5 Are you thinking about getting baptized? Baptism is public; it takes place in front of others, usually at an assembly or a convention. 4:17) In contrast, your baptism will open the way to a more satisfying life now and “the real life” to come. If so, this article has been prepared especially with you in mind. (Ps. Jesus was discussing what it means to be his disciple. We can thus have a good conscience before him. John 3:16, Romans 6:23. 1:1, 2) After reading a portion of the Bible, take some time to think deeply about what you have read. 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. Any hardships you may face in this old world are “momentary and light.” (2 Cor. Yes it is. (Heb. 6:19) By all means, think carefully and pray about your answer to the question, “Am I ready to get baptized?”. Have you repented of your sins, dedicated yourself to Jehovah, and accepted his way of salvation through Jesus Christ? 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. TERMS OF USE Your answers will help you to decide if you are ready to get baptized. THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION March 2020, Share Jehovah does not force us to make such a vow. Jesus is the second most important person in the universe. But is baptism really necessary? How is dedication related to baptism? But when we do, he expects us to fulfill it.​—Ps. It is, not a person, but God’s active force. Your decision to get baptized must be based primarily on your love for Jehovah God. Historically, the Evangelical Covenant Church has accepted both infant and adult baptism, intentionally avoiding the division that baptism can sometimes cause. You have developed faith. Parents who baptize their infants anticipate the day when the child will personally accept the claims of Christ and become his disciple. Salvation comes through belief in the completed work of Christ on the cross. 86:12. 83:18; Isa. 11 What a privilege it is to understand what the Bible teaches about the Father! seeking first the Kingdom.” (Matt. In this way it was similar to circumcision in the Old Testament. 12-13. 5 See the box “ Two Questions to Be Answered on the Day of Your Baptism.”. What else do you need to do before you can get baptized? 5 How is dedication related to baptism? Before he begins, there is something important that he ought to do​—calculate how much the house will cost. 4:2) Then let the coordinator of the body of elders know that you want to get baptized. Baptism provides an opportunity for believers to make a formal profession of their faith, it is not a condition for salvation, but a response to the redemption and love of Jesus. Repent of your sins and turn your life around, Read God’s Word and meditate on it every day, Keep seeking first the Kingdom in your life. —Ps. “Pray continually.” (Matt. How can you do that? He willingly gave his life for us. All rights reserved, The Relationship Between Baptism and Confirmation, Scientism: Trusting in a Fragmented Totality, Google’s Plan to Disrupt Higher Education, Democratic Socialism versus Totalitarian Socialism, The FED is Both Too Politicized and Powerful, The Night Didn’t Seem Quite So Cold Anymore. Baptism & Dedication Infant Baptism Historically, the Evangelical Covenant Church has accepted both infant and adult baptism, intentionally avoiding the division that baptism can sometimes cause. 19 Once you get baptized, what will you need to do? (Isa. It symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through divine forgiveness and the newness of life believers experience by virtue of their identification with Christ in his death and Resurrection. They will review with you the basic Bible teachings that you have learned. “Keep on . (John 3:16) Jesus is our High Priest. According to 1 Peter 3:18-22, what are two reasons why baptism is necessary? Then you will be better prepared to keep serving God faithfully as a baptized Christian. What will you need to do after your baptism, and how can you do that? (b) What does it mean to “disown” oneself, as mentioned at Matthew 16:24? Many Christian churches practice baby dedication instead of infant baptism (also known as Christening) as their primary celebration of a child's birth into the community of faith. Water baptism first began as an act of washing all or part of the body to purify it, or to wash away all of the individual’s sins and transgressions. What do you need to do before you get baptized? 6 Is it really necessary to get baptized? IMAGINE that a person decides to build a house. Should he immediately go out and buy some supplies and start building? Would you like to read this article in %%? is also now saving you.”​—1 PET. The differences between dedication and baptism can be categorized based on different aspects. There is anticipation and hope of the child’s future personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is rooted in one single bible requirement simply and beautifully expressed by Peter. (1 Pet. 9 Your decision to get baptized is also based on the Bible truths you have accepted. Child Dedication. If they agree that you are ready, they will inform you that you can get baptized at the next assembly or convention. Your love for Jehovah must be the primary basis for your decision to get baptized. 2:17) Your brothers and sisters in the congregation are your spiritual family. THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION March 2020, Audio download options 13 When you accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus, you come to love God’s dear Son. Your dedication is personal and private; it is between you and Jehovah. You have brought great joy to his heart.​—Prov. 18 Before you can get baptized, there are a few other things you need to do. As we have learned, you must be willing to accept the expense involved​—the challenges and the sacrifices. What are some of the steps leading to baptism? . When you make a dedication, you approach Jehovah in earnest prayer and tell him that you will use your life to serve him forever. * 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. ^ par. You must believe with all your heart the Bible truths about Jehovah; his Son, Jesus; and the holy spirit. Let us discuss some important questions about baptism. Consider Jesus’ words found at Luke 14:27-30. They believe that baptism is a sign of an individual’s choice to follow Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) Your dedication and baptism will identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. What do you need to do after you get baptized? (Heb. 19-20. The emphasis in infant dedication is on the personal pledge of parents to raise and nurture their child in a loving Christian home. Of course it is! 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 Tim. It helps us to display the beautiful qualities that make up “the fruitage of the spirit.” (Gal. Both are Christian ceremonies, but baptism involves water while dedication does not. Before you can get baptized, you must make a dedication. * As a result of your regular Bible study, you have come to know much about Jehovah and Jesus. Your baptism will open the way to what? Why? In your search for Baptism invitations, you might have come across invitations that mention Christening or Dedication.Like many parents, you’re probably wondering how Baptism, Christening and Dedication are different from each other. What is the difference between baptism and dedication? 9. What should a person do before starting to build a house? While no mention is made of specific individuals in the household, the possibility exists that infants may have been present. (Matt. Finally, scripture gives no indication that infant baptism or adult baptism brings salvation. 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! According to Luke 14:27-30, what should you think carefully about before getting baptized? Because of our sincere repentance and our faith in the ransom, God forgives our sins. By regularly attending the meetings, you will strengthen your bond with them. 4 What is dedication? 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. 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? Neither is “dedication” found in the “Glossary of Bible Terms” of the Revised NWT. (Rom. 5. You now belong to Jehovah, which is a great privilege. Just as the ark was visible proof of Noah’s faith, your baptism is discernible evidence of your dedication to Jehovah. Baptism is performed with water. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/2020321/univ/art/2020321_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/w/E/202003/wpub/w_E_202003_lg.jpg. We thought we’d try to answer this question for you as well as give you an example of invitation wording for each. (Matt. THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION March 2020, The Watchtower—Study Edition  |  March 2020, Two Questions to Be Answered on the Day of Your Baptism, Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism. What should be the basis for your decision to get baptized? As a baptized Christian, you are now part of an “association of brothers.” (1 Pet. 5 How is dedication related to baptism? Absolutely! 17. * Recall that dedication is a vow and that Jehovah expects you to keep it. When you get baptized, you show others that you have already dedicated yourself to Jehovah. They include:Dedication refers to a Christian ceremony or rite where an infant is dedicated to God and is welcomed to the church. 4:7) The spirit empowers us to preach the good news, fight temptation, deal with discouragement, and overcome trials. He is our Ransomer. Jehovah does not force us to make such a vow. Call church office, 320.763.5659, Our Weekly Bulletin is Available For Download, Alexandria Covenant Church | Copyright 2020, Traditional at 8:00 am - Contemporary at 9:30 am & 11:00 am.  |  Are You Ready to Get Baptized? These truths are very powerful and can deeply touch your heart. Read God’s Word and meditate on it every day. 43:10-12) 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.​—Ps. 2:21) He set an example for us in devoting his life to doing God’s will.​—John 4:34. 16. The means of marking an Israelite child as being part of God’s covenant people by having the Infant circumcised. Baptism is an act of openly identifying with what Christ did on the cross. Examining scripture, we discover many references to adult baptism following a conversion experience, thus signifying personal identification with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 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.” (Ps. You have repented of your sins; you feel deeply sorry for the wrongs you have committed, and you have asked Jehovah for his forgiveness. That love moves you to use your life to do God’s will, as Jesus did. 27:11. (1 Tim. Approach him in private, heartfelt prayer, and promise him that you will use your life to do his will. 1. 21 The decision to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized is the most important decision you will ever make.