murder is something that makes the one committing it worthy of death, according to Jehovah’s law as well as man’s law.

Hence, there does not seem to be any violation of Scriptural principle in the community’s putting a murderer to death. It even seems a more Scriptural course than committing the murderer for life, to be thereafter fed and clothed and cared for at the expense of the community, and always with the possibility that the murderer may add to his crimes by killing another inmate, or by killing guards in an attempted escape, or by escaping and murdering other persons on the outside. In the nations’ practice of capital punishment there does not seem to be anything that is contradictory to God’s law, and where the law of the land does not conflict with God’s law we do not raise particular objection against it.

● Why was Aaron not punished for making a golden calf for the Israelites to worship?—A. F., California.

Exodus 32:1-6 shows that Aaron did this at the request of the people, and participation in the wrong seemed to be rather general, since it caused Jehovah to say to Moses: “Let me alone, that my anger may blaze against them, and that I may consume them.” Ex 32 Vs. 10, AT) While it is true that Aaron co-operated with the rebellious ones in this idolatry, Ex 32 verse 25 suggests the possibility that the deflection might have been allowed for a purpose: “When Moses saw that the people had become unruly (for Aaron had let them get unruly, to be a derision among their assailants), Moses stood at the gate of the camp, and said, ‘To me, whoever is for the LORD!’ Whereupon all the Levites gathered to him.” (Ex 32 Vss. 25-27, AT) Aaron was a Levite, and we may assume that on this occasion he took his stand with them for Jehovah and against those who withstood Moses on this occasion. About three thousand persons were slain for this idolatry. More were guilty in the matter, since after the three thousand were gone Moses reminded the people that they had sinned greatly. So more persons than just Aaron received of Jehovah’s mercy in this matter. Apparently the nearly three thousand that perished were ringleaders in launching the idolatrous venture and resistant to correction, not humbly repentant or acknowledging wrong and switching their position to Jehovah’s side. They merited no mercy. But Aaron behaved differently, showed he was not in heart sympathy with the idolatry and acted only at the mob’s behest, and stood for Jehovah when Moses brought matters to a showdown.—Ex 32 Vss. 28-35.

● If one has already been baptized, does he need to repeat the baptism after he gets a knowledge of the truth?—R. G., Canada.

Whether a person is to be baptized again or not is determined by his understanding of baptism when he first underwent it. Did he understand the meaning of the symbol of water immersion? Did he fully appreciate that it meant a complete dedication of his life to the Lord, to serve the Lord, to do His will? Had he made such a dedication in his mind and heart and before the Lord prior to the immersion in water, which is a public symbolizing of the previously made dedication? If so, and if the baptism was a complete submersion in water, then there is no necessity for the person to perform the symbol again. The one who does the immersing, the place of immersion, and who are present as spectators, are not the determining factors. It is the proper understanding and appreciation of baptism on the part of the one being immersed that counts. If the person did not have this understanding and appreciation, if he merely viewed baptism as a religious ceremony affiliating him with a certain church, not realizing the meaning or importance of the step and what would be thereafter required of him from a Scriptural standpoint, then when such a person comes to a knowledge of the truth and wishes to dedicate his life to the God of truth as one of His witnesses the person should symbolize this dedication that he has now made with understanding.

● The book What Has Religion Done for Mankind? states on page 211: “Neither let anyone think that the doctrine of purgatory was discovered first by Pope Gregory the Great (595-604 A.D.).” Then on page 274 it states: “Gregory I (A.D. 595-604) was the first to discover ‘purgatory’.” How are these seemingly contradictory statements harmonized?—D. F., New York.

On page 211 it is showing how the Buddhist system taught a doctrine of purgatory many centuries before the organizing of the Roman Catholic system in the fourth century A.D. But on page 274, and the preceding pages, it is showing how various pagan doctrines were incorporated into the Roman Catholic religion. As far as Catholic doctrine is concerned, Pope Gregory the Great did (to use his own language) discover purgatory. He claimed to do so by means of apparitions and visions. He was the first one to introduce it as a “Christian” doctrine, incorporating it into Roman Catholic Church teaching, which was and is apostate Christianity. So the setting supplies a limitation to the scope of the statement on page 274, which is discussing popes and their innovations, whereas on page 211 the statement is more general, unlimited by its setting, and denying Pope Gregory’s claim. Hence when viewed in their proper settings, the statements are not contradictory.

Announcements

“JUBILEE TRUMPET” WITNESSING PERIOD—Leviticus 25:9, 10

The time is here for sounding liberty among all of earth’s inhabitants, to all races and nations. Freedom for all! That is welcome news to everyone who loves justice and truth and who unselfishly yearns for true liberty for all humanity. As conditions worsen and grow more unbearable, why should not people want to be free from such? The great Liberator has decreed that evil will not always prevail. No, his Word of promise offers freedom even now. This good news of liberation must be sounded out as though by trumpet blasts. This is being done by God’s faithful servants world-wide through the distribution of the Watchtower magazine. The “Jubilee Trumpet” Witnessing Period during April affords opportunity for many to take part in this fourth and last month of the Watchtower campaign. The Watchtower magazine is offered at $1 for a year’s subscription. New subscribers receive three Scriptural booklets free. To those already subscribers for The Watchtower, the Awake! magazine may be offered on the same basis. Get a supply of magazines and use them to acquaint others with their valuable contents. Single copies may be left with those who do not subscribe. Regular house-to-house distribution of the magazine will aid many to learn of freedom. So make April a magazine month.

DO YOU HAVE THIS BIBLE?

Regular readers of The Watchtower appreciate its use of the many and varied Bible translations. Frequently used is the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures (shown by NW). This splendid rendition of the Sacred Scriptures records in modern speech the words and acts of faithful servants of God: the Gospels, the Acts, the Epistles, the Revelation—all shine with fresh beauty in this version. This fine piece of workmanship is based on the most ancient manuscripts extant, and embodies the results of the latest research in the field of archaeology bearing on Bible lands, languages and customs. Bound in attractive green cover, with gold-embossed title, and 800 pages of large clear type, it measures 7 ⁵/₁₆ʺ X 5ʺ x 1ʺ. Sent postpaid for $1.50.

1952 MEMORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Thursday, April 10, 1952, at sunset, or at 6 p.m., Standard Time, is the beginning of Nisan 14. That evening is the time for observing the memorial of the Lord’s evening meal. All companies, units and other groups of persons dedicated to Jehovah’s service should assemble together, along with those persons of good will, and observe the occasion. Keeping the memorial of the Lord’s evening meal is the privilege of all true followers of the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 11:20-26, NW) In joyful and thankful commemoration, these true worshipers will assemble at the appropriate time, opening their meeting with song and prayer. A dedicated and baptized servant of Jehovah God, preferably one of Jehovah’s anointed, will deliver a talk on the meaning of the Memorial. The emblems provided, unleavened bread and red wine, will be served after the discourse has been given and the anointed ones will partake of them. Following the Memorial appropriate service announcements may be made, a song sung and the meeting closed with prayer. A cordial welcome is extended to every person of good will to attend this important and happy occasion in union with Jehovah’s witnesses in his vicinity. So be among the hundreds of thousands who will respond to this invitation. A report of the number in attendance at each gathering, and of the number partaking of the emblems, should then be sent to the Society.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of March 30: Keeping the Organization Clean.

Week of April 6: Propriety of Disfellowshiping, ¶1-18.

Week of April 13: Propriety of Disfellowshiping, ¶19-28; also, Sin Making Reinstatement Impossible.