If Mormons and JWs think all Christians have the same Jesus, why only your baptism is valid for salvation?

Answer 1

The Mormon Jesus is not the same as the Jesus from the Bible.

The JW Jesus is also not the Jesus from the Bible.

So the premise of your question is wrong.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is God the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

JW and Mormons both agree that Jesus isn't God and is a created being. Mormons teach that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.

JWs teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel.

So neither believe Jesus is the same as Bible believing Christians.

Pastor Art

Answer 2

I'm neither a JW or a Mormon, but have looked into their beliefs, though not with the intention of joining. Both are fringe religious sects that have differring beliefs to mainstream Christianity, and seem to think that their members have the best chance, and in the case of the JWs especially, the only chance, of being saved.

I heard that one of the things that JWs have to agree to on baptism is a kind of loyalty oath to the Watchtower Society, though I can't remember where I read that, so I may be wrong. I suppose the fact that they hold some fairly unique views regarding interpretation of the Bible, then they would believe that only baptism into their religion is valid.

Answer 3

What many anti-Witness activists fail to understand is that Jehovah's Witnesses understand and agree that the religions of Christendom served some purpose prior to Christ's second presence (which began in 1914). A Witness who had understandingly requested and received Christian baptism prior to 1914, even by a non-Witness religion, did not have to be re-baptized into the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. To repeat, prior to 1914, the religions of Christendom served some purpose to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that many faithful Christians from the nineteen centuries between Christ's two presences will be among the "kings and priests" who rule alongside Jesus in heaven.

(Revelation 20:6) Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him


Of course, that nineteen centuries of tolerance was no excuse for clergymen and certain knowledgeable laymen to perpetuate practices they knew to be unscriptural. As He did with rebellious ancient Israel, Jehovah tolerated their polluted worship only until it was God's time for Christ to step in, as he did circa 33 CE and 1914 CE.

(James 4:17) If one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20040301/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm

Answer 4

Captain Galactic: No, Catholics accept baptisms from other Christian faiths, as do most Protestant churches.

For the LDS, it's because of the Priesthood Authority, which they believe was given to the founder, Joseph Smith, by a resurrected angel claiming to be John the Baptist. Their view of the Great Apostasy claims that the Christian Church lost that authority with the passing of the original apostles, and that it had to be brought back to the earth with new prophets and apostles.

For JWs, they believe that if you are baptized for Jesus, but you have the wrong idea about who He is and what He did, that your baptism wasn't really for "Him" but simply for your perception of Him. Thus, it is invalid and needs to be performed after you have come to the appropriate understanding of Him.

Answer 5

for mormons, we believe- worthy members that carry the preisthood, are the only ones that can perform a legitimate baptism. Jesus showed us by example not only how important baptism is, but how important it is to be baptized properly and with the right authority. Jesus did not need to be baptized because He was perfect, and yet He still was baptized. He also could have asked any one of disciples to baptize Him, but did not because at the time, John the baptist was the only one that held the authority to do so. He also showed us that baptism is to be by complete immersion. He did this to show us that all must be baptized to enter in the kingdom of God- and it must be done with the right authority. Ephesians 4: 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Answer 6

Priesthood authority is the answer. Mormons believe that "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (See Hebrews 5:4). As is noted in this scripture, authority to act in the name of God is important. Priesthood authority is necessary to make the acts and ordinances valid before God. Mormons believe that proper priesthood authority from God has been restored to the earth; the same authority that existed in the time of Christ.
Accordingly, those baptized by one holding Christ's authority make the baptism valid. Through the restoration of the truth by the prophet Joseph Smith, that priesthood authority has been returned to the earth.

Answer 7

To Jackjr6- I have one thing to say... QUACK!!! If you don't understand that, sorry, I won't repeat it.. ask someone else.

On to your question. We believe that there has to be proper priesthood authority for baptism to be a saving ordinance. Is being baptized a good thing? Yes. No matter what religion you are in. Christ was baptized, and we think everyone should be baptized.

I don't think that just because you aren't baptized means you won't be saved. I think that is up to Father, and He has more info and understanding then we do. I prefer to leave that type of decision to Him.

Answer 8

as an LDS member or Mormon as you put it we believe that you have to be given the authority by GOD in order to baptize someone this is why most baptisms are not valid in the eyes of the lord and to the person who says we aren't christian explain why the church name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Answer 9

Salvation requires not just baptism, because that is just a symbol of our dedication to our God. But it does require that we have taken in knowledge of God and his purposes and that we fully put our faith in God, that we have repented of our former course and changed our lives to conform to God's laws as outlined in the Bible. We are Christians and we do follow closely the steps of Jesus Christ, in fact more closely than many others, because we do as he told his disciples to do, which is to go from house to house and preach the good news. (Matt. 28:19, 20)
But just because you are a baptized Jehovah's Witness, does not mean you are saved. You have to prove yourself faithful right down to the end. (Matthew 24:13)

To answer a comment that was made before mine - We DO NOT have to make any sort of pledge to the Watchtower Society. I don't know where that came from, but I can assure you it's totally false. I've been a Jehovah's Witness since 1973.

Answer 10

No, we don't pray to Jesus. The Christ advised us to desire to God (Matt 6:9, 10), to no longer him. He did let us know to desire by using him (John 14:13, 14). he's our mediator (a million Tim 2:5; a million Cor 11:3).

Answer 11

I'm a Mormon. We believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of the original Church that Christ established in the New Testament, upon the foundation of apostles and prophets. (ephesians 2:20)

There is a certain thing called the "priesthood." It is the power and authority from God for mankind to perform certain sacred ordinances in behalf of the living (and the dead). This power and authority was delivered to the ancient Apostles in New Testament times.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you," John 15: 16.

After the deaths of the Apostles, the priesthood was lost from the face of the earth. It has been restored by God in these latter-days. I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the Keys of the Priesthood. Peter, James, and John as heavenly messengers descended from Heaven to bestow upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Priesthood. It has remained ever since in Christ's restored Church. I know this is true.

Arthur.