The Current Teaching Of The Watchtower Society:
The Watchtower has established certain requirements for baptism which its followers are expected to carry out: (1) Each must gain ac- curate doctrinal knowledge through a systematic study of the Watchtower publications. (2) Each must pass an exam conducted by the Elders on over eighty questions concerning the Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses before permission is granted for baptism. (3) Each must, in effect, declare any other prior baptism invalid.
What the Bible Says about BAPTISM:
1. Baptism Takes Place AFTER Faith in Christ is Expressed:
| Believers were baptized at the same time they came to faith | Act 2:41; 9:17, 18 |
| Believing in Christ was the necessary condition for baptism | Act 18:8 |
| In some cases believers were baptized the very hour they put their faith in Christ | Act 16:30-33 |
| As an example, Paul put his faith in Christ and was baptized soon after | Act 22:16 |
| Peter tells his audience to repent and then be baptized | Act 2:37, 41 |
2. Examples from the Bible of the Practice of Baptism:
| Believing Jews were baptized | Act 2:41 |
| Believing Gentiles were baptized | Act 10:44-48; 18:8 |
| Examples of entire households practicing baptism as believers | Act 16:15, 33; 1Cr 1:16 |
Cite This Page:
Grieshaber, Erich, and Jean Grieshaber. "Baptism," Redi-Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Jul 2002. .
<http://blueletterbible.org/study/cults/rajwd/rajwd01.html>.
