Conditions of Watchtower Baptism

by Vanderhoven7 18 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Vanderhoven7

  I understand that there are 80 to 100 questions that would-be Witnesses must answer correctly before they can be considered eligible for "Christian baptism". However I have noticed that none of the questions relate to the 607destruction, the 1914 invisible presence and enthronement, or even the 1919 appointment of the Faithful Slave.

  Now some may feel my question is ridiculous, but bear with me.

  Will Jehovah's Witnesses baptize someone who answers all 100 questions satisfactorily, but rejects 607, 1914 and 1919 and the events the Watchtower associates with these dates if they agree not to express their rejection to others?

  Your thoughts...
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  Vanderhoven7

  Here is a list from the original Organized book.

  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?
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  Vanderhoven7

  Here is a conversation I am having at the moment.

  B: All that we have taught is based on the Bible except for the idea that the great pyramid.

  V: Bible based does not necessarily equate with biblical.

  B: Prophecy to us is quite different to doctrine.

  V: Doctrine based on prophecy is still doctrine. Christ’s 1874 and 1914 parousia was and is respectively based on interpretation of prophecy.

  B: An exact explanation of prophecy are not necessary for salvation.

  V: Will your organization baptize someone who doesn’t believe in the 1914 second presence doctrine?

  B: Yes a person can be baptized if they don’t understand the reasons as to how 1914 was arrived at. It have no bearing on salvation. “

  V: I’m talking about a person who rejects that Christ presence began in 1914. And he also doesn’t believe in the alleged 1918 rejection of Christendom and 1919 appointment of the Faithful Slave either…because dates are not important; they may change and they have nothing to do with baptism or salvation. So are you saying Jehovah’s Witnesses would offer Christian baptism to this person?

  B: If a person has a different point of view from what ever evidence they have yes that can still be baptized as long as they don’t try to teach their different point of view.
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  Fisherman

  JW baptism serves two purposes.

  1. You become a Christian.

  2. You become a fellow sheep of the JW community with JW having church authority over you.
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  dropoffyourkeylee

  I would argue that if the candidate disbelieves the 1914 chronology and the 1919 dates, then he or she would not agree with questions 72 and 73. So the candidate would not qualify for baptism under the JW definition.
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  Vanderhoven7

  Fisherman, that is helpful.

  Dropoff- excellent point that I totally missed. Thanks.
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  Listener

  Thanks for the list Vanderhovan7.

  I don't see the following questions -

  Is Jehovah your Heavenly Father in the truest sense?

  Are you in the New Covenant?

  Do you have Jesus as your mediator?

  What is Jesus' role as mediator and what is his role as high priest?

  Are you one of God's children?

  Do you have the law written on your heart?

  What is salvation and can it be earnt?

  Are you born again?

  However, it was explained to me that the baptismal questions are just basic and as a baptised JW you will continue to grow from a babe to have a deeper understanding. Personally, I don't think most of those questions are more important than understanding your relationship with Jehovah and Jesus and many of us were not given a clear understanding of this.
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  Vanderhoven7

  Listener

  Yes great additions. Of course we know that 8:million Jehovah's Witnesses would fail to answer those questions in the affirmative.
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  Sea Breeze

  Excellent questions that are missing Listener.

  Here's more questions the WT would ask if they were really trying to inform people of what they were getting into:

  1. Do you understand that JW's do not preach the ministry of reconciliation that God gave

  to believers in 2 Cor. 5: 18 ? Why?

  2. Do you understand that the ministry of reconciliation ended in the early part of the 20th century after Jesus picked the JW's as his sole "mouthpiece"?

  3. Do you understand that God is not your father, only your potential father. Jesus is not your Mediator, and that you are not justified before God as those brothers are who were lucky enough to be born prior to 1914?
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  enoughisenough

  more questions that should be asked: do you understand that we expect you to denouce your former religion, at least some of your friends and family and become part of God's organization with a worldwide circle of friends and family...but if you decide for you no longer want to be a JW, your new friends and family in the org will kick you to the curb and have nothing to do with you because you have become a filthy apostate?

  Do you understand that by being baptized, acknowledging that you are part of Jehovah's organization, you have entered into a legal contract with the JW org?

  Do you understand that your spirituality will be judged by how many hours you report for service... and it will effect if and when you have priviledges, if you are invited to certain functions?

  Do you understand that you can't question the GB, even if what they teach you goes against the scriptures or else you will be kicked out and are deserving of death ( see Walsh Trial held in Scotland 1954 -statements made under oath are still current from where I am sitting ) ( I am sure I could think of more--people don't get full disclosure during bible studies )