is not to a work or to a human but to God himself.

15. Why do baptismal candidates undergo immersion?

¹⁵ When we dedicate ourselves to God through Christ, we express a determination to use our life in doing the divine will as set forth in the Scriptures. In symbol of that dedication, baptismal candidates undergo water immersion, even as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River to symbolize the presentation of himself to God. (Matthew 3:13) It is noteworthy that Jesus was praying on that very important occasion.​—Luke 3:21, 22.

16. How can our joy appropriately be shown when we see people get baptized?

¹⁶ Jesus’ baptism was a serious but joyful event. So is present-day Christian baptism. When we see people symbolize their dedication to God, our joy may be expressed by respectful applause and warm commendation. But cheering, whistling, and the like are avoided out of regard for the sacredness of this expression of faith. Our joy is expressed in a dignified manner.

17, 18. What helps to determine whether individuals qualify for baptism?

¹⁷ Unlike those who sprinkle babies or force Scripturally uninformed masses to be baptized, Jehovah’s Witnesses never coerce anyone into baptism. In fact, they do not baptize those who do not qualify spiritually. Before anyone can become even an unbaptized preacher of the good news, Christian elders make sure that he understands basic Bible teachings, lives in harmony with them, and gives an affirmative response to a question of this kind, “Do you really want to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?”

¹⁸ With few exceptions, when individuals are having a meaningful share in the Kingdom-preaching work and express a desire to be baptized, Christian elders hold discussions with them to make sure that they are believers who have made a dedication to Jehovah and who meet divine requirements for baptism. (Acts 4:4; 18:8) Personal responses to over 100 questions on Bible teachings help the elders to determine whether those responding meet Scriptural requirements for immersion. Some do not qualify and therefore are not accepted for Christian baptism.

Is Something Holding You Back?

19. In view of John 6:44, who will be Jesus’ joint heirs?

¹⁹ Many coerced participants in mass baptisms may have been told that they would go to heaven at death. But with reference to his footstep followers, Jesus said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.” (John 6:44) Jehovah has drawn to Christ 144,000 who will be Jesus’ joint heirs in the heavenly Kingdom. Forced baptism has never sanctified anyone for that glorious place in God’s arrangement.​—Romans 8:14-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 14:1.

20. What might help certain ones who have not yet been baptized?

²⁰ Since the mid-1930’s in particular, multitudes hoping to survive “the great tribulation” and live on earth forever have joined the ranks of Jesus’ “other sheep.” (Revelation 7:9, 14; John 10:16) They qualify for baptism because they have conformed their lives to God’s Word and love him with ‘their whole heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ (Luke 10:25-28) Though some people realize that Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘worship God with spirit and truth,’ they have not yet followed Jesus’ example and given public evidence of genuine love and exclusive devotion to Jehovah by getting baptized. (John 4:23, 24; Deuteronomy 4:24; Mark 1:9-11) Earnest and specific prayer regarding this vital step may well provide them with the incentive and courage to conform fully to God’s Word, to make an unreserved dedication to Jehovah God, and to be baptized.

21, 22. For what reasons do some hold back from dedication and baptism?

²¹ Some hold back from dedication and baptism because they are so absorbed in affairs of the world or in the pursuit of wealth that they have little time for spiritual things. (Matthew 13:22; 1 John 2:15-17) How happy they would be if they changed their views and goals! Drawing close to Jehovah would enrich them spiritually, would help to allay anxiety, and would bring them peace and the satisfaction that results from doing the divine will.​—Psalm 16:11; 40:8; Proverbs 10:22; Philippians 4:6, 7.

²² Others say that they love Jehovah but do not make a dedication and get baptized because they think that they will thus avoid accountability. But each of us must render an account to God. Responsibility came upon us when we heard the word of Jehovah. (Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 14:12) As a ‘chosen people,’ the ancient Israelites were born into a nation dedicated to Jehovah, and they therefore had an obligation to serve him faithfully in accord with his precepts. (Deuteronomy 7:6, 11) Nobody is born into such a nation today, but if we have received accurate Scriptural instruction, we need to act on it in faith.

23, 24. What fears should not hold individuals back from baptism?

²³ Fear that they lack sufficient knowledge may hold some back from baptism. Yet, all of us have much to learn because ‘mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Consider the Ethiopian eunuch. As a proselyte, he had some knowledge of the Scriptures, but he could not answer every question about God’s purposes. After learning about Jehovah’s provision for salvation through Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, however, the eunuch promptly underwent water baptism.​—Acts 8:26-38.

²⁴ Some hesitate to make a dedication to God because they are afraid of failure. Says 17-year-old Monique: “I have been holding back on baptism for fear of not being able to live up to my dedication.” If we trust in Jehovah with all our heart, however, ‘he will make our paths straight.’ He will help us to “go on walking in the truth” as his faithful dedicated servants.​—Proverbs 3:5, 6; 3 John 4.

25. What question now merits consideration?

²⁵ Because of implicit trust in Jehovah and heartfelt love for him, each year thousands are moved to make a dedication and get baptized. And surely all dedicated servants of God want to be faithful to him. Yet, we are living in critical times, and we face various tests of faith. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) What can we do to live up to our dedication to Jehovah? This we will consider in the next article.

Keep On Serving Jehovah With a Steadfast Heart

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.”​—PSALM 57:7.

1. Why can we have conviction like that of David?

JEHOVAH can make us steadfast in the Christian faith, so that we can cling to true Christianity as his dedicated servants. (Romans 14:4) Therefore, we can have conviction like that of the psalmist David, who was moved to sing: “My heart is steadfast, O God.” (Psalm 108:1) If our heart is steadfast, we will be motivated to fulfill our dedication to God. And by looking to him for guidance and strength, we can prove to be immovable, firm in determination and belief as integrity keepers, “always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord.”​—1 Corinthians 15:58.

2, 3. What is the import of Paul’s exhortations recorded at 1 Corinthians 16:13?

² In exhortations addressed to Jesus’ followers in ancient Corinth but certainly applicable to present-day Christians, the apostle Paul said: “Stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) In Greek each of these imperatives is in the present tense, thus urging continuous action. What is the import of this admonition?

³ We can “stay awake” spiritually by opposing the Devil and staying close to God. (James 4:7, 8) Reliance upon Jehovah enables us to keep our ranks unbroken and to ‘stand firm in the Christian faith.’ We​—including the many women among us—​“carry on as men” by serving God courageously as Kingdom proclaimers. (Psalm 68:11) We “grow mighty” by continually looking to our heavenly Father for strength to do his will.​—Philippians 4:13.

4. What led up to our baptism as Christians?

⁴ We took our stand for the true faith when we made an unreserved dedication to