Lesson 23 Baptism. A Worthwhile Goal!
[Image:] A woman getting baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by complete water immersion.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
Jesus taught that baptism is a requirement for Christians. (Read Matthew 28:19 and 20.) But what is baptism? And what must a person do to reach that goal?
[Read scripture] Matthew 28:19 and 20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” [End of Read scripture]
1. What is baptism?
The word “baptize” comes from a Greek term meaning “to dip” under water. When Jesus was baptized, he was immersed in the Jordan River, and then he came “up out of the water.” (Mark 1:9 and 10)
[Quotation] Mark 1:9 and 10: In the course of those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. And immediately on coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being parted and, like a dove, the spirit coming down upon him. [End Quotation]
Similarly, true Christians are baptized by being fully dipped, or immersed, in water.
2. What does baptism show?
By getting baptized, a person shows that he has dedicated himself to Jehovah God. How does a person make a dedication? Prior to baptism, in a private prayer, he tells Jehovah that he wants to serve Him forever. He promises to worship only Jehovah and to make the doing of God’s will the most important thing in his life. He chooses to “disown himself and . . . keep following” Jesus’ teachings and example. (Matthew 16:24)
[Quotation] Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me. [End Quotation]
His dedication and baptism make it possible for him to have a close friendship with Jehovah and with fellow worshippers.
3. How can a person progress to baptism?
You can prepare for baptism by learning about Jehovah and building faith in him. (Read Hebrews 11:6) As your knowledge and faith grow, so will your love for Jehovah. No doubt you will want to preach about him and live by his standards.
[Quotation] 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be at it urgently in favorable times and difficult times; reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all patience and art of teaching. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 John 5:3: For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, [End Quotation]
Once a person is living “worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully,” he may decide to dedicate his life to God and get baptized.*
[Quotation] Colossians 1:9 and 10: That is also why from the day we heard of it, we have never stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, so as to walk worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully as you go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God; [End Quotation]
[Footnote.] * If a person was previously baptized in another religion, he would need to get baptized again. Why? Because that religion did not teach the truth from the Bible. See Acts 19:1 through 5 and Lesson 13.
[Quotation] Acts 19:1 through 5: In the course of events, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the inland regions and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples and said to them: “Did you receive holy spirit when you became believers?” They replied to him: “Why, we have never heard that there is a holy spirit.” So he said: “In what, then, were you baptized?” They said: “In John’s baptism.” Paul said: “John baptized with the baptism in symbol of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [End Quotation]
[End of footnote]
[Read scripture] Hebrews 11:6: Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
See what we can learn from Jesus’ baptism and how someone can prepare for this important step.
4. We can learn from Jesus’ baptism
Read Matthew 3:13 through 17 to learn more details about Jesus’ baptism. Then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Matthew 3:13 through 17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” Jesus replied to him: “Let it be this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.” Then he quit preventing him. After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him. Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” [End of Read scripture]
Was Jesus an infant when he got baptized?
How was he baptized? Was he just sprinkled with water?
Jesus began his special God-given work on earth when he got baptized. Read Luke 3:21 though 23 and John 6:38, and then discuss this question:
After Jesus got baptized, what work did he put first in his life?
[Read scripture] Luke 3:21 through 23: Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus too was baptized. As he was praying, the heaven was opened up, and the holy spirit in bodily form like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” When Jesus began his work, he was about 30 years old, being the son, as the opinion was, of Joseph, son of Heli [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] John 6:38: for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. [End of Read scripture]
5. Baptism is a realistic goal
The idea of dedication and baptism could seem overwhelming at first. However, you can progress to a point where you feel confident about making such an important decision. To see some people who did that, play the video Building a Relationship With Jehovah (1:11).
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Building a Relationship with Jehovah]
[Text: Josh. United States. Hands leaflet to a man in the street]
Josh: Our relationship with Jehovah can start when we’re young. For me, it was the example that others set of putting Jehovah first and the happiness that came as a result as well as being in that sort of environment that really helped me to want to reach out as well as be available for those opportunities.
[Sign-language at the meeting]
And once we do give our life to Jehovah, it’s amazing to see the blessings that he has in store for us.
[Construction work]
But in order to build that relationship, we need to read God’s Word; we also need to pray to him.
[Text: Anne-Fleur. Netherlands]
Anne-Fleur: The more you get to know him, the more appealing things you learn about him. That makes you not want to lose him as your Friend. I always knew it was the truth and that I wanted to serve Jehovah forever. But I needed to reassure myself of certain aspects, so I did some research projects with my parents, using the Creator book and some items from the Bible Teach book. After that, it only became more obvious. And I was certain that I wanted it and that I was ready to get baptized.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
[Image:] A woman making a personal dedication to God in prayer. Caption A: We make a dedication by telling Jehovah that we want to serve him forever. [Image:] The same woman getting baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by complete water immersion. Caption B: At our baptism, we demonstrate to observers that we have made a dedication to God
Read John 17:3 and James 1:5, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] John 17:3: This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] James 1:5: So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. [End of Read scripture]
What can help a person get ready for baptism?
6. Baptism means becoming part of Jehovah’s family
When we get baptized, we become part of a united worldwide family. Although we come from different places and backgrounds, we all share the same beliefs and live by the same moral standards. Read Psalm 25:14 and 1 Peter 2:17, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Psalm 25:14: Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him, And he makes his covenant known to them. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] 1 Peter 2:17: Honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, honor the king. [End of Read scripture]
How does baptism affect a person’s relationship with Jehovah and with others who worship Him?
[Image:] Collage: A baptized sister happily thinking about her good relationships with others in the congregation. 1. She confides in a sister. 2. She helps an older sister to walk. 3. She eats a meal with friends of different ages. 4. She preaches to a man with the assistance of another sister. 5. She takes a selfie with two Witnesses of different races at a convention.
[Box]
Some People Say: “I’m not ready to get baptized.” If that is how you feel, do you think baptism is still a worthwhile goal? [End of box]
Summary
Jesus taught that Christians need to get baptized. To reach that goal, a person has to build strong faith in Jehovah, live by His standards, and dedicate himself to Him.
Review
What is baptism, and why is it important?
How are dedication and baptism related?
What steps lead to dedication and baptism?
Goal
Consider the checklists at the end of Section 4, Am I Ready to Preach With the Congregation? and “Am I Ready to Get Baptized?,” to see how you may qualify in the future. Set Other Goals
Explore
Learn what baptism is and what it is not. “What Is Baptism?” (Web article)
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Review ways that a person can progress to baptism. “Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism” (The Watchtower, March 2020)
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Read how one man’s decision to get baptized was based on more than emotion. “They Wanted Me to Prove the Truth to Myself” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2013)
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Consider why baptism is a worthwhile goal and how you can prepare for it. “Should I Get Baptized?” (Questions Young People Ask, Answers That Work, Volume 2, chapter 37)
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