Coercion to Be Baptized
Coercion to Be Baptized – Next: 4c – Consequences of Baptism
Baptism as a Jehovah’s Witness is a requirement to obtain eternal life, and is “the most important step in life.” [1] No age limit is set to become baptized.
Once a person becomes a baptized Jehovah’s Witness, that person cannot leave the religion without encountering the shunning by members that remain in the religion, including being shunned by immediate family that remain as members of the religion.
Historically, Jehovah’s Witnesses have allowed minors to become baptized. But, Jehovah’s Witnesses rarely baptized pre-teens, or persons in their early teens. [2] [3] [4] [5] Baptist churches that were baptizing eight-year-olds were denounced. [6]
The 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses stated: “What is important is that baptismal candidates understand what they are doing. That is why there was great appreciation for a provision made in the book “Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot,” published in 1967. On pages 7 to 40, it contained eighty Scriptural questions, to be discussed by mature brothers with prospective baptismal candidates. “After they studied the eighty questions with the aid of the congregation committee,” observed Brother and Sister Earl E. Newell, “they realized that their dedication and baptism was one of a lifelong course and the responsibility that went with it was not to be taken lightly.” ”
However, in the era of the 1980’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses began to push minors into becoming baptized.
In 1971, the Governing Body published a church-made Bible encyclopedia called Aid to Bible Understanding. In 1988, a new church-made Bible encyclopedia called Insight on the Scriptures was released, and replaced the Aid book. Much of the information from the Insight book was copied word-for-word from the Aid book, including the section under Baptism, No Infant Baptism. (Aid Book, page 187, Insight Book, page 251).
It cannot be considered insignificant that the only change in that section between the two books is that the following has been deleted: “Regarding the practice of infant baptism, The Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol . III, ed . of 1946, p . 84, states : “The whole early period knows baptism only for adults, who join themselves of their own resolve to the Christian community. Infant baptism appears sporadically towards the end of the second century and was indeed practised also during the following centuries, yet only as an exception.”
(The portion removed from the Insight Book can also be found in The Watchtower of January 15, 1961 [7] Explains The Encyclopœdia Britannica: “The whole early period knows baptism only for adults, who join themselves of their own resolve to the Christian community.)
Another insular religious community is the Hutterites. However, the Hutterites do not get baptized into the religion before their 20’s. There is also a comprehensive Articles of Association that the baptismal candidate has contemplated over a period of time, before agreeing to it and signing it in conjunction with baptism.
The Hutterite procedure can be contrasted with that of the Watch Tower Society.
To be eligible for baptism as a Jehovah’s Witness, one must review a series of questions with a church elder. The questions are simplistic, with many intended to be answered with a one or two-word type of answer. “In your discussions with the elders, do not feel that you have to give lengthy or complicated answers to the questions. A simple, direct answer in your own words will be best.”
The instructions for the Jehovah’s Witness procedure can be located here: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102014948
Following are a number of pre-teens that, according to the religion’s criteria, have had the capacity to become baptized:
The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 1996, page 32
NOT long ago, Irina, a nine-year-old girl from Sofia, Bulgaria, was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Watchtower magazine, October 15, 1996, page 32
Even children among Jehovah’s Witnesses are having a share in this work. Consider, for example, a boy named Joel. He symbolized his dedication to Jehovah and was baptized at nine years of age.
Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2002, page 110
Renzo, now eight years old, was baptized at a circuit assembly in Bonaire.
The Watchtower magazine, July 1, 2006, page 14
Youths, Make It Your Choice to Serve Jehovah – Why would you put off getting baptized?
Could it be that you hesitate to take this important step for fear of being held accountable should you fall into wrong conduct? If so, think of this: Would you refuse to apply for a driver’s license simply because you were afraid that some day you might have an accident? Of course not! Neither should you hesitate to get baptized if you qualify. Indeed, you will be strongly motivated to do your utmost to resist wrongdoing if you have dedicated your life to Jehovah and have agreed to do his will. (Philippians 4:13) Young ones, please do not imagine that by postponing baptism, you avoid accountability. When you have reached the age of responsibility, you are answerable to Jehovah for the way you act whether you are baptized or not.
Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2011, page 58
BAPTIZED AT SEVEN. Paola, who lives in western Mexico, is being raised by her grandparents. Her grandmother began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses when Paola was five years old. Paola listened in, and the truth took root in her young heart. Although her grandmother did not progress, Paola began to attend the meetings by herself. She would ask her grandparents to help her get dressed and to help her cross the street to get to the Kingdom Hall.
As soon as she learned to read and write, Paola enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School and became a publisher. Because of her love for Jehovah, she got baptized at the age of seven. When asked why she attends the meetings and preaches so zealously, even without her family’s support…
The Watchtower magazine, July 15, 2015, page 6
And how has serving where the need is greater affected young Aleksey? “It has done him much good,” says Oksana. “He dedicated himself to Jehovah and got baptized at age nine. Seeing the great need for Kingdom preachers moves him to serve as an auxiliary pioneer during each school vacation.
Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2017, page 26
Kodi, from England, says: “Thanks for all the time and effort you put into making jw.org, JW Broadcasting, and the Caleb and Sophia videos. Thank you for making the Bible easier to understand. I was baptized when I was eight. When I’m a bit older, I’m going to volunteer to help build Kingdom Halls! And I would like to work at Bethel. I’m nine now, so I’ve not got long to go.”
A sampling of the first page of baptismal questions is:
QUESTIONS FOR THOSE DESIRING TO GET BAPTIZED
Part 1: Christian Beliefs
Your study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses has acquainted you with the truth. What you have learned has no doubt helped you to have a good relationship with God and has given you the hope of future life and blessings on a paradise earth under God’s Kingdom. Your faith in God’s Word has been strengthened, and through association with the Christian congregation, you have already experienced many blessings. You have come to appreciate how Jehovah is dealing with his people today.—Zech. 8:23.
As you now prepare for baptism, you will benefit from a review of basic Christian beliefs, conducted by the congregation elders. (Heb. 6:1-3) May Jehovah continue to bless all your endeavors to come to know him, and may he grant you the promised reward.—John 17:3.
- Why do you want to get baptized?
- Who is Jehovah?
- “Jehovah is the true God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. There is no other.”—Deut. 4:39.
- “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”—Ps. 83:18.
- Why is it important for you to use God’s personal name?
- “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.’”—Matt. 6:9.
- “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”—Rom. 10:13.
- What are some terms used in the Bible to describe Jehovah?
- “Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity.”—Isa. 40:28.
- “Our Father in the heavens.”—Matt. 6:9.
- “God is love.”—1 John 4:8.
- What can you give Jehovah God?
- “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.”—Mark 12:30.
- “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.”—Luke 4:8.
- Why do you want to be loyal to Jehovah?
- “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, so that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.”—Prov. 27:11.
- To whom do you pray, and in whose name do you pray?
- “Most truly I [Jesus] say to you, if you ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in my name.”—John 16:23.
- What are some of the things you can pray about?
- “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. Give us today our bread for this day; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.’”—Matt. 6:9-13.
- “This is the confidence that we have toward him, that no matter what we ask according to his will, he hears us.”—1 John 5:14.
The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 1969, page 50 – “Since nothing in a person’s life can have greater significance than his relationship to God, his baptism as a Christian is therefore the most important step in his life…Jesus showed that this dedication of one’s self to Jehovah must take precedence in one’s life, even over family or relatives if they are opposed. Only by one’s faithfulness will one be found pleasing to Jehovah and perhaps impress on one’s family the importance of their also taking up the same faithful course that leads to life. (Rom. 10:13) As Jesus said, “Whoever is not carrying his torture stake and coming after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26, 27) Are you willing to do that? The goal toward which one strives is a great one—everlasting life.” ↑
The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 1955, page 79 – “So in 1893 a convention was arranged for Chicago, August 20-24, where the Columbian Exposition (world’s fair) was being held that summer… The Calvary Baptist Church of Chicago very kindly granted us the use of their baptistry; and, in all, seventy symbolized their baptism into Christ’s death by immersion into water. The proportion of brethren and sisters was about equal, and their ages ranged from 17 to 70 years.” ↑
The Watchtower magazine, May 15, 1956, page 309 – “Would it be proper for me in my early teens to make such a dedication vow and symbolize this by water immersion? Since many children are baptized each year at circuit assemblies and other conventions of Jehovah’s people, can it be said that this is the proper course for these young ministers to take? Of course, if they do not know in their own mind what they are doing, then they are not ready to take this vital and important step. The definite age as to when baptism or dedication is appropriate cannot be designated. If a child has sufficient knowledge of Almighty God, Jehovah, and his righteous purposes and adheres faithfully to the upright principles set down in his Word, if the child has reached the age of accountability and desires to make a dedication to Jehovah, it is in order for him to do so and it is then proper to take the step of baptism by water. Taking this essential and direct step toward life, the young minister will not be found in the position of the unrighteous. Dedication is an essential step and necessary to gain the approval of Jehovah God…
Even before you are twenty-one, try always to show good sense and strength and keep your guard up. You boys of seventeen and eighteen, remember that you are now entering manhood; you must make right decisions.” ↑
The Watchtower magazine, August 1, 1958, page 477 – “Regardless of age, whether in the early teens or later” ↑
The Watchtower magazine, August 1, 1978, page 13 – “The same report notes that at one of the 1976 district assemblies in Sweden the majority of the baptismal candidates were between 18 and 25 years of age.” ↑
The Awake! magazine, August 8, 1978, page 30 – “‘Close to Infant Baptism’ – The practice of some Southern Baptist churches to baptize very young children has come under fire. Richard D. Patton, chairman of the Southern Baptist Historical Commission, has declared that baptizing young children seems to “put us perilously close to the practice of infant baptism.” He indicated that 10 percent of the baptisms during 1976 were of children under the age of eight.” ↑
The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 1961, page 37 – “ Just when infant baptism began is not known with preciseness, but it was definitely after the death of the apostles of Jesus Christ that the practice appeared. Explains The Encyclopœdia Britannica: “The whole early period knows baptism only for adults, who join themselves of their own resolve to the Christian community. Infant baptism appears sporadically towards the end of the second century and was practiced also during the following centuries, yet only as an exception.”—Vol. 3, page 84.” ↑