The Society does not publicize contributions, in harmony with what Jesus said: “When making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you.” (Matt. 6:3, 4) To assure those who contribute that the donations are safely received and are greatly appreciated, the Society acknowledges contributions.

Is there anything greater that we could share with others than the good news? Indeed, whatever we do should have that ultimate objective, as Paul put it: “I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with others.”—1 Cor. 9:23.

NOT UNDER COMPULSION

To share the good news with others, sometimes it is necessary to share material things. Paul shows the propriety of making announcement when a privilege of sharing in this respect arises. Nothing Paul said is a justification for solicitation: “I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to come to you in advance to get ready in advance your bountiful gift previously promised, that thus this might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as something extorted. Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Cor. 9:5, 7.

In harmony with Paul’s words, each year the Society calls attention to your privilege of making personal contributions and of indicating to the Society the prospects for such donations through the ensuing year. In doing this, the Society is not taking up pledges. Such announcement does not change any donation made in response thereto from being a voluntary donation. For example, in the preparation for constructing the tabernacle, Moses said: “This is the word that Jehovah has commanded, saying, ‘From among yourselves take up a contribution for Jehovah.’” The response? “The sons of Israel brought a voluntary offering to Jehovah.”—Ex. 35:4, 5, 29.

When David prepared for the temple building, he asked: “Who is there volunteering to fill his hand today with a gift for Jehovah?” The response? “It was with a complete heart that they made voluntary offerings to Jehovah.”—1 Chron. 29:5, 9.

Voluntary contributions today show Christian maturity. A child is not mature and he is also dependent, but he grows up. As Christians we should grow up respecting our responsibility to share the good news in whatever ways we can. When one is no longer a child, not only does he support himself, but he is able to care for others. So it is with individuals and congregations comprising the New World society. We reach the point of assisting in material things. A congregation can provide its own Kingdom Hall and then help some other congregation to obtain a Kingdom Hall, and otherwise advance the Kingdom work.

Were most persons on earth devoted to Kingdom activity, money might not be needed. Firms could make gifts to the Society of paper and other printing supplies: transportation facilities could carry Bibles and Bible-study helps without charge; construction contractors and workers could erect the needed Branch and Kingdom Hall facilities free. Postal systems could carry mail free of charge; supply houses could furnish brothers at Bethel with the needed food and clothing. But not everybody is interested in sharing the good news with others, and the Society does not own the paper mills and transportation facilities. The Society pays its way. If a person wishes to assist us in the work we are doing, we accept such assistance and appreciate it. However, we do not ask for it; they offer it. What we can do for such persons is to minister to their spiritual needs.

So that the Society can properly plan its activity for the coming year, there is a voluntary provision known as “Your Contribution Prospects.” This is not a pledge but merely a statement of what one hopes to be able to contribute during the coming year. How may you express yourself in this matter? By writing a card or letter to the Society’s Branch office of the country in which you live. For the United States address your card or letter to: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Treasurer’s Office, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, N. Y.

The expression could say something like this: “It is my hope that during the next twelve months I shall be able to donate to the work of preaching the good news of God’s kingdom the amount of $——————, which contribution I shall make in such amounts and at such times as prove convenient to me and as I am prospered by the undeserved kindness of Jehovah through Jesus Christ.” [Signed] On page 258 of this issue is a list of English-speaking Branch offices. A complete list is found at the back of most of the Society’s books and booklets.

Is it not a joy to stand before the world as a hard-working, self-supporting New World society? Is it not an inspiring joy to share the good news with others? As Kingdom preaching continues to expand and move mightily, we now again affirm that Jehovah God is truly the Backer of his work and his people.

Questions From Readers

● Did those who submitted to John’s baptism have to be rebaptized later with Jesus’ baptism?—A. R., U.S.A.

What is referred to as “the baptism of John” was the baptism of those natural Jews and proselytes who repented of their sins against the Law covenant. It was a baptism authorized by Jehovah, but which he instructed John to perform. (Luke 3:2, 3; John 1:33) Inasmuch as the baptism of such repentant Jews was an evidence of their repentance of sins against the Law covenant, its performance would be valid as long as the Law covenant was. That means that this baptism could be validly performed until Pentecost A.D. 33. There is no record that any who were validly baptized with John’s baptism were rebaptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

John was sent by Jehovah to prepare the people for the appearance of the Messiah. The Law had been given to them as a tutor to lead them to Christ, but as a nation they had not followed its teaching and were not in position to recognize and accept the one to whom it directed them. (Gal. 3:24) Luke 3:3-6 explains: “So he came into all the country around the Jordan, preaching baptism of those repenting for forgiveness of sins, just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘A voice of a man crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of Jehovah, make his roads straight. Every gully must be filled up, and every mountain and hill leveled down, and the curves must become straight ways and the rough places smooth ways; and all humanity will see the saving means of God.”’” After having identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God” John the Baptist himself explained the reason for his preaching and baptizing, saying: “The reason why I came baptizing in water was that he might be made manifest to Israel.”—John 1:31.

When Jesus began his ministry he did not tell his disciples who had been instructed by John to be rebaptized in the name of Jesus. Not at all. Their baptism had been performed by a servant of God in accordance with Jehovah’s own instructions and was therefore valid. Nor did he instruct them to perform a different baptism on those who would become his followers during his earthly ministry. Therefore,