Lesson 47 Explore 1: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? | Watchtower Study
STUDY ARTICLE 11
Are You Ready to Get Baptized?
“Baptism... is also now saving you.”-
(1 Peter 3.21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
PREVIEW
1. What should a person do before starting to build a house?
IMAGINE that a person decides to build a house. He knows what kind of house he wants to build. Should he immediately go out and buy some supplies and start building? No. Before he begins, there is something important that he ought to do-calculate how much the house will cost. Why? Because he needs to know whether he has enough money to finish the house. If he carefully calculates the cost in advance, he is more likely to be successful in completing his new house.
2. According to Luke 14:27-30, what should you think carefully about before getting baptized?
2. Has your love and appreciation for Jehovah moved you to think about getting baptized? If so, you are facing a decision similar to that of the man who wants to build a house. Why can we say that? Consider Jesus’ words found at
(Luke 14.27-30: Whoever does not carry his torture stake and come after me cannot be my disciple. For example, who of you wanting to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers would start to ridicule him, saying: ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish.’)
(Read.) Jesus was discussing what it means to be his disciple. To be his follower, we must be willing to accept “the expense” involved-the challenges and the sacrifices.
(Luke 9.23-26: Then he went on to say to all: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake day after day and keep following me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake is the one who will save it. Really, what good will it do a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own self or suffers ruin? For whoever becomes ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of that person when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and of the holy angels.)
(Luke 12.51-53: Do you think I came to give peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”)
So before you get baptized, you need to think carefully about all that is involved. Then you will be better prepared to keep serving God faithfully as a baptized Christian.
3. What will we discuss in this article?
3. Is becoming a baptized disciple of Christ worth the expense? Of course it is! Baptism opens the door to countless blessings-now and in the future. Let us discuss some important questions about baptism. Doing so will help you to answer the question, “Am I ready to get baptized?”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEDICATION AND BAPTISM
4. (a) What is dedication? (b) What does it mean to “disown” oneself, as mentioned at Matthew 16:24?
4. What is dedication? Before you can get baptized, you must make a dedication. When you make a dedication, you approach Jehovah in earnest prayer and tell him that you will use your life to serve him forever. When you dedicate yourself to God, you “disown” yourself.
Read Matthew 16.24: Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me.
You now belong to Jehovah, which is a great privilege.
(Romans 14.8: For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah.)
You are telling him that from now on, you will be focused on serving him and not on pleasing yourself. Your dedication is a vow-a solemn promise made to God. Jehovah does not force us to make such a vow. But when we do, he expects us to fulfill it.-
(Psalm 116.12: With what will I repay Jehovah For all the good he has done for me?)
(Psalm 116.14: I will pay my vows to Jehovah In the presence of all his people.)
5. How is dedication related to baptism?
5. How is dedication related to baptism? Your dedication is personal and private; it is between you and Jehovah. Baptism is public; it takes place in front of others, usually at an assembly or a convention. When you get baptized, you show others that you have already dedicated yourself to Jehovah. So your baptism lets others know that you love Jehovah your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and that you are determined to serve him forever.-
(Mark 12.30: and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’)
Two Questions to Be Answered on the Day of Your Baptism
1. Have you repented of your sins, dedicated yourself to Jehovah, and accepted his way of salvation through Jesus Christ?
2. Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?
6-7. According to 1 Peter 3:18-22, what are two reasons why baptism is necessary?
6. Is it really necessary to get baptized? Consider the words found at
(1 Peter 3.18-22: For Christ died once for all time for sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. And in this state he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who had formerly been disobedient when God was patiently waiting in Noah’s day, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is at God’s right hand, for he went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.)
(Read.) Just as the ark was visible proof of Noah’s faith, your baptism is discernible evidence of your dedication to Jehovah. But is baptism really necessary? Yes it is. Peter commented on the reason why. First, it is “saving you.” Baptism can save us if we have taken the necessary steps to show that we have faith in Jesus and believe that he died for us, was raised to heaven, and is now “at God’s right hand.”
7. Second, baptism leads to “a good conscience.” When we dedicate ourselves to God and get baptized, we enter into a special relationship with him. Because of our sincere repentance and our faith in the ransom, God forgives our sins. We can thus have a good conscience before him.
8. What should be the basis for your decision to get baptized?
8. What should be the basis for your decision to get baptized? As a result of your careful study of the Bible, you have learned much about Jehovah-his personality and his ways. What you have learned about him has warmed your heart and moved you to love him very much. Your love for Jehovah must be the primary basis for your decision to get baptized.
9. What does it mean to get baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, as stated at Matthew 28:19, 20?
9. Your decision to get baptized is also based on the Bible truths you have accepted. Consider what Jesus said when he gave the commission to make disciples.
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.”
According to Jesus, those who get baptized must do so “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” What did this mean? You must believe with all your heart the Bible truths about Jehovah; his Son, Jesus; and the holy spirit. These truths are very powerful and can deeply touch your heart.
(Hebrews 4.12: For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.)
Let us review some of them.
10-11. What truths about the Father have you learned and accepted?
10. Think back to when you learned these truths about the Father: His “name is Jehovah,” he is “the Most High over all the earth,” and he alone is “the true God.”
(Psalm 83.18: May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.)
(Isaiah 37.16: “O Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, sitting enthroned above the cherubs, you alone are the true God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.)
He is our Creator, and “salvation belongs to Jehovah.”
(Psalm 3.8: Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing is upon your people. (Selah))
(Psalm 36.9: With you is the source of life; By your light we can see light.)
He has made provision to save us from sin and death and has given us the prospect of everlasting life.
(John 17.3: This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.)
Your dedication and baptism will identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
(Isaiah 43.10-12: “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.)
You will be part of a worldwide family of worshippers who are proud to be called by God’s name and make it known to others.-
(Psalm 86.12: I praise you, O Jehovah my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify your name forever,)
11. What a privilege it is to understand what the Bible teaches about the Father! When you accept these precious truths, your heart moves you to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized.
12-13. What truths about the Son have you learned and accepted?
12. What was your reaction when you learned the following truths about the Son? Jesus is the second most important person in the universe. He is our Ransomer. He willingly gave his life for us. When we show by our actions that we have faith in the ransom, we can have our sins forgiven, develop a friendship with God, and gain everlasting life.
(John 3.16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.)
Jesus is our High Priest. He wants to help us to benefit from the ransom and to have a close relationship with God.
(Hebrews 4.15: For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tested in all respects as we have, but without sin.)
(Hebrews 7.24, 25: but because he continues alive forever, his priesthood has no successors. So he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.)
As King of God’s Kingdom, he is the one through whom Jehovah will sanctify His name, end wickedness, and bring eternal blessings in the coming Paradise.
(Matthew 6.9, 10: “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.)
(Revelation 11.15: The seventh angel blew his trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”)
Jesus is our model.
(1 Peter 2.21: In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.)
He set an example for us in devoting his life to doing God’s will.-
(John 4.34: Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.)
13. When you accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus, you come to love God’s dear Son. That love moves you to use your life to do God’s will, as Jesus did. As a result, you feel impelled to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized.
14-15. What truths about the holy spirit have you learned and accepted?
14. What did you think when you learned the following truths about the holy spirit? It is, not a person, but God’s active force. Jehovah used the holy spirit to inspire the writing of the Bible, and the spirit helps us to understand and apply what we read in it.
(John 14.26: But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you.)
(2 Peter 1.21: For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.)
By means of his spirit, Jehovah gives us “power beyond what is normal.”
(2 Corinthians 4.7: However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us.)
The spirit empowers us to preach the good news, fight temptation, deal with discouragement, and overcome trials. It helps us to display the beautiful qualities that make up “the fruitage of the spirit.”
(Galatians 5.22: On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,)
God freely gives his spirit to those who trust in him and sincerely ask him for it.-
(Luke 11.13: Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”)
15. How reassuring and comforting it is to know that Jehovah’s worshippers can rely on the holy spirit to help them in serving God! When you accept the truths you have learned about the holy spirit, you will feel moved to dedicate yourself to God and get baptized.
16. What have we learned so far in our discussion?
16. You are taking an important step when you decide to dedicate yourself to God and get baptized. As we have learned, you must be willing to accept the expense involved-the challenges and the sacrifices. But the blessings far outweigh the expense. Baptism can save you, and it leads to a good conscience before God. Your decision to get baptized must be based primarily on your love for Jehovah God. You must also believe with all your heart the truths you have learned about the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit. After considering what we have discussed so far, how would you answer the question, “Am I ready to get baptized?”
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE BAPTISM
17. What are some of the steps leading to baptism?
17. If you feel that you are ready to get baptized, you no doubt have already taken a number of steps to build a good relationship with Jehovah. As a result of your regular Bible study, you have come to know much about Jehovah and Jesus. You have developed faith.
(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.)
You completely trust in Jehovah’s promises found in the Bible, and you are convinced that your faith in Jesus’ sacrifice can save you from sin and death. You have repented of your sins; you feel deeply sorry for the wrongs you have committed, and you have asked Jehovah for his forgiveness. You have turned your life around; you have firmly rejected your former bad way of life and have begun living in a way that is pleasing to God.
(Acts 3.19: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself)
You are eager to tell others about your faith. You qualified to become an unbaptized publisher and began preaching with the congregation.
(Matthew 24.14: And 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.)
Jehovah is proud of you for taking these necessary steps. You have brought great joy to his heart.-
(Proverbs 27.11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.)
BEFORE YOUR BAPTISM:
• Come to know Jehovah and Jesus well
• Develop faith
• Repent of your sins and turn your life around
• Dedicate yourself to God
AFTER BAPTISM:
• Read God’s Word and meditate on it every day
• Pray continually
• Keep seeking first the Kingdom in your life
18. What else do you need to do before you can get baptized?
18. Before you can get baptized, there are a few other things you need to do. As we learned earlier, you must dedicate yourself to God. Approach him in private, heartfelt prayer, and promise him that you will use your life to do his will.
(1 Peter 4.2: so that he may live the remainder of his time in the flesh, no more for the desires of men, but for God’s will.)
Then let the coordinator of the body of elders know that you want to get baptized. He will ask some elders to meet with you. Please do not be anxious about meeting with them. These dear brothers no doubt already know you and love you. They will review with you the basic Bible teachings that you have learned. They want to make sure that you understand those teachings and that you are aware of the importance of dedication and baptism. If they agree that you are ready, they will inform you that you can get baptized at the next assembly or convention.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO AFTER YOUR BAPTISM
19-20. What will you need to do after your baptism, and how can you do that?
19. Once you get baptized, what will you need to do? Recall that dedication is a vow and that Jehovah expects you to keep it. So after your baptism, you have to live up to your dedication. How can you do that?
20. Stay close to your congregation. As a baptized Christian, you are now part of an “association of brothers.”
(1 Peter 2.17: Honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, honor the king.)
Your brothers and sisters in the congregation are your spiritual family. By regularly attending the meetings, you will strengthen your bond with them. Read God’s Word and meditate on it every day.
(Psalm 1.1, 2: Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night.)
After reading a portion of the Bible, take some time to think deeply about what you have read. Then the words will reach your heart. “Pray continually.”
(Matthew 26.41: Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.”)
Your sincere prayers will draw you closer to Jehovah. “Keep on... seeking first the Kingdom.”
(Matthew 6.33: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.)
You can do that by making the preaching work a priority in your life. By sharing regularly in the ministry, you will keep your faith strong, and you may help others to get on the road to everlasting life.-
(1 Timothy 4.16: Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.)
21. Your baptism will open the way to what?
21. The decision to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized is the most important decision you will ever make. It is true that there is expense involved. Is it worth the expense? Absolutely! Any hardships you may face in this old world are “momentary and light.”
(2 Corinthians 4.17: For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing greatness and is everlasting;)
In contrast, your baptism will open the way to a more satisfying life now and “the real life” to come.
(1 Timothy 6.19: safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, so that they may get a firm hold on the real life.)
By all means, think carefully and pray about your answer to the question, “Am I ready to get baptized?”
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
• What do you need to know about dedication and baptism?
• What do you need to do before you get baptized?
• What do you need to do after you get baptized?
[End of article.]