 10)  Such  "accurate knowledge" enables sincere individuals to put their heart and soul into their worship with full confidence because they "worship what [they] know." -John 4:22.

For these reasons, Jehovah's Witnesses do not baptize infants or newly interested people who have not carefully studied the Scriptures.   Jesus commissioned his followers:  "Make disciples of people of all the nations, . . .teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you."  (Matthew 238:19, 20) Only after having  gained an accurate knowledge of God's will can sincere Bible students make an informed decision about the matter of worship.  Are you striving to gain such an accurate knowledge?

Next time: Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Understanding the Lord's Prayer

The Watchtower, 2002

Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND

True Christianity encourages the use of both  the heart and the mind in building faith that pleases God.


IN FACT, Christianity's founder, Jesus Christ, taught that we must love God with our "whole mind," or intellect, in addition to our "whole heart" and "whole soul."  (Matthew 22:37)  Yes, out mental faculties must play a key role in our worship.

When inviting his listeners to reflect on his teaching, Jesus often said:  "What do you think?"  (Matthew 17:25; 18:12; 21:28; 22:42)  In like manner, the apostle Peter wrote to fellow believers in order to 'arouse their clear thinking faculties.'  (2 Peter 3:1) The most widely traveled early missionary, the apostle Paul, exhorted Christians to use their "power of reason" and to "prove to [themselves] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  (Romans 12:1, 2)  Only by such a thorough, careful approach to their beliefs can Christians build faith that is pleasing to God and is equal to the tests that arise in life. -Hebrews 11:1, 6.

To help others build such faith, early Christian evangelizers "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving by references"  the things taught.  (Acts 17:1-3) Such a reasonable approach elicited a fine response from honest hearted ones.  For example, a number of people in the Macedonian city of Beroea "received the word [of God] with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things [explained by Paul and his companions] were so."  (Acts 17:11) Two things are worth noting here.  First, the Beroeans were eager to listen to God's Word; second, they did not blindly assume that what they heard was correct, but they referred back to the Scriptures.  The Christian missionary Luke humbly commended the Beroeans for this, calling them "noble-minded."  Do you reflect such a noble mind in your approach to spiritual matters?

Next time: Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND - Mind and Heart Cooperate

The Watchtower, 2002

Should FAITH Be BASED ON REASON?

"There are too many 'religious'  people who become religious precisely to avoid having to think," writes the dean of a theological seminary in the United States.  "They simply want to accept everything on faith,' he adds.


 
THE implication is that most people who profess religious faith give little thought as to why they believe what they do or to whether there is a reasonable basis for their faith. It is no wonder that religion has become a topic that many are reluctant to talk about. 


 Regrettably, such practices as using religious images and repeating prayers by rote also discourage reasoning.  These practices, along with impressive architectures, elaborate stained-glass windows, and captivating music, more or less define the extent of the religious experience of millions.   Though some churches claim that their faith is based on the Bible, their message of  'believe in Jesus and you will be saved' makes light of serious Bible study.  Others turn to preaching  a social or political gospel.  What is the result of all of this?

Concerning the situation in North America, one religion writer said:  "Christianity . . .tends to be superficial, [and] its adherents are poorly educated in the faith."  A pollster even went so far as to describe the United States as a "nation of biblical illiterates."  To be fair, these observation would also be true of other countries where so-called Christianity prevails.  Many non-Christian religions likewise discourage reasoning and instead emphasize chants, ritualistic prayers, and various forms of meditations that involve mysticism, rather than logical, constructive thinking.

Yet, in their everyday life,m the same people who give little thought to the accuracy or truthfulness of their religious beliefs often think other matters through very carefully.   Does it not strike you as odd that the person who does extensive research just to buy a car-which one day will end up on the scrap heap-would say regarding his religion, ' if it was good enough for my parents, it's good enough for me?

If we are truly interested in pleasing God, should we not consider seriously the accuracy of what we believe about him?  The apostle Paul spoke of certain religious people of his day who had  "a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge."  (Romans 10:2) Such ones could be compared to a hired painter who works hard to paint a house but uses the wrong colors because he fails to listen to the owner's instructions.  The painter may be pleased with his work, but would it be acceptable to the owner?

What is acceptable to God, regarding true worship?  The Bible answers: "This is fine and acceptable int eh sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to the accurate knowledge of truth."  (1 Timothy 2:3, 4)  (Note: Well, unfortunately, few want to really know the real truth, they want to go with what the false prophets have been telling them all these decades)  Some may feel that it is impossible to find such knowledge among the many religions of today.  But think-if it is God's will that people should come to an accurate knowledge of truth, would he unfairly conceal it from them? Not according to the Bible, which says: "If you search for [God], he will let himself be found by you." -1 Chronicles 28:9.

How does God make himself known to those who sincerely search for him?  The next article will provide the answer.

Next time: Search for God With Your HEART AND MIND

The Watchtower, 2002