CHRISTIAN people are in agreement in understanding that the New Testament teaches baptism, although there is a great diversity and confusion of thought respecting its mode and significance.
The great falling away from the faith, alluded to by the apostles in the New Testament, had gained such headway by the second century that very superstitious views respecting baptism had gained control in the nominal church by that time. Water baptism was supposed not only to bring the subject into relationship with God by canceling past sins, but also to bring to him certain graces or favors from God as a member of the Church of Christ which could not otherwise be secured. Hence, at that early day, not only did believers seek baptism for themselves, but also for their children; and because infants could neither believe nor enter into covenant promises for themselves, an arrangement was made by which other than the parents might become sponsors for such children–”spiritual parents.” They solemnly promised that the children should believe in the Lord and walk in his ways, and obligated themselves to see to their religious training. These were called godfathers and godmothers.
A witness (close family member) said the family would be attending the Circuit assembly in my area on Saturday to attend the baptism of one our relatives. The child is 9 yrs old. I said nothing except listen as one relative expressed concern that at 14 or 15 the teenager can get DF’d for going thru things that teenagers go thru.
I said I don’t believe in infant or child baptism. I asked who would be the Godparent to make sure the child walked in the way. She was shocked. I said the 9yr old does not understand what she is doing. One replied she answered all the questions with the elders so she knows what she is doing. I replied I could answer every question at 5 since I could read and memorize anything I read. Memorization is not proof that a child understands the ramifications of their actions. I asked, is she aware that if she decides as a young adult that this isn’t for her, does she know there is no dignified way to leave? Does she know she is joining an organization that will now make all decisions for her or she will be penalized? It is so sad to see this child that I know is being pushed in this by a family that wants the father to advance to elder. The father does not have the mental capacity to advance but the wife pioneers and now she is doing this to get the elders to take notice. The child isn’t even an advanced child she is a very normal child hardly able to understand why she can’t do as she pleases, she just obeys like all children at that age. Maybe I will be dead when she gets DF’d as a teenager maybe I won’t but I will be there for her. Most of the close family members in this segment of the family barely know or cares about the bible, I feel so sorry for this baby. I thought I would just bring this up as I will have members in my home for the baptism. I will not attend.
And shame on the elders for accepting this, they all know the family, but, they are getting a new number to show increase. They know better, friends will gasp when they see it. So sad.
Im trying to study with a sister. But i can’t attend the convention to get baptized then what happens, and how can i get baptized
Tessy – Did you want to get baptized at a Bible Student Convention? If you would like, I can email you so that you can respond and let me know what city you are from, so that I can try to find the closest convention having a baptismal service.
yes i do. I am from queens ny area code 11357. But i am not done studying what the bible teach book. My family is strict when comes to me not becoming baptized. Do i need to talk to an elder for them to know i take in knowledge.
Hi Tessy, Are srudying “What does the Bible really teach book?. Are you studying with a Jehovah Witness. Do you go to the Kingdom Hall? This will help us to direct you better. If you will go to contact tab and leave your phone number or email I will call you to see exactly where you are in your study of the bible. Will wait on your answer to the questions.
yes im im the bible teach book. I can’t go to the kingdom hall cause my family wants me to remain catholic. Im only up to chapter 2. I haven’t been studying i been busy and the sister i been studying with she sprained her ankle. I am trying to do it over the phone. my e-mail is——-(edited) and last time i tried i got in trouble.
Tessy, Did you get my email? Wouild you like to talk? Let’s explain the difference between Jehovah witnesses and the Bible Students. Share with us how you came to this site. Also you mention your parents are Catholic and object. What prompts you to get baptized, it seems urgent to you. Maybe we can help.
Tessy,so you’re in the Bible teach book, I have one of those….interesting and as Jacqueline said you must be studying with the JW’s.
first of all I do think Ken is right, and you’re studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, from their number one book to study…
First of, be absolute certain if you want to get baptised… Else, if you can’t attend a convention, in your district, there are a lot of others, and by JW you have two other conventions in the year (sorry I don’t know their English terms), so all is not lost… If you want to get baptised there are a lot of opportunities… Further I have to say, within JW if you want to get baptised you still have to study with three elders about the questions found in the “organised” book.
Br. ZenoDotus please call back in to wednesday study. The distortion is gone now. Thanks
Thanks sister… I will come back next week, because I think I was a little late… I send a private message to the owner of this website to get a little bit more clearance… Sorry for my ignorance.
I haven’t used skype that often too :$.
Well we enjoyed seeing you on my brother. Love to hear from you next week. Those on the site are from all over. There was one Catholic also on. I will give all your love now.
PS. I gave your love and they will look forward to hearing from you next week. Sometimes we have a Br. on from Sweden also. Such a time difference.
Peter,
thank you very much for your answer.
sidgi, Thank you so much for asking this question until you got an answer. Br. Peter, thank you for the most concise and easily understood answer that I have seen to this question. Thanks to both of you
I guess that no one wishes to answer my question. Let me try it another way. Am I correct in believing that I also have the authority to baptize in Jesus name?
Sidgi – Baptism is a symbol of the commitment taking place in the heart. “Authority” to baptize is not an issue, as baptism relates to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Heavenly Father, Jehovah, is the authority that determines whose baptism is authentic and who will be anointed with the indwelling Holy Spirit. I think that the symbol of baptism would best be performed by an anointed brother.
JW baptisms are different than what is described in the Bible, as they call it “dedication” and are baptized into the “Organization,” not into Christ (Rom 6:3). “There is one hope of our calling,” a heavenly hope into Christ’s body and this is the only baptism available. Other baptisms for an earthly hope are perhaps recognized by Jehovah as sincere with commenserate blessings, if he so choses, however, this is not the Christian baptism described in the Bible. This may be more similiar to John’s baptism.
Christian baptism has many elements that are similar to John’s baptism and some elements that are different. As with the Jews baptized by John’s baptism, Christians are to confess and repent from their sins.
Acts 19:18 – And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. (NKJ)
Luke 24:46-47 – 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (NKJ)
Remission of sins was another element similar between John’s baptism and Jesus baptism.
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJ)
This baptism was for Jews only, who had already been baptized into Moses in the sea and the cloud. Sins thus figuratively washed away did not include original sin, but merely minor transgressions against the Mosaic law.
John could only provide typical remission. The Christian receives a real remission of sins through actual justification by Jesus blood. (Rom 5:9)
John’s baptism pointing the Jews to Christ, but the Christian is to actually believe in Christ and accept Him as their Savior. Let’s see how this is shown in scripture.
Acts 8:36-37 – 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (NKJ)
Acts 18:8 – Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. (NKJ)
So faith in Jesus Christ is a requirement for the Christian baptism.
Although those baptized into John’s baptism were to bear fruit, the Christian’s death to sin, walking in newness of life and drinking of the cup is a far deeper action. Christian Baptism is more than the pursuit of righteousness, it is the total death of self will and a total commitment to sacrifice ALL of ones time, talent and possessions to the Lord, often at the cost of suffering and persecution. In this connection, we are told in…
2 Tim 3:12 – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJ)
Rom 6:3-13 – 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (NKJ)
So we see from Romans 6 that lowering the candidate into the water represents the death of the Old Man with his sinful ways and the raising up of the candidate shows our walk in newness of life as New Creatures in Christ Jesus.
where does the authority to baptize in Jesus name come from, today? Who has that authority, and where did they acquire it?
sidgi