With the caption: Keep progressing towards baptism
The theme: Now is the time to develop a strong friendship with Jehovah and be baptized.
And with the thematic text, 2 Corinthians 6:2: Now it’s the especially favorable time.
- (a) What are some of the blessings to be baptized? (b) What shall we see in this article?
Answer 1:
Baptizing brings very nice blessings. One of them is that one asks God for a good conscience. Moreover, baptism publicly demonstrates that we want to belong to Jehovah and do his will, and that puts us in a very special position before him.
Answer 2:
Another blessing is that we give an excellent example to those who have not yet been baptized. Our step may encourage others to take their spiritual progress more seriously. We also know that baptism is essential to obtain forgiveness from sins and God’s approval.
Answer 3:
In this article we will see three things: why some do not decide to be baptized, why should it be borne in mind that the end is near and what are the benefits of striving without delay to achieve that goal.
- Why don’t you dare some to be baptized?
Answer 1:
Some don’t dare in fear. For example, they may think they will never get to be good enough to please Jehovah. But that’s not what God expects. He does not demand perfection; he wants us to give him the best we can with a sincere heart.
Answer 2:
Others fear the opposition. Maybe they think about the reaction of family, friends or colleagues and that slows them down. In those cases it helps a lot to ask Jehovah courage and remember that, if he is on our side, no human being can prevent us from doing the right thing.
Answer 3:
So the problem is often not a lack of love for Jehovah, but fear. But that fear can be overcome. If we review texts that remind us of God’s compassion and trust in his support, we can continue to move towards baptism.
- Why do some of them postpone the decision to be baptized?
Answer 1:
Some postpone it because they feel they still don’t have enough Bible knowledge. They think they need to know a lot more before they take that step. But the example of the Philippian jailer shows that the essential thing is not to know everything, but to know Jehovah, to love him and to be determined to obey him.
Answer 2:
That man and his family learned important truths in a very short time and immediately baptized. This teaches that baptism requires neither perfect nor complete knowledge, but basic understanding, sincere repentance and a real desire to serve Jehovah.
Answer 3:
Therefore, if a person already knows Jehovah, loves him from the heart, understands the basic teachings, has repented of his sins and wants to obey him, he is really ready to be baptized. You shouldn’t be slowed down to think you still need to know too much.
- What is the other reason why some don’t dare to baptize?
Answer 1:
Another reason is that they focus too much on the price they will have to pay. They know that serving Jehovah involves changes, resignations and discipline, and that can scare them. Instead of thinking about what they’ll win, they focus only on what they’ll have to leave.
Answer 2:
Some happen as to the experience mentioned in the article: they know what they have to do to please God, but a part of them are still attracted to the life they lead. And others are afraid that they will not be able to live up to the standards of Jehovah after being baptized.
Answer 3:
That fear may be real, but it shouldn’t cripple us. Rather, it should lead us to strengthen our relationship with Jehovah and trust that he will help us live up to our dedication. Baptism is not given because one is strong, but because it wants to rely on God.
- What should we take into account when thinking about baptizing ourselves? (Matthew 13:44-46).
Answer 1:
We must think not only of the price, but also of value. When a person buys something valuable, he doesn’t just look at what he costs, but what he earns. Baptism happens the same: yes, there are changes to be made, but what we get is much greater.
Answer 2:
What we’re getting is a good friendship with Jehovah. And that has no comparison. Jesus illustrated it with examples of people who found something so valuable, who were willing to give everything to achieve it. Thus we should see the privilege of serving God.
Answer 3:
If we focus more on value than on price, baptism ceases to be a burden and begins to look like an extraordinary opportunity. We are not losing any good; we are earning the best that exists: the friendship of Jehovah and the hope of eternal life.
- What can help us to have a heart that is receptive?
Answer 1:
It can help us examine what kind of heart we have. Jesus explained that the seeds of the message of the Kingdom do not fall the same in all. Some people have a divided or hardened heart, and that prevents them from progressing, even if they love the truth.
Answer 2:
The good news is that no one is doomed to continue like this. If a person feels their heart is divided, they don’t have to give up. With the help of God he may have a new heart, one who responds well to the guidance of Jehovah and to the biblical truth.
Answer 3:
Therefore it is important to ask Jehovah to help us to soften our hearts. If we let him act in us, the seed of the Kingdom can grow and bear fruit. And that will make it much easier to continue to progress towards baptism.
7, 8. Why don’t some young people progress toward baptism?
Answer 1:
Some young people are not progressing because of the influence of other people. Sometimes in school or in its surroundings they are encouraged to accept any lifestyle and morality, even those that go against Jehovah’s rules. That pressure can greatly slow his spiritual progress.
Answer 2:
It may also happen that some parents don’t push them as much as they should. Perhaps they focus too much on studies, on future work or on other goals, and do not encourage them very clearly to put spiritual goals such as baptism.
Answer 3:
But the young man doesn’t have to be blocked by that. You can talk to your parents, express your desire to progress and remember that age is not a barrier to being a good friend of Jehovah. The important thing is to take the truth seriously and not let others decide for one.
- Why do some of the baptism delay?
Answer 1:
Some delay it by group pressure. For example, a friend or family member may ask them to wait to baptize together. Although being baptized on the same day that a loved one may be a nice thing, it should not become a reason to postpone such an important decision.
Answer 2:
Dedication is a personal promise between each of us and Jehovah. It doesn’t depend on the spiritual rhythm of others. Each person will respond individually to God, so it would not be wise to delay baptism for looking good with someone or waiting for company.
Answer 3:
In this matter we must act with personal conviction. If we’ve already met the requirements and are ready, there’s no compelling reason to postpone it. We must not let others, even if they have good intentions, mark the moment of our dedication to Jehovah.
- Why don’t some make all the changes necessary to be baptized?
Answer 1:
Because they think they still have plenty of time. They think they can go on as they are now and make the changes later, when the end is closer. But that way of thinking is not sensible, because Jesus said that we must always be prepared.
Answer 2:
The problem with postponing major changes is that the decisive moment can come sooner than one imagines. No one knows exactly how long it has or when the end will come. That’s why we shouldn’t live with the idea that there will always be another opportunity.
Answer 3:
Besides, the more something is postponed, the more difficult it can become. The wise thing is not to leave obedience for later, but to begin now to make all the changes necessary to please Jehovah and progress towards baptism.
- According to Psalm 119:60, how much do we feel by the standards of Jehovah the more we know him?
Answer 1:
The more we know Jehovah, the more we love his standards. We stop seeing them as heavy restraints and begin to see them as a sign of their love and wisdom. We understand they’re for our own.
Answer 2:
Therefore, when one truly comes to love Jehovah, he wants to obey him right away. He’s not looking for excuses or delays. Love makes obedience more natural, faster and more sincere.
Answer 3:
Besides, there’s another reason not to delay obedience: we don’t know what will become of our life tomorrow. So, if we already know what Jehovah wants from us, it is best to act now and not leave what we already understand is right.
- What do we learn from the parable of the vineyard?
Answer 1:
We learn that, when Jesus calls us, we must respond right away. In the parable, the men who started working at the end of the day were not lazy; no one had hired them before. As soon as they got the call, they were without delay.
Answer 2:
That teaches us we shouldn’t use that parable to justify delays. It doesn’t mean you can let one pass the time and then respond calmly at the end. The point is that, when the opportunity comes, we have to take it right away.
Answer 3:
Today Jesus calls us to be his followers and collaborate in preaching. So, if we are already hearing that call and know what Jehovah expects of us, we must respond as soon as possible and continue to progress towards baptism.
- What do we learn from Lot’s wife?
Answer 1:
We learn that making changes at the last moment can be much harder than it seems. Lot’s wife knew the destruction was very close, but her heart was still too attached to what she left behind. And that ended up costing him very hard.
Answer 2:
That example shows that it is not enough to know that the end is coming. You need to act. A person can understand the urgency of the moment and still stay too clingy to certain things of his current life. That’s why we have to start changing as soon as possible.
Answer 3:
We also learn that the door of salvation will not be open forever. There will come a time when Jehovah will close it definitively. So it’s not advisable to play over time or think there will always be one more opportunity to react.
- What effect should it be on you to see the fulfillment of prophecies on the end?
Answer 1:
We should be motivated to make the necessary changes to christen us as soon as possible. Although some signs of the end are not being fulfilled just where we live, seeing how they are fulfilled in other parts of the world our conviction should be made stronger.
Answer 2:
That’s what happened to the Christians of the first century. Some lived far from Jerusalem, so they would not be directly affected by their destruction. But to see how the prophecies were fulfilled strengthened his confidence that Jehovah would fulfill everything else he had promised.
Answer 3:
The same thing happens today. Seeing the fulfillment of prophecies should not leave us cold or alone informed; it should prompt us to be vigilant, alert and determined to continue to take important spiritual steps, including baptism.
- By what attitude should we wait for the day of Jehovah? (2 Peter 3:10-13).
Answer 1:
We have to wait for him to be very aware of him. Not as a distant or theoretical thing, but as a reality that really affects our way of living today. Keeping it in mind helps us to keep our priorities clear.
Answer 2:
Besides, we must wish it intensely. Not only do you accept that it will come, but want it to come. This attitude shows that we love the Kingdom of God and that we deeply desire that this unjust system end and the promises of Jehovah be fulfilled.
Answer 3:
And while we wait for that day, we must strive to live in a holy manner and with true devotion to God. That’s the best way to show that we not only talk about the end, but we really believe it’s close and we want to be prepared.
- What is the best time to progress towards baptism? (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2; see also the images).
Answer 1:
The best time is now. That is the clear message of the article. Not tomorrow, not later, not when circumstances are ideal. If we understand the truth and are moving forward, now is the particularly favourable time to make further progress.
Answer 2:
The example of the Ethiopian eunuch shows this very well. As soon as he understood the good news and had the opportunity to be baptized, he didn’t postpone the decision. He didn’t start looking for excuses or thinking about later. He asked immediately what prevented him from baptizing himself.
Answer 3:
That example teaches us not to unnecessarily complicate things. If we are already on the right track, the wise thing is to move forward without delay. The best time to take steps towards baptism is not when everything seems perfect, but now.
- What can we be sure of?
Answer 1:
We can be sure that Jehovah wants to help us develop a strong friendship with him. If there is one thing that is holding us back, Jehovah does not stand by looking from afar; he wants to support us so that we overcome that fear, that restlessness or that negative influence.
Answer 2:
We can also be sure that, with your support, we will be able to overcome any obstacles that are preventing us from progressing. Jehovah doesn’t ask us to move forward alone. He gives us strength, attracts us to him and helps us move on.
Answer 3:
And we can be sure that, when we bauticize, we will be very happy to have a good conscience before God. Then the things that are left behind will lose importance and we will be able to look forward to the things to come, that is, the promises that Jehovah fulfills for those who dedicate themselves to him.
WHAT RESPONDER?
Why don’t you decide some to be baptized?
Answer 1:
Because some are afraid. They fear not being good enough for Jehovah or fear other people’s opposition. That fear can stop them even if they love God and want to do their will.
Answer 2:
Others do not decide because they think they still don’t know enough or because they care too much about the sacrifices and changes they will have to make. They focus more on price than on the enormous value of baptizing.
Answer 3:
And some young people or students are slowed down by the influence of other people, because of group pressure or because their environment doesn’t drive them enough. In all cases, they need to strengthen their trust in Jehovah and their desire to please him.
Why wouldn’t it be wise to postpone baptism?
Answer 1:
Because nobody knows how long he’s got. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow or when the end will come. So it is not wise to think that later it will be easier to obey Jehovah or make the necessary changes.
Answer 2:
Moreover, postponing spiritual decisions can make certain attachments stronger. Lot’s wife’s example shows that leaving the changes for the last moment can be much more difficult than one imagined.
Answer 3:
And it wouldn’t be wise either because Jehovah and Jesus are calling us now. Just as in the parable of the vineyard, when the time comes to respond, we must do it right away. The time to act is now, not after.
What is the best time to progress towards baptism?
Answer 1:
The best time is now. That is exactly what the example of the Ethiopian eunuch teaches. As soon as he understood the truth and the opportunity arose, he did not postpone the decision.
Answer 2:
Now it’s the especially favorable time because Jehovah is helping people get close to him today. You don’t have to wait to feel perfect or that all circumstances are ideal for further spiritual progress.
Answer 3:
Besides, acting now brings peace and joy. When one stops postponing baptism and continues to progress decisively, he comes closer to Jehovah, strengthens his conscience and begins to look with illusions at the blessings ahead.
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