Baptism, why does the great crowd get baptized?

Triple A

If the New Testament is only for the Anointed, why doe the Great Crowd get baptized?

Carmel

they need a bath...

Seriously, the assumption is incorrect!

carmel

LoverOfTruth

So they will be under the control of the WTBS. If they don't follow orders after they're baptized, they can be disfellowshipped. (Cut off from friends and family)

Narkissos

This is a pretty obvious inconsistency, since the "two hopes" doctrine bars the vast majority of JWs from the meaning of baptism as explained in Romans 6:3ff.

That's why the WTS refers to baptism as only a "dedication", which is quite different from being "baptized by one Spirit into one body ... being given one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:13), or having baptism "save you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21).

rebel8

Good point!

I think the real reason is to make sure the dubs are doing as many nutty things as possible, so as to set themselves apart from everyone else. More hogwash.

Triple A

Thanks all for the inputs.

Carmel, perhaps my assumption was to broad. would it have been correct to say that the Great Crowd does not share in the promises of the New Testament. Triple A

Leolaia, I did not realize that baptism was only called a dedication. Is that the wording used in the two questions? Triple A

Leolaia

Well, they do use the word "baptism," but it's significance and meaning is that of dedication.

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w98 11/15 p. 12 Walking With God?The Early Steps ***

After approaching God privately in prayer to express our determination to walk in his ways, we take the next step. We make our dedication known publicly by our baptism in water. This is a public declaration that we have vowed to do God?s will.

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w97 8/15 p. 7 Salvation?What It Really Means ***

In time, love and appreciation for God moves an honesthearted person to make a full dedication to God and to symbolize it by water baptism. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Romans 12:1) Baptized Christians are saved in the eyes of God. (1 Peter 3:21) During the coming destruction of this wicked world, God will save them completely by preserving them through that tribulation.?Revelation 7:9, 14.

Notice that the salvation is interpreted as salvation from Armageddon, not salvation from sin.

Triple A

Thanks again for the research.

In the Reformed Protestant denominations (can not speak for the other Christian denominations), we beleive that Baptism is only a symbol of our dedication. It does not save one from any thing, but whether you are baptized or not all are able to share in the New Testament promises.

Baptism, why does the great crowd get baptized?

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