100 Baptism Questions

by badboy 39 Replies latest jw friends

Farkel

Here's the list I compiled some time ago from the original Organized book.
Don't forget that the Bible mentions hundreds of people at-a-time were baptized the same day after listening to a single speech. In view of those Bible-based examples, one has to wonder why the Watchtower Corporation has to grill people with the questions that follow.
1. Who is the true God?
2. What kind of God is Jehovah?
3. What does it mean to know God?
4. What does the Bible mean when it says that Jehovah requires our exclusive devotion?
5. How will Jehovah God sanctify his name? How can we have a share in it?
6. Who is Jesus Christ, and what is his position in relation to Jehovah God?
7. Why did Jesus die a sacrificial death?
8. How is the ransom an expression of God’s love for mankind?
9. How does the ransom affect us as individuals?
10. What is the holy spirit?
11. How can we benefit from the operation of that spirit today?
12. Whose ideas are recorded in the Bible? Does that mean that God personally spoke or wrote it all? Is all of it true?
13. Why should we pray, to whom, and how often?
14. About what is it proper to pray?
15. What is the kingdom of God?
16. What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom”?
17. When Christ returns, is it visibly as a man, or how?
18. How can people know when his second presence occurs?
19. What is God’s purpose for the earth?
20. How will this purpose be realized?
21. What conditions will prevail on earth in God’s new system of things?
22. Who is the Devil? What is his origin?
23. Against what spiritistic practices employed by the Devil and his demons does the Bible warn us?
24. How can we protect ourselves against the influence of these wicked spirits?
25. Why has God permitted wickedness to continue until now?
26. By what means will God destroy the wicked?
27. What is the human soul? Can it die?
28. What is sin, and how did we all become sinners?
29. What should be our attitude toward committing sins?
30. Do only those who have committed a gross sins or flagrant violations of God’s Word need to repent?
31. What is death?
32. Why do people die?
33. What future hope for life is there for one who dies?
34. How many from among mankind will be in heaven with Christ?
35. What will they do there?
36. Are Christians under the law covenant with its requirements of Sabbath keeping and sacrifice?
37. What Christian quality should outstandingly characterize our relationship with our spiritual brothers and with the members of our own families?
38. In God’s arrangement, who is head of a married woman?
39. How should a husband exercise his headship?
40. Is the wife whose husband is not a believer freed from his headship?
41. Who is responsible before God for the training and disciplining of children?
42. May a Christian have more than one living marriage mate?
43. What is the only Scriptural basis for divorce that frees one to remarry?
44. Must persons living together as husband and wife have their marriage legally registered with the government?
45. Why must lying be avoided?
46. What is the Christian view of stealing?
47. What is the Christian view of drunkenness?
48. What is God’s law concerning blood?
49. What does the Bible say about fornication, adultery, sexual relations with another person of the same sex and other loose conduct? May a person who is engaging in such practices be baptized?
50. Why is moral cleanness of all persons among Jehovah’s people important to every one of us?
51. When difficulties arise between individuals because of serious wrongs, what is the Christian way to handle the situation?
52. What action does the congregation take when a person in its midst proves to be a persistent and unrepentant violator of God’s commandments?
53. If a person in weakness commits a serious sin, but he wants to help to be restored to Jehovah’s favor, what action should he take?
54. What is the proper viewpoint to have when one is Scripturally reproved?
55. What is the fruitage of the spirit, and is it reasonable to expect a Christian to manifest this fruitage in his life?
56. How should Christians view the shortcomings of fellow believers?
57. What does the Bible say about sharing with other religius groups in worship or any of the other activities in which they engage?
58. What is the only religious celebration that Christians are commanded to observe?
59. What Bible principles should guide us in determining whether other celebrations that are popular in the community are acceptable for Christians?
60. Whom does the Bible identify as the “ruler of the world” and “the god of this system of things”?
61. What is the position of Christians as to this world alienated from God?
62. What was Jesus’ attitude toward all participation in the political affairs of the world?
63. How do Bible commands concerning idolatry affect a Christian in this modern world?
64. In the light of the following texts, what is the position of a true Christians in this world?
65. Is it necessary for a Christian to be subject to worldly rulers and to show them respect?
66. Must a Christian pay all the taxes demanded by the law?
67. Is there any circumstance under which a Christian would not obey the law?
68. Why are true Christians persecuted?
69. What are some factors to consider in determining whether certain types of employment are not proper for Christians?
70. What should always be our attitude toward the doing of Jehovah’s will?
71. Why are Christians called Jehovah’s witnesses?
72. Who or what is the “faithful and discreet slave?”
73. What is the governing body of the Christian congregation, and what purpose does it serve?
74. What attitude should Christians show toward those who serve as shepherds in the congregation?
75. Why is it beneficial to attending the meetings arranged by the congregation?
76. Why is personal study important in the life of a Christian?
77. What urgent work does the Bible set out for all Christians at this time?
78. In what various ways may this work be accomplished?
79. Is this work done in our own strength?
80. Why should one who has sincerely repented and turned around and chosen to be a disciple of Christ be baptized?
Farkel
Scully

Farkel:
Don't forget that the Bible mentions hundreds of people at-a-time were baptized the same day after listening to a single speech. In view of those Bible-based examples, one has to wonder why the Watchtower Corporation has to grill people with the questions
The questions are a formality in the CONTRACT the candidate is undertaking, that they are able to understand and verbalize their understanding the terms and conditions of the LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT they are entering with the WTS.
This is precisely how, in recent years, the WTS has avoided having to pay out any suits against them by DFd people who have tried to sue them for damages. The WTS lawyers get in there and say "Well, you KNEW what you were getting into when you were baptized, you answered ALL THESE QUESTIONS." Case closed!
However, it would be nice if the candidates were actually INFORMED that they are entering a contract with a multinational book-selling empire that masquerades as a religion, and not simply dedicating themselves to God.
Don'tcha just LOVE THEOCRATIC WAR STRATEGY??
Love, Scully
Amazing

The 1983 edition of the "Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry" book replaced the earlier book with only 80 questions. Previous to that was the Lamp book also with 80 questions:
1983 and since there are:
PART-I---Elementary Teachings---- 49 questions & 27 Optional
PART-II--Conduct / Requirements - 39 questions & 17 optional
PART-III-Organization------------ 15 questions & 12 optional
PART IV--Works and Service------- 23 questions & 13 optional
Conclusion-Verify belief---------- 4 questions & no optional
------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL--------------------------- 130 Main & 69 Optional
No Elder in his right mind ever totally covers every question thoroughly, so thgat is why the Society has the Elders break this review session up into 3 or 4 different Elders. Also, unless an Elder is a real Nazi then no Elder in any session covers the optional questions.
Following Bible principles, we will avoid trying to live - or demand others to live - by an extensive and rigid set of dos and don'ts that go beyond the teachings of the Bible. The Watchtower, 4-15-02, pg 22, pp 15
Will Power

So what happens, if after the "contract" the WT changes something (heaven forbid), do you get a new contract?
Farkel, thanks, this is great. Do they also print a list of acceptable answers? Is it "renewed" from time to time? Comparing the "acceptable" answers to what most JWs believe in their heart would be interesting. And could an JW baptized say 20 years ago answer these and get them right? hmmmmmmmm
Will Power

p.s. I've been asking YOU KNOW the number 1. question all day!
question #2. should be Who is the False God?
Amazing

Hi Willpower: You asked,
"Do they also print a list of acceptable answers?"
Yes, answers accompany the questions as well as quoted and cited scriptures in support of the answers. Again, there are 130 main questions in a 4 part series, and 69 optional questions.
"Is it "renewed" from time to time? Comparing the "acceptable" answers to what most JWs believe in their heart would be interesting."
No, once the questions are answered, and the person is baptized, no JW or Elder in their right mind reviews this junk for current applicability, except if some new question is added or changed during KM school for Elders.
"And could an JW baptized say 20 years ago answer these and get them right? hmmmmmmmm"
Most could do a fairly good job. After attending meetings for that long, and hearing the same stuff over and over, and taking tests after TMS, then it stands to reason they would have it down for the most part.
Following Bible principles, we will avoid trying to live - or demand others to live - by an extensive and rigid set of dos and don'ts that go beyond the teachings of the Bible. The Watchtower, 4-15-02, pg 22, pp 15
Xander

Yes, answers accompany the questions as well as quoted and cited scriptures in support of the answers. Again, there are 130 main questions in a 4 part series, and 69 optional questions.
Obviously, however, you (don't) get to see the answers when they are going over the questions.
I'm actually amazed, reading over that list, how many of the questions I no longer no the answer to according to JW teachings. It's only been, what, 7 years since I was baptized?
A fanatic is one who, upon losing sight of his goals, redoubles his efforts.
--George Santayana
Amazing

Skully: Since 1983 there have been 130 questions and 69 optional questions in four parts. See my above comment.
"The questions are a formality in the CONTRACT the candidate is undertaking, that they are able to understand and verbalize their understanding the terms and conditions of the LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT they are entering with the WTS.
There is no legally binding contract. There is fraudulant misrepresentation on the part of the Society in the form of withholding important disclosures that would affect the decision of the candidate to get baptized.
This is precisely how, in recent years, the WTS has avoided having to pay out any suits against them by DFd people who have tried to sue them for damages. The WTS lawyers get in there and say "Well, you KNEW what you were getting into when you were baptized, you answered ALL THESE QUESTIONS." Case closed!"
No, that has never been the case in court. The long standing of the separation doctrine between Church and State and the Freedom of religion under the Constitution has been the basis for losing lawsuits against the Watchtower Society over being DF'd. The suits thatr plaintiffs did win were because decades ago the JWs use to announce the actual sin, or later on as 'conduct unbecoming a Christian' which was cause of action for slander. Since the early 1980s, the Society solved this by simply stating that "So and So is DF'd." No other legal basis exist, nor is there any contract expressed or implied.
However, it would be nice if the candidates were actually INFORMED that they are entering a contract with a multinational book-selling empire that masquerades as a religion, and not simply dedicating themselves to God."
They are not informed of a contract with the organization, because none exist. Any 'contract' if that term is used loosely, is with God, in recognition of his earthly organization ... but it is not enforcible under civil law, and hence a person is free to leave a religion anytime in a free country. Shunning is a by-product of leaving, but is their right - unfortunately.
Following Bible principles, we will avoid trying to live - or demand others to live - by an extensive and rigid set of dos and don'ts that go beyond the teachings of the Bible. The Watchtower, 4-15-02, pg 22, pp 15
Amazing

Hi Xander:
"Obviously, however, you (don't) get to see the answers when they are going over the questions."
Technically, the idea is to see if the candidate has a good general understanding, so he/she should not have to have a book in front of them. They are not required to give precise, exact, complete answers, just have the basics down. They do not have to know the scriptures cited and quoted, but when asked to look these up, they should be able to make the general application as the Society teaches.
However, a little unknown secret: Many Elders will bring an extra copy of the book along so the candidate can follow along with the portions of paragraphs that are read, and as the questions are answered, if they have some difficulty, they can look at the book to refresh their memory. Nazi-type Elders will not do this, and they will even ask many or all of the 'optional' questions.
dungbeetle

The 'Lamp' book (1967) questions are 33 pages, or about 16 scans.
the 'organization' book (1972) questions are 35 pages, or about 18 scans
The 'organized' book (1983, 1989) questions are 43 pages, or about 22 scans.
Any volunteers?

100 Baptism Questions

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