Baptism question

SkinnyAndShort

Well-known member
I don’t attend meetings and I haven’t been to one since I was about 8 or 9, I’m 40 now, maybe someone can help me with this question. What is the Bible’s requirement for getting baptized vs the WT requirements. Also being the one baptizing, Bible vs WT?
 

Carl

Well-known member
IMHO there's only one requirement to qualify for baptism... you've given your life to Jehovah and Jesus. The only requirement for someone to perform a baptism is that they too have given themselves to Jehovah and Jesus. If you're alone on a desert island, then you can baptize yourself.
 

SkinnyAndShort

Well-known member
IMHO there's only one requirement to qualify for baptism... you've given your life to Jehovah and Jesus. The only requirement for someone to perform a baptism is that they too have given themselves to Jehovah and Jesus. If you're alone on a desert island, then you can baptize yourself.
And what is the WT requirements? I mean would they accept some as being baptized if they got baptized in a bathtub by a friend or spouse?
 
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Carl

Well-known member
Perhaps I should not say WT but I mean the Organization leader’s requirements
Baptism is a personal decision between you and God... but the WT has wrongly inserted themselves as arbiters of who "qualifies" for this free gift. There are plenty of people who have been baptized, but for the wrong reasons, yet are still considered Jehovah's Witnesses... while there are others who've been denied baptism by the WT for non-Biblical reasons who aren't considered official JWs by WT standards. The only standard I care about is Jehovah's and not mankind's. I baptized myself since I'm on an island so to speak. Since then my connection to Jehovah and Jesus has only strengthened.
 

SkinnyAndShort

Well-known member
The WT requires you answer over 100 questions and prove yourself loyal to men more so than Jehovah and Jesus to qualify.
So if Billy bob was asked by the leaders if he got baptized and he said yeah by Susie Q in my bathtub, the Org leaders would not accept that as being baptized even if both Billy Bob and Susie Q were dedicated to serving God?
 

Carl

Well-known member
So if Billy bob was asked by the leaders if he got baptized and he said yeah by Susie Q in my bathtub, the Org leaders would not accept that as being baptized even if both Billy Bob and Susie Q were dedicated to serving God?
Nope. They want full control over baptism. I could accept them requiring a question & answer session before being able to be an official JW... but IMHO they have no right to deny baptism since that's between you and God.
 

SkinnyAndShort

Well-known member
Carl you said you baptized yourself, can you explain a little about how you did this? I’m curious about self baptism, never thought of this.
 

Carl

Well-known member
Carl you said you baptized yourself, can you explain a little about how you did this? I’m curious about self baptism, never thought of this.
I’m an unbaptized publisher, and when I “applied” for baptism I was told it is an outward display of my inward dedication to Jehovah… thus it’s a personal action and a public display to others that you’ve dedicated your life to Jehovah and Jesus. I was denied baptism. One reason could have been because one of the elders liked a woman who was showing a lot of interest in me? There was also an elder who didn’t like how I implied his questioning of me crossed the line into being Pharisaic.

After this I stepped back from the WT, but not Jehovah. I was following from afar, and came across Robert’s site accidentally. As I read his articles and watched his videos I realized I could never become an official JW because I would have to lie about 1914. This caused me a great deal of internal conflict. I thought about driving to Robert’s place and begging him to baptize me, but I realized that was wrong to ask, as it would make him feel like he was forming a sect. So I prayed and I felt in my spirit that I could baptize myself.
 

Watchman

Moderator
Staff member
Maybe you are not aware, but originally to become recognized in association with the International Bible Students baptism was not required. Or, rather, re-baptism. If a person had been previously baptized as a Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, or whatever, which most of them were, that baptism was considered valid. But, in 1919 that was curtailed. Thereafter a person had to be baptized by someone who was a Bible Student and of course later by Jehovah's Witnesses. It is interesting that apparently the apostles were not baptized. They were only baptized in water by John. Jesus told them they were going to be baptized in fire and spirit, which, of course, they were 10 days after Jesus ascended to heaven. But after the Pentecost outpouring, everyone who accepted Jesus as the Messiah had to be baptized even if they had been baptized by John. So, there seems to be a parallel there with the way the WT handled it before and after 1919.

The 100 questions are important to determine the students' level of knowledge. Baptism is a commitment, even a sacred vow to God. So it is important that the one being baptized knows what is expected.
 

Carl

Well-known member
Is it really a 100 questions they ask or was that sarcasm?
I think it's around 123 or more now? I agree with Robert that it's good to know them, as they show how much you know about the Kingdom. That said, I find it wrong how the WT expects adults to know these questions in order to qualify, yet they don't hold children to the same standard.
 

Sunshower

Well-known member
Is it really a 100 questions they ask or was that sarcasm?
I think it was even more than 100. I haven’t got the book anymore so I can’t check but I spent three evenings with two elders per evening answering the questions. Plus I don’t know what book is being used these days. My baptism was over 20 years ago.
 

kenmuldoon55

Well-known member
I don’t attend meetings and I haven’t been to one since I was about 8 or 9, I’m 40 now, maybe someone can help me with this question. What is the Bible’s requirement for getting baptized vs the WT requirements. Also being the one baptizing, Bible vs WT?
You’ll see that many in the book of acts were baptized the same day they learned the gospel of Jesus.
 

Back to True Worship

Well-known member
Knowledge and Faith are primary requirements , John17:3 and I Peter 3:21, Matthew 28:19,20
The Jews were as the WT says born into a nation dedicated to Jehovah via the Mosaic law. But Johns baptism was in symbol of repentance against that law...Jesus baptism was presenting himself fo do God's will. We however who were never in a relationship with Jehovah need both...forgiveness of sins and a presenting ourselves to do God's will. And in order to do that we need to understand the Headship arrangement and Jesus role if I may say it that way. 1 Pet. 3:21 explains it well in saying a request Made to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ..Christendoms baptism is invalid as it does not recognize Jesus as the son of God , not God the son, or the trinity , nor any other false teaching...understanding bible truth and exercising faith in it makes one qualified for baptism, we are never dedicated to an organization...I believe even the witnesses understand that ....the second question is rather a confirmation that this is Gods channel of direction , not dedication to it....a fine point indeed , but nonetheless, witnesses often get this point confused , because they view the GB as a Moses type , even though they have said there are no types or anti types....Just listen to the audio drama " beware of losing faith by drawing away from Jehovah" you will note many times it makes this connection
 

Carl

Well-known member
the second question is rather a confirmation that this is Gods channel of direction , not dedication to it....a fine point indeed , but nonetheless, witnesses often don't understand it.
I don't believe baptism requires we kneel before the WT/GB to gain their approval. This may have been the case when the WT was preaching the good news, but now that they've clearly become apostate, then how do right hearted individuals get baptized? IMHO, we're back to the 1st century, where people will be baptized based on their personal connection to Jehovah and Jesus upon learning the Truth. Everyone here may be performing baptisms during the GT?
 

Back to True Worship

Well-known member
Glad we are not at present judges ....LOL
1 Peter 3:21 says that which is now saving you is....baptism
The wrongdoer beside Jesus at his death was promised salvation into the paradise by Christ Jesus...
interesting don't you think?
Maybe the fact that when challenged for his miraculous healings on the sabbath ,and his subsequent reply helps us understand this dilemma...
Jesus made it clear that he was given authority on earth to forgive men their sins..Matt.9:6 Luke 5:24, Mark 2:10
 
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Carl

Well-known member
Does Salvation require baptism at that time and will there be a mass conversion?
I've given a lot of thought to who will be a part of the Great Crowd. Will there be a mass conversion of people? All sorts of people will accept Jesus as their savior during the GT. Will this mean they get baptized? I believe so.

Revelation 7:14 "So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Revelation 22:14 "Happy are those who wash their robes, so that they may have authority to go to the trees of life and that they may gain entrance into the city through its gates."
 
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