Hello everyone,
I was baptized in 1963 at the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York, USA. I was one of 7,136 candidates baptized at that convention. Keep in mind, this was an international convention, not just a district convention. Today, they call them regional conventions.
So, when I reviewed the recording of this year’s regional convention in New York, I was a bit shocked. I had to go back and listen to what the speaker said a second time—I thought I had misheard.
“Well, Brother Shafer already said it, but we’re going to repeat it. We want to warmly welcome you, our baptism candidate today. I think we all agree.
A single, solitary baptismal candidate? And at a Regional Convention, no less? My, how times have changed!
But that’s not the reason we’re analyzing this baptism talk. Our purpose, as always, is to sharpen our critical thinking skills, to examine everything carefully, and to hold fast to what is fine. As you’ll see, there is something seriously wrong with the way Jehovah’s Witnesses practice baptism.
The speaker is about to use 1 Peter 3:20–21 to explain what baptism is. But listen closely—he’s going to slip something into his explanation that isn’t found in Scripture. See if you can catch it.
“Let's look at 1 Peter 1:3. Excuse me. Chapter 3:20-21. We're going to focus on the latter part of verse 20. And in particular, if you notice what it says here, the last expression says, God was patiently waiting in Noah's day. Well, you caught it easily enough. We're talking about Noah's family. Now, it says the next words go on, While the ark was being constructed. When was that? This was before the flood. Interestingly enough, Noah and his family had learned what Jehovah wanted, but they put it into practice. They made changes. And you've done the same thing. Those preparing for baptism around the world learn what Jehovah wants and puts it into practice. Well, the verse at the end says, In which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water. Interestingly enough, the next expression in verse 21, sees what we're talking about. The first word he says is baptism, which corresponds to this. What's the this? We're talking about building that huge ark. That was undeniable, tangible evidence of Noah's faith, and that he was dedicated to Jehovah. And similarly, you've done the same thing. Dedication, and now baptism, is clear proof of your dedication to Jehovah.”
The speaker has used the word “dedication” three times in this short excerpt. Interestingly, there are only three occasions in the New World Translation of the Christian Scriptures where the idea of something that is dedicated comes into play. And not one occurrence is positive.
The first is Jesus’ rebuke to the Pharisees which is recorded twice, once in Matthew and once by Luke.
“...In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of YOUR tradition. YOU hypocrites...” (Matthew 15:3-7)
Now that’s a very negative association with the word “dedication,” wouldn’t you agree?
The second use is also in a negative context:
“Later, as certain ones were speaking concerning the temple, how it was adorned with fine stones and dedicated things, he said: “As for these things that YOU are beholding, the days will come in which not a stone upon a stone will be left here and not be thrown down.”” (Luke 21:5, 6)
All those dedicated items—meant to honor Yehovah—were going to be rejected and destroyed. That happened in 70 C.E. when the Romans demolished the holy temple.
The third occurrence is a neutral remark by John:
“Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter…” (John 10:22)
And there you have it—two negative references to “dedication,” and one neutral. Nothing positive. Certainly nothing linking dedication with baptism. Yet the convention speaker confidently claims that “baptism is clear proof of your dedication to Jehovah.” And just where, exactly, is that “clear proof” found in Scripture?
He refers to Noah, saying the ark was “undeniable, tangible evidence of Noah’s faith and that he was dedicated to Jehovah.” But what does the Bible actually say?
“By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this [faith] he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)
Faith is mentioned three times. Obedience is clearly shown. But dedication? Nowhere. Obedience and dedication are not interchangeable terms. They are two very different things.
And still, the convention speaker hasn’t read the full verse from 1 Peter 3:21. In fact, he never actually gets around to the part that defines baptism most clearly. But we’ll come to that.
He continues:
But there's another element. You may notice those words that are in parentheses. Let's take a look. He says, not by the removing of the filth of the flesh. Well, of course, we all want to stay clean spiritually. We want to make sure that our morals are in harmony with Jehovah's standards. But it goes on, and here's the point in what he says next, but the request to God for a good conscience. Well, how does that all work? How do we request a good conscience? And what does that really entail?
What you’re about to witness is a very sophisticated form of psychological manipulation. This poor man doesn’t even realize he’s caught in it. He genuinely believes he’s doing God’s will. I say that with no malice, because I was once in the same position.
When I was an elder among Jehovah’s Witnesses, I gave baptism talks just like the one we’re hearing now. I truly believed and taught the very things he’s about to present in the rest of his talk. But as I later came to realize—it’s all wrong.
The speaker asks, “How do we request a good conscience?” Well, Peter already gave the answer: by being baptized. That’s how we make the request to God for a clean conscience—through baptism itself.
But now the speaker shifts and asks: what does this entail? And keep in mind, he’s just said this to his single baptismal candidate...
“baptism, is clear proof of your dedication to Jehovah.”
Now, he would love to support that idea from the Bible—but as we’ve already seen, there’s nothing in Scripture that links dedication to anything positive, and certainly nothing that ties it to baptism. So instead, the speaker turns to another source—to what is essentially the Bible for Jehovah’s Witnesses. He quotes from the Watchtower magazine.
Well, how does that all work? How do we request a good conscience? And what does that really entail? Well, back in 2020, the Watchtower made this statement. It's worth looking at. It says, “When we dedicate ourselves to Jehovah and get baptized, we enter into a special relationship with him.”
Notice the sequence: First you dedicate yourself to Jehovah, and then you get baptized.
The Watchtower he’s referring to also says this:
“We need to get baptized in symbol of our dedication to God. (1 Pet. 3:21)” From May 2020 Watchtower page 16 paragraph 18.
This teaching places your dedication to God above your baptism, because a symbol is always less than that what it represents. According to 1 Peter 3:21, it is baptism that saves us. So, following Watchtower logic, if baptism saves you and baptism is a symbol of your dedication to God, then your dedication to God is what actually saves you. And how is this dedication made? By offering a solemn promise, an oath or vow, to God. Again, reading from a recent Watchtower:
In time, your love for Jehovah will move you to say a special prayer. You will dedicate yourself to God. Remember, once you are dedicated to Jehovah, you have this marvelous prospect: You can belong to him for all eternity. A vow of dedication to Jehovah endures beyond life’s ups and downs. It never needs to be renewed. (w23 March p. 13 par. 20 Baptism—How to Get Ready)
Some might respond by saying, “Why wouldn’t we want to dedicate our lives to Yehovah God? What could possibly be wrong with making a vow of dedication?” On the surface, that sounds reasonable. In fact, it’s precisely the line of thinking that the Watchtower Society has used for decades to promote the idea. It feels logical, even scriptural.
But the key question is: are we relying on human logic or divine instruction? Yehovah reminds us clearly:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” (1 Corinthians 1:19)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8, 9)
You see, for the wise and intellectual leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a vow of dedication is what they assume God wants. It aligns perfectly with their works-based, self-sacrificing form of worship. (Incidentally, “self-sacrifice” is another term found hundreds of times in Watchtower literature—but not once in the Bible.)
Yet not only does Yehovah not require a vow of dedication—he actually warns against it through his son.
“Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times: ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, since you cannot turn one hair white or black. Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no, for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.” (Matthew 5:33-37)
Jesus tells us not to make vows to Yehovah. In fact, he says that such practices come from the wicked one—that’s Satan, in case there’s any doubt. So when the Watchtower requires a vow of dedication before baptism, it isn’t following God’s will. It’s following Satan’s.
That’s a heavy statement, I know. But think about it. Why would Satan want Jehovah’s Witnesses to make a vow of dedication to God?
Well, I can think of two reasons. First, consider what that vow represents: a solemn promise to be fully and completely devoted to Yehovah. It’s much like a marriage vow. When two people marry, they promise to remain faithful to each other. And what breaks that bond? Just one act of adultery. Biblically speaking, a single act of unfaithfulness is enough to dissolve the marriage. The relationship is broken.
Now, is it possible for a married couple to keep their marriage vow? Millions do, living out their lives without ever committing adultery. That kind of promise is one that is possible to keep. Sure, many fail to keep it, but that’s the point. Breaking the vow even once renders it broken, null, and void.
Now apply that to a vow of dedication. Can anyone truly keep a promise for a lifetime without ever wavering, to never deviate from one’s dedication to God. Jesus could, but he was without sin. You and I are not. We’re sinners. James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble many times.”
Think about that then remember the nature of a vow—once it’s broken, even once, it’s no longer valid.
So if baptism is merely a symbol of your dedication, and your vow of dedication is broken just once, then your baptism—by that logic—becomes null and void.
But that completely undermines the very purpose of baptism. Peter tells us that baptism is the request made to God for a clean conscience. Sinning doesn’t break our baptism. It doesn’t make it null and void. On the contrary, baptism provides us with the assurance that we can continue turning to our Father throughout our lives, asking for forgiveness when we sin, and knowing that His mercy is real. That he has forgiven us. That’s what gives us a clean conscience before him. That’s the meaning of grace.
There’s another serious problem with this JW requirement of a vow of dedication to Jehovah: it’s not actually made to Jehovah. It’s made to “His” Organization—or rather, to what the Governing Body claims is His Organization. Through its publications, broadcasts, and convention talks, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that they prove their dedication to God by supporting and serving the interests of the Watchtower Organization.
If you have any doubt about that, just consider the second question asked of all baptismal candidates:
Here's the second question. Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah's witnesses in association with Jehovah's organization? Yes.
But what does baptism really mean for a true Christian? We can learn that by reading the final six words of 1 Peter 3:21—the very words the convention speaker failed to mention or explain.
Let’s read them now, because they put everything into proper perspective regarding what baptism truly represents. And to get to the heart of it, let’s remove the parenthetical expression and the reference to Noah. That allows us to go straight to the core truth about baptism:
“Baptism…is…now saving you…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
Baptism saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? To explain that, we start with Jesus who set the model for us to follow. It may seem strange that the one man whose conscience was always clean, because he was without sin, would get baptized. That’s exactly how John the Baptist felt when Jesus came to him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” (Matthew 3:13-16 NIV)
In the baptism of our Lord Jesus, we see the powerful symbolism involved in the process. It represents a change in life—our old self dies, and we are reborn as something new.
Jesus was not the Messiah, the Anointed One, prior to his baptism. He became Jesus the Christ when he came up out of the water and received the anointing of his Father’s holy spirit. So, water baptism and anointing by holy spirit are linked.
But when Jehovah’s Witnesses are baptized, they do not receive the anointing of the holy spirit. So, are there two baptisms—one for anointed Christians and another for non-anointed Christians? No, the Bible teaches that there is only one baptism.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 BSB)
One, one, one—all the way through. Just one baptism. And there is one hope!
In fact, to say that a Christian is not anointed is a contradiction in terms. Christ means Anointed One, so Christians, by definition, are anointed ones. It makes no sense to call yourself an "unanointed anointed one."
Jesus makes it very clear that we must be born of both water and spirit.
“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5 NIV)
Jesus sets the model for us to follow. He was baptized in both water and holy spirit. We, too, are baptized in water and holy spirit.
There is only one baptism—not a separate, secondary baptism in water alone for a so-called “other sheep” class. That idea is a myth promoted by the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
How is this one baptism possible? As Peter wrote, it is through the resurrection of Jesus.
“Baptism…is…now saving you…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
Paul explains how this all works:
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:3-7 NIV)
There is only one baptism. Paul explains that this one baptism is into Christ’s death, so that we may also be raised—symbolically rising up out of the water—to a new life. Through baptism, we pass from death to life. We are no longer dead in our sins. We are now alive. Yes, we may fall asleep in death, as Jesus did, but we continue to live, because Yehovah is the God of the living, not the dead.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that they are not anointed with holy spirit upon baptism. They are baptized in water, but not in spirit. As a result, they are not adopted as children of God. This is a man-made baptism. It holds no value in the eyes of God.
If you now understand what God is offering you through Jesus, and you desire to be baptized, all you need is a body of water and someone to perform the baptism.
You can do as this fellow did in Bible times.
“In answer the eunuch said to Philip: “I beg you, About whom does the prophet say this? About himself or about some other man?” Philip opened his mouth and, starting with this Scripture, he declared to him the good news about Jesus. Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the eunuch said: “Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?”” (Acts 8:34-36)
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