WHY THE CHANGE IN THE BAPTISMAL
QUESTION?
That baptism for those wishing to follow in the
footsteps of Christ is a scriptural admonition is not debated. What is debated among
various Christian denominations is who should get baptized and for what purpose. Many
denominations believe in infant baptism, which we believe is unscriptural.
In any event, a long standing tradition within the
Watchtower movement is to ask a few questions to those desiring to get baptized as an
outward symbol of their consecration to the Lord and His will.
In the days of Pastor Russell, two simple
questions were asked:
- Have you
repented of sin with such restitution as you are able, and are you trusting in the merit
of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins and the basis of your
justification?
- Have you made a full consecration of yourself with
all the powers that you possess--talent, money, time, influence--all to the Lord, to be used faithfully in His service, even unto death?
The candidate was then told "On the basis of these
confessions, we acknowledge you as a member of the Household of Faith, and give to you as
such the right hand of fellowship, not in the name of any sect or party or creed, but in
the name of the Redeemer, our glorified Lord, and His faithful followers." <What Pastor Russell Said, page 35>
After the death of Pastor Russell and prior to the
year 1985, the questions asked to baptismal candidates did not change much, although they
were slightly revised. An example of the questions asked are found in the February 1st
1945 Watchtower:
- Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from
Jehovah God? and have you acknowledged that this salvation proceeds from Him and through
his Ransomer Christ Jesus?
On the basis of this faith in God
and in his provision for redemption, have you consecrated yourself unreservedly to do the
will of God henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through
God’s Word as His holy spirit makes it plain? (page 44 - Subheading
"Questions")
These same questions were asked of
baptismal candidates in 1970 (See Watchtower 1970 pg. 309 par. 20.)
We believe that these questions are proper and in
line with what both the prophet John the baptizer and Christ Jesus admonished their
followers to do, "Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven draws near!" -
Matthew 3:2; 4:7
However, as the years have gone by and the
leadership behind the Watchtower have taken unto themselves certain privileges that
rightfully belong to Christ Jesus, they have made drastic changes within the organization.
Abusing their authority, and having ursurped the authority of Christ. By their actions
they have asserted equal status with Jehovah God Himself. Yet, these changes came subtley
and unnoticed by the rank and file members of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Some may ask for an example, and to that we ask,
let's take a look at the baptismal questions and how they have drastically changed since
1985. There is no need to reproduce the original questions as they are quoted above, we do
well to look at the new questions asked of baptismal candidates since 1985.
- On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have
you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
- Do you understand that your dedication and baptism
identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed
organization? (Watchtower June 1, 1985 pg. 30 par. 3,4.)
You will notice that the original questions and
there slight revisions placed emphasis on one being a sinner and in need of a redeemer,
that redeemer being Christ Jesus as a means of salvation. A simple and plain stated fact.
Scripturally sound.
However, the new questions, (post 1985), are
drastically revised. While emphasis in recognizing ones sinfulness in need of repentance
is stressed, the atoning blood of Jesus is not. Instead, the emphsis is in recognizing
ones association with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As they are the
"spirit-directed organization" mentioned.
Therefore, The candidate is NOT baptized in the
name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, but in the name of the Watchtower, Bible and
Tract Society. As there is no emphasis in whom to confess ones sins in order to gain
forgiveness, there is no emphasis on accepting Jesus as one's personal savior, the ONLY
name by which we gain salvation. Acts 4:12
While the candidate is led to believe that he is
repenting of his sins and dedicating his life in the service of Jehovah, he is in fact
doing the opposite, that is dedicating his life in the service of man, the Watchtower
leadership. Yet the Watchtower states that "Baptism validates a solemn agreement made
with God." (Watchtower April 15, 1987, page 12)
So we ask, why the change? What prompted the
Watchtower leadership to change the questions to their current status? We believe that the
new questions are out of character and unscriptural to say the least. The Society states
they were changed for simplification but for what purpose?
"Recently the two questions addressed
to baptismal candidates were simplified so that candidates could answer with full
comprehension of what is involved in coming into intimate relationship with God and his
earthly organization." (Watchtower April 15, 1987, page 12
