Baptism & Changes in Baptism Questions by Ronald E Frey

( The Christian Respondent – Number 28. Originally published September 24, 1986 )

Ron and Mavis passed away in 2016

“When religion rather than the person of Christ becomes central in our lives, we substitute Pharisaism for Christianity. Religion is central when that to which we are passionately committed is our manner of worship, our theological belief system, our form of piety or our particular religious experience. We then proselytize rather than evangelize. To proselytize means to convert people to our religion, to conform them to our ideas and opinions, and to make them disciples after our own likeness. To evangelize means to proclaim the gospel, to introduce people to the living Christ whether they join our religion or not.” ~The Christian Verdict, Vol. 5, No.2, 1982.

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were zealous proselytizers. On one occasion Jesus said to them: “you traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one you make him a subject for Gehenna twice as much so as yourselves.” –Matt. 23: 15 NW. An evangelizer, on the other hand, is one who declares the gospel or good news about Jesus Christ. An early evangelist was Philip of Caeserea. (Acts 21:8) An example of how Philip acted as an evangelist of good news can be found in Acts chapter 8 which records his encounter with the devout Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch responded in belief to the good news about Jesus Christ as explained by Philip which apparently included the need for water baptism. The account details what then happened: “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but he went on his way rejoicing.” ~Acts 8:36-39 New International Version

Baptism is an act of faith and symbolizes a repentant, heartfelt desire to get right with God through Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter helps us to get a correct view of matters by what he has to say about baptism at 1 Peter 3 :21: “and this water [of the flood] symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone to heaven and is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” ~ 1 Peter 3 :21, NIV.

The power to save rests not in the water but in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The one being baptized recognizes that Christ’s human sacrifice enables the Father to view him as cleansed and acceptable to him. Baptism thus becomes a confession of faith as well as a commitment to God. It marks the end of alienation from the family of God and the beginning of the salvation process. All of the biblical examples of baptism in water demonstrate that it follows repentance and is never shown to follow an extended period of formal indoctrination.

For the foregoing reasons it is of interest to consider the matter of baptism as performed under the direction of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As the Society has evolved into an institutionalized religion, especially since the 1930s, so has its view of baptism and those who qualify for this ordinance. This is best illustrated by comparing what was said about baptism in the Informant, (August 1955) with what was recently said in Our Kingdom Ministry, (September 1986). (Note: The Informant was what Our Kingdom Ministry was called prior to September 1956.)

As noted above the issues were: (1) “Whose side are you on?,” and (2) •• are you prepared to take your stand for Jehovah?” Those who could affirm their decision to serve Jehovah were urged to “declare themselves before witnesses by being baptized.” Apparently, the Watchtower Society felt that some were procrastinating in this matter and needed to be reminded that “this decision must be made now and quickly, because we are approaching the climax of this judgment day: Armageddon.” The fact that many thousands were sharing in the public preaching work while not being personally baptized (dedicated) was viewed as “disquieting.” At this time there were few tests applied other than being on Jehovah’s side of the issue. This attitude was reflected in The Watchtower:

“No man can prevent another from being baptized if he meets God’s requirements. It is Jehovah God who decides what qualifications must be met by candidates for baptism … Those desiring to do the divine will must come to God on his terms and meet his requirements. Only those persons who acknowledge the universal sovereignty of Jehovah, who trust in the ransom and are washed clean, who submit to the kingship of Jehovah’s Son, Christ Jesus, and who follow the leading of the holy spirit qualify for baptism. In this respect it should be noted that understanding and recognition of these fundamental doctrines is even more required than a technical Scriptural knowledge concerning them. Advanced detailed knowledge of the Scriptures may, and often does, come after baptism … The requirements for baptism, then, can be summed up as (1) having enough knowledge and understanding to know what is being agreed to, and (2) being morally clean.” -The Watchtower, May 15, 1960, pages 303,304 (Italics added).

One can agree with the premise that “No man can [rightly] prevent another from being baptized if he meets God’s requirements.” To add to those requirements would be tantamount to changing God’s conditions for salvation. For any man or group of men to do this would represent the apex of presumptuousness and yet this is exactly what the Watchtower Society has done. They have thrown in their own concept of what constitutes an appropriate basis for baptism.

Over time they have evolved numerous organizational prerequisites that go far beyond, and even contradict, the simple directives of Scripture. To appreciate the degree to which they are guilty of this one needs to give consideration to the present-day requirements as presented in their Talmud-like organizational book:

Organized to Accomplish our Ministry. Now, before one can be accepted as a baptismal candidate he or she must first be “” an approved associate.” What does being “”an approved associate” entail? The monthly publication Our Kingdom Ministry, helps us to understand.

Reference is made in the above to pages 97-100 in the organization book wherein the organizational requirements are spelled out. Just one of these will be considered here to illustrate how, in going beyond scriptural guidelines, the Watchtower Society actually contravenes a clear biblical precedent. For example, one of the questions raised in this book is: “Does he believe and live in harmony with what the Bible says about the affairs of the nations at Isaiah 2:4?” (page 99) This scripture, according to the New International Version reads: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. “-Isaiah 2:4

The above is applied to what the Watchtower Society calls “non-neutral activities.” (see Kingdom Ministry Textbook, page 59) which means that one cannot be attached to the military in any capacity and be accepted for baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And if one of Jehovah’s Witnesses should join the military in any capacity following baptism then he is judged to have renounced his Christian standing. Treatment of such a person is to be as follows: “An announcement is usually made that the individual has withdrawn from the congregation, and the person can be told orally about his position. Persons in the congregation that might be visited by the disassociated person can be informed orally, and the individual treated as one disfellowshipped.” Kingdom Ministry School Textbook (ks81), page 149 (Italics added). Such a person is notified orally because the Society wants to avoid announcing publicly this anti-military stance.

Those familiar with the Scriptures realize that the first uncircumcised Gentile convert to Christianity was Cornelius, a man attached to the Roman army as a centurion. A centurion commanded a military unit that usually numbered 100 men. The Bible record provides considerable information regarding the man’s character and the events that led up to his baptism in water by the apostle Peter: “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what is known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. “-Acts 10:1,2

The account in Acts goes on to tell us that one of God’s angels appeared to Cornelius to confirm that his worship was acceptable to God and that he should send for a man named Peter living in Joppa near the sea. Cornelius immediately dispatched two of his servants and a fellow soldier to make the journey to Joppa in search of Peter. At the same time Peter, while in a divinely induced trance, is presented with a disturbing allegorical vision that remained a puzzle until . his meeting with Cornelius. An angel tells Peter that three men are looking for him and that he should not hesitate to accompany them back to the city of Caesarea. When the apostle and a few other brothers arrived in Caesarea they found Cornelius together with his family and friends waiting for them. Cornelius relates to Peter what had happened to him and it was then, for the first time, that Peter was able to fit the pieces together and understand what God had been indicating to him: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.’ ~Acts 10:44-48 NIV.

When the word got back to Judea and Jerusalem that certain uncircumcised Gentiles had been baptized by Peter and that he and those with him had spent some time in their home the Jerusalem elders were more than a little critical of his actions. He reviewed the whole matter with them and helped them appreciate that none of this was his doing but rather that God had orchestrated the whole affair. The cause for concern among the believing Jewish disciples was not that Cornelius was a military man but rather that he was a Gentile and uncircumcised . (Acts 11: 1-18) Obviously, this account gives the Watchtower Society considerable trouble in explaining their present position of refusing baptism to those in the military so they explain it away with arguments like the following:

“Some may ask, ‘What of Cornelius, the centurion, and Sergius Paulus, the army-backed proconsul in Cyprus? Were not these men associated with the military?’ Yes, at the time they accepted the Christian message. The Scriptures, though, do not tell us what Cornelius and others did after their conversion. No doubt Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man and ‘astounded at the teaching of Jehovah,’ would soon scrutinize his secular position in the light of his newfound faith and make a proper decision. Cornelius would have done likewise. (Acts 10: 1,2,44-48; There is no record that the disciples told them what action they must take. They could see that from their own study of God’s Word.-Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:3 Similarly, Christians today should not instruct others personally as to what stand they must take on issues related to Christian neutrality. Each one must make his own conscientious decisions in line with his understanding of Bible principles.” -Galatians 6:4,5 The Watchtower, September 1, 1986, pages 19,20, pars.ll,12.

The above quotation is a typical example of Watchtower sophistry wherein they avoid answering a question while appearing to be doing so. The question:

“What of Cornelius?” is a good one considering that if he were alive today the Watchtower Society would forbid him water baptism! Speculating about what Sergius Paulus and Cornelius did after their baptism is immaterial to the central issue. The central issue is that God and Christ accepted Cornelius-baptizing him with holy spirit and thus making him a son of God and a member of what the Society calls the 144,000 anointed ones while he was actively attached to a military unit! This spirit baptism preceded water baptism and initiated Cornelius into that august group that the Society refers to as “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt.24:45-47)

According to Watchtower dogma both men were in violation of Christian neutrality. According to their view of matters both men made themselves a part of the world of which Christians are told not to be a part. (John 17:16) Obviously, someone is mistaken. Either God and Christ are correct or the Watchtower Society is correct. Fortunately, the choice does not really create difficulty for those who prefer to “let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

When they say “Christians today should not instruct others personally as to what stand they must take on issues related to Christian neutrality, ” they are more than a little dishonest. They do tell people what decision they must make if they want to be accepted for baptism! It is very misleading-especially toward those unaware of the inflexible position the Society takes on military and political matters to say “each one must make his own conscientious decisions in line with his understanding of Bible principles. ” If a person was in the military, responded in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ he would find no scriptural hindrances to his being baptized in water in keeping with the will of God. What would such a person conclude after reading the account in chapter 10 of Acts? Would he conclude that all military persons are unfit for acceptance in the congregational body of Christ? Just the opposite is true. He would come away from that reading convinced that “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34,35)

By implying that Sergius Paulus and Cornelius would have later scrutinized their position and abandoned their political and military life the Society brushes away the Bible as the real authority and establishes their opinion as being above the Bible. It is quite remarkable that the Society can so adroitly circumvent God’s Word in order to enshrine their own tradition. (Matt. 15:6) While appearing to uphold individual conscience they consistently overrule individual conscience. If an individual Jehovah’s Witness develops a conscience that prompts him to scruple against something the Society teaches or practices and he makes this known he will become a subject of persecution. He will immediately be viewed as spiritually diseased and probably wrongly motivated. In the end the only ‘conscience’ that will be honored is the collective conscience of the elders which is controlled by the Watchtower Society.

This is further shown in the matter of baptism. As already discussed, to some extent, one must be “an approved associate” before they can be baptized. This means that the local elders must be satisfied and be convinced in their mind that the person is ready for baptism. To this end after one has gotten his life and habits in conformity with Watchtower requirements; is regularly attending meetings and having a “meaningful” share in field service he qualifies to receive a personal copy of Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry. Pages 171 through 218 of this book is a catechism of 124 doctrinal questions that must be answered to the elders’ satisfaction that the person is truly indoctrinated. In addition to the 124 primary questions there are about 70 auxiliary questions that may be asked to further explore the mind of the candidate. Following this laborious exercise the elders will meet privately to determine whether the person answered appropriately (in their judgment ), and whether all other factors permit their approval for him to be baptized. If the person fails, in their eyes, to measure up to the minimum requirements they will deny him baptism. This legalistic, unscriptural practice is all detailed in their organization book under a heading: “Note to Congregation Elders,” pages 173-175.

The 124 or more questions put to baptismal candidates have Bible texts either quoted or cited beneath them. In this way attention is drawn to the Bible for the answers and gives the appearance that it is all very scriptural. The difficulty with that is that while there are many valid applications of the Bible here there are also many applications of scripture that have been slanted by previous Watchtower indoctrination. These scriptures are not viewed in their native context but are singled out for application in the specific question being used. That is why it is appropriate to refer to it as a catechism. To catechize someone means “to instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, esp., in regard to religious faith.” ~ Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.

What is most interesting about the Watchtower system in this regard is that newly interested ones are encouraged and even trained to do public door-to-door witnessing and have a “meaningful share” in this activity before he or she is examined by the elders to see if they are qualified to be baptized! It is putting the cart before the horse, as they say. To urge people to participate in a public ministry before they are even baptized takes on a certain absurdity. An individual is called upon to publicly identify himself as a practicing Jehovah’s Witness while not yet qualifying to be baptized by the organization he is representing!

The Society likens the matter of being baptized to the signing of a contract: “Christians are likewise required to imitate Christ by getting baptized. Baptism is a sacred symbol, an outward sign of dedication. When we agree to work for a person or a firm, we first ascertain the requirements and conditions and often follow through by signing a contract. But without a signature, the contract is not binding. So it is with baptism-it makes our dedication to God valid.” -The Watchtower, September 1, 1986, page 5. If we enforce the above analogy that baptism is like signing an agreement to work for someone then the question is raised as to how the person could be obligated to be doing all of the things required in such an agreement before the contract is even signed? The Watchtower argument is as illogical as it is unscriptural. The inspired record demonstrates that baptism is premised on faith in Jesus Christ and that alone. Growth in understanding and comprehension of spiritual matters followed baptism it did not precede it. Regarding those who responded to the apostle Peter’s witness on the day of Pentecost we are told: “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” -Acts 2:41,42 NIV

In attempting to reconcile the immediacy of the rite of baptism in the early church with the protracted, organizationally-oriented indoctrination practice of the Watchtower Society they argue that those who were baptized at Pentecost were already worshipers of God and needed only to know that Jesus was their long promised Messiah. How knowledgeable such ones were is open to debate. Jewish tradition and folklore greatly possibly obscured such knowledge. Nor would being knowledgeable regarding the Old Testament necessarily prepare one for discipleship. Faith is more a matter of the heart than of the head. (Romans 10: 10) It is much the same today. It is not that most people are not aware of God and Christ and fail to have at least a general understanding about scriptural matters but, rather that they are not drawn by it. (John 6:44) It is following baptism that one begins to grow in spiritual discernment and can begin to show forth the fruits of the spirit. (Gal. 5:22-25) Such fruitage takes time to evidence itself even in the spirit-filled believer. To demand that people be living exemplary lives before they are even Christians is not reasonable.

It needs to be pointed out here that there is a difference between reformation and regeneration. Reformation involves making changes to conform to a certain scheme of things. If a doctor tells a patient that unless he quits smoking he is a high risk for a heart attack and the person quits smoking that is an example of reformation. If he changes his living habits and develops a healthier lifestyle in order to avoid dying, that is reformation. The motive is basically self-interest and self-accomplished using ordinary abilities all humans process to one degree or another. This does not belittle the change but it is not representative of how the holy spirit works on the human heart to produce regeneration. Regeneration is not a step towards salvation but proceeds from salvation. It is the inner-working of the Spirit that results in character transformation. It is not the outworking of goals set by human thought but goals predetermined by God. It cannot be forced or controlled or legislated by a religious organization.

What groups like the Watchtower Society often produce is a form of reformation. Certain grooming, styles of dress, outward demeanor, vocabulary and conduct are rather quickly adopted as the standard. They are the outward elements that result in acceptance in the group .. Group conformity is insisted upon and backed up by the sword of the organization. In such an environment it is readily apparent how one must appear and act in order to be accepted. Individuality, creativity and spontaneity are often the casualties in such an environment. Group acceptance is viewed as divine acceptance. There is identity as a validated person within the group. There is a certain sense of religious security within the group that one could not have without the group. It is not strange, then, when some leave such a group they experience a loss of security and identity as a believer. Their worth as an “approved associate” has been taken away. An organization brokered their faith validated it. When this is the case, they come away not really sure who or what they are or what they believe.

The problem with the Watchtower Society is that it takes itself too seriously and has evolved into what can only be described as neo-Pharisaism. Rigid, unbending rules, orders and directives may produce a community of conformists but it will never produce a spirit-filled Christian community of believers. To describe such a system as a ‘spiritual paradise’ as the Society does is to do violence to· the phrase. The Watchtower Society gives the distinct impression that Jehovah’s Witnesses are not to be trusted. If the Society gives them an inch they may take a mile. When, for example, an assembly is scheduled the Society takes great pains to remind them how to dress, how to act, what kind of bathing suit to wear if they plan to be baptized and even how much to tip a waitress when they eat out. It is as though adult men and women are completely incapable of making appropriate judgments in these matters unless the Society tells them. This infantile methodology hinders and retards emotional, intellectual as went as spiritual growth.

It is not surprising that the Watchtower Society recently found it expedient to alter the questions put to baptism candidates to bring those questions more in line with the concept of organization-oriented salvation rather than that which revolves around one’s relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Until June of 1985 the two questions put to persons being baptized were:”

• .. “Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his son

• “On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?”

In the Watchtower of June 1, 1985 two different questions were introduced to replace the ones quoted above. They were found in the article titled:

“Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication. ” The new questions were as follows:

• 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?”

—————[Editor’s Note – Update from 2019]

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS May 2019 (section FOR THE ELDERS ONLY).

3. Baptism Questions: The two baptism questions that are reviewed with candidates at the time of their concluding discussion with the elders and that are included at the end of each baptism talk outline have been changed as follows: (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?” The new questions will be used starting with the baptism talks at assemblies and conventions beginning the week of May 13, 2019. Elders should update the two questions on page 209 in their copies of Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will.

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No explanation was offered as to why the change was being made. Were the previous ones inadequate in some way? Why, above all else, was Jesus Christ ignored in the new questions? How could any religious system claiming to be Christian not focus on the person of Jesus Christ whose human sacrifice makes the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God possible? After so many years why eliminate the role of the Bible coupled with holy spirit as the enlightening agents in spiritual growth and replace it with being “in association with God’s spirit-directed organization”? Obviously, the sacred word ORGANIZATION seemed more in keeping with the actual state of affairs among Jehovah’s Witnesses. If it is possible to worship ORGANIZATION then the Watchtower Society must take credit for encouraging, promoting and insisting upon it. And the rank and file Jehovah’s Witness must take individual responsibility for practicing this idolatry.

Since the 1930s, the Watchtower religious system has enshrined ORGANIZATION as an idol and primary doctrine of their worship. In the process they have firmly established themselves as a totalitarian religious hierarchy. In little more than a hundred years they have evolved into the very thing they started out being against. There was never a more outspoken opponent .of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy than the second president of the Watchtower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford. In a book (bearing his name as about the affairs of the nations at Isaiah 2:4?” (page 99) This scripture, according to the New International Version reads: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. “-Isaiah 2:4

The above is applied to what the Watchtower Society calls “non-neutral activities.” (see Kingdom Ministry Textbook, page 59) which means that one cannot be attached to the military in any capacity and be accepted for baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And if one of Jehovah’s Witnesses should join the military in any capacity following baptism then he is judged to have renounced his Christian standing. Treatment of such a person is to be as follows: “An announcement is usually made that the individual has withdrawn from the congregation, and the person can be told orally about his position. Persons in the congregation that might be visited by the disassociated person can be informed orally, and the individual treated as one disfellowshipped.” Kingdom Ministry School Textbook (ks81), page 149 (Italics added). Such a person is notified orally because the Society wants to avoid announcing publicly this anti-military stance.

Those familiar with the Scriptures realize that the first uncircumcised Gentile convert to Christianity was Cornelius, a man attached to the Roman army as a centurion. A centurion commanded a military unit that usually numbered 100 men. The Bible record provides considerable information regarding the man’s character and the events that led up to his baptism in water by the apostle Peter: “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what is known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. “-Acts 10:1,2

The account in Acts goes on to tell us that one of God’s angels appeared to Cornelius to confirm that his worship was acceptable to God and that he should send for a man named Peter living in Joppa near the sea. Cornelius immediately dispatched two of his servants and a fellow soldier to make the journey to Joppa in search of Peter. At the same time Peter, while in a divinely induced trance, is presented with a disturbing allegorical vision that remained a puzzle until . his meeting with Cornelius. An angel tells Peter that three men are looking for him and that he should not hesitate to accompany them back to the city of Caesarea. When the apostle and a few other brothers arrived in Caesarea they found Cornelius together with his family and friends waiting for them. Cornelius relates to Peter what had happened to him and it was then, for the first time, that Peter was able to fit the pieces together and understand what God had been indicating to him: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.’ ~Acts 10:44-48 NIV.

When the word got back to Judea and Jerusalem that certain uncircumcised Gentiles had been baptized by Peter and that he and those with him had spent some time in their home the Jerusalem elders were more than a little critical of his actions. He reviewed the whole matter with them and helped them appreciate that none of this was his doing but rather that God had orchestrated the whole affair. The cause for concern among the believing Jewish disciples was not that Cornelius was a military man but rather that he was a Gentile and uncircumcised . (Acts 11: 1-18) Obviously, this account gives the Watchtower Society considerable trouble in explaining their present position of refusing baptism to those in the military so they explain it away with arguments like the following:

“Some may ask, ‘What of Cornelius, the centurion, and Sergius Paulus, the army-backed proconsul in Cyprus? Were not these men associated with the military?’ Yes, at the time they accepted the Christian message. The Scriptures, though, do not tell us what Cornelius and others did after their conversion. No doubt Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man and ‘astounded at the teaching of Jehovah,’ would soon scrutinize his secular position in the light of his newfound faith and make a proper decision. Cornelius would have done likewise. (Acts 10: 1,2,44-48; There is no record that the disciples told them what action they must take. They could see that from their own study of God’s Word.-Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:3 Similarly, Christians today should not author), he lashed out against the sins of hierarchy. “If anyone dared to express his opinion contrary to the doctrines taught by the clergy of the Roman Catholic organization, that one was straightway charged with heresy. Early in the eleventh century many persons charged with heresy because they dared hold or express an opinion contrary to the Roman Catholic organization were executed by burning and strangling.” -Riches, 1936, page 246 (Italics added).

Those familiar with what has been going on in the ranks of Jehovah’s Witnesses can easily see the parallel between the attitude and actions of the Roman Catholic organization of the eleventh century and the Watchtower organization in the twentieth century. The persecution is less crude but just as deadly in a number of ways. People are ‘killed’ or ‘destroyed’ by being declared spiritually dead. The pain and suffering generated by the Watchtower system of religion is just as real as that generated by the Roman system. They reflect a kindred spirit. The intolerance shown by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy is clearly matched by the intolerance now shown by the Watchtower Hierarchy. It is a spirit that Christians must avoid. □

(Additional Note: From time to time, a former Witness will give thought to rebaptism. In the minds of some there arises the question of whether their water baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was scripturally valid. Some do decide that they ought to be rebaptized, others decide that their water baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses did meet the scriptural standard. It is a personal question that each former Witness will have to answer for himself alone.)

Editor- A comprehensive history of Baptism Question changes can be found at: https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/baptism.php