AboutDerrick Holland Expertise I was raised in the religion known as Jehovah`s Witnesses for 13 years. Since becoming a born-again Christian, I have researched extensively this religion, especially their doctrines and their history. I can answer questions about their doctrines from the perspective of Biblical Christianity.
Experience 23 years of Biblical research into the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and how they differ from the teachings of the Watchtower.
Question Can you provide scriptural proof that the following are required prior to baptism: (1) Lengthy Bible Study spanning many months, (2) regular attendance at weekly meetings, (3) qualifying for and regularly reporting preaching work for as long as the congregation elders require, (4) specific once-for-all-time vow of dedication to God, or (5) proving to the congregation elders that you know Bible doctrine?
Can you support each of these as requirements prior to baptism that the Bible teaches? Or are these (as they seem to me) organizational rules?
I asked Brenda this as a follwup after she gave me a list of scriptures that didn't really answer my question. She told me to ask my "study conducter." I felt like she brushed me off, it didn't seem like an expert response.
When I asked Brandon, he said the Bible doesn't teach these as requirements and used one of the five scriptures I had used with Brenda to show where Christians in Bible times didn't have to do those things before getting baptized.
I have resisted attending meetings because the Bible doesn't say unbaptized people should attend meetings. My study conductor is afraid I am about to stop my study because neither he nor the elder that came (the President?) could answer my question with the Bible. He's right, too. If I can't get a straight answer on this then there is no way I'm getting baptized.
What is your answer? Can you show me the scriptures? Thanks in advance.
Answer Hello Joseph. Thank you for writing with this important question.
I have read your question, and also the answers given to you by both Brenda Martin and Brandon Harper. The answer I am going to give you is in agreement with Brandon's answer. I also agree with his conclusion as to why you didn't get a better answer from Brenda....namely that she was unable to answer you from the Scriptures on this point.
You see, the Society has added numerous requirements to baptism, and as you have already come to suspect, NONE of them can be found in the Scriptures, other than repentance and conversion. But there is a reason they require all of these other things, as well. They want to make sure that you are fully indoctrinated in the Society's teachings, and have come to accept them as the authority on Bible doctrine. There is no room in the Watchtower for an independent thinker. That is why you must "prove" yourself first.
Let me say that I commend you in your determination to make sure their teachings line up with God's Word. This is a course that is described as "noble" in Acts 17:11, and it is certainly "reasonable", as you said in your previous questions.
You listed many excellent examples from the Book of Acts, all of which show the Society's requirements go beyond the Bible's. Let me focus on one in particular, the one I like to use when I am asked this question. I am referring to the account in Acts chapter 8, verses 26-38. While this passage is a favorite among JWs to prove the "need" for the Organization to interpret the Scriptures to us, they completely ignore what it teaches about baptism. Let's examine what it really teaches here....
Philip comes upon the Ethiopian, who was reading from the Book of Isaiah (v. 29-30). When asked if he understood what he was reading, he stated that he needed someone to "guide him" (v. 31).
This would certainly indicate that he.....
1. Had no lengthy Bible study spanning many months.
2. Had no regular attendance at weekly meetings.
3. Had no regular report of preaching work, and certainly wouldn't qualify for it.
4. Had not proven to the elders he knew Bible doctrine.
Now, I find this next part VERY SIGNIFICANT in answering just how MUCH knowledge this Ethiopian could have taken in, after a few hours with Philip. We are told EXACTLY what Philip preached to the Ethiopian....Jesus Christ! Philip used the passage out of Isaiah 53, which the Ethiopian had been reading, and showed him how this was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (v. 35).
Apparently there was some time that elapsed between verses 35 and 36, and we do not know how long. But we do know it was THE SAME DAY. In order to meet the Society's requirements, he would have needed to do some intense study in a hurry!
When they come upon water, the eunuch asked "What doth hinder me to be baptized?"
I think Philip's answer is most revealing. There was not one word about "proving anything" to the elders, or even a quiz about Bible doctrine. The man had never put in one minute of field service. What WAS required, was a belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior. That was the ONLY requirement given, and we read that the eunuch was baptized the same day.
My advice is to be very careful of any group that adds their own list of requirements that cannot be found in, nor supported by Scripture. You might want to ask yourself "Why would they do this?"
I would also caution you to be this demanding on other JW teachings, as well. I can promise you that the topic of baptism is not the only area that they err from a Scriptural standpoint. I think you are wise in demanding that they give you solid Scriptural support, and I think you have seen that they are unable to do so in this area.
I think the Bible examples you have given are sufficient in themselves to demonstrate that there is something wrong here. Baptism, in the Bible, is a symbol that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Why then, all the extra requirements in the Watchtower Society? Is it perhaps because they want to make sure you are going to follow them, as well? You have to reach your own conclusions on that question, but think about it.
In closing, I must agree with you, and also with Brandon that these requirements are not found in Scripture, and no one is ever going to be able to show them to you in Scripture, because they simply aren't there.
I hope you have found this answer helpful. If you have any further questions on this, or any other Bible topic, please do not hesitate to write.
