Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO AFTER YOUR BAPTISM

Once you get baptized, what will you need to do?  Recall that dedication is a vow and that Jehovah expects you to keep it. So after your baptism, you have to live up to your dedication. How can do that?

Stay close to your congregation.  As a baptized Christian, you are now part of an "association of brothers and sisters. (1 Peter 2:17)  Your brothers and sisters in the congregation are your spiritual family. By regularly attending the meetings, you will strengthen your bond with them.  Read God's Word and meditate on it every day.  (Psalm 1:1,2)  After reading a portion of the Bible, take some time to think deeply about what you have read.  Then the words will reach your heart.  "Pray continually." (Matthew 26:41) Your sincere prayers will draw you closer to Jehovah.  "Keep on . . . seeking first the Kingdom." (Matthew 6:33) You can do that  by making the preaching work a priority in your life.  By sharing regularly in the ministry, you will keep your faith strong, and you may help others to get on the road to everlasting life. - 1 TIMOTHY 4:16.

The decision to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized is the most  important decision you will ever make.  It is true that there is expense involved. Is it worth the expense?  Absolutely! Any hardships you may face in this world are "momentary and light." (2 Corinthians 4:17) In contrast, your baptism will open the way to a more satisfying  life now and "the real life" to come. (1 Timothy 6:19) By all means, think carefully and pray about your answer to the question, "Am I ready to get baptized?" 

Next time: When Is the Right Time to Speak? 

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Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE BAPTISM

If you feel that you are ready to get baptized, you no doubt have already taken a number of steps to build a good relationship with Jehovah.  As a result of your regular Bible study, you have come to know much about Jehovah and Jesus. You have developed faith.  (Hebrews 11:6) You completely trust in Jehovah's promises found in the Bible, and you are convinced that your faith in Jesus' sacrifice can save you from  sin and death.  You have repented of  your sins; you feel deeply sorry for the wrongs you have committed and you have asked Jehovah for his forgiveness. You have turned your life around; you have firmly rejected your former bad way of life and have begun living in way that is pleasing to God.  (Acts 3:19) You are are eager to tell others about your faith. You qualified to become an unbaptized publisher and began preaching with the congregation.  (Matthew 24:14) Jehovah is proud of you for taking these necessary steps. You have brought great joy to his heart. - PROVERBS 27:11.

BEFORE BAPTISM 

* Come to know Jehovah and Jesus well

* Develop faith

* Repent of your sins and turn your life around

* Dedicate yourself to God

AFTER BAPTISM

* Read God's Word and meditate on it ever day

* Pray continually

* Keep seeking first the Kingdom in your life

 Before you can get baptized, there are a few other things you need to do. As we learned earlier, you must dedicate yourself to God. Approach him in private, heartfelt prayer, and promise him that you will use your life to do his will.  (1 Peter 4:2) Then let the coordinator of the body of elders know that you want to get baptized. He will ask some elders to meet with you. Please do not be anxious about meeting with them. These dear brothers no doubt already now you and love you.  They will review with you the basic Bible teachings that you have learned.  They want to make sure that you understand those teachings and that you are  aware of the importance of dedication and baptism.  If they agree that you are ready, they will inform you that you can get baptized at the next assembly or convention.

Next time: Are  You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO AFTER YOUR BAPTISM 

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Are You Ready to Get Baptized? Conclusion of WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

What did you think when you learned the following truths about the holy spirit?  It is, not a person, but God's active force.  Jehovah uses the holy spirit to inspire the writing of the Bible, and the spirit helps us to understand and apply what we read in it.  (John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:21) By means of his spirit, Jehovah gives us "power beyond what is normal." (2 Corinthians 4:7) The spirit empowers us to preach the good news, fight temptation, deal with discouragement, and overcome trials. It helps us to display the beautiful qualities that make up "the fruitage of the spirit."  (Galatians 5:22) God freely gives his spirit to those who trust in him and sincerely ask him for it. -LUKE 11:13. 

How reassuring and comforting it is to know that  Jehovah's worshippers can rely on the holy spirit to help them in serving God!  When you accept the truths you have learned about the holy spirit, you will feel moved to dedicate yourself to God and get baptized.

You are  an important step when you decide to dedicate yourself to God and get baptized. As we learned, you must be willing  to accept the expense involved-the challenges, and the sacrifices. But the blessings far out weigh the expense. Baptism can save you, and it leads to a good conscience. before God.  Your decision to get baptized must be based primarily on your love for Jehovah God. You must also believe with all your heart the truths you have learned about the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit.  After considering what we have discussed so far, how would you answer the question, "Am I ready to get baptized ?"

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT  YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE BAPTISM

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Are You Ready to Get Baptized - Continue with WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

What  privilege it is to understand what the Bible teaches about the Father! When you accept these precious truths, your heart moves you to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized. 

What was your reaction when you learned the following truths about the Son?  Jesus is the second most important person in the universe. He is our Ransomer. He willingly gave his life for us.  When we show by our actions that we have faith in the ransom, we can have our sins forgiven, develop a friendship with God, and gain everlasting life.  (John 3:16) Jesus is our High Priest.  He wants to help us to benefit from the ransom and to have a close relationship with God.  (Hebrews 4:15; 7:24, 25)  As King of God's Kingdom, he is the one through whom Jehovah will sanctify his name, end wickedness, and bring eternal blessings in the coming Paradise.  (Matthew 6:9, 10; Revelations 11:15)  Jesus is our model. (1 Peter 2:21) He set an example for us in developing his life to doing God's will. - JOHN 4:34.

When you accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus, you come to love God's dear Son.  That love moves you to use your life to do God's will, as Jesus did. As a result, you feel compelled   to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized. 

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - Conclusion of  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

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Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - Continue with WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

What should be the basis for your decision to get baptized?  As a result of your careful study of the Bible, you have learned much about Jehovah-his personality and his ways. What you have learned about him has warmed your heart and moved you to love him very much.  Your love for Jehovah must be the primary basis for your decision to get baptized
Your decision to get baptized is also based on the Bible truths you have accepted.  Consider what Jesus said when he gave the commission to make disciples. (Read Matthew 28:29, 20.)  According to Jesus, those who get baptized must do so "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit."  What did this mean? You must believe with all your heart the Bible truths about Jehovah; his Son, Jesus; and the holy spirit.  These truths are very powerful and can deeply touch your heart. (Hebrews 4:12)  Let is review some of them.

Think back to when you learned these truths about the Father:  His "name is Jehovah," he is the Most High over all the earth," and he alone is "the true God." (Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 37:16)  He is our Creator, and "salvation belongs to Jehovah." (Psalm 3:8; 35:9)  He has made provision to save us from sin and death and has given us the prospect of everlasting life.  (John 17:3) Your dedication and baptism will identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  (Isaiah 43:10-12) You will be part of a worldwide family of worshippers who are proud to be called by God's name and make it known  to others. - PSALM 86:12.

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized - Continue with WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

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Are You Read to Get Baptized? - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

What is dedication?  Before you can get baptized, you must make a dedication. When you make a dedication you approach Jehovah in earnest prayer and tell him that you will use your life to serve him forever.  When you dedicate yourself  to God, you "disown" yourself. (Read Matthew 16"24) You now belong to Jehovah, which is great privilege.  (Romans 14:8)  You are telling him that from now on, you will be focused on serving him and not on pleasing yourself.  Your dedication is a vow-a solemn promise made to God.  Jehovah  does not force us to make such a vow. But when we do, he expects us to fulfill it. - PSALM 116:12, 14.

How is dedication related to baptism?  Your dedication is personal and private; it is between you and Jehovah. Baptism is public; it takes place in front of others, usually at an assembly or a convention. When you get baptized, you show others that you have already dedicated yourself to Jehovah.  So your baptism lets others know that you love Jehovah your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength  and that you are determined to serve him forever. - MARK  12:30.

Is it really necessary to get baptized? Consider the words found at 1 Peter 3:18-22. Just as the ark was visible proof Noah's faith, your baptism is discernible evidence of your dedication to Jehovah. But is baptism really necessary?  Yes it is. Peter commented on the reason why.  First, it is "saving you."  Baptism can save us if we have take the necessary steps to show that we have faith in Jesus and believe  that he died for us, and was raised to heaven,and is now "at God's right hand." 

Second, baptism leads to "a good conscience." When we dedicate ourselves to God and get baptized, we enter into a special relationship with him. Because of our sincere repentance and our faith in the ransom, God forgives our sins.  We can thus have  a good conscience before him.

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT T YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

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Are You Ready to Get Baptized?

"Baptism . . .is also now saving you." - 1 PETER 3:21.

IMAGINE that a person decides to build a house.  He knows what kind of house he wants to build. Should he immediately go out and buy some supplies and start building? No.  Before he begins, there is something important that he ought to do--calculate how much the house will cost.  Why?  Because he needs to know whether he has enough to finish the house. If he carefully calculates the cost in advance, he is more likely to be successful in completing his new house. 

Has your love and appreciation for Jehovah moved you to think about getting baptized?  If so,  you are facing a decision similar to that one of the man who wants to build a house. Why can we say that?  Consider Jesus' words found at Luke 14:27-30. Jesus was discussing what it means to be his disciple.  To be his follower, we must be willing to accept the expense" involved-the challenges and the sacrifices.  (Luke 9:233-36; 12:51-53) So before you get baptized, you need to think carefully about all that is involved.  Then you will be better prepared to keep serving God faithfully as a baptized Christian.

Is becoming a baptized disciple pf Christ worth the experience! Of course it is!  Baptism opens the door to countless blessings-now and in the future.  Let us discuss some important questions about baptism.  Doing so will help you to answer the question,  'Am I ready to get baptized?"

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM

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Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism -Conclusion of THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE

Learn to love and support Jehovah's organization. Jehovah has organized is people into congregations; his Son, Jesus is the head of them all. (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23) Jesus has appointed a  small group of anointed men to take the lead in organizing the work that he wants done today. Jesus referred to this group of en as "the faithful and discreet slave," and they take seriously their responsibility to feed and  protect you spiritually.  (Matthew 24:45-47)  One of the ways  the faithful slave helps to care for yo is by ensuring that qualified elders are appointed to shepherd you.  (Isaiah 32:1, 2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2, 3)  The elders are willing to pour themselves out for you, to comfort you, and to help you grow ever closer to Jehovah. But one of the most important things they can do for you is to help you teach others about Jehovah. - EPHESIANS 4:11-13. 

Help others learn to love Jehovah. Jesus told his followers to teach others about Jehovah.  (Matthew 28:19, 20)  It is possible to obey that command out of a sense of duty.  But as your love for Jehovah grows, you will feel the same as did the apostles Peter and John, who said:  "We cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20)  Few things bring as much happiness as helping someone come to love Jehovah.  Imagine how  much joy the evangelizer Philip felt when he helped the Philippians learn about the truth contained in the Scriptures and get baptized!  When you imitate Philip and obey Jesus' command to preach, you prove that you want to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  (Read Romans 10:10, 13, 14)   At that point, you will likely ask the same question as the Ethiopian did:  "What prevents me from getting baptized?" - ACTS 8:36. 

You will take the most important step of  your life when you decide to get baptized.  Because it is such a serious step. You need to consider carefully what is involved.  What do you need to know about baptism? What you do you need to do before and after baptism? Those questions will be answered in the next article. 

Next time: Are You Ready to Get Baptized?

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Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism - Continue with THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE

Learn to love Jehovah's family.  Your unbelieving family and former friends may not understand why you want to dedicate yourself to Jehovah.   They may even oppose you.  Jehovah will help you by providing a spiritual family. If you stay close to that spiritual family, you will find the love and support you need. (Mark 10:29, 30; Hebrews 10:24, 25)  In time, your family members may join you in serving Jehovah and living by his standards. - 1 PETER 2:12.

Learn to appreciate and apply Jehovah's standards. Before coming to know Jehovah, you may have set your own standards, but now you see that Jehovah's standards are better. (Psalm 1:1-3; read 1 John 5:3) Think about the Bible's counsel for husbands, wives, parents, and children. (Ephesians  5:22-6:4) As you apply that counsel, have you seen your family life improve? As you obey Jehovah's directions about choosing your friends wisely, have your personal habits improved?  Are you a happier person?  (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33) Likely the answer to those questions is yes.

At times, you may find it difficult to know how to apply the Bible principles you are learning. That is why Jehovah uses his organization to provide you with Bible-based material that can help you to discern right fro wrong. ( Hebrews 5:13, 14) When you read and study this material, you will see  how practical and specific it is, and you will likely be drawn to Jehovah's organization. 

Next time: Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism - Conclusion of THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE

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Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism -THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE

One of the unique features of the Bible is that it contains eyewitness accounts about Jesus. It is the only accurate record that explains what Jesus has done for you. As you learn what Jesus said and did, you will likely be moved to form a friendship with him.

Learn to love Jesus, and your love for Jehovah will grow.  Why? Because Jesus reflects his Father's qualities perfectly.  (John 14:9) So the more  you learn about Jesus, the better you will understand and appreciate Jehovah.  Think of the compassion Jesus showed for those who were looked down on by others-the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable.  Think, too, of the practical advice he gives you and how your life improves when you listen to him. - MATTHEW 5:1-11; 7:24-27.


Your affection for Jesus is likely to become stronger as you think deeply about the sacrifice he made so that our sins can be forgiven.  (Matthew 20:28)  When you understand that Jesus was willing to die for you, you may feel moved to repent and seek Jehovah's forgiveness. (Acts 3:19, 20; 1 John 1:9) And as you come to love Jesus and Jehovah, you will naturally be drawn to others who feel the same way. 

Next time: Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism - THE MOST IMPORTANT LOVE

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