Consequences of Baptism
Consequences of Baptism – Next: 4d – Ecclesiastical Court
There is a commonality among former Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is that, at the time of their baptism, they were unaware of the implications of their baptism, and that they do not have the freedom to leave the religion without suffering unparalleled consequences.
A person that gets baptized brings himself under the authority of the Watch Tower Society, which micromanages that person’s life through its edicts, with enforcement by church elders.
One must report one’s own “sins,” as well as the sins of other members, regardless of one’s age or circumstance.
The Watchtower magazine, April 1, 1958, page 219
When parents do learn of the shortcomings of their children in this regard, if they have fallen victim to an immoral relationship with one of the opposite sex, sometimes they are reluctant to report this to the responsible ones in the organization who have the obligation to keep the organization clean from such practices. Thus the parents become parties to a lawless course of action because the one involved is their own flesh and blood. This close relationship should have no bearing on justice, and such should be reported to the responsible ones in the congregation, whether it is one so close as one’s own child or someone else in the Christian congregation. If one in the organization is acquainted with such a situation and fails to report it, he becomes a direct party to it, and then he too is sharing in a course of rebellion. Wrongdoing has no part or place in Jehovah’s clean organization, and a faithful servant would not condone it by remaining silent and failing to report it to the ones having authority to take action in the matter. If one fails in this Christian duty he is relying upon his own thoughts and self-will, which is a course leading to rebellion against Jehovah’s clean organization.
The Awake! magazine, January 22, 1996, page 16 (full article)
The Awake! magazine, January 22, 1997, page 12
Young People Ask – If you are a Christian, the matter does not end with telling your parents…Do not deceive yourself by reasoning that you can help yourself. If you were really strong enough to do that, would you have fallen into sin in the first place? Clearly, you need to seek outside help. Andrew courageously did so. His advice? “I encourage anyone who is involved in a serious sin, or who has been, to open his heart to Jehovah and to one of his shepherds.”
…Sometimes disfellowshipping does result. And even where a wrongdoer is repentant, the elders are obliged to impose some form of discipline.
The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 1988, page 20
If any do become guilty of gross wrongdoing but cover it up, they will clearly lose Jehovah’s approval and “the peace of God” that they had. They will also lose their own peace of mind. (Compare 2 Samuel 24:10; Matthew 6:22, 23.) You can see, then, why it is imperative that any Christian who has fallen into serious sin confess that to Jehovah and to loving elders, who can promote spiritual healing.
The Watchtower magazine, June 1, 1992, page 19
Some have been tempted to hide serious sins, perhaps reasoning: ‘I have confessed to Jehovah and repented. So why involve the elders?’ The wrongdoer may be embarrassed or fear what the elders might do. He should, however, remember that although Jehovah alone can cleanse us of sin, He has made the elders primarily responsible for the purity of the congregation. (Psalm 51:2) They are there for healing, for “the readjustment of the holy ones.” (Ephesians 4:12) Not to go to them when we need spiritual help is like not going to a doctor when we are sick.
The Watchtower magazine, June 1, 2001, page 30 (full article)
The Watchtower magazine, December 15, 2008, page 11
When a Christian gets involved in serious wrongdoing, the right course is clear. It is time to seek the help of Christian elders. Jehovah has an arrangement in place for dealing with cases of serious spiritual sickness. (Read James 5:14.) Do not let fear of possible discipline or correction keep you from pursuing your spiritual health. After all, would a wise person let the passing pain of an injection or even an operation keep him from addressing a life-threatening health problem?
The Watchtower magazine, September 1, 2010, page 22 (full article)
The Watchtower magazine, November 2017, page 10
Today, a Christian guilty of serious sin needs to seek the help of congregation elders to recover.