Baptism Age (page 2)

searcher

Heathen.

I really can't understand how they could have baptized women back then on account that they didn't have swim suits and women would have had to have been naked in the site of a male who was not their husband.

They wore a Robe, like a heavy night-shirt.

searcher.

searcher - who says that ? I mean they just had the watchtower on the co ed bathes being banned to christians. So now you are telling me they are going to take a fully clothed person and dunk them in water? sounds ridiculous.

minimus

I became a MINISTER of the good news when I was 9!!!!

blondie

Actually, back in the Bible Student days, ones presenting themselves for baptism wore long white or black robes robes. I wonder why they stopped that. Too showy?

*** w96 4/1 23 "Work, Not for the Food That Perishes" ***

When I was in my late teens, I made a dedication to Jehovah, and I symbolized this by water baptism in 1927. The baptism was held in Seattle in an old building that had formerly been a Baptist church. I am glad they had taken the old steeple off. We were escorted down to the pool in the basement where we were given long black robes to wear. It looked as if we were going to a funeral.

*** w90 4/1 28 'I Mounted Up With Wings Like Eagles' ***

So on August 28, 1928, we were baptized. The baptism was different from baptisms today. Behind a curtain was the baptism pool. When the curtain was opened, there was Brother Christian Jensen ready to do the immersing. He was dressed in a tailcoat, standing in the middle of the pool with the water up to his waist. We baptismal candidates were dressed in long white robes. First the men were baptized and then the women.

*** w87 6/1 20 'My Cup Has Been Full' ***

The next year, 1915, my husband and I were baptized by the Bible Students. Our baptism took place in the summertime at a nearby beach. I donned a long, black robe with high neck and long sleeves, quite different from the bathing suits worn now. Of course, this was not standard beachwear of those days but was specially provided for the baptism.

*** w83 9/1 10 Moving Ahead With God's Organization ***

On October 10, 1926, in San Jose, California, all of us together symbolized our dedication to Jehovah God by undergoing water immersion. The baptisms then were conducted somewhat differently from today. The elder doing the baptizing said to me: "Brother Grant, in the name of the Father and the Son and the holy spirit, I now baptize thee into Christ." Each of us being baptized wore half-sleeved long, black robes that reached from the neck down to the ankles. To ensure that the robe remained down and modestly covered the candidate it was heavily weighted in the bottom hem by means of lead weights.

*** yb81 213 New Zealand ***

The first convention of Jehovahs people in New Zealand was arranged by Brother Nelson in December 1912. Around 20 persons gathered at the rear of a private home in Wellington. Of this group, eight came forward to present themselves for baptism. In those days it was a serious occasion, with the candidates dressed in long black robes.

safe4kids

Good post JH!

This is a point that has long struck me as hypocritical of the JWs...ALL other decisions they claim minors are too young to make for themselves, but when it comes to this decision, one that will affect their entire lives and their families, et cetera, why, of course they're capable of making it! Give me a fricken' break. I was baptized at age 13 and I had no clue what I was letting myself in for...I did it because that's what you did. It was expected, plain and simple. Besides, what if Armageddon came (coz you know it was "just around the corner") and I wasn't baptized??!

I agree with others who have said that it's a way to keep the numbers up...talk about a selfish, self-serving organization. Yet another example of how the fail to truly care for the children.

Dana

ugg

i have always shuddered when i have seen young children baptized...makes me ill!!!!!!!!!!! i think the age for baptism should be 18..

Room 215

Time was when JWs cautioned youngsters to make sure they knew what they were getting themselves into and actucally cautioned against getting baptised just to make their parents happy. I even recall material presented that encouraged such younsters who baptised prematurely to consider rebaptism if, in their heart of hearts, came to the conclusion that they had acted hastily.

All that changed over the years as the rate of increases slowed to a crawl, in many place to the point of stagnation. More recently, WR literature has raised the decisions for baptism of children as young as 11! This was not the case in the 40s and 50s when most of their double-digit increases were coming from conversions of adults.

heathen

Blondie - I'm only interested in what the first century christians practiced . I have serious doubt in what is practiced today and being recognized as christian. Minimus that is waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy too young for some one even to be considered for baptism IMO. Interesting post and I do have scriptural evidence that does count women and children out of the baptism ceremony.

Country Girl

I must be from the days that they considered baptism for early teens to be somewhat dangerous. My Mother always poo-pooh'd my requests for baptism around 14 because she said I wasn't spiritually mature enough. Then, by 16, I was way past the age of caring, so never felt the desire. I am kind of glad about that now, that's for sure. I do feel sorry for those who were allowed to be baptized at such young ages and then don't realize the consequences of that mistake until they are older and become disfellowshipped with their whole families shunning them. Early baptism brings so much heartache to those who don't fully understand what they are getting themselves into and later leave for whatever reason. You'd think they'd be much more careful with it. But you know those crazy Witlesses... always gotta keep the numbers up!

CG

freedom96

In my opinion, if you grew up as a witness, no one under any cirmcumstances ought to be allowed to be baptized as a witness unless they are 21 or older.

Kids have absolutely no idea of the ramifications. Oh, I don't doubt that many love God, but to fully appreciate what will happen if you do not follow the WTS rules cannot happen in my opinion until much older.

Kids don't understand!!

Baptism Age

Share this