Lesson 23

Jesus taught that baptism is a requirement for Christians.

Read Matthew 28.19, 20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

But what is baptism? And what must a person do to reach that goal?

The word “baptize” comes from a Greek term meaning “to dip” under water. When Jesus was baptized, he was immersed in the Jordan River, and then he came “up out of the water.” (Mark 1:9, 10)

Similarly, true Christians are baptized by being fully dipped, or immersed, in water.

By getting baptized, a person shows that he has dedicated himself to Jehovah God. How does a person make a dedication? Prior to baptism, in a private prayer, he tells Jehovah that he wants to serve Him forever. He promises to worship only Jehovah and to make the doing of God’s will the most important thing in his life. He chooses to “disown himself and... keep following” Jesus’ teachings and example. (Matthew 16:24)

His dedication and baptism make it possible for him to have a close friendship with Jehovah and with fellow worshippers.

You can prepare for baptism by learning about Jehovah and building faith in him.

Read Hebrews 11.6: Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.

As your knowledge and faith grow, so will your love for Jehovah. No doubt you will want to preach about him and live by his standards. (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 John 5:3)

Once a person is living “worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully,” he may decide to dedicate his life to God and get baptized.— Colossians 1:9, 10. Footnote 1

See what we can learn from Jesus’ baptism and how someone can prepare for this important step.

Read Matthew 3:13-17 to learn more details about Jesus’ baptism.

Read Matthew 3.13-17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” Jesus replied to him: “Let it be this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.” Then he quit preventing him. After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him. Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”

Then discuss these questions:

Was Jesus an infant when he got baptized?

How was he baptized? Was he just sprinkled with water?

Jesus began his special God-given work on earth when he got baptized.

Read Luke 3.21-23: Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus too was baptized. As he was praying, the heaven was opened up, and the holy spirit in bodily form like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” When Jesus began his work, he was about 30 years old, being the son, as the opinion was, of Joseph, son of Heli,

Read John 6.38: for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Discuss this question:

After Jesus got baptized, what work did he put first in his life?

The idea of dedication and baptism could seem overwhelming at first. However, you can progress to a point where you feel confident about making such an important decision. To see some people who did that, play the VIDEO.

Read John 17.3: This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

Read James 1.5: So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

Discuss this question:

What can help a person get ready for baptism?