Keep Progressing Toward Baptism

Have you taken the step of dedicating yourself to Jehovah and getting baptized? What a fine decision! By doing so, you appealed to God for a good conscience (1 Pet. 3:21). And you also set an excellent example for those who have not yet taken that step.

What if you have not yet been baptized? No doubt you love Jehovah and want to do his will. You know that to gain forgiveness for your sins and God's approval, baptism is essential (Acts 2:38-40). Even so, something may be holding you back. This article will be very helpful to you. We will consider 1) why some do not decide to get baptized, 2) why it is good to keep in mind that the end is very near, and 3) what benefits come from working without delay to reach that goal.

Some want to serve Jehovah, but they do not dare get baptized because of fear. For example, they may fear that they will never be good enough to please God. If you feel that way, you can review Bible texts that convince you that God does not expect you to be perfect and that he will be pleased with your worship as long as you give him your best (Ps. 103:13, 14; Col. 3:23).

On the other hand, if you are afraid of facing opposition, ask Jehovah to help you feel like the psalmist who wrote: “Jehovah is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6).

Some postpone the decision to get baptized because they think they do not have enough Bible knowledge. But really, how much knowledge is needed? Think about the following account.

While Paul and Silas were in prison, a strong earthquake occurred and they were set free. After that, they took the opportunity to preach to the jailer and to those of his household. The man and his family likely understood that God had performed a miracle to free his servants. That night they learned many important things about Jehovah and Jesus.

What was the result? “Immediately, he and all his household were baptized” (Acts 16:25-33). If you know Jehovah, love him with all your heart, understand the basic teachings of the Bible, have repented of your sins, and are determined to obey Jehovah, you are ready to get baptized (Mark 12:30).

Some want to please God, but they do not dare get baptized because they focus on the price involved in taking that step. Of course, it is good to count the cost of any decision we make (Luke 14:27-30).

But some worry too much about the sacrifices they will have to make in order to serve Jehovah. That is what happened to Candace. Although she learned the truth as a child, she did not accept it. Later, as an adult, she began studying the Bible again. She says: “I knew what I had to do to please Jehovah, but part of me really liked the life I was living. I knew it was not going to be easy for me to give up those things.”

Others think they will not be able to live up to Jehovah's standards. They are afraid of committing a serious sin after baptism and being expelled from the congregation. What can you do if you are concerned about any of these things?

When we go to buy something, we consider not only its price but also its value. If we see that the value is much greater than the price, we will likely buy it right away.

Likewise, when thinking about baptism, we should not focus only on the price we will pay, the changes we must make, but on the immense value of what we will gain: a good friendship with Jehovah. Jesus used two comparisons to teach exactly that point (read Matthew 13:44-46). In each case, a man gladly sold all that he had in order to buy something valuable he had found. And you too have found something of enormous value: the truth of the Kingdom.

If you wonder whether it is worth making the necessary changes in order to get baptized, meditate on Jesus' comparisons. You might ask yourself: “Am I convinced that I have found something very valuable? Do I view friendship with Jehovah, the hope of living forever, and the loving spiritual family he has given me as true treasures?” Your answers will show you where you need to improve in order to get baptized.

In his illustration of the sower, Jesus spoke about different kinds of heart in which the seeds of the Kingdom message fall. Some people have different kinds of heart that keep them from making progress.

However, others listen to the Kingdom message “with a fine and good heart,” and they put into practice what they learn (Luke 8:5-15). If you feel that your heart is divided, do not give up. With God's help, you can get “a new heart,” one that is receptive to his guidance. Ask him to soften your heart so that the seed of the Kingdom may flourish (Ezek. 18:31; 36:26).

Some young ones who love Jehovah do not make progress toward baptism because of the influence of other people. Some school counselors may tell students to be open-minded about morality and to accept all lifestyles, including those that go against God's standards. But following that advice can have terrible consequences (Ps. 1:1, 2; Prov. 7:1-5). Young person, what can you do to avoid this danger? Follow the example of the psalmist who said to Jehovah: “I have more insight than all my teachers because I ponder over your reminders” (Ps. 119:99).

Reports show that some Witnesses hold their children back from taking the step of baptism. They focus too much on their children's education and future work, or they simply do not encourage them to set spiritual goals. Young person, do you feel that your parents could support you more in your spiritual progress? Why not talk with them about it? And do not forget, age is not a barrier to being a good friend of Jehovah (Prov. 20:11).

Some who meet the requirements for baptism may delay that decision because of group pressure. For example, a friend or relative may ask them to wait so that they can get baptized together. Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting baptized on the same day as our loved ones. But would that be a weighty reason to postpone baptism?

We must remember that dedication is a personal promise between each of us and Jehovah. The decision to get baptized should not depend on others (Rom. 14:12).

In addition to the reasons already mentioned, some do not make progress toward baptism because they think they have plenty of time to make the needed changes before the end comes. Is that sensible? Jesus gave his disciples this warning: “Keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming” (Luke 12:40).

What moves us to dedicate ourselves and get baptized is love for Jehovah and his standards. The more we come to know Jehovah, the more we see how much he loves us and that his standards are for our good. So we want to obey them right away (read Psalm 119:60).

Disciple James explained another reason why we must follow Jehovah's commands without delay: we do not know what our life will be tomorrow. We may not have another day to “do what is right.” So the time to do what Jehovah asks of us is now (Jas. 4:13-17).

Now someone may think: “Did Jesus not say in the vineyard illustration that some would work only one hour and still receive the same wages as those who worked all day?” That is true.

But what is the reason why those who worked one hour did not start earlier? They said: “Because nobody has hired us” (...) As soon as they were called to work, they went immediately (Matt. 20:1-16). Today, Jesus has called us to be his followers and to share in the preaching work. So we should respond to that call as soon as we hear it.

It is possible that those who are postponing their spiritual progress may find that making changes at the last moment to please God is harder than they imagined. Jesus knew that, and that is why he told his disciples: “Remember the wife of Lot” (Luke 17:31-35). She knew very well that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was imminent, but apparently she was too attached to the possessions she was leaving behind.

This account also reminds us that the door to salvation will not remain open indefinitely. When the time fixed by God arrives, it will be locked permanently (Luke 13:24, 25).

What is happening in the world each day shows that the prophecies about the end of this system are being fulfilled.

Seeing that these things are indeed happening in other places should move you to make the changes needed for baptism as soon as possible. Think of what the apostle Peter wrote to some first-century Christians: “Be sound in mind [or “alert”].” Why did he give that advice? He himself said: “The end of all things has drawn close” (1 Pet. 4:7).

You are seeing the prophecies that show that the end is near being fulfilled. Surely that moves you to stay alert and keep taking steps toward baptism.

In his second letter, Peter explained with what attitude we should await “Jehovah's day,” that is, the end of this system.

Peter told those Christians that they should be “keeping close in mind” that day or desiring it “intensely” (read 2 Peter 3:10-13). We too want to keep in mind that that day is very near and to desire its coming intensely. That is why we make an effort to be prepared by carrying out “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.”

The best time to make progress toward baptism is now (read 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2). Think about the excellent example of the Ethiopian eunuch to whom Philip preached. As soon as he understood the truth about the good news and had the opportunity to get baptized, he did not postpone the decision.

He did not think: “First I want to learn more about the good news. Surely later we will find another place to get baptized.” On the contrary, he asked Philip: “What prevents me from getting baptized?” (Acts 8:26, 27, 35-39). And after being baptized, “the eunuch kept going on his way rejoicing.”

If something is holding you back from taking the step of baptism, you can be sure that Jehovah wants to help you develop a strong friendship with him (Rom. 2:4). With his support, you will be able to overcome any fear, concern, or influence that is keeping you from making progress.

When you get baptized, you will feel very happy to have a good conscience before God, and “the things behind” will probably no longer seem so important (Phil. 3:8, 13). Then you will be able to look ahead with excitement to “the things to come,” that is, the fulfillment of the promises Jehovah makes to those who dedicate themselves to him and get baptized (Acts 3:19).