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J. W.’s On Baptism
Most Jehovah's Witnesses (J.W.) with whom I have studied find themselves lost for an answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" They can give their views on hell, the kingdom, etc., but their answers to the above question are rather vague. And when pressed, particularly on the subject of baptism, they have taken varying and conflicting positions from each other -- probably due to the fact that they are not trained to give answers on this subject. A young, J.W. woman once scribbled her refutation of my arguments in a tract that I had given her. She did not believe baptism to be necessary to salvation. A few weeks later, the man who was head over her district, assured us that he believed, and J. W.'s taught, that baptism was "for the remission of sins."
In bewilderment I began to search for the "official, enlightened" position of the J.W.'s on "baptism" and I found some interesting information. I now welcome an answer from them that will either agree with Russell and his follower, Rutherford, or deny their so-called "enlightened reasoning." This should clarify the issue for all time.
In 1904, Russell wrote relating his beliefs on "baptism." With reference to Romans 6:3-5, he said:
"These verses are very generally used to prove all the various doctrines of baptism, but quoted especially by our brethren who recognize baptism as signifying immersion in water. Let it be clearly noticed, however, that the Apostle makes not one word of reference to water baptism. Water baptism is merely a symbol, or picture of the real baptism (Emphasis mine, JRE); and the Apostle, in these verses explains, from various standpoints, the true, the essential baptism, without which no one can be considered a member of the body, or Church of Christ..." (Studies In The Scriptures, "The New Creation,” Brooklyn, London, et al: International Bible Students Association, 1923, Vol. VI, p. 435).
His successor, Rutherford, echoed his sentiments by inscribing the following words: "Baptism in water is merely a symbol of the real baptism. It would do no one any good to be baptized in water unless he had first undergone the real baptism by being immersed into Christ," (The Harp of God, Brooklyn, New York, et al: International Bible Students Association, 1921, p. 198).
Russell believed that the "real baptism" was the surrendering of the will to Christ. He said: "This death, this burial, is our baptism into his death. Henceforth, from the divine standpoint, we are not to count ourselves as human beings ...but as New Creatures in Christ Jesus. The instant of this burial or immersion of our wills into the will of Christ is followed by our begetting to newness of life -- to a new nature," (op. cit., p. 436).
Among other errors, Russell and Rutherford both overlook the simple difference between action one does and action done to one. It is true that we must submit to the will of Christ but submission is what one does while baptism is that which is done to one. We do not baptize ourselves but we are “baptized into Christ." Russell misconstrues Paul's statements by changing the type of action, which leads me to conclude that J.W.'s have missed it on "baptism" as well as the kingdom, hell, etc., and the claim for “enlightened reasoning” by the so-called “leading lights” continues to be darkness that prohibits true light (John 3:19-21). -- Jim R. Everett
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