boy is baptized into JWs

Children as young as 8 years old are being recruited into the JWs and WT acknowledges that it is a risk to them.

Baptism is a risk! That’s what the Watchtower of June 15, 2011 page 5 says. (This article can be found on the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses at JW.org) You may be surprised at such an admission, but it is there for all to see when you read between the lines, and the ramifications of such a statement are chilling when analyzed. I thought it was worth breaking down and disassembling what this means in the light of critical thinking, something that is sorely lacking among most Jehovah’s Witnesses unfortunately. I made a video on my YouTube channel about it to accompany this article.1

You may have noticed that the writers of JW.org and other Watchtower literature and policies are expert spin doctors at implying things without ever actually saying them. Propagandists, demagogues, and professional symbol manipulators excel at the art of implying something without ever coming out and actually saying it. Communist governments are especially good at spreading propaganda this way so as to exercise influence and control upon the people they rule over. Watchtower leaders have imitated their methods (consciously or unconsciously) it seems.

One dictionary defines the word “risk” this way:

1. The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger. 2. A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard.

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It’s not a secret that the Watchtower Organization has been pushing child baptism and talking about it more and more lately. Several members of the Governing Body recently made references to this at their District Conventions.2 The fact is, some Witnesses will do or say anything to get Bible studies and potential converts to join the fold and commit to baptism. (including their children of course) Regardless of why, the result is the same: JW.Org will then own that person for life. They can never leave the organization honorably, and they will expect a person to tithe their time, resources, and money to them until their death. The article under discussion that states baptism is a risk is the Watchtower of June 15, 2011 as mentioned. On page 5 there is a box entitled, “The Proper View of Baptism” which states:
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YT_041-bap-risk-01Some parents consider their children’s baptism as a beneficial step that involves risk—much like getting a driver’s license. But do baptism and sacred service ever threaten a person’s future success? The Bible answers no. Proverbs 10:22 states: “The blessing of Jehovah—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” And Paul wrote to young Timothy: “To be sure, it is a means of great gain, this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency.”—1 Tim. 6:6.
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True, serving Jehovah is not easy. Jeremiah faced many hardships in his work as God’s prophet. Yet, he wrote about his worship of the true God: “Your word becomes to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart; for your name has been called upon me, O Jehovah God of armies.” (Jer. 15:16) Jeremiah knew that God’s service was the source of his joy. Satan’s world is a source of hardships. Parents need to help their children to recognize that distinction.—Jer. 1:19. (Watchtower 2011 6/15 p. 5 Should Youths Get Baptized?)

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We notice the loaded language and veiled implications immediately. It implies that if you are a parent that worries about “the risk” of your child being baptized, then you shouldn’t fret about it; it’s simply a rite of passage that all children go through, like obtaining a driver’s license according to the writer of the article. If you do worry about it then perhaps you are weak in faith, since getting baptized (into Watchtower) will result in countless blessings. (Or so they say)
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YT_041-bap-risk-02The two primary scriptures enlisted to help drive home the point that baptism into the Watchtower is such a wonderful thing are Proverbs 10:22 and 1 Timothy 6:6. In context we see that neither of the writers of these passages was talking about anything remotely related to baptism. Indeed baptism had not been invented and was not something that servants of God even did when Proverbs was written.
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The JW.org writer’s message is clearly spelled out for parents- do not worry about the so-called risk; it is more of a risk for your child to NOT be baptized as a full-fledged memebr of the Jehovah’s Witness movement. This is certainly true for the leadership in upstate New York, as their very survival is predicated on a never-ending stream of fresh people pouring in the front door of Kingdom Halls globally, since over a hundred thousand leave every year out the back door due to becoming inactive or being disfellowshipped.3
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What exactly is this “risk” that is hinted at? Well it is none other than the harmful practice of shunning that goes on worldwide by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This shunning is quite complete in that the former member will forever be ignored by all their JW friends and family members and turned into a persona non grata. Thousands of men and women are ejected from the religion each year and treated this way for a variety of reasons. There are literally hundreds of offenses that can incur this punishment, but briefly here is a list of some of the infractions that can cause a person to be ostracized for life by every member of the JW religion all over the globe:
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• Playing a slot machine
• Overdrinking
• Transfusing a blood fraction not approved by the Watchtower
• Celebrating a birthday
• Disagreeing with something found in the Watchtower magazine
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YT_041-bap-risk-04It is no wonder then that as the article quoted above says, many JW parents of young children are cognizant of this significant risk. If their child breaks one of the many rules enforced by the Watchtower and is deemed “unrepentant” by a committee of three elders that secretly handle the case behind closed doors, then they are cast off forever and the parents will be obligated to follow suit. The leaders of the religion (their self-appointed Governing Body) maintain that baptism is “essential for salvation”.4
Further emphasizing how serious an impact baptism has, the Watchtower characterized this “most important step” in a 1990 issue, saying:
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What is the most important day in your life? If you are a baptized Witness of Jehovah, undoubtedly you will answer, ‘Why, the day I got baptized!’ To be sure, baptism is a most important step in your life. It is an outward symbol that you have made a complete and unreserved dedication to Jehovah to do his will. Your baptism marks the date of your ordination as a minister of the Most High God, Jehovah. (Watchtower 1990 3/1 p. 10 par. 1 Pursue Godly Devotion as Baptized Christians)

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A majority of people would likely say that the most important day of their life was their wedding, or the birth of their child, or when they graduated from college. But not those that are baptized into Watchtower; being baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and pledging allegiance to their “spirit-directed organization”5 is the most important thing you could ever do according to this and other related articles, since they believe that no one will be saved without being an active member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses prior to God’s fiery vengeance at Armageddon. Watchtower literature has also likened their form of the Biblical baptism ritual to entering into a marriage, saying in one magazine article:
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Becoming a dedicated, baptized disciple of Jesus Christ is somewhat similar to getting married. In many lands, the wedding day is preceded by several steps. A man and a woman meet, get to know each other, and fall in love. Next comes the engagement. The wedding makes public what has been decided upon in private—to enter wedlock and then live together as husband and wife. It is the wedding that publicly marks the beginning of that special relationship. That date marks the beginning of the marriage. Comparably, baptism marks the start of a life devoted to walking in a dedicated relationship with Jehovah. (The Watchtower 1998 11/15 p. 12 par. 11 Walking With God—The Early Steps)

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YT_041-bap-risk-05It is logical to conclude that if a person is not yet ready to be married then they are not ready to get baptized for their entire life into an organization that will ostracize and cast them off if they ever attempt to leave it or change their mind. More than one Watchtower article in years past has said that teens are too young to marry and young people should be “past the bloom of youth” prior to matrimony. (1 Corinthians 7:36, NWT) Yet ones as young as eight years of age are approved by the elders to be immersed and join the “Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses” as the Watchtower Corporations call themselves in official documents. In the Awake magazine they discuss this, trying to make a case that youths are mature enough to enter into this oral (and legally binding) contract with the Watchtower:
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‘Am I Old Enough?’
As teenagers get older, they often feel that they have a right to enjoy certain privileges and responsibilities. They are quick to insist on driving the family car, to plead for permission to have after-school jobs, to want their own spending money. But when it comes to baptism, many youths excuse themselves as being too young or not ready for that responsibility. A youth named Andre observes: “A lot of youths wait until they are 17 or 18 to get baptized, which is a little old.” Why? “Because long before that they’re old enough to make other decisions for themselves.”
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Yes, the mere fact that you are a teenager is no excuse to ‘limp upon two different opinions,’ nor is it a valid reason to refrain from taking a stand as a Christian. (1 Kings 18:21) “Remember, now, your Grand Creator in the days of your young manhood,” exhorts the Bible. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) The prophet Samuel was one who began serving Jehovah at a very tender age. (1 Samuel 3:1-18; 12:2) The psalmist David could likewise say: “You are my hope, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, my confidence from my youth.”—Psalm 71:5. (Awake 1990 4/8 pp. 15-16 Am I Ready to Get Baptized?)

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YT_041-bap-risk-03Any analogy to Samuel is quite flawed today since he was never baptized and was apparently chosen by God before he was born to serve him in a special capacity. (1 Samuel 1:11) Also the question can be asked that couldn’t a youth serve God acceptably without being immersed in a pool of water? If the end of the world came next week would God’s wrath upon the wicked include all non-baptized children? A compassionate and sound mind would say no as this thought is incompatible with an all-loving Creator. The article then continues and says:
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Similarly, thousands of Christian youths today—including some preteen-agers—have proved themselves responsible enough to make a dedication to serve God. Granted, some teenagers lack seriousness and are too irresponsible and emotionally immature to make as far-reaching a decision as baptism. (Proverbs 22:15)
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Really aren’t virtually all teenagers too young to get married? And since JW.org itself says that this is the most important step a person could ever take doesn’t it stand to reason that these youngsters should wait until they are older and at the least legal adults of 18 years of age?
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Jesus did waited until he was a 30 year old adult man. How can Jehovah’s Witnesses say they imitate Christ and are his footstep followers yet green light eight year old children to take the “most important step of their life, similar to marriage”? But once you get baptized into WT you aren’t just entering into a bad marriage. You aren’t just entering into a relationship where you will be expected to be barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen the rest of your life. (that will certainly be part of the deal though)
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It will also be a marriage where you can NEVER obtain a divorce or even call 911 when you are being beat up, because metaphorically speaking all Jehovah’s Witness emergency calls are answered by congregation elders, who carry out and represent the policies of JW.org and its subsidiary companies. So before you get baptized, consider the risk! That’s the warning given by the June 15, 2011 WT and we would all be smart to heed that advice.
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Rating 4.47 out of 5
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Notes and References:
1. Several screenshots from the video have been embedded into the article. The video can be seen here:

 

http://youtu.be/INMzHysXa-o

2. There is video on YouTube of Governing Body members Anthony Morris III, David Splane, and Gerrit Losch emphasizing child baptism to their parishioners. For more information see the excellent article on this by my friend John Cedars on his website.
3. This is called “masked churn” by a Pew Research forum study on turnover in various religious denominations. The study was reported on by Time magazine.
4. “Not just the act of getting baptized, but everything associated with the baptismal arrangement is essential for salvation.” (The Watchtower 1980 5/1 p. 12 par. 2 Baptism—An Expression of Faith)
5. The second baptismal question a person is asked just moments before committing to this verbal contract with the Watchtower organization is: “Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?” (Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, page 215)

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33 Comments on Baptism is a risk says JW.org

  1. danielB says:

    Good article .

    It is disappointing , at the least , for that quote from a 1990 Awake! article to intimidate these young people with ” Yes, the mere fact that you are a teenager is no excuse to ‘limp upon two different opinions,’ nor is it a valid reason to refrain from taking a stand as a Christian. (1 Kings 18:21) ”

    Neither is waiting to get baptized limping upon two different opinions nor is it refraining from taking a stand as a Christian .

    Perhaps a young “JW” ought to age enough first to see through this ; beyond the age of typical gullibility , and able to have a firmer grasp on Scripture than what that article displayed .

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  2. Rupunzelsawake says:

    Love the “Jaws” music!! About risk: For years I pondered the source of the “tribulation” and “hatred”, the “stumbling” and “lawlessness” of Mt 24:9-12. I had never thought it would come from INSIDE the organisation, but indeed it does, as we here have experienced for ourselves. So being baptised into this organisation certainly involves risk for truth seekers. All the prophets of the OT, dedicated to Jehovah’s service, were at huge risk (were ostracized and ill treated) as they exposed the hypocrisy and wrongfullness of Israel’s spiritual leaders.

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  3. Reader says:

    “Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?”

    This irks me, should any religion made of sinners place itself on the actual baptism ticket? If flag salute is idolatry then; is not this also? I can understand the action being well intentioned, but does any teacher ever help in paying the Blood price that Christ has paid?
    B

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  4. Wakeupwitness says:

    On a personal note, I have to admit that I got baptized because it was the “cool” thing to do because all of the other young teens were getting baptized and pioneering as well. Now, looking back I wished I had been different and didn’t get baptized and gone to college or the military instead.

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  5. C M says:

    I recall being asked at the age of 10 “What is holding you back from dedicating your life to Jehovah?” My answer was always met with another sort of comment and it was all to convince me to get baptized, these references clearly tell parents that if they do not study with their children, if their children do not get baptized as soon as they are capable of “understanding”, then they risk their children being exposed to “worldly things”, such as sex and drugs etc. They think it will save them or prevent them from making mistakes, and the silly part is those parents whose children do not get baptized are seen with such shame and are looked down on by the “friends”. I saw a 9 year old my GF used to babysit get baptized, my jaw literally dropped and I almost wanted to say something right then and there at the Assembly. i got baptized at 11 i could have sworn that by that age I had sinned all I could and was ready to dedicate my life to God and never sin again. if only I could have known, it all went up and then waaaayyy down after that to the point i was “inactive” for some time living my life as a normal young person would, however I was still so convinced it was the truth. I came back and now I have once again walked away determined to never come back, and all those “friends” who for the simple reason that you are no longer active look down on others like us, shame on them, instead of helping us “come back” it pushes us further away and the funny part is many of them have been DF’ed for “sins” they commited, where I haven’t been. I would have never ever came back if I knew then what I know now, like you said Eric, there is not honorable way to leave, because people will be always watching and judging and shunning even if you are not DF’ed. One day they too will wake up.

    C M

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  6. ElearElda says:

    i will do ANYTHING not to baptize my daughter into JWs organization. I will not agree as long as I can, but earlier I will teach her TTATT and if she will listen, think, check and analyse she will never join them!

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  7. Frank says:

    ElearElda. I applaud your logic in this. Yes, teach her how to think, but let it be her own decision based on BALANCED facts.

    Frank

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  8. Freethinkerinjah says:

    Religion is the ego’s interpretation of spirituality

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    • CAMOKO says:

      when an elder shouted from the platform that Jws need to do, to receive, to follow and obey the DS no questions asked. I simply understood that the WTS is a religious replica of Communism.

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      • Rupunzelsawake says:

        Yep. Have you seen the November WT 2013 study article “Seven Shepherds, Eight Dukes”? Part of paragraph 17 reads: “the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” Yep…just throw away your brain…It is not required. In fact having a functioning brain can be a handicap for a JW.

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  9. StillShocked says:

    Hi, Eric. We miss your input. Hope all is well. When are you going to post a new article? : )

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    • JJ says:

      I am working on TWO at the moment I’m sorry to be slow I have been behind on everything plus I’ve had computer problems ugggh.
      It’s hard to get stuff done so near Christmastime…yeah I’ll use that excuse lol.
      Stay tuned!

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  10. integrity says:

    no risk it saves

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  11. boricua says:

    Any body wonder why geoffrey jackson from the gb even has a girlfriend? He’s annointed right? So like at armageddon they both just look at eachother and say” good knowin ya”….but i gotta fly. Nonsense…..crazy…and he was born after 1914, so how is he annointed?….or is there new light? Lotsabull…

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  12. Gloria Dewey says:

    The watch tower has things that are unbelievable I think if they want to print a magazine at least they can tell the truth. Yes god is real but if they do not except Christ as their Lord and Savior they are going to hell. I am a christian I believe in Jesus Christ and nothing can take me away from him

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  13. Frank says:

    Hi Gloria. What exactly is your Biblical evidence for the existence of Hell? And aren’t you doing the same thing as the WTBTS (eternal destruction)by threatening eternal torment to those whose beliefs are not the same as yours?

    Frank

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  14. pope says:

    What a bullshit do you write!!! Can’t you read and properly understand???
    Are you sick? Or envious? Or non-realistic?
    Ask yourself: What is – actually – your problem?!
    And answer sincerely!!!

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  15. Frank says:

    Pope (applicable name), Your comment is a nutritious as candyfloss, though with a bitter taste. To whom do you refer? What are you saying, and WHY is the person(s) talking BS?

    It’s called discussion. It’s what reasonable people do.

    Frank

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    • fernando says:

      you criticize and talk about jw but you don’t even have the complete picture, besides if you would truly get to know a jw you would rapidly see the difference from people of other religions. They stand out from all the other people of the world and that’s how the bible says the world would know that they have the truth

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  16. Frank says:

    Hi Fernando. Can you please tell me how JWs ‘stand out’ in the world and what this has to do with ‘truth.’

    John 8:32

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  17. Frank says:

    Here’s my point, Fernando. Having been with the Organisation over 50 years, apart from isolated newspaper articles, the only praise for the Watchtower I have seen, at least on the scale to fulfil prophecy, has come from the Society’s own publications. As, ‘self-praise is no recommendation’ here’s your opportunity to show otherwise why JWs stand out to the ‘world.’

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  18. danielB says:

    My observation as a former employer and supervisor of many JWs is that many of them have indeed stood out . Sometimes it was because of their good work and sometimes because of bad conduct on the job . Unfortunately a certain over-confidence prevails when they are “working” together . I could site several experiences . Somehow they have thought that they are better than the “worldlies” around them and they have behaved in a juvenile fashion . Yes , like the rest of the world , they will stand out .

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  19. jw have been visiting me ever since i gave them my home address, but for that past 7 years or so, i have been their sunday visit friend. and one think i dont get them straight is this baptism topic, they are saying if i join them, i should be baptised even if i was baptised in another denomination, so my questions to them are :1 how many times one should be baptised? … 2 how excactly should baptised congregates? …3 does baptism link to denominational, rather than Godly? 4:: how did the churches first form themselves? 5 .. which church did Jesus go to? … 6 is there anything wrong if one just follow the 10 commandiments and do The Lord’s Prayer every day and never go to church, because we are now confussed by every church’s doctrines?

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  20. question number 2 , finger erra, it is supposed to say ” who exactly should baptise others joining the church?”

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  21. Frank says:

    Hi Daniel. It is my contention after over 50 years in “the truth” that Christianity and indeed religion generally, that personalities simply do not alter perceptibly. I understand that the lion can become the lamb, but this could happen many ways; religion does not hold a monopoly.

    JWs are taught (conditioned) to accept as a fact that this can only truly happen in their organisation. When one steps out, one can see the illusion, yet understand why people adopt it.

    If the Organisation is “an perfect organisation run by imperfect men” this is simply illogical, because if there is anything ‘imperfect’ within a ‘perfect’ entity – it isn’t perfect; the imperfection is a contaminant. This shows religion is man-made.

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  22. Janice Hill says:

    Suppose you start with a fixed point in time and move forward constantly changing your views as the years go by, what is this called?
    Well when Christendom do it, the WTB&TS describes it as Christendom apostasizing away from the truth.
    However, when the WTB&TS do the same thing, this is the revealed light of truth growing even brighter!
    You couldn’t make it up and sound any stupidier.

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  23. papi says:

    i dont understand any of you why do you talk about just 1 religion are they that bad that your soul emphasis is on them if you left the orginization then good for you . you left now its time to leave them all alone and move on with your buisness

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  24. Stixx says:

    This discussion fills me with great hope. I’m not going to throw any more doctrine in the mix, just share a personal view. I see many seekers. The answers you all know you want are available if you don’t give up. I promise. Organised religion is a trap, to confuse us, to stop our search and take our power away, beleive it. ALL OF THEM. The truth you seek is not far off from you, and it will amaze, astound, and set you free. Rather than spout doctrine, I’ll offer two clues that any true seekers might need to check before any choices are made about giving your heart away… What ARE the names of the Father, and his Son, the ORIGINAL names and…. where did this word “Christian” come from? Is it in the scriptures? If so… what was the connotation, did the disciples call themselves that? Should we? Just some food for thought, if you want to give your heart and life to truth, that’s beautiful, so always check, always test, Messiah said too, that means it’s allowed. If where you are it isn’t allowed that you test..then they are not truth. Have fun. Love to you all.

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  25. brother1101 says:

    You said in this post: “they believe that no one will be saved without being an active member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses prior to God’s fiery vengeance at Armageddon.” Can you provide a reference to that belief from an official publication published by the WBTS?

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  26. Irene Johnson says:

    Baptism is one of the best decision I have ever make. It helps me to always inquire of God on matters.
    Am now a more better person than I use to be.

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  27. Irene Johnson says:

    You people should stop all these nonsense writing about the J.W.
    Writing such as these, strengthen our faith more and more.
    We are already aware of all these. It is started at Matthew 24:9 that we will become an objects of hatred by all nation.
    we are not scard if I may ask, why is it that all other domination are against us ? I think that they are fulfilling Matt 24:9.
    For me am proudly ONE of Jehovah’s witness. Isaiah 43:10.

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  28. david says:

    hi…

    i found jw in 1985s.

    i was young leave true in 1996s.

    it is very difficult which church attack jw?!

    i just not know which prove true in book heaven…

    i do understand both book.

    i really like read ever so.

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