For JW's, if I begin to attend the KH, how long do I have realistically before I have to be baptized?

Question

What if I decide that I don't want baptism but would rather attend meetings for the rest of my life. Would this be permissible.?

Tribble, they do not sell their literature.

Answer 1

You don't ever have to be baptized unless you want to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. You can attend meetings until armageddon without getting baptized. No one will tell you that you are not welcome at the Kingdom Hall unless you're there to cause a disruption, in which case I think you'd be asked to leave any religious service! Let your bible trained conscience lead you! Just study the bible diligently, pray often, and the rest will take care of itself. John 6:44- "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him..."

Answer 2

There is no limit on how long someone can attend a meeting. We welcome visitors at our meetings. Baptism is a personal decision that you must make for yourself. But let me ask you something. Why would you attend the meetings, believe what you hear , act in harmony with it and not want to be baptized?
The source listed below will acquaint you with the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of your questions will be answered.

Answer 3

Well, you can do that for the rest of your life Yes. But, in order to be saved in armageddon you do have to be baptized. But you would go to an elder and express that you want to get baptized, and they will have someone study w/ you to ensure that you know about the truth, the bible, and what it means to be baptized. Once that happens you can qualify to be baptized at a convention or assembly.
Very different from christendom religions where all you do is pay and your baptized.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses do not want anyone to get baptized even one moment before he is ready (and qualified).

It should be noted, however, that Witnesses do not subscribe to the unscriptural philosophy "once saved always saved". Jehovah's Witnesses do believe that a person can disqualify himself from salvation, and so they continue to work at improving their adherence to God's Will (individually and as a religion), and they continue to encourage their students to do the same.

More than a few persons have attended Witness meetings for forty or fifty years before something (their own approaching death?) caused them to really take to heart all the head-knowledge they had acquired over the years. In many or most of those cases, the rest of the congregation is shocked to learn the person was not already baptized, since he had spent years alongside them; associating at informal gatherings (the same as baptized ones), commenting during audience participation (the same as baptized ones), giving student talks from the platform (the same as baptized ones), and perhaps even joining in the formal ministry (the same as baptized ones).

As a strictly practical matter, the earthly congregation only requires baptism of those who hope to qualify for certain privileges in the Jehovah's Witness congregation, such as qualifying for appointment as an elder, ministerial servant ("deacon"), or pioneer (full-time minister).

Baptism's more important meaning is spiritual, related to one's relationship with God and Christ. Of course, a dedication can be made in one's heart, and of course a heart-felt dedication is more important than any half-hearted immersion in water.

(1 Peter 3:15,16) But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts... Hold a good conscience

(Ephesians 3:17-19) Have the Christ dwell through your faith in your hearts with love; that you may be rooted and established on the foundation... and to know the love of the Christ


But (to be fair) Jehovah's Witnesses do believe the bible to teach that baptism is required for a person to demonstrate a complete repudiation of his former association with this "system of things", and thus be free from its "community bloodguilt" (see 'The Watchtower' 11/15/1995, pg 15-20). What degree of bloodguilt is tolerated by Jehovah? Jehovah's Witnesses prefer to stay well inside any margin of doubt. In any event, the typical JW student is moved by love (rather than duty) to eventually recognize baptism as necessary for himself personally.

(1 Peter 3:21) This is also now saving you, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


It is perhaps noteworthy that an unbaptized person who follows the bible, associates with the congregation, and joins in their ministry is called "brother" or "sister", is considered "a believer", and may even be called a "Jehovah's Witness" all before he is baptized. However, he cannot be called "in the Lord" or "in the Christ" until he himself publicly declares himself so by valid water immersion (see 'The Watchtower' 7/1/2004, pg 30-31). This is a primary reason that baptized Witnesses generally date and marry only other baptized Witnesses.

(1 Corinthians 7:39) She [a baptized Christian] is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord.


Naturally, Jehovah's Witnesses do not pretend that Jehovah cannot preserve alive anyone he wishes to preserve. Jehovah's Witnesses also have unlimited confidence in Jehovah's wisdom, love, justice, power, and mercy in selecting whom he will for eternal life. Certainly, Jehovah can read hearts.

(1 Samuel 16:7) Not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.”

Answer 5

It is totally your choice.
Baptism, is a choice made as a result of ones responding to the message of the good news of god's kingdom. If you decide not to get baptised, don't do it.

Answer 6

every body progresses at different rates before being baptized you would have to understand the Bible and make application of its principles in your life and give evidence of that in your life its a 24/7 way of life not just one hr a week as some are we are Christians always and strive to conduct ourselves as such in immitation of our leader Jesus Christ we follow his teachings and way of life to the best of our abilities no one forces you to do any thing most chose to do so as it is the best way of life and it will benefit you greatly in many ways if I can be of any other help please contact me thanks best wishes Gorbalizer

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

Funny what PW said. I don't remember paying to get baptized in a church.