Only baptised JWs will make it?
by ExBethelitenowPIMA 39 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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BluesBrother
Nicolaou ‘s quotes above are excellent. Regarding the specific of baptism, i thought this worked:
” Young People Ask.. Should I Get Baptised?
Yet, God’s will is that “all sorts of men should be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:4) He wants you to escape the end of this system of things and live forever in Paradise on earth! (Revelation 21:3, 4) But how can you identify yourself as one obeying the good news? It is not enough simply to believe the Bible truths you have been taught, nor is it enough simply to tag along with your parents to Christian meetings. (Compare James 2:19.) Those desiring salvation must dedicate themselves to God and do his will. ………………
Would you trust a friend who wanted to keep your friendship secret? Wisely, then, God requires all to ‘make public declaration for salvation.’ (Romans 10:10) This begins at baptism. ”
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BoogerMan
I don't remember the thief whom Jesus made the promise to, getting baptised.
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ExBethelitenowPIMA
“It is not enough simply to believe the Bible truths you have been taught, ”
So they are saying you absolutely have to be baptised JW and everyone else will be slaughtered
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blondie
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses
I think this says it clearly enough: "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19
But here
What do people need to do to be symbolically marked for survival? (Ezekiel 9:4) They need to react favorably to the preaching work that is taking place, put on the Christian personality, dedicate themselves to Jehovah, and loyally support Christ’s brothers. Those who do these things will receive the mark of survival during the coming great tribulation.--Watchtower 2016 Questions from Readers p.17
What is the mark? It is the evidence, as if displayed on their uncovered foreheads, that such sheep are dedicated, baptized disciples of Jesus Christ and that they have put on the Christlike new personality. These sheeplike ones become one flock with anointed Christians and assist them in their vital work of marking still others.—Watchtower 2008 7/15 p.5
In ancient times slaves were often marked on the forehead to be clearly identified. Distinctive marks on the forehead and elsewhere might also show that a person worshiped a certain deity. So, in our day, what is the distinctive, lifesaving mark that clearly identifies its bearers as true worshipers and slaves of Jehovah?-Watchtower 1987 4/15 p.11
The mark” is the evidence that they are dedicated to Jehovah, baptized as disciples of Jesus, and involved in cultivating a Christlike personality.-Worship the Only True God book Chap. 13 p.120
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lriddle80
But it isn't only baptized jw that will be saved, even though we see that is *their* official message (and my dad would agree).
So, what was the point of wanting to know this? Just wondering! 😃
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EasyPrompt
It's funny that the Watchtower uses that "Ezekiel 9:4 mark" reasoning (or should I say "non-reasoning.") Ezekiel 9:4 doesn't say anything about baptism. It says: "Jehovah said to him: “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the city.”"
"The city" was where Jehovah's Name People claimed to be worshipping Jehovah acceptably and yet they were doing all kinds of not-cool stuff, as described in context in Ezekiel chapter 8. Today, many people who claim to be "Jehovah's Witnesses" believe false doctrines (like the 1914 thing and the disfellowshipping-by-3-men-in-a-backroom-thing) and worship "idols" (like COs and "Elders" and GB/FDS) and other non-scriptural shenanigans (CSA mishandling, Bethel commune, etc). "The mark on the forehead" isn't baptism. It is on "those sighing and groaning over the detestable things done in the city". It is marking who has a conscience that works and feels the "cognitive dissonance" from the mixed up nonsense going on by many of those who claim to be worshipping God acceptably.
In context, Ezekiel 9 wasn't talking about Armageddon. Ezekiel chapter 9 is talking about the destruction of false religion, specifically, about those within the "God's Name People" organization. Ezekiel chapter 9 wasn't talking about "Babylon the Great" or about "The Nations". It was talking about people who claimed to know and serve Jehovah.
Jesus also talked about a time he would remove false worshippers from the congregation. When Jesus talked about "the wheat and the weeds" and other such illustrations, he was talking about cleaning up the Christian congregation after he takes the throne in heaven. He didn't take the throne in 1914 and it's clear he hasn't cleaned up the Christian congregation yet.
The vision at Ezekiel 9 describes a similar scenario to what Jesus described at Matthew 13:41..."The Son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out from his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessness..." which is a future event for which baptism is not described as the necessary characteristic for survival. Jehovah hasn't changed. Just like being outwardly labeled as part of God's Name People in the past didn't guarantee survival during the destruction of Jerusalem, so today, just being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses isn't going to "save" anybody from the destruction of false religion if that person loves practices that God hates, like worshipping a GB/FDS, like extreme shunning of people who have been redeemed by the ransom blood, or like covering up CSA to protect the image of an organization rather than comfort victims of abuse. Jesus will be the judge.
Being baptized is important, but the Ezekiel 9:4 thing isn't talking about baptism at all, or Armageddon. It's talking about the destruction of false religious institutions, like what will happen at the beginning of the great tribulation. Ezekiel 9:6 says ""You should start from my sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were in front of the house." Today, Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be God's Name People, thus the destruction "starting with the sanctuary" and "the elders who were in front of the house" would be starting with the governing body at Bethel.
The destruction of religious institutions is only the beginning part of the great tribulation. There were many non-Israelites who were saved from Egypt after the plagues on false religion. The Bible shows there will be a great crowd of non-Jehovah's Witnesses saved through the tribulation and Armageddon.
"Jehovah knows those who belong to him." Abraham wasn't baptized, and he was Jehovah's friend. Jehovah will do the right thing. He always has.
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Anony Mous
We all know that the WTBTS doesn’t follow what is in the scriptures and (mis)interprets it solely based on what they need in the here and now.
The WTBTS is pretty clear, we can’t judge but we know it won’t be you unless you’re baptized.
Not that it’s relevant, Christianity does generally not revolve around a doomsday scenario.
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Beth Sarim
When you hear JW families pressuring their children to get baptized they often commend them and tell them they are making a wise ''choice''.
Excuse me. There is no ''choice'' in the matter. When you hear governing body members influencing families to revoke teenagers their drivers license by a certain age,,threatening with fear-mongering armageddon rhetoric, and threats like these,,,,there is no choice.
And adolescents getting kicked-out of home for some minor infraction after getting baptized due to pressure,,,,there is no choice.
When there is a threat involved their is no choice,
