Study From The Watchtower, Week of May 8 to 14, 2023, How to prepare for baptism?, Underlined Answers.

Study From The Watchtower, 8-14-May-2023, Why be baptized?, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Answer.

Dark Yellow: Additional Answer.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

“What prevents me from being baptized?” (ACTS 8:36).

1, 2. If you are not yet ready to be baptized, why should you not be discouraged? (See cover photos.)

IF YOU have set a goal to be baptized, we congratulate you. Are you ready to take that step? If you feel so and the elders agree, feel free to do so as soon as possible. So you will have a happy life serving Jehovah.

2 But what if they told you that you are not ready to be baptized yet? Or if you are the one who feels that? Don't get discouraged, you can keep making progress toward that goal, young or old.

ILLUSTRATION

People of different ages and backgrounds getting baptized. Throughout the world, young and old are making spiritual progress and are baptized. (See paragraphs 1 and 2).

“WHAT PREVENTS ME FROM BEING BAPTIZED?”

3. What did an Ethiopian official say to Philip, and what question arises? (Acts 8:36, 38).

3 (Read Acts 8:36, 38). An Ethiopian official asked Philip the evangelizer: "What prevents me from being baptized?" It was clear that he wanted to be baptized. But was he ready to take that important step?

4. How did the Ethiopian show that he wanted to continue learning?

4 The Ethiopian “had gone to Jerusalem to worship God” (Acts 8:27). So surely he was a Jewish proselyte, that is, he had converted to Judaism. He knew the Hebrew Scriptures and in them he had learned about Jehovah. But he wanted to know more. In fact, what was he doing when Felipe met him on the road? He was reading a scroll from the prophet Isaiah (Acts 8:28). That was very deep information. The Ethiopian did not settle for the basics; he wanted to continue learning.

ILLUSTRATION

Philip the evangelizer explains the Scriptures to the Ethiopian official. The Ethiopian official wanted to continue learning about Jehovah. (See paragraph 4).

5. What did the Ethiopian do with what he learned?

5 The man was a very important official who was in the service of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. "He was in charge of all her treasure" (Acts 8:27). He sure had many obligations and was very busy. But he took time to worship Jehovah. He was not satisfied with learning the truth; what he knew prompted him to act. He was willing to travel from Ethiopia to the temple in Jerusalem to worship Jehovah. The journey must have been long and costly, but the man wanted to worship Jehovah, no matter what effort it took.

6, 7. What did the Ethiopian do to increase his love for Jehovah?

6 Philip explained to the Ethiopian things he did not know, very important truths, such as that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 8:34, 35). No doubt the Ethiopian was very moved to learn all that Jesus had done for him. What would he do? He could have stayed as he was and still be a respected Jewish proselyte. But his love for Jehovah and Jesus had grown so great that he made the important decision to be baptized and become a follower of Jesus. Philip saw that he was ready to do it, so he baptized him.

7 The example of the Ethiopian will help you prepare for baptism. Like him, he will be able to say with complete confidence: "What prevents me from being baptized?" Here we will look at how you can do the same as he did: keep learning, act on what you have learned, and strengthen your love for Jehovah.

KEEP LEARNING

8. According to John 17:3, what should you do?

8 (Read John 17:3 and note.) Did these words of Jesus encourage you to start studying the Bible? So it was in the case of many. But these words also encourage us to continue to do so. Getting to know the “only true God” is a process that will never end (Eccl. 3:11). We will continue learning for all eternity. As we get to know Jehovah more, we will draw closer to him (Ps. 73:28).

9. What do we have to do after learning the basic teachings of the Bible?

9 When one begins to learn about Jehovah, one begins with the basics, what the apostle Paul called “the elementary things” in his letter to the Hebrews. He was not downplaying "the basic teachings"; he was saying that they are like the milk that feeds a babe (Heb. 5:12; 6:1). He also encouraged Christians to go beyond these basic teachings and learn the profound truths of God's Word. Do you feel a strong desire to meet them? Are you willing to put in the effort to keep growing and learning about Jehovah and his purposes?

10. Why is studying a challenge for some?

10 For some, studying can be quite a challenge. And for you? Were you taught to read and study at school ? Did you like to do it ? Or have you convinced yourself that you and books don't get along ? If so, you're not the only one. But Jehovah is there to help you. He is perfect and the best possible teacher.

11. Why is Jehovah the “Great Teacher”?

11 Jehovah says that he is the “Great Teacher” (Is. 30:20, 21). He teaches with patience, kindness, and understanding, always noticing the good things in his students (Ps. 130:3). He never asks us for more than we can do. Let's not forget that it was he who designed our brain, a wonderful gift (Ps. 139:14). Also, he made us with a natural desire to learn, and he wants us to keep doing it forever and enjoy it. That is why from now on we must develop “a strong desire” for biblical truths (1 Pet. 2:2). What can help you? Set goals for him that he can achieve, and he reads and studies the Bible regularly (Josh. 1: 8). With Jehovah's help, you will learn to enjoy reading and learning about him more and more.

12. Why should we study the life and ministry of Jesus?

12 Take time to meditate often on the life and ministry of Jesus. To serve Jehovah, especially in these difficult times, it is essential to faithfully follow in the footsteps of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21). Jesus candidly explained to his followers the difficulties they would face (Luke 14:27, 28). But he knew that just like him they would remain faithful (John 16:33). Study the life of Jesus and set goals to imitate him every day.

13. What should you continue to ask of Jehovah, and why?

13 Our goal in studying is not just to accumulate knowledge. What we want is to know Jehovah, love him and have faith in him (1 Cor. 8:1-3). Keep learning more and more about Jehovah, and don't stop asking him to give you more faith (Luke 17:5). He will answer you generously. If you have strong faith based on accurate knowledge of our God, you will be able to keep making progress (James 2:26).

ACT ON WHAT YOU LEARN

14. How did Peter emphasize the importance of acting on what we learn? (See also image).

14 The apostle Peter stressed the importance of Christ's followers acting on what they learn. He explained it using the example of Noah. Jehovah told Noah that he would send a flood to destroy all the bad people of the day. But it was not enough to know that this was going to happen. Noah and his family had to do something to save themselves. Peter used the expression "while the ark was being built" to refer to the period of time before the Deluge (1 Pet. 3:20). Noah and his family acted on what Jehovah had told them and built a huge ark (Heb. 11:7). Next, Peter compared what Noah did to baptism. He said: “Baptism, which is what this corresponds to, is now saving you also” (1 Pet. 3:21).In a way, what you are doing to prepare for baptism is similar to what Noah and his family did for years to build the ark. So what do you have to do to prepare for baptism?

ILLUSTRATION

Noah and his family are very busy building the ark and preparing food. Before the Flood, Noah and his family were faithful and acted on what they had learned. (See paragraph 14).

15. What does true repentance entail?

15 One of the things we must do is repent from the heart of our sins (Acts 2:37, 38). True repentance involves making changes. Have you stopped doing things that Jehovah does not like, such as leading an immoral life, smoking, swearing, or using foul language? (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:29). If he hasn't already, he'll keep working on it. He can talk to his Bible study person or the elders if he needs help and advice. If you are young and still living with your parents, you can ask them to help you overcome any habits that prevent you from being baptized.

16. What does having a good spiritual routine include?

16 It is also very important that you have a good spiritual routine. This includes going to meetings and participating in them (Heb. 10:24, 25). And when you are appointed as an unbaptized publisher, preach regularly. You will notice that the more you do it, the more you will enjoy it (2 Tim. 4:5). If you are young and still living with your parents, ask yourself: “Are they always reminding me that I have to go to meetings or to preach? Or do I do it because it is born to me? When you do these things because it comes out of you, you show that you have faith, that you love Jehovah, and that you are grateful to him. By maintaining a good spiritual routine, you are performing "deeds of devotion to God"; it is as if you were giving gifts to Jehovah (2 Pet. 3:11; Heb. 13:15).He likes us to give him gifts because we want to, not because we are forced to (compare 2 Corinthians 9:7). And we are happy to give you the best.

STRENGTHEN YOUR LOVE FOR JEHOVAH

17, 18. What quality will help you reach the goal of baptism, and why? (Proverbs 3:3-6).

17 On your way to baptism you will encounter obstacles. Some may mock you or even persecute you for your beliefs (2 Tim. 3:12). Or you may be struggling to stop doing something that is wrong but occasionally relapse. Or perhaps it seems that the goal of baptism is too far away, and that frustrates you . What will help you not to give up? A very important quality: love for Jehovah.

18 Love for Jehovah is the most beautiful thing you have (read Proverbs 3:3-6). If you love Jehovah with all his strength, he will be able to get ahead despite life's difficulties. The Bible says on many occasions that Jehovah shows loyal love to his servants. This means that he does not abandon them, he never stops loving them (Ps. 100: 5). Well, you were made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). So how can you show that kind of love?

19. What can you do to be grateful for what Jehovah does for you? (Galatians 2:20).

19 The first thing is to be grateful (1 Thes. 5:18). Ask yourself this question every day: “How did Jehovah show me that he loves me today?” And then when you pray to him, thank him for those specific things. See your displays of love as something especially for you, just as the apostle Paul did (read Galatians 2:20). And ask yourself, “Do I want to show Jehovah that I love him, too?” His love for him will help you resist any temptation, successfully face problems, and continue your spiritual routine . Thus he will show every day that he loves his heavenly Father.

ILLUSTRATION

A sister watches a bird smiling from a window. You can thank Jehovah every day. (See paragraph 19). 

20. What is involved in making a dedication to Jehovah, and why is this decision so important?

 20 In time, your great love for Jehovah will prompt you to say a very special prayer in which you dedicate yourself to him. And, once you are dedicated to Jehovah, you will have the wonderful opportunity to belong to him forever. When you make that vow to him, he promises that he will serve you through thick and thin. It is a promise that is only made once in a lifetime. It's true, dedication is something very serious. But remember: among all the good decisions he can make, this is the best (Ps. 50:14). Satan will try to destroy his love for Jehovah so that you stop serving him. But he doesn't let him get away with it (Job 27:5). His immense love for his heavenly Father will help him fulfill his dedication and grow ever closer to him.

21. Why do we say that baptism is only the beginning?

21 After you dedicate yourself to Jehovah, discuss your next step with the elders. But remember that baptism is not the final goal, but rather the beginning of an endless life serving Jehovah. So strengthen your love for your heavenly Father now and set goals so that that love continues to grow day by day. That will help you reach the goal of baptism. It will be an unforgettable day. But it's only the beginning. May your love for Jehovah and his Son never stop growing.

HOW WILL THE FOLLOWING STEPS HELP YOU PREPARE FOR BAPTISM?

Continue learning about Jehovah.

We have already seen that getting to know the true God is a continuous process, not automatic or instantaneous. We will continue learning from him Even in the new world and this results in us getting closer to him, not settling or stagnating only with the basics, we must go deeper and it is not just about accumulating data, but about having faith and love for Jehovah. 

Act on what you learn.

Well let's remember the example of Noah, he not only heard that a flood was coming and he got to work and they built an ark and entered it. He could have built it and stayed outside, out of nostalgia, out of pity. So this in us implies building our spirituality, our ark so to speak, repenting from the heart, abandoning bad habits or a bad life, an immoral life and replacing them with a spiritual life, with a spiritual routine, this includes preaching and Christian Meetings.

Strengthen your love for Jehovah.

On our spiritual path we will experience all kinds of tests, inside and outside the congregation, including internal struggles such as personal weaknesses, but we will not give up if we maintain our love for Jehovah.