Christian Beliefs Review for Baptism

These flashcards review key concepts and beliefs associated with baptism in the context of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Why do you want to get baptized?

I want to get baptized because I love Jehovah and I’m thankful for everything He’s done for me. Even though I’m imperfect, He’s never given up on me. I want to draw closer to Him, show my love and dedication, and support His work as one of His servants. (John 17:3)

What is the Christian standard for marriage? What is the only basis for a Scriptural divorce?

Marriage is between one man and one woman, united by God to stay together. The only Scriptural basis for divorce is sexual immorality. (Matt. 19:5-6, 9) (5 and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.”) (I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery)

Why should those living together as husband and wife be legally married?

Because from the Bible, Christians are told to respect government laws and to keep marriage honorable in Jehovah’s eyes. (Titus 3:1) (1 Continue reminding them to be in subjection and to be obedient to governments and authorities, to be ready for every good work,) Heb. 13:4)(Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.)

What is your role in the family?

I want to respect my God-given role as a daughter by following Jehovah’s guidance on love, respect, and obedience. (Prov. 1:8;)(Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, And do not forsake the instruction of your mother.) Col. 3:20;(20 You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.)

Why should we show respect for life?

Because Jehovah is the Source of all life, and it’s sacred to Him. (Acts 17:25, 28)(25 nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.28 For by him we have life and move and exist, even as some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his children.’)

Why should we not kill anyone, including an unborn baby?

Because life begins before birth, and Jehovah values innocent life. Taking it is something He hates. (Ex. 21:22–23; Ps. 139:16)(16 Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.)Prov. 6:16–17)(16 There are six things that Jehovah hates; Yes, seven things that he detests:17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,)

What is God’s command regarding blood?

Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood completely, out of respect for its sacredness. (Acts 15:29)(to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”)

Why must we love our Christian brothers and sisters?

Because Jesus said our love for one another proves we are his true disciples. (John 13:34–35)(34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another.)

Why should someone with an infectious disease take precautions in Christian settings?

Out of love and concern for others, we avoid putting anyone at risk. It’s part of loving our neighbor. (Rom. 13:8–10; Phil. 2:4)(as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.)

Why does Jehovah expect us to forgive others?

Because Jehovah freely forgives us, and He wants us to show the same mercy to others. (Col. 3:13)(Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same)

What should you do if a brother slanders or defrauds you?

I should follow Jesus’ steps—first talk to him privately, but if things aren’t resolved then I should get some witnesses involved and if that doesn’t work then finally involve the congregation. (Matt. 18:15–17)

How does Jehovah view the following sins — sexual immorality, idolatry, homosexuality, stealing, gambling, and drunkenness?

Jehovah views these as serious sins. Those who practice them unrepentantly will not inherit His Kingdom. (1 Cor. 6:9–10)(Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, 10 thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom)

Regarding sexual immorality, which includes a variety of sexual acts outside of marriage, what are you determined to do?

I’m determined to avoid all forms of sexual immorality and keep myself clean in Jehovah’s eyes. (1 Cor. 6:18)(Flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body, but whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body)

Why should we abstain from the nonmedical use of addictive or mind-altering substances?

Because we want to honor Jehovah with our bodies and keep our minds clear to do His will. (Rom. 12:1–2)(Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2 And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.)

What are some of the demonic practices that God forbids?

Practices like magic, fortune-telling, consulting spirits, and talking to the dead are forbidden. (Deut. 18:10–11)(There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer, 11 anyone binding others with a spell, anyone who consults a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead.)

If a person commits a serious sin and wants to be restored to Jehovah’s favor, what should he immediately do?

He should confess the sin to Jehovah and seek help from congregation elders for spiritual healing. (Ps. 32:5 ( Finally I confessed my sin to you; I did not cover my error. I said: “I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah.” And you pardoned the error of my sins.) Jas. 5:14–15)(Is there anyone sick among you? Let him call the elders of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, applying oil to him in the name of Jehovah)

If you know that a fellow Christian has committed a serious sin, what should you do?

I should report it, since staying silent makes me responsible. (Lev. 5:1)(If someone sins because he has heard a public call to testify and he is a witness or has seen or learned about it and he does not report it, then he will answer for his error.)

If an announcement is made that someone is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, how should we treat him?

We avoid association completely, not even greeting them unless they attend the meeting, to respect Jehovah’s direction. (1 Cor. 5:11)(But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.) 2 John 10)(If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him)

Why should your close friends be those who love Jehovah?

Because close friends influence us deeply, and being around lovers of Jehovah helps me stay faithful. (Prov. 13:20)(The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.) 1 Cor. 15:33)(33 Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.)

Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses politically neutral?

Because Jesus said his followers are no part of the world, and we stay separate from its politics. (John 17:16) (They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world)

Why should you obey the government?

Because Jehovah allows governments to exist, and we show respect by obeying them—unless their laws conflict with His. (Rom. 13:1)(Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God)

If there is a conflict between a human law and God’s law, what would you do?

I would obey God first, even if it meant going against human law. (Acts 5:29) (29 In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.)

What scriptures can help you to remain separate from the world when choosing a job?

I’m guided by scriptures that warn against learning war or sharing in false religion’s sins. (Mic. 4:3)( 3 He will render judgment among many peoples And set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.) (Rev. 18:4)(And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues)

What kind of entertainment and recreation will you choose, and what kind will you reject?

I choose things that are clean, upbuilding, and reflect Jehovah’s values. I avoid anything violent, immoral, or spiritually harmful. (Ps. 11:5)(violence)(Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; He hates anyone who loves violence.) Rom. 12:9; Phil. 4:8)(keep going good things)

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses not worship with other religious groups?

Because we must stay clean from false worship and avoid mixing true worship with error. (1 Cor. 10:21) (You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons.) (2 Cor. 6:17)(Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’”)

What principles will help you decide whether to participate in a celebration?

I think about whether it’s rooted in false worship, superstition, luck, honoring people, promotes bad conduct, or goes against Bible truths. (Ps. 106:35–36) (Idols: But they mingled with the nations And adopted their ways. 36 They kept serving their idols, And these became a snare to them.) Eccl. 9:5 (dead) John 17:16 (no part)(They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world) 1 Pet. 4:3(drink/party) (For the time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have done the will of the nations when you carried on in acts of brazen conduct, unbridled passions, overdrinking, wild parties, drinking bouts, and lawless idolatries)

How do Bible examples help you decide whether to celebrate birthdays?

The only birthdays mentioned in the Bible involved bad outcomes. That helps me see birthdays don’t honor Jehovah. (Gen. 40:20–22) (Pharoah) (Matt. 14:6–10)(Herod)

Why do you want to follow the guidance of the elders?

Because they lovingly care for the congregation and help us stay on the right path. (Heb. 13:17) (Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you)

Why is it important for you and your family to set aside time regularly to read and study the Bible?

Because regular Bible study helps us stay spiritually strong, like a healthy tree that bears good fruit. (Ps. 1:2–3)(Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers. 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night)

Why do you love attending and participating in the meetings?

Meetings strengthen my faith, allow me to praise Jehovah, and help build up others too. (Ps. 22:22 (Heb. 10:24–25)(And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.)

What is the most important work that Jesus has given us to do?

Preaching and making disciples, helping others learn and obey Jehovah’s teachings. (Matt. 28:19–20) (Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”)

When we make donations to the Kingdom work or help our brothers and sisters, what attitude pleases Jehovah?

Jehovah loves when we give cheerfully and from the heart, not out of pressure. (Prov. 3:9; (2 Cor. 9:7)(7 Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.)

What difficulties do Christians expect to experience?

We may face persecution or insults for following Christ, but we can be happy knowing our reward is great. (Matt. 5:10–12)(Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.)

Why is it a special privilege to be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Because it means Jehovah’s name is now connected with mine, and I get to serve Him fully. (Jer. 15:16) ( Your words were found, and I ate them; And your word became to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart, For your name has been called on me, O Jehovah God of armies)