made with intelligence and proper appreciation for its significance. To make the vow of dedication and then fail to carry it out would mean death. (Eccl. 5:4, 5) On the other hand, to fail to make it and hold back when one has sufficient knowledge would also mean death. Some may mistakenly feel that it is not necessary to be baptized, claiming that they have insufficient knowledge and will wait for a more favorable time. Remember, it is not baptism that obligates one; it is knowledge. When one knows enough to recognize that this old world will soon pass away with all its desires, and that the only way we can gain life is to start living for the new world now, he knows enough to be baptized. If one is morally clean at this time, then why delay?—1 John 2:15-17.

13. (a) Why is it unwise to rationalize on baptism? (b) What assurance do we have from God that he will help us?

¹³ One could theorize and offer many reasons as to why it is not yet necessary for him to be baptized. He could think, ‘How can I live up to my dedication vows? What assurance do I have that God will help me? What will I do when difficulty arises? Will I remain faithful? Perhaps I should wait until I get more knowledge and it will be more opportune.’ Would this not be a form of rationalizing? Would this not be engaging in “the practice of explaining or justifying one’s opinions and actions solely by what is considered reasonable”; which is the definition of rationalizing? Also, would this not be leaning on one’s own understanding instead of God’s? Whose standard should we follow, ours or God’s? If there is any doubt as to what is the right thing, would it not be the course of wisdom to get the help and advice of mature Christians who have your best spiritual interests at heart? Remember the assurance Jehovah gives us at Philippians 4:13: “For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me.” Hence, why delay, why procrastinate, if we qualify for Christian dedication and baptism?

BAPTISM AFTER EXAMINATION

14. Explain what it means to be baptized (a) in the name of the Father, (b) the Son, (c) the holy spirit.

¹⁴ Next, Jesus said we should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit. (Matt. 28:19, 20) What does this mean? Fatherhood refers to parenthood, and being baptized in the name of the Father shows that one recognizes the superiority and sovereignty of our heavenly Father, whose name alone is Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18) We must sanctify his name, respect his sovereignty, love his kingdom and serve its interests. (Luke 11:2) Next, being baptized in the name of the Son shows one’s appreciation for the high authority and position conferred upon the Son by the Father. There must be love and appreciation for the Son because he is the Ransomer. Without his sacrifice we could not gain life. How great a debt we owe him! (Isa. 55:4; John 4:42) Finally, being baptized in the name of the holy spirit means to recognize such spirit as the active force of Jehovah. It is that same force that unerringly guided the men of old to write the Bible, impelled the early Christians to withstand persecution successfully and that today guides Jehovah’s theocratic organization on earth.—2 Pet. 1:21; John 6:63; 1 John 5:6.

15. Outline some of the valuable aspects of baptism.

¹⁵ One’s baptism is a public demonstration of death to a past course of life. If the candidate remained submerged in water, truly it would mean his death. Fittingly, one is raised to life as it were, alive to do the will of Jehovah. Thus one’s day of baptism could be said to be the day of one’s start in a new life. Baptism serves both as a public confession of one’s dedication and as a sign of one’s being an ordained minister. Doubly blessed by Jehovah is this individual. The date of one’s baptism should be recorded and remembered always. As far as Jehovah’s visible organization is concerned it is the date of your ordination to the ministry of the Most High.

16-19. (a) What important questions are asked of candidates for baptism? (b) What indicates eligibility for baptism? (c) On this occasion, of what is it good to have a clear perspective? (d) Is baptism the ultimate goal?

¹⁶ However, before candidates are admitted to baptism it is proper and fitting that they answer two questions, so that all those assembled with them for the occasion may be witnesses who have heard from the candidates’ own mouths that they understand what they are doing and that they have taken the required steps to qualify for baptism. Those who can answer the questions in the affirmative should say “Yes” after each question, and they should say it loudly and in unison, that is, all at the same time.

¹⁷ The first question is: Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?

¹⁸ The second question is: On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

¹⁹ Everyone who has answered “Yes” to those two questions is eligible for baptism and should be baptized at that same assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses. The baptized one should remember the day always, for it is truly a decisive day of his life. On such an occasion it is a very wholesome thing to have a clear perspective of one’s responsibilities and privileges in the ministry from this point forward. Remember, baptism is not the ultimate goal but rather the beginning of a very favorable relationship.

20. What questions present themselves for further discussion?

²⁰ Following baptism, that vitally necessary step, how should one view his relationship to Jehovah, His organization, his Christian brothers? What can one do to fulfill one’s dedication vows faithfully and joyfully? How can one increase one’s spiritual-mindedness and decrease one’s desire for the material things of life? What steps should one pursue to gain greater maturity, in order that one might endure and walk in his integrity before God in these critical days? We will leave these questions for the next article to answer.

The Right Way

One of Jehovah’s witnesses in North Carolina (U.S.A.) relates this experience: “My husband was called upon to do some electrical work for a lady who was trying to get it done as cheaply as possible. She wanted him to lower the quality standard that he felt was vital; he would not do this, so he asked her to get someone else to do the work the way she wanted it done. But she finally agreed to having it done the right way. A little later I called by this house with the Watchtower subscription offer, and she immediately invited me in and listened to what I had to say. After answering her many questions on the first visit, I was able to start a Bible study on the second. She said that the reason she listened to me was because of the firm stand my husband had taken in doing the work the right way rather than the cheapest.”