creatures with an understanding of Jehovah’s will and purposes. It is the force that is directing his organization today, in upholding true worship and in withstanding opposition from the enemy. The Bible as God’s Word is the product of the holy spirit, which Word we must study.

19. (a) Dedication and baptism under proper circumstances brings what special relationship into existence? (b) What is the sure hope of those faithful, and what privileges of service open up after baptism?

¹⁹ What are the privileges and sure hope of those taking the step of baptism? First of all, a very special relationship comes into being with Jehovah through his Son, Christ Jesus. If one comes to Jehovah without reservation and dedicates his life under clean circumstances, then the individual can feel confident that such relationship exists. Proof of this comes with Jehovah’s blessing on his service and his increase in knowledge and understanding and in the fruitage of the spirit. He has strong faith and a sure hope in Jehovah’s promises, which give him an inheritance with the righteous ones in the earth. A special relationship also comes about with his fellow New World society members. He gains thousands of brothers and sisters who have the same faith and who are doing the same work in the true worship of God. His growth and appreciation of the issue of universal sovereignty and his devotion to Jehovah and his principles qualify him to be an able representative of Jehovah. He is fully commissioned to go forth and declare the good news of the established kingdom. He is truly a minister of God; and as he continues to grow in maturity, additional privileges open up to him, such as being a ministerial servant in a congregation to handle certain organizational duties, or being a full-time preacher enrolled by the central organization used by Jehovah for directing the preaching work. In time his maturity and understanding of Jehovah’s Word may qualify him to be an overseer in a congregation.—Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Tim. 3:1-13.

CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE

20. Why do we have a battle with this world in making a decision to dedicate ourselves to Jehovah’s service?

²⁰ In these last days a great world system has been built up. It is fierce, it is selfish, and it is so constructed as to make you its slave. Commercially, religiously and politically, all of its parts are designed to reach out and get you, to take your time, your energy, your talents and, yes, your devotion. It is very subtle too, for it is attractive. Whether you are an average person living in this world, struggling to exist, enjoying some of its physical comforts, along with many of its heartaches, or whether you have acquired some of its worldly knowledge and are devoting your time ambitiously to making something of yourself, it makes no difference to the Devil and those whom he is using to deceive the whole world. He is sly in leading away by various means those who hesitate to respond to God’s love and the power of the truth. There are great humanitarians, there are great leaders in various fields of endeavor, but their dedication is to a work or, chauvinistically, to a prominent man. How different in the case of a servant of Jehovah God! Why? Because he dedicates himself to his God and not just to a work, although his dedication does involve constructive works to Jehovah’s praise.

21. How can we choose wisely and live? So what should be done by those who have not yet made a dedication and symbolized this by water baptism?

²¹ The decision, therefore, facing all mankind individually is, Whom will I serve, Jehovah or Satan? This world’s system, or the interests of the Kingdom? Will your decision be like Joshua’s: “As for me and my household, we shall serve Jehovah”? And Jesus’: “Look! I am come to do your will”? Involved in this decision is the command of Christ that we be baptized. It is an essential step if we wish to be in the special relationship with Jehovah and his Son. We cannot willingly refuse to be baptized and also have his favor. Study God’s Word diligently, which will enhance your understanding of dedication responsibilities and give you a fuller meaning of dedication and baptism. Then, unhesitatingly and obediently, take this step, if you have not already done so, and thus put yourself in line for Jehovah’s favor and life in his new world.—Josh. 24:15; Heb. 10:9.

22. In fulfilling our responsibilities resulting from our dedication, in what work must we obediently share in these last days?

²² As for those who have already entered into a covenant with Jehovah, let them continually remember their vow and remain faithful to it. Let them keep their love for him strong and also never forget their love for their neighbor. In giving the command to go forth and make disciples and baptize them in symbol of their dedication to Jehovah, Jesus said: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” We cannot wisely delay in becoming a disciple of Jesus and following his command given after he was given all authority, to be baptized and to share in the proclamation of the good news.—Matt. 28:18.

Why Should Christians Accept and Discharge Responsibility?

“Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ. For each one will carry his own load.”—Gal. 6:2, 5.

1. What would one do if invited to work in building the palace for a king in which he too would have a place to live?

IF A king decided to build a palace and it pleased him, not only to employ you in putting up the structure, but, in addition, to promise you a place to reside in it, how would you feel about that? What would you do? Why, you say, I would gladly and gratefully get down to work and do my best and talk to everyone with whom I came in contact about the goodness and generosity of that king.

2. When did the construction of this palace begin, and who are the builders as well as the Master Worker?

² Such a royal palace is prophetically spoken of in Psalm 29:9. It has been in course of construction for over nineteen hundred years. It is a house or temple that God himself builds, not with inanimate stones, but with living material, with people, men and women alike, taken from this earth. What is more, he has put the oversight of the building in the hands of the best, most skillful Master Worker, one who has unnumbered years in the service of this great Sovereign. This one is God’s own Son, Christ Jesus, who, in Proverbs 8:22-31, is referred to as God’s wisdom personified, and who says: “Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning