He will gladly assist you, without any charge for the baptism.

THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Of course, dedication and baptism are not the end of one’s doing God’s will. They are only the beginning. They mark the start of a happy life of serving Jehovah, with the prospect of continuing alive forever, doing his will. A dedicated Christian should always have the attitude of Jesus Christ, who said: “I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me.” “My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.”—John 5:30; 4:34.

A principal part of God’s work for Jesus on earth was to preach the kingdom of God, and to lay the foundation for a preaching organization to carry on this activity after his death. Jesus said: “Also to other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” That was God’s will for him, and Jesus faithfully did it.—Luke 4:43; John 17:4.

What is God’s will for Christians today? It is for them to do a similar preaching work, and one of great urgency. Bible prophecy reveals unmistakably that we are living now during “the conclusion of the system of things.” And Jesus foretold regarding this time: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”—Matt. 24:3, 14.

It is God’s will that this preaching work be done now. The warning concerning the end of this wicked system must be sounded. Meek ones need to be shown the place of safety. Will you share in this work?—Zeph. 2:2, 3; Prov. 24:11, 12.

Jesus Christ set the example in performing the ministry. He preached everywhere, in the cities and villages, in homes and in public places—even to a woman at a wellside. (John 4:7, 21-24) A true Christian today will follow Jesus’ example. He will preach at every opportunity. He will not simply wait for people to come to him, but he will endeavor to seek out persons with a listening ear.

“Go,” Jesus commanded, “make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matt. 28:19; see also 10:11-13) This command applies to all Christians—laborers and housewives, elderly persons and youths—even as it did in the first century. The Bible says that the apostles Peter and John were “unlettered and ordinary,” and it also speaks of “Phoebe our sister, who is a minister.” Christians from all walks of life shared in the ministry.—Acts 4:13; Rom. 16:1.

Early Christians followed Jesus’ instruction and example, making a special effort to call on people in their homes. (Luke 8:1; 10:1-6; Acts 5:42) The apostle Paul said: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20) This is still the principal way that true Christians carry on their ministry in our day.

Those who share in this grand work do not do so in their own strength. Jehovah God backs them up. By his spirit he qualifies and empowers them for the ministry. (2 Cor. 3:5, 6; 2 Tim. 4:17) Through his visible organization he provides training and assistance, at no financial cost, for all his witnesses. You, too, can enjoy the benefits of this provision, at your local Kingdom Hall.

When you make your wholehearted decision to serve Jehovah God, you will experience rich blessings. The happiness that you have had in learning the truth about Jehovah and his purpose will be greatly enlarged as you share it with others and see the fine changes that it brings in their lives.—Acts 20:35; John 13:17.

As you more fully apply God’s Word in your own life you will be drawn closer to your Creator. You will enjoy his loving care in ways that you have never experienced before. (Rev. 7:9-17) Indeed, your wise course will make God’s own heart rejoice. (Prov. 27:11) And what joy will be yours as you experience fulfillment of the psalmist’s words: “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!”—Ps. 144:15.

Happy Because of Being Jehovah’s People

What blessings did ancient Israel enjoy due to having Jehovah as their God?

Among these blessings was the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea in 1513 B.C.E. (Ex. 12:1–15:21) Two months later they were blessed by entering into a covenant with Jehovah and receiving a perfect set of laws from him. (Ex. 19:1–20:18) Forty years later they experienced the blessings of entering the land flowing with milk and honey. (Deut. 6:3) Under King David’s reign they enjoyed many victories over their enemies, and under King Solomon that nation’s happiness reached its peak.—1 Ki. 4:20-25.

As long as that nation worshiped Jehovah as their God its people were a happy people.—Ps. 33:12.a

Since Pentecost of 33 C.E. who have been Jehovah’s happy people and nation?

Since that Pentecost it has been spiritual Israel that has been Jehovah’s happy nation and people. On that day Jehovah poured out his holy spirit upon them, and they all began to speak in foreign tongues.—Acts 2:1-41.

These were not only anointed with God’s holy spirit to proclaim everywhere the good news of God’s kingdom but also begotten of God’s spirit to be God’s spiritual sons with the grand hope and promise of membership in God’s heavenly kingdom with Jesus Christ.

What dramatic rebirth did this nation experience in 1919?

Even as ancient Israel was released from Babylonian captivity in keeping with God’s promise, so also was spiritual Israel in modern times. It was taken captive and brought into a state of deathlike inactivity during World War I and then was reborn at “one time” in 1919. At the same time its religious position and relationship to God, its “land,” was brought forth as “in one day.” Suddenly the dynamic leading representatives of the Watch Tower Society were released from imprisonment. The international organization was reconstructed. Yes, dramatically, as if arising from the dead, the persecuted remnant of anointed Christians strode fearlessly upon the world stage of action. Fully alive, they began producing and bearing the fruits of the Kingdom; they thenceforth proclaimed God’s kingdom as having come into power at the close of the Gentile times in 1914.—Isa. 66:5-8; Luke 21:24.

Who are increasingly now sharing happiness with Jehovah’s spiritual nation?

Since the rebirth of Jehovah’s nation in 1919 its membership has increased to the full number of its citizen body, namely, 144,000. (Rev. 14:1, 3) Each year the remaining earthly members of that nation grow fewer and fewer, as one by one they complete their earthly course and are united with their Lord in heaven. Those continuing on earth lovingly endeavor to share their happiness with others.

As a result their happiness is spreading to a “great crowd” of “other sheep” who are like ‘alien residents’ dwelling within the “gates” of spiritual Israel and having become “one flock” with the remnant under “one shepherd,” Jesus Christ.—Rev. 7:9; John 10:16; Ex. 20:10.

These share with the remnant the happiness of having Jehovah, “the happy God,” as their God, and are privileged to worship him “with spirit and truth.” In turn, these endeavor to share their happiness with still others by proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom.—1 Tim. 1:11; John 4:24; Matt. 24:14.