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And what if you were baptized before they changed the wording (from dedication to Jehovah to dedication to organization)?

Question: how does a membership contract apply to a minor? Wouldn't such contracts be null and void - if not illegal because a minor can't sign such a contract?

*** w1955 7/1 411 Christian Baptism for the New World Society *** 15 A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit. This shows, among other things, that Christianity is not a denominational affair, that sects have nothing to do with it. “Does the Christ exist divided? Paul was not impaled for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I am thankful I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.”—1 Cor. 1:13-15, NW. *** w1966 10/1 603-4 Serving with Everlasting Life in View *** 15 This is what we mean when we dedicate our lives to Jehovah. We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. This makes dedication a very personal relationship between us and Jehovah. -------------------------------------- *** w1958 8/1 478 Baptism *** 22 It is essential that with the mouth a public declaration of faith be made. Two questions are therefore asked the candidates: (1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? (2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? 23 Everyone who can answer “Yes” to these questions is eligible for baptism and should take this step without hesitation or delay. *** w1960 5/15 308 "What Prevents Me from Getting Baptized?" *** 23 The first question is: Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? 24 The second question is: On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? 25 Everyone who has answered “Yes” to these two questions is eligible for baptism and should be baptized at that same circuit or district assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses. *** w1973 5/1 280 Baptizing Follows Discipling *** we suggest that you consider the following two questions, which are asked of candidates for baptism: (1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his SonJesus Christ? (2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? If you find that you can answer “YES” to these questions, then it would be appropriate for you to speak to the presiding overseer in the congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses with which you associate, with a view to getting baptized. ------------------------------------ *** w1985 6/1 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication *** The first question is: On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will? The second is: Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism. *** w1987 4/15 12 Gaining Peace With God Through Dedication and Baptism *** By baptism you identify yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s worldwide congregation. *** w87 4/15 12 Gaining Peace With God Through Dedication and Baptism *** Recently the two questions addressed to baptismal candidates were simplified so that candidates could answer with full comprehension of what is involved in coming into intimate relationship with God and his earthly organization. *** w1989 1/15 13 What Prevents You From Getting Baptized? *** for the first of two questions the speaker asks them is: “On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?” Only if the individual answers in the affirmative and also understands that his dedication and baptism identify him as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization can he acceptably undergo water immersion. *** knowledge 176 18 Make It Your Aim to Serve God Forever *** Baptism ‘in the name of the holy spirit’ signifies that the baptismal candidate recognizes Jehovah’s holy spirit, or active force, as God’s instrument for carrying out His purposes and for empowering His servants to do His righteous will in association with His spirit-directed organization.

Sugar-coated, empty calories; otherwise known as "nourishing food".

Matt 5:11 - Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matt 19:29 - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matt 10:39 - Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. What "life" have many "found" and dare not lose? "When we use our time to prepare for God’s new world, are we missing out on a better way of life today? No! Serving Jehovah is the best way of life. To prepare for everlasting life in the new world, we need to obey the direction from Jehovah’s organization now. WT 15/8/15 pg 19-20 When anyone rejects this "life", giving full attention to Jesus and the Father only, division occurs. Luke 12:49 - “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” The division and persecution for following Christ is experienced among God’s people, just as it was in Jesus’ day. Many claim to follow Jesus Christ around the world, but Jesus gives the indication of who is persecuting God's people. John 16:2,3 - "They will put you out of the synagogue (“congregation); in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills (Rev 13:15) you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me." The synagogue today is where spiritual "Jews"/"Israel" are found. (Rev 7:4; Rom 9:6; 1 Pet 2:9,10) Do JWs suffer for Christ’s sake? No, they suffer on behalf of an organization, but they are taught they suffer because “Jehovah” expects them to have steadfast faith and dedication in an earthly organization under any circumstances. They have created a counterfeit fortress to protect them, instead of relying fully on God. Dan 11:36-38; Rom 1:25 Those who are ‘put out’ of the congregations for following Christ, are reviled by their own people, in the same way Jesus was. Matt 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble inheart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Are JWs finding rest as part of “Jehovah’s organization”, or are they experiencing turmoil in nations around the world? Ps 106:40-43 - "Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. 41 He gave them into the hands of the nations, and their foes ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power. 43 Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin." The call is to “come out of her, my people”. Who’s sins are magnified in front of God; those of Christendom, or those of “Jehovah’s organization” where God’s “chosen” anointed people are found captive to empty philosophy, the misguided teachings of a Harlot and a Beast/organization? Rev 18:4-8; Isa 43:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Col 2:8; Rev 13:1,4-10, 11,12,14-17

Great to see pedophilia, abuse and it's supporters being hounded and rooted out of wherever they have wormed their parasitic way. All power to this last stand on the frontiers of morality by an otherwise bankrupt and decaying civilisation!

There seems to be a quiet drift towards removal of any claim of inspiration or infallibility. When the Feb. 2017 Watchtower did this, it must have been for a reason, almost certainly legal. There's no benefit in admitting their lack of Divine direction otherwise, it's a fundamental part of their scam. What does the Legal Dept. foresee? Is this change designed to steer towards a deeper legal claim of a contract, as against EU regulations?

1975 disco gold

Poor man left us too soon. 1979 heart attack, he was just 39.

You seem to be bitter, unhappy and have a hate for the Witnesses - hence the constant criticism. You seem to presume I do not read other materials .....For your information, I am not a spring chicken who has only lived in America. I was a reporter for many years (not in English) and I therefore DO look at other materials so as to inform myself of what they say - and they seem to have similar stories. Most believe in Hell fire, Immortality of the soul and hence do not understand that Jesus' really died (his soul died), are not neutral in wars, take blood, and believe Jesus is coming back in the flesh... etc. I am actually on my way to live in Scandinavia - my husband and I are packing up.... I have lived in Africa, Europe and America.... so I have 'lived' in many cultures, I have seen many different ways of life and how people react to their environments.... and Yes - I have experienced the association with Witnesses in all of these countries. I have learnt one gets out of it what you put in. Nothing one does well comes easy - and one must be prepared to sacrifice things - then you get more back - like Jesus did. I also read Arabic (taught myself) and preach to mainly Muslims.... I have read the Qur'an, Hadith, the Siri and much more. Have you investigated all of this? Have you really sincerely sat down and study what the Witnesses believe? ...And how this fits in with what is happening on earth today? As a loving fellow here on earth, I refuse to tell you what to believe - I can only encourage you to not to be a smarty-pants. I have met many apostates/opposers - and they all trust in their own brilliance...and seem to have an all consuming hate of the Witnesses. It takes up their whole lives.