The Watchtower, December 15, 1969

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The Watchtower — December 15, 1969

Source: jw.org

Contents

Can Your Marriage Be Saved?

Learning to Live in Peace

“Go . . . Make Disciples . . . Baptizing Them”

“Make Disciples”—Till When?

The Battle for Men’s Minds

Why Serve Jehovah?

Questions From Readers

Announcements

Can Your Marriage Be Saved?

Can Your Marriage Be Saved?

IT IS an unhappy fact, but the marriages of more than a million persons a year are severed by divorce in just the United States alone. This amounts to about one divorce every minute on the average!

It is sad that so many persons who expect to enjoy happiness in marriage find just the opposite. One United States marriage counselor observed concerning those marrying today: “One-fourth will end up in divorce court, while another one-fourth will keep their marriages legally intact for a variety of reasons, but will get little satisfaction from them.”

Clearly, the marriages of millions of persons are in need of help. Possibly your marriage, too, is in trouble. What can you do to strengthen it? How can the happiness that you originally expected from marriage be realized?

LOOK TO THE RIGHT SOURCE FOR HELP

Men and women are marvelously designed for each other. They are inherently equipped to live together as husband and wife. Still many marriages fail. Why? Because they ignore an important requirement.

A basic requirement for genuine success in marriage is to consult regularly the advice of its originator, man’s Creator, Jehovah God. In his written Word the Bible he has provided the counsel that, if applied by both marriage partners, is certain to assure the happiness of their marriage.

This is not simply theory, or an idle, unsupported assertion. It is a fact. For when persons have really endeavored to cultivate in their marriage the qualities the Bible recommends, remarkable improvements have occurred. Are you willing to make an earnest effort to save your marriage by accepting the counsel of the foremost marriage counselor, Jehovah God?

WHEN THERE ARE SEVERE DIFFICULTIES

But perhaps you feel that your marriage is beyond help, that the problems are too severe. Your husband may be a drunkard. He may even physically abuse you at times, and voice great disrespect for God and his Word. What can be done in such a case?

The situation is not hopeless. There were cases in the first century where husbands had no regard for Christian principles. Note the divine counsel given to Christian wives faced with such circumstances: “You wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.”—1 Pet. 3:1, 2; Titus 2:4, 5.

This counsel has proved beneficial time and again. By exhibiting chaste conduct and deep respect Christian wives have often been instrumental in saving their marriages, turning them into happy unions. “But how does one show respect for a man who gets drunk and disrespects God?” you may ask.

True, this is not easy. You cannot, of course, approve of drunkenness or other ungodly conduct. But you can work to increase respect for your husband’s office or position as head of the family.

Also, while there may be unpleasant things you have discovered about him as an individual since marrying him, no doubt, if you looked for them, you could find new aspects of his personality that you consider desirable. Also, can you not continue to develop love and respect for the things about your husband that initially kindled your love for him, if he still has those same qualities, as well as those good things you have discovered since? Are there things you personally can do that will emphasize his good qualities and minimize his undesirable ones?

Some wives have given serious thought to such matters. And they have also cultivated the Christian quality of endurance, remaining chaste and respectful through years of abuse by husbands who opposed their Christian course. The results at times are absolutely thrilling. For example, one husband some time ago wrote:

‘For twelve years I was the worst enemy of my own wife. I threatened her and we quarreled every day; that is to say, I always sought the strife and I even began to beat her. Very often I came home drunk and would then beat both my wife and my child. But all in vain; my wife stuck to her study of the Bible and worship of God.

‘Only a relatively short time back they felt relieved every day when I went to work and dreaded the moment when I would come back. Then, a short time ago, I had a discussion with a Christian minister of Jehovah’s witnesses. Afterward I sat and reviewed the past twelve years of my life. This analysis was crushing for me. I saw how terribly mean I had been toward my wife, while she had borne everything with humility, like a piece of granite against which the waves of my insanity crashed in vain. The more cruel I was, the more love and mercy she showed.

‘Yes, it is only now that I see all this. And as I began to see it, I took the Bible; and, thanks to its instruction, I am now like a newborn man. I no longer get drunk and have stopped smoking, have left the rabble, and now share with my dear ones regularly in study of God’s Word.’

There are many such examples of wives who have, by their chaste conduct and deep respect, won their husbands over to Christianity. Even though this may have required years, how happy these wives are that they did not give up and leave their husbands! Real blessings can be realized as a result of endurance.

AVOIDING SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

It is true that Jehovah God has made allowance in his law for divorce. But his law does not allow many reasons for breaking the marriage tie by divorce. God’s Son Jesus said: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication [or adultery], and marries another commits adultery.” (Matt. 19:9) Thus, Scriptural divorce is limited. Adultery is the only ground permitted by God’s law for divorce and remarriage.

But what about separation of married partners, where adultery has not been committed and where a divorce may not be contemplated? What does God’s Word say on this matter?

This question came up in the first-century Corinthian congregation, and God inspired this counsel: “A wife should not depart from her husband; but if she should actually depart, let her remain unmarried or else make up again with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife.” (1 Cor. 7:10, 11) Thus, although it is acknowledged that not all couples would stick together, the Bible shows that Christian couples should do all they possibly can to resolve differences that may arise and not to separate.

The reasonableness of this is obvious, because where both mates profess to be dedicated Christians, they are under obligation to perform God’s will, and God’s will for Christian couples is to ‘stick together’ and not to break the marriage tie. (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6) Really, no problem should come up in the lives of Christian husbands and wives that cannot be resolved by applying the wisdom from God and by showing real love for each other.

But what of the situation where one mate is a dedicated Christian and the other an unbeliever? In this case the Bible counsels: “If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and yet she is agreeable to dwelling with him, let him not leave her; and a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and yet he is agreeable to dwelling with her, let her not leave her husband. . . . But if the unbelieving one proceeds to depart, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not in servitude under such circumstances, but God has called you to peace.”—1 Cor. 7:12-15.

The Scriptures, therefore, lay the primary emphasis on not breaking the marriage tie. If it is to be broken, the Christian should endeavor not to be the one that makes the break. However, if the unbeliever separates, the Christian would let him depart.

There are distinct advantages in remaining with one’s mate, even though that person is an unbeliever. First of all, there is the possibility that you as a Christian believer, may win your mate over to Christianity. Surely the unbeliever is in an advantageous position, for he is in touch with true Christianity by being with you.—1 Cor. 7:16.

Then, too, if you were to separate, and adultery was not the basis for the separation, you would not be Scripturally free to remarry or to have sex relations with anyone else even if you got a divorce. Think of the pressure such a separation might exert on you. What if it resulted in your falling into immorality? How sad that would be!

Another important factor to consider is the children, if you have any. Is the care and love of only one parent going to be sufficient? Will you be able to handle matters from a financial standpoint, as well as in other ways?

True, if the circumstances are extremely severe, you may choose to resort to separation. But this should be a step taken only as a very last resort, after all other efforts to correct the situation have been exhausted, and after prayerful consideration.

WORKING TO PRESERVE YOUR MARRIAGE

On the other hand, it is so much better when you can work out your problems and learn to enjoy each other’s companionship. This can be accomplished if you both really want to preserve your marriage, and if you look to God’s Word for help in doing so.

Each mate needs to appreciate that there is a fundamental reason why the marriage is in difficulty. And that is because either you or your mate, or both of you, are not applying Bible principles. Somewhere these vital principles are being pushed aside, ignored, and personal inclinations have taken their place. Therefore, to save the marriage this situation must be corrected.

For example, the problem may be that the Bible principles of headship and love are not being applied. The Bible says: “Let wives be in subjection to their husbands as to the Lord, because a husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation . . . husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies.”—Eph. 5:22, 23, 28.

To be head of his wife means that the husband bears the principal responsibility for making decisions about family matters. Thus, the occasion may arise in which your husband decides to move the family elsewhere. You, as wife, may realize that this will pose problems, but if you apply what the Bible teaches on headship you will yield to your husband’s wish, for he has the right to decide on such matters.

On the other hand, you, as a husband who applies the Bible principle of ‘loving his wife as himself,’ will discuss the matter of moving with your wife before making your decision. You will get her feelings and suggestions, and take these into consideration. But with you, the husband, rests the final decision, and this decision is to be respected and supported by the Christian wife.

So, whereas in some families displeasure over living quarters may become so grave that there is a desire to resolve the problem by separation, by applying Bible principles such problems can be averted entirely. This really works! When couples are willing to bring their lives into harmony with God’s Word, their marriage can truly be a happy one.

SHOWING INTEREST IN EACH OTHER

One Bible principle that it is vital for couples to apply in their marriage is to show loving interest in each other. “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person,” the Bible encourages. (1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4) Many marriages have been saved when husbands and wives have made a real effort to do this.

When you and your mate were courting each other before marriage, each made an endeavor to cultivate interest in what the other liked, is that not so? This no doubt was a factor that endeared you to each other. Why not, then, continue this practice? Of course, you may not be interested in some activities your husband likes. He may not be a Christian believer, and thus he may not have the interest in Bible study that you do. Nevertheless, you would do well to cultivate an interest in certain of his activities for the sake of the marriage. It is difficult to make love grow when husband and wife do not do things together.

Therefore, where there is no compromise of principle involved or Biblical issue violated, the believing mate does well to subordinate personal desires and spend some time doing what the unbeliever wants, thus demonstrating Christian reasonableness. This is the loving course and may cause the unbeliever to inquire into a faith that results in such consideration for one’s mate.

Recently a Christian woman who was having severe marital difficulties admitted her failure in this regard: “I have been wrong in excluding my husband’s desires,” she explained. “I haven’t cultivated an interest in the things pleasing to him. He enjoys bowling, hunting trips, baseball games, and so forth. Although years ago he used to invite me, I never went.”

This woman responded to encouragement to share in some of her husband’s activities. Happily she wrote: “I told him that I had been wrong in many instances, and that I was going to try to do better. I told him I’d like to go bowling one day a week, possibly on a Saturday afternoon if he’d like. A few days later I invited him to our Bible study and was so surprised when he accepted. My heart felt such compassion for him when he said he was going because he wants to learn to do what is right.”

A Christian husband should likewise endeavor to show interest in his wife, and in the activities she performs in behalf of the family. Even if she does not now embrace true Christianity, spend time with her, consider her, compliment her. Show her your concern. Never be too busy with other pursuits to devote some time to her and to reassure her of your love.

Simply being alert or ‘tuned in’ to each other’s interests and needs is vital to a harmonious marriage. One young married woman, who had failed to do this, complained regarding her husband: “He keeps making up excuses to be away from me more and more.” The reasons why her husband might be acting this way were discussed with her. She admitted that she had become less interested in caring for her personal appearance of late. Also, she said that her husband’s conversation bored her, and that she had little interest in communicating with him.

The wife was helped to see the need of showing more interest in her husband. Thus, she began to be more attentive to him, and took a greater interest in what he was doing. She made a point to fix his favorite foods more frequently, and paid more attention to being physically attractive to him. The husband responded by becoming eager again to come home to his wife.

True, it may be easy to see what your marriage mate is doing wrong. But the Christian wife should ask herself, “What can I do to contribute to the success of the union? If my husband does not come home at night and goes out and gets drunk, is it because there is something about the home to which he does not like to return? Do I nag him? Am I always lecturing him? Are the children out of hand?” Such honest self-analysis can be extremely revealing and valuable.

TALK TO EACH OTHER

An interchange of communication is an obvious and yet vital way for marriage mates to show each other loving interest. Before you were married you no doubt made an effort to carry on an interesting conversation with your wife-to-be. She obviously enjoyed this. Then, wisely continue to make this effort to talk. Your wife will appreciate it.

A wife, on the other hand, should use discretion when making conversation. Do not greet your husband with a barrage of problems as soon as he arrives home and before he has time to get settled. Think of pleasant things that you might speak about. And when there are problems to discuss, pick a time when he is in a frame of mind best to consider them. Such loving consideration is certain to contribute to improved marriage relations.

ADVANTAGES ENJOYED BY CHRISTIANS

Christian husbands and Christian wives have real advantages. First of all, they can confidently go to God’s Word together and consider their problems in the light of its wise counsel. Also, they can take their problems together to Jehovah God in prayer, humbly requesting that he help them. (Ps. 139:23, 24) After thus joining in prayer they will hardly be inclined to treat each other harshly or coolly.

Then, too, if differences are extreme, Christian mates have a fine provision for help in the Christian congregation. Here mature overseers and older men who have God’s mind on marital matters may be consulted for counsel from the Scriptures. By applying this counsel, those who experience marital difficulties are certain to be benefited.

This does not mean that you who are not members of the Christian congregation cannot enjoy these advantages. Jehovah’s witnesses will be happy to help you gain a knowledge of Bible teachings and principles, including those that concern relations between husbands and wives. In fact, a part of the free Bible-study course they offer, using the publication The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, is consideration of the subject “Building a Happy Family Life.” Do not hesitate to avail yourself of this provision by asking one of Jehovah’s witnesses to visit you in your home.

So, if you are now experiencing marital difficulties, do not be disheartened. You can do much that may improve the situation. And remember, if a husband and wife really want to preserve their marriage, and if they look to God’s Word for help in doing so, their marriage can be saved.

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A basic requirement for success in marriage is to consult regularly the advice of its Originator, Jehovah God, as found in the Bible

Learning to Live in Peace

Learning to Live in Peace

● In Papua, an international assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses was held late in October. Unable to obtain adequate facilities, the Witnesses built their own town for use during the assembly. 1,116 persons gathered from many tribes and thirty-one nations. In a country noted for tribal massacres, this peaceful assembly provided a fine example of how God’s Word changes the lives of those who heed it.

During October the “Peace on Earth” International Assembly convened in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Australia, in addition to Papua, with a combined peak attendance of 120,403 to hear the Bible’s message of peace. At these assemblies, it was heartwarming to see 5,573 persons get baptized in symbol of their dedication to do the will of Jehovah God.

“Go . . . Make Disciples . . . Baptizing Them”

“Go . . . Make Disciples . . . Baptizing Them”

“Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.”—Matt. 28:19.

1. According to news reports, how did an emergency form of baptism come about on a beach at San Francisco, California, on May 7, 1959?

IT WAS May 7, 1959, at San Francisco, California. Shirley and Albert were swimming at the entrance of the bay. A shark, too, was swimming there! First to see it, Albert warned Shirley. She should swim for shore. Then the shark attacked. Albert’s left arm was nearly ripped off. Braving the shark’s attack on her, Shirley swam back and began to pull Albert to the beach. She finally got him ashore. Albert was mortally wounded. He had not been baptized as a Christian. So Shirley scooped up some sea water and let it run over Albert’s head. Said Shirley: “I baptized him in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, making the sign of the Cross . . . ” She told him to repeat after her the act of contrition, saying: “ . . . I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.”—Time, and Newsweek, of May 18, 1959; New York Times, March 24, 1961.

2. What questions arise as to what was accomplished by this ritualistic baptism?

2 Shirley had saved Albert from further attack by the tiger of the sea. Conscientiously she afterward tried to save him from the fate of an unbaptized person according to the religious teachings of her church. Some persons, while admiring her courageous act, were caused to wonder. By performing a religious ritual of Christendom had she saved Albert from everlasting fire, after having saved him from the shark-infested water? Had she made him a disciple of Christ before he died in the hospital soon after?

3. In contrast, what mass baptism took place on a New York beach on July 30, 1958, and of what mass baptism in the year 33 C.E. did it remind one?

3 One’s mind here turns from the waters of the Pacific Ocean toward which San Francisco Bay fronts to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On July 30, 1958, less than a year before Shirley had ritualistically baptized Albert, there was a baptism on another beach, Orchard Beach, New York. The 7,136 who voluntarily desired to be baptized did not stay on shore for this. They waded out into the salt waters, where men, dedicated Christians, totally immersed them. This mammoth baptism was the spectacle of the day in the New York city area, where the “Divine Will” International Assembly was being held simultaneously in Yankee Stadium and the nearby Polo Grounds baseball park. It reminded one of another large-scale baptism that took place 1,925 years earlier when about three thousand believers were baptized at Jerusalem by the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, at the time of a convention at Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of Pentecost of the year 33 C.E. (Acts 2:1-42) These thus gave public testimony of their determination to be disciples of Jesus Christ. The 7,136 baptized at Orchard Beach in 1958 likewise desired to become dedicated disciples of this same one.

4. (a) Because of Christendom’s failing to convert the world and because of her decline, what questions arise as to baptizing disciples of Christ? (b) Because of what fear are there many hypocritical Christians today?

4 Here we are now in the end of the year 1969 C.E. Because of the failure of Christendom to make disciples of all the people of the world and thus bring about world conversion and because of her religious decline and loss of influence someone has suggested that this be called “the post-Christian Era.” Are disciples of this Christ of the first century still being made in these increasingly irreligious years of the twentieth century? Is it still the proper thing to make disciples of that one who died more than nineteen centuries ago, or is it outmoded? In these so-called “revolutionary” days, when old values are being discarded, these are serious questions. Many persons today who are afraid of what their neighbors think are anxious to be called “Christian” because otherwise they would be labeled as “pagan,” or even Communist. But are such people really hypocritical Christians? Are these so-called Christians really what a Christian ought to be? A real disciple of Christ is not a hypocritical Christian.

5. For answers to these questions, to what authority are we obliged to go, and why to that authority?

5 To what authority shall we go for answers to these questions? For the straightforward answers we shall have to go, not to the religious clergy of Christendom, but to that very Teacher of the first century, Jesus Christ himself. His faithful disciples of the first century put him inerasably on record in the last twenty-seven books of the Holy Bible. This Record does not dodge any questions about these matters or soft-pedal truths and facts in order not to offend us or our religious sensitiveness. Belittle that first-century Teacher as much as unbelieving scoffers care to, yet he has affected the world of mankind more than any other man that has ever walked on the face of our earth. He looked farther ahead than any other man on earth. Did he look forward to our day, this twentieth century? Yes. He was interested not merely in making disciples back there during the three and a half years of his teaching and preaching the kingdom of God. He was interested in making further disciples in this twentieth century. And he is making them. How do we know?

6. The words quoted in this regard were said by Christ at what stage of his life, and how had he designated the place where he was to say them?

6 When we here quote what he said in this regard we quote from him after he was raised from the dead. Where he spoke these words is a definite place on earth. It is a mountain in what was then called the land of Galilee in his day, the region of the Sea of Galilee of today. Before his death he had pointed out this region for a meeting with them after his resurrection from the dead. On the night before his death on an execution stake and after he had set up what is called the Lord’s Supper, he said to his eleven faithful apostles: “All of you will be stumbled in connection with me on this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered about.’ But after I have been raised up, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”—Matt. 26:31, 32; Mark 14:27, 28.

7. How was this locality confirmed on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, and how did the disciples comport themselves there?

7 Two days later, on the morning of his resurrection from the dead, an angel said to some women who came to the now opened and vacated tomb: “Go quickly and tell his disciples that he was raised up from the dead, and, look! he is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see him.” On their way to tell the disciples, these women were met by the resurrected Jesus himself. “Have no fear!” he said. “Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galilee; and there they will see me.” More than a week later the disciples did so. “The eleven disciples went into Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them, and when they saw him they did obeisance, but some doubted.”—Matt. 28:3-10, 16, 17; Mark 16:7.

MORE THAN A MAN’S COMMAND

8. (a) Why have creatures on earth no right to interfere with the carrying out of Christ’s command there given? (b) What did the apostles John, Paul and Peter say regarding his status now?

8 What the disciples heard in that unnamed mountain in Galilee was something from more than a mere man; and no man, government or nation on earth has a right to interfere with the carrying out of what that one commanded. O yes, men do interfere, but this is only by God’s permission, and they do not gain divine approval by their doing so. In spite of them many baptisms have been performed in secret. The Jesus who appeared to his disciples at that Galilean mountain was the first one to be raised from the dead to endless life, indeed to immortal life. Uniquely he is called “the first-born from the dead.” (Rev. 1:5) A man who miraculously saw Jesus Christ some months after his resurrection from the dead was inspired to say concerning him: “He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things.” (Col. 1:1, 18) Also, a disciple who met with him in the Galilean mountain writes: “Christ died once for all time concerning sins, . . . he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit.” (1 Pet. 3:17, 18) He ranks first among God’s spirit sons.

9. With what authority did Christ there issue his command to his disciples, and what did it state?

9 Rightly, then, he could issue his command with superhuman authority and could put his command above any command of mere human governors and rulers, saying to his disciples there in Galilee: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 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, 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.”—Matt. 28:18-20.

10. How long lasting is the power in the words of his command, and why?

10 There was power in those words. And, today, after nineteen centuries, there is still as much power in those words, for they are the words of an Authority whom no creature in heaven or on earth dares to defy or ignore. “All authority . . . in heaven and on the earth” has been given to him by the Almighty God, who is the divine Source of all authority. He is the heavenly Father of Jesus Christ and is the one who raised him from the dead to immortal life on the spirit plane of existence. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, now in a new and higher relationship with the heavenly Father by reason of this resurrection from the dead. With the value of his perfect human sacrifice, the resurrected Jesus Christ entered into the very presence of the Most High and Almighty God, his heavenly Father. To him he presented the value or merit of his human sacrifice for the sake of all mankind, living and dead. In order to back up or implement the “all authority” that God gave to him, Jesus Christ also received the “holy spirit,” that invisible active force of God, to exercise it and to pour it out on his disciples.

11. (a) What should nobody of this modern day think as regards the authority of the resurrected Christ? (b) What can be said about the handling of his authority and its enforcement at this stage of the system of things?

11 Let nobody think to himself, “Well, that was nineteen hundred years ago. That authority claimed by Jesus Christ does not apply in our modern, scientific, revolutionary age. His authority has weakened or diminished, like the influence of Christendom, and it does not operate today. We are in power here on earth today. We are the ones actually having the authority, and we humans shall use this possessed authority just the way we want it, regardless of what someone said nineteen centuries ago.” But let no one fool himself. Jesus Christ is a historic person, not a myth, and he has never let go of his authority or yielded it to any man or group of men on earth today, whether at Vatican City or at Geneva, Switzerland, or Moscow, Russia, or anywhere else. He still has it today, it being enforced today more than ever before. To assure his disciples of this he followed up his authoritative command by saying: “And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:20) This system of things is still with us today, but we are very evidently in the time period of its conclusion.

12. (a) How do some underestimate Christ’s authority today, and why should they make a reconsideration? (b) What should be the reaction of his disciples today to his command, and why?

12 The unending, superhuman, universal authority with which the resurrected Jesus Christ has been clothed should make all those who scoff at him pause for reflection; it should make all who say, “Christianity is dying out today, and we are more popular and more important than Christ,” stop and make a proper estimate of Christ the heavenly Son of God. It should also make all who are his true, genuine disciples today take most seriously his command to them, so that the carrying out of his command becomes the biggest thing in their lives, just as it was in the lives of the first-century disciples. The realization and appreciation of the authority behind Christ’s command should fire them never to cease carrying it out till the utter end of this “conclusion of the system of things.” They have him with them “all the days” until that occurs. So they have his backing.

EXPANSIVE WORK

13. (a) Discipleship was meant to obtain in what area on earth? (b) In what way was the movement of matters not to be as in the days of King Solomon when his wisdom was known earth wide?

13 One’s being a disciple of the resurrected Jesus Christ is not a passive, easygoing, self-centered, unexpressive religion. It gives open expression to itself; it is productive and reproductive, unable to be held down or suppressed. Discipleship was not meant to be confined to a small corner of the earth, as something not to be shared by the rest of the world. If anything was to be made known and to be made available world wide, this was. It was not as in the case of wise King Solomon of Jerusalem of the eleventh century B.C.E., concerning whom the historic record says: “They kept coming from all the peoples to hear Solomon’s wisdom, even from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.” (1 Ki. 4:34) Even the queen of Sheba came from what was called “the ends of the earth” all the way to Jerusalem to hear and see the evidence of Solomon’s wisdom. (Matt. 12:42; 1 Ki. 10:1-13) Jesus Christ, even when on earth, spoke of himself as being “something more than Solomon.” His life and death have affected all mankind far more than did Solomon’s. Instead of inviting and obliging men to come from the four corners of the earth to earthly Jerusalem to hear his wisdom and learn of him, he commanded his disciples there in Galilee to go to all the people: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matt. 28:19) They were not to wait upon the people to come to them, but were to go to the people everywhere.

14. For whom was the message of salvation through Jesus Christ meant, and how did he indicate this on the Mount of Olives before his ascension?

14 Although Jesus, when on earth, was a natural, circumcised Jew, born under the Law of Moses, yet the message concerning him was not for the Jews alone. Only as a favor from God, the Jews got it first. But this message of salvation by means of Jesus Christ was for all mankind, and it must go to all of them. The resurrected Jesus Christ indicated this not only in the mountain in Galilee but some time afterward before he departed from this earth and ascended back to heaven to his divine Father, Jehovah God. On the famous mountain to the east of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, from which he was to ascend to heaven, he said to his disciples who accompanied him there: “It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction; but you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.”—Acts 1:7, 8.

15. (a) In a Bible study just before this, how did Jesus indicate to his disciples to what extent forgiveness of sins through him was to be preached? (b) Why was the witness to start out from Jerusalem?

15 This witness concerning Jesus’ vital part in God’s program for the salvation of mankind was not to be confined to just the natural circumcised Jews who were scattered to the ends of the earth but was to be presented also to Gentile (non-Jewish) persons. So Jesus had said a short time before this in a Bible study with his disciples, in these words: “In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, you are to be witnesses of these things.” Why were they to start out from Jerusalem? Because they were to be baptized with the holy spirit on the following festival day of Pentecost at Jerusalem, and their first witnessing about the repentance for forgiveness of sins through Christ was to be given to Pentecostal celebrators there in that city.—Luke 24:46-49.

16. According to Acts, chapter two, how did it happen just that way at Jerusalem?

16 It actually happened that way, and on that day of the festival of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E. the apostle Peter said to a big crowd of inquiring Jews and proselytes: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.” About three thousand of these Jews and proselytes who were already dedicated to Jehovah God repented of their previous wrong attitude and action toward Christ and were baptized in his name as being now his followers. That was only a start for them. They desired to know more from Christ’s twelve apostles, and the apostles were willing to give them more instruction. And so, after baptism in water, “they continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to sharing with one another, to taking of meals and to prayers.”—Acts 2:37-42.

FIRST-CENTURY EXPANSION

17. How did the good news come to be spread earth wide by those baptized at Jerusalem at Pentecost, but among whom earth wide?

17 Since God’s provisions for the rescue of all mankind were to be made available world wide, how wise it was that Jehovah poured out his holy spirit through Christ there on the day of Pentecost, at Jerusalem. Those converted, baptized Jews and proselytes had come from many parts of Asia, Europe and Africa, indeed, “from every nation of those under heaven.” So now after receiving sufficient instruction from Christ’s apostles they went back to their own lands and spread the good news there. But they did this only among the natural circumcised Jews in those lands. (Acts 2:5-12; 11:19) But what about the province of Samaria that lay in between Judea and Galilee?

18. How did the harvesting of baptized, spirit-filled Christians extend itself into the province of Samaria?

18 Jesus had once preached to the Samaritan inhabitants of the town of Sychar, and as a result those Samaritans said: “We have heard for ourselves and we know that this man is for a certainty the savior of the world.” Ah yes, not of the Jews only, but “of the world” of mankind. Well was it that Jesus while there in Samaria said to his apostles: “Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting. Already the reaper is receiving wages and gathering fruit for everlasting life.” (John 4:35, 36, 38-42) But it took the scattering power of persecution to thrust the disciples into the fields of Samaria to do harvesting work. After his resurrection from the dead and before his ascension to heaven Jesus had authorized them to give the witness to the Samaritans. So Philip the evangelizer, when forced out of Jerusalem and Judea by persecution, entered Samaria and preached and baptized many Samaritan believers. Then the apostles at Jerusalem sent down Simon Peter and John the son of Zebedee, and these imparted God’s holy spirit to these believing Samaritans.—Acts 8:1-17.

19. What further expansion was there yet to occur, but who were evidently hesitant about it?

19 Yet there was to be still more expansion! Not yet had the uncircumcised Gentile “people of all the nations” of the inhabited earth been touched, nor any ingathering made from them. The Jewish Christians were hesitant, if not also prejudiced, about giving the Messianic witness to the uncircumcised Gentiles or non-Jews. (Acts 10:9-29) For the Jewish Christians to continue treating the uncircumcised Gentiles that way would have hindered the expansion of the Christian congregation at the due time for its expansion.

20. What prophetic week was then running out, and so whom did God send, and to whom and how equipped?

20 Although the Jewish Christians were unaware of it, the seventieth week of years of exclusive favor from Jehovah God to the natural Jews was running out and due to end about the close of the summer of the year 36 C.E. It then became his own appointed time for God to unlock and open the door to Kingdom activity among those Gentiles. (Dan. 9:24-27; Matt. 16:18, 19) So in behalf of fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy of the seventieth week, Jehovah God sent the apostle Peter, with the second of the “keys of the kingdom of the heavens,” to preach the Kingdom message to the first uncircumcised Gentile believers.

21. Who now were admitted to the Christian congregation, and this allowed for expansion how far, as Paul indicates in his letter to the Colossians?

21 After these believing Gentiles received the holy spirit and its gifts, they were baptized in water according to Peter’s directions. (Acts 10:1-8, 30-48; 11:12-18) This opened the way for the Christian congregation to expand among the uncircumcised Gentiles to the most distant part of the earth. Other Jewish Christians entered through the newly opened door into the field of activity among the Gentiles. Gentiles were admitted to already established congregations that had consisted entirely of natural Jews, Samaritans and proselytes. About twenty-eight years after Jesus’ farewell words on the Mount of Olives, the apostle Paul could write from Rome to the congregation at Colossae and say: “The hope of that good news which you heard, and which was preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Col. 1:23) During their lifetime the apostles and their fellow disciples were indeed carrying into effect Christ’s commission to them.

MODERN-DAY EXPANSION

22. How was Jesus Christ not proved to be a false prophet as regards the extent of the disciple-making in this twentieth century?

22 Since then new continents have been discovered by men of Europe and opened up to the disciple-making work of true Christians. But mankind has really had to wait till this twentieth century to see the making of disciples of “people of all the nations” to the ends of the earth, or to its four corners. Jesus Christ was not a false prophet when he foretold the worldwide expansion of the disciple-making activities of his true followers. He did not ask too much of his faithful followers, for with the help of God’s spirit they have shown a willingness to go as far into the distance as Jesus indicated in his command, “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.”—Matt. 28:19.

23. In view of her tremendous church population, has Christendom done the disciple-making commanded, and how do we know whether or not?

23 Today Christendom numbers her church people into the hundreds of millions, up to nearly one thousand million, but she has not really done this disciple-making work. True, she has distributed Bibles and portions of the Bible in some 1,337 languages, over two thousand million copies in all parts of the earth. This, however, has not of itself made disciples of Christ. In fact, Christendom has used fire and sword and religious persecution in bringing droves of people into her religious systems. That is not the way that Jesus Christ authorized his apostles and their anointed fellow laborers to go and “make disciples.” The fact that it was not the right way is proved by the kind of professed Christians that she has made, baptizing them in her style of baptizing. Divided up among the hundreds of different religious sects, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant, they are not what the Holy Bible describes as Christian.

24. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19, 20 do not allow for what methods of Christendom in making disciples?

24 According to Jesus’ own words, what was the way for his true followers to carry on the work of making disciples of all people without distinction as to nationality? He said: “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, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) Such words do not allow for the forcing or compelling of anyone under threat of torture or persecution. Neither did those words include the idea of killing off, massacring, those who refused to become disciples for conscientious reasons. Because Christendom has used those methods, it does not mean that these were the methods that Jesus authorized for his obedient, faithful followers.

25. Those made disciples according to Matthew 28:19 are to be made really the pupils of whom?

25 The command, “make disciples,” according to the Greek verb used in Matthew 28:19, means “make learners or pupils.” In illustration of this, The New Testament—An Expanded Translation, by K. S. Wuest, reads, in Matthew 28:19: “Having gone your way, therefore, teach all the nations, making them your pupils.” Of course, those who receive teaching from the followers of Jesus Christ, become pupils of these, become learners from them. But the teaching is really to be about Christ, and they are to be taught to observe the things that he commanded his followers, and so he is really the Teacher. It is to be just as he told his disciples: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8) So the ones who are made disciples are really to be the disciples of this one Teacher, Jesus Christ, who gave the command.

26. Who remains the unchanging Teacher of such disciples?

26 The human teacher can die off or depart somewhere else, but Jesus Christ continues to be the Teacher of his disciples all the time. It is as the New English Bible—New Testament words it: “Go forth therefore and make all nations my disciples; baptize men everywhere.”

27. What is the only authorized way of making disciples, and about what must they learn, to be baptized with the right baptism?

27 Thus the use of fire and sword or scimitar and torture and inquisitions in order to force people into Christianity is absolutely barred by Jesus Christ himself. The only way to make real disciples of the Teacher Jesus Christ is by the peaceful, loving way of presenting the Bible witness concerning Jesus Christ and helping them to become disciples of him, not of the person who gives them the witness. They must learn not only about the Son, but also about his heavenly Father and about the holy spirit, that is to say, the invisible active force of God by which he accomplishes his will. Otherwise, how can the learner be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit”?

28. How was the need of such learning illustrated in the case of the twelve men whom Paul encountered at Ephesus?

28 For example, there were about a dozen men in ancient Ephesus who had been baptized with what they understood to be the baptism practiced by John the Baptist. But they did not know about the holy spirit of God, and they had not been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Though they knew about God, they did not know or recognize him as the Father of Jesus Christ, as His Son. Therefore the apostle Paul had to give them a witness about Jesus Christ. After that they had to be baptized again, this time “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Then when Paul laid his hands upon these newly baptized ones, they received God’s holy spirit and began prophesying under its influence, something that they had not done before because of not knowing about the spirit or receiving it.—Acts 19:1-7.

29. What shows whether, after his baptism, the disciple’s being a learner is all over?

29 Even after water baptism, the disciple needs to be taught further. Jesus said that there was to be not only baptizing but also a teaching of the baptized ones “all the things I have commanded you.” He needs to continue to be a learner, a pupil, of the Teacher Jesus Christ. They are not to be forced or tortured to “observe all the things I have commanded you,” but are to be patiently, peacefully, lovingly taught to observe all of Christ’s commands. That is the way that the Bible’s record shows that the apostles did the discipling work, which fact proves this way, not Christendom’s way, is the right way.

30. The discipling work was to be done in conjunction with what other work foretold by Christ, and how was this fact illustrated by Paul and Barnabas in Asia Minor?

30 This making of disciples is, of course, to be done in conjunction with the other work that was foretold by Jesus Christ in his prophecy in Matthew 24:14, namely: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” But this proclaiming or heralding of the Kingdom is more of a public work, and it is to be done “for a witness to all the nations,” not for the conversion of all nations. That it was done in conjunction with the preaching is made certain from the account of Paul and Barnabas when working in Asia Minor, which reads: “And after declaring the good news to that city and making quite a few disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them.”—Acts 14:21, 22, NW; AS; RS.

31. Aside from the preaching work, what does the disciple-making involve on the part of the one making disciples and the disciple himself?

31 But the disciple-making work is a more personal, intimate work than the mere public witnessing work by means of the heralding or proclaiming of the Kingdom. The making of disciples calls for teaching besides having first given the witness. The witness given publicly may be ignored or rejected by the public in general, but one’s becoming a disciple, learner, or pupil means accepting the information given by the instructor and then becoming a follower of the Teacher Jesus Christ. It means getting baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit and thereafter continuing to take and apply teaching from the one Teacher, Jesus Christ.

32. How is it shown whether the one baptized becomes the disciple of the baptizer or other man on earth?

32 No believer getting baptized in that prescribed way does so to become the disciple of some mere man in the flesh on earth. Neither is the one thus getting baptized thereby made the disciple of the dedicated man who baptized him in water. (1 Cor. 1:12-17) That those who became baptized became disciples of Jesus Christ is plain from the record in Acts 11:26, which reads: “It was first in Antioch [Syria] that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians [not Paulists].”

[Picture on page 746]

At the “Divine Will” International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York city 7,136 persons were baptized

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At this year’s “Peace on Earth” International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nuremberg, Germany, 5,095 persons were baptized. Throughout the world during the 1969 service year 120,905 persons were baptized

“Make Disciples”—Till When?

“Make Disciples”—Till When?

1. What raises the question as to whether a limit was set as to the number of disciples to be baptized?

WERE disciples of Christ to be baptized up to a certain number of them? Since, in Revelation 7:1-8 and Re 14:1-3, he revealed that 144,000 spiritual Israelites are to be joint heirs with him in the heavenly kingdom, did he not thereby set a limit on the number that were to be baptized as his disciples?

2. (a) When commanding the disciple-making, did Christ specify any number? (b) What discrimination would result in very few “Christians” being baptized nowadays?

2 Not necessarily, for, at Matthew 28:19, 20, he set no limit on the number but said simply: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.” Certainly he could know and he would know when to halt the baptizing of learners, pupils, disciples of him, for he is the one Teacher of them and would know when he had as many of them as he wanted. Consequently his obedient followers can only continue on making and baptizing followers of him for as long as he permits. Certainly if we baptized only those believers who, after making a complete dedication of themselves to God through Christ, claimed to have the witness of God’s spirit that they were spiritual Israelites, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, we would be baptizing very few “Christians” today. Why do we reason so?

3, 4. (a) According to reports published since 1942, what has happened to the number of baptized Christians claiming to be begotten of God’s spirit? (b) How do the number of those baptized as contrasted with those partaking of the emblems at the Lord’s Supper during 1969 and the preceding year illustrate this?

3 According to the published reports since the year 1942 the number of baptized Christians who make up the “remnant” that claim to be begotten of God’s spirit as spiritual joint heirs of Jesus Christ has decreased each year.

4 For example, this past April 1, 1969, there were just 10,368 of this anointed spiritual remnant that attended the annual Lord’s Supper and partook of the Memorial bread and wine. But in stark contrast with this, during this past year of Kingdom proclamation there were 120,905 new believers who were baptized in water in symbol of their dedication to God through Christ. During the previous year of activity there were 10,619, or 251 more that partook of the bread and the wine at the Lord’s Supper. Thus during this past service year there were hundreds less that claimed to be of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites. How many of these 10,368 remaining were among the 120,905 who were baptized in water in the 1969 service year? If it depended upon such ones, how few baptisms in water would have been conducted in the 1969 service year? And yet the report shows 120,905 baptized.

5. (a) How long, or till when, were the making of disciples and the baptizing of them to continue? (b) Since the Kingdom preaching continues on as foretold since 1914, what related work would continue along with it?

5 How long, or till when, were the making of disciples of Christ to be kept up, together with the baptizing of them? Jesus Christ indicated this, for after giving his command in Matthew 28:19, 20 concerning discipling and baptizing, he said: “And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Ah, then, this work was to continue into the “conclusion of the system of things.” That is where we find ourselves since the end of the “appointed times of the nations” in early autumn of the year 1914. (Luke 21:24) At the present time the worldwide preaching of “this good news of the kingdom” is going ahead on a scale never before realized since 1914, in a climactic fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24:14 concerning the “conclusion of the system of things.” Logically, then, if under Christ’s direction this Kingdom preaching has gone on increasingly until now, the discipling and baptizing would continue on along with it.

6. (a) As what were those tens of thousands baptized according to Matthew 28:19? (b) Since 1923 on what prospect were many of those accepting the message setting their hope?

6 Well, then, are those tens of thousands of baptisms that have been reported annually in recent years baptisms of “disciples” of Christ? Yes! That is the only type of persons that dedicated Christians are instructed in Matthew 28:19, 20 to baptize and teach. It is true that, after praying in behalf of his “little flock” of spiritual sheep Jesus Christ went on to say: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) These “other sheep” were to have an earthly hope of eternal life in a terrestrial paradise, and not a heavenly hope. It is true, also, that since the year 1923, when the parable of the sheep and goats was explained at the Los Angeles (California) convention and later published in The Watch Tower of October 15, 1923, many hearers of the Kingdom witness have set their hopes on being of the “other sheep” class and inheriting the earthly paradise under God’s heavenly kingdom. But for years they were not advised to get baptized.

BAPTIZED AS BEING WHAT?

7. When instructed to be baptized, what were they authorized to be baptized to be?

7 It is true that since the counsel given in paragraph 33 on page 250 of The Watch Tower of August 15, 1934, persons desiring to be of these “other sheep” have been baptized in water in symbol of their dedication of themselves to God through Christ. But what were they authorized to be baptized to be? Specifically to be “other sheep”?

8. What question arises as to what those baptized on Saturday, June 1, 1935, at the Washington, D.C., convention were baptized to become, and why?

8 It is further true that in the following year at the spring convention held in Washington, D.C., capital of America, the prophecy in Revelation 7:9-17 was explained and the “great multitude” (AV) therein described was declared to be made up of present-day “other sheep” with earthly hopes, this startling explanation being later published in The Watch Tower as of August 1 and 15, 1935. And on the day following that joy-inspiring speech many of the conventioners who were hopeful “other sheep” were baptized. But on that Saturday, June 1, 1935, at the Washington convention those many who were immersed were baptized as being what? As being “other sheep”? As being members of the “great multitude” legitimately holding paradise hopes? Is that what they had dedicated themselves to God to become?

9, 10. (a) How do Matthew 25:41-46 and Revelation 7:9-17 indicate this to be the time for a “great crowd” of “other sheep” to appear? (b) What question therefore arises as to baptizing believers into classes?

9 In Scripturally confronting this question we can with safety refer only to what Jesus commanded his followers on the subject. It is a fact that Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats is part of his prophecy regarding the “conclusion of the system of things” and that this particular parable applies within the time of the “conclusion of the system of things,” that is to say, in the present time. It is likewise evident that the vision of the “great crowd” (Rev. 7:9) was given to John the apostle after he had the vision of the 144,000 sealed spiritual Israelites. Hence this vision would apply now, specifically since 1935, when the sealing of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites appears coming to its close.

10 Also in accord with that fact the number of the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites who observe the Lord’s Supper gets smaller and smaller. And yet today the baptized and dedicated witnesses of Jehovah number around one million. These Christians hope to survive the oncoming “great tribulation” on the coming day of God’s vengeance and enter into God’s new order on earth. So this is evidently the appointed time for the coming forth of this unnumbered “great crowd” of “other sheep.” Down till this “conclusion of the system of things” Jesus said he would be with his obedient followers “all the days” as they carried on the discipling and baptizing. But did Jesus command them that they should baptize some dedicated ones as members of the “little flock” to whom it is the heavenly Father’s good pleasure to give the celestial kingdom? And to baptize others dedicating at this time as “other sheep,” as members of the unnumbered “great crowd” who are to be heirs of the earthly paradise under God’s kingdom?

11. (a) Why does the Scriptural answer to the questions call for a reexamination of the matter of dedication? (b) What is it proper for us to expect God to give to an individual after his baptism?

11 The Scriptural answer is No! What Jesus simply said was: “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, teaching them.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) This calls for us to get the correct understanding of Christian dedication. When dedicating ourselves to God through Christ we do not lay down any terms for God according to which only he is to accept our dedication. When we dedicate ourselves, we present ourselves to God as Jesus his Son did, saying: “Look! I am come to do your will.” (Heb. 10:9, 10; Ps. 40:7, 8) Thus we express no choice of our own, but we leave it to Jehovah God to decide what our eternal destiny shall be. If it is his will that we desire to be done in our case, then we shall accept his assignment of us and will be satisfied with it, happy in it. (Rom. 9:16) It is proper to expect that after one’s baptism God would give a witness to the dedicated, baptized one what his decision has been in that one’s case. To the one whom he begets by his spirit he will give a son’s witness.—Rom. 8:16, 17.

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