Jehovah's Witnesses: About baptism and other family members?

Way to go Jen, CONGRATULATIONS on your wise decision!

Listen, it all comes down to one word and one word only and that word is RESPECT.

You must RESPECT your family's point of view as they in turn should RESPECT yours. You obviously love your family members and they love you, however, you also must understand that they are "hurt", puzzled and confused regarding the choice that you have made. They are in ignorance concerning the awesome Truths that you have come to know and they feel that you are abandoning THEM (not just your former religion). They may view Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult or even a very dangerous cult and they may also be concerned about what peers, friends, associates and other members of the family may think (I mean let's face it, Jehovah's Witnesses IS NOT on the world's popularity list of being viewed as a top notch awesome religion to be part of as far as they're concerned).

You already well know these things 'Jen'. You must stand for what you KNOW is right. This is where your having ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE kicks in coupled with your LOVE for Almighty Jehovah, His Son and righteousness.

The Truth of the matter is that as much as you love your family (as you rightly should), you must come to the full realization of Truth that your family was the VEHICLE that Almighty God used in getting you here. You DO NOT owe your LIFE to your family members, you owe your life to Almighty Jehovah, the Source of ALL life. Jehovah is OUR Father, our MAIN Parent, THE Parent. Through Christ He is bringing you into HIS Family... THE Family, your TRUE Family.

Blood is thicker than water but Spirit is STRONGER than blood 'Jen'. While our physical family may be temporary, our SPIRITUAL family is ETERNAL. You MUST come to the fullness of THAT Truth. Jesus Christ well knew this which is why Mark 3:31-35 relates the following account... And I quote:

"Now his mother and his brothers came, and, as they were standing on the outside, they sent in to him to call him. 32 As it was, a crowd was sitting around him, so they said to him: “Look! Your mother and your brothers outside are seeking you.” 33 But in reply he said to them: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And having looked about upon those sitting around him in a circle, he said: “See, my mother and my brothers! 35 WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD, this one is my brother and sister and mother.” "

~ Mark 3:31-35

Capeesh? :-)

This is also why while dying on the torture stake Jesus left his mother Mary in the care of his beloved apostle John rather than with his fleshly family members who had up till that time not yet exercised Faith in him.

'Jen', we are by no means perfect (as you know). We make mistakes, we will do and say things that will at times annoy you and through your journey on the road of everlasting life you will see some of us come and go. REMEMBER WHY you got baptized, REMEMBER WHO you are DEDICATED to, REMEMBER your sacred oath to the Most High, REMEMBER that you are one of JEHOVAH'S Witnesses and to exercise the admonition of Colossians 3:13, 14.

We love you 'Jen", you are our sister, our Family (we have the same Father) and God has called you for the reason of what He saw within your awesome heart that yearns righteousness. Do you DESERVE to be here? Heck no you don't, NONE of us do and that's what makes it so AWESOME, because it magnifies the fact that it is made possible ONLY through Jehovah's UNDESERVED KINDNESS through our Lord Jesus.

It wasn't easy for Ruth either 'Jen', but she chose to go with Naomi because of her love for Naomi and our Almighty God whom Naomi served. You ARE going to be okay and you're going to be a awesome Christian Witness of Jehovah. I am extremely proud of you and I consider it an HONOR to call you my SISTER, WE consider it an honor to call you OUR SISTER.

Your mission begins in this world and will be fulfilled in the next to come. We all look forward to seeing and meeting one another in the New World and beyond as we get to know one another more and more LITERALLY throughout the strands of ETERNITY.

In closing, you are to LOVE your physical family members, you are to SHOW them the Truth by you just simply being you in accordance to Jehovah's ways and paths as outlined in the Bible. You will be tested, your Faith will be tried, you will fall and you will GET UP.

It doesn't matter whether or not you cross the finish line of the race for eternal life in 1st place position, 2nd place position, 3rd place position or last place position, what matter is that you ENDURE TO THE END AND CROSS THE FINISH LINE:

"For the righteous one may fall even seven times, and he will certainly get up"

~ Proverbs 24:16a

NEVER STOP "RUNNING" until you have FINISHED the race 'Jen'. If and or when you "fall", YOU GET BACK UP AND KEEP RUNNING (if you need people to lean on and assist you in the race we are there).

As advised pray and speak your concerns with your spiritually strong brothers and sisters, 1 Peter 3:21 has always given me the answer to why being baptize is so important where it says: 21 That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:4 explains why your family objects to your baptism and since they are close family members ask them if they will let you explain why you are getting baptized & if they will prepare a statement like preparing a talk and during that statement express your firm resolve & reason for getting baptized.

By doing this you will see if their concern is for you or if they are trying to manipulate you into their views and they are not concerned about your views. I would have the sister who studies with you there for support.

Anything you do will not make it an easy task & the most simple way is to say this is your choice and if they want to know why you are doing this you would be more than happy to explain your reasons.

Paul said opposition would come from our own family's and we should always put Jehovah first & this can be very difficult when it comes to family members that you love and know they love you, there is no easy answers.

Our prayers will be with you!

Agape

fixerken

Family tend to calm down as the years go by if you live an upright honest life and act with kindness, love and generosity towards unbelieving family members. Be balanced in how you interact and sow a seed or two when the opportunity arises, even strongly opposed family can change over time.

As for the baptism, no need to knock anyone over the head with it, explain once in detail the degree of your love and devotion to Jehovah and how serving him is making you happy and leave it at that. Maybe write a card to invite them if it won't be taken as an insult.

Looking back over the years of experience with people AND Jehovah

I can honestly say it is hard to look someone in the eye and express

that you are doing this not to hurt them but because it is

what you want or need to do, it could be anything.

It could be going to a different college or job then dad.

It could be marrying someone some of the family don't like for any reason.

It could be the color you paint your kitchen or the clothes you choose for your

baby.

It's hard, almost like you think you are telling them you don't respect their opinion

or want it.

That being said, through the years I wish I could take back every hesitation

I have about my love for my God, the one that ALWAYS makes me feel better,

always without "I told you so" picks me back up, always has their arms open for

me, even when I fall or embarrass them or let them down.

I have made some doozy of mistakes in my life, the biggest one is

whenever I left or ignored the look on my Gods "face".....

Without hesitation the one that "teaches me to benefit myself"

and not them..

You can love whoever, but you have to choose who you can deal with

"letting down"....... And let them deal with THAT how they will.

My only regret was not really "knowing" my God 40 years ago like I know him now.

Hmmm how he doesn't want me to feel regret even over that, but show love to others.

Jesus had it right.

Love JEHOVAH first

All others after that including yourself.

You aren't doing this to hurt Grandma.

Jen, congratulations on your choice.

Yes, family members will have different opinions, especially if they have no connection with the truth. Just remember that your 'new' family is cheering for you, and that is one BIG family. Besides the 7+ million here, you have 100s of millions of spirit brothers that rejoice over each of us, and our efforts to serve Jehovah God, under the conditions that we live.

Since it is a personal decision on your part, your Dedication you made is what is yours alone. The pool of water and you being totally dunked is only a visible act that is for others. The water does not change you, just makes it clear to those around who you love and serve.

There should not be any need to bring it up, unless they do. Point out how your choice to do God's will, will benefit others, and opens the way to expanding your ministry and service to God.

Jen,

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I can tell you that Yahoo Answers is not the best place to get help because some mean-spirited people may answer this question in addition to your Christian brothers and sisters. You need to talk to the person who's studying with you and/or the elders in your congregation to get help with this. I'm sure some brothers and sisters in your congregation had to deal with opposition from their family when they first came into the truth and some of them may still be dealing with opposition currently. It will be beneficial for you to seek out such ones and talk to them so you can gain encouragement. And you can look up experiences of others in the truth who have dealt with opposition from close family members and received Jehovah's blessing for doing so. Though you know this is the right thing for you to do, the Bible makes it clear that it will not be easy. Remember: 2 Timothy 3:12 says: "In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." Also, Matthew 10:36 reminds us: "Indeed, a man's (or woman's) enemies will be persons of his household." The scriptures leave us with no doubt: Not everyone who knows you, including close family members, will be pleased with your decision to serve Jehovah and get baptized as one of his Witnesses. Of course, you want everything to go smoothly and for your family to applaud your decision, but that doesn't always happen. So what are you to do? Remember what the Bible study said a couple weeks ago: "However, if you continue to improve in your ability to reason from the Scriptures and if you maintain Christian conduct, even those who oppose you might eventually have a change of heart." All in all, you have to lean on Jehovah and the congregation for support in dealing with your family's opposition. Whether or not your family comes to accept your decision, you have to do what you know is right, which is dedicating your life to Jehovah. Again, I encourage you to speak to your Bible teacher, elders, and other mature congregation members for help.

Your sister,

D

"Actions speak LOUDER than words"

Actions can speak even louder than words, so we want to display Christ-like qualities at all times, but especially when dealing with those who are opposed. They may berate us, or try to trick us into unchrist-like behavior or speech. At such times we can simply take our leave, especially if only they & us are present to begin with. If in a group situation, we can simply choose to interact with others unless & until the opposer calms down. (If they don't, though, we might consider leaving if their behavior is somehow making problems for others.) Either way we want to remain calm. We have to remember who it is that we have chosen to serve:

When the high priest questioned the apostles, accusitorily saying:

“We positively ORDERED You NOT to keep teaching upon the basis of this name,

and yet, look! You have FILLED Jerusalem with Your teaching,

and You are DETERMINED to bring the blood of this man upon us!”  

Peter and the others *calmly* stated:

“We must obey **God** as ruler, rather than men.”---Acts 5:27-32

So, when *anyone* opposes *anything* scriptural, we simply *continue* on our chosen course to please our loving Creator. What can we do that would make him happy with us? We always want to avoid anger, not even getting our feathers ruffled. This is something we all need to work on from time to time, but especially when new. Recognize that their attacks are actually aimed at Jehovah or his truths, rather than us . . . so, we really have no reason to take what they say or do, personally. We therefore have absolutely no reason to feel insulted. Therefore, nothing really to react to. So, remaining calm & collected, we can either reply OR walk away . . . whatever we deem the situation merits.

.

That's a hard one to answer because only you really know how your family will react.

My best advice though is to be firm in your decision. Don't let there attitude ruin one of the best days of your life. If you are firm in your decision they will eventually have to accept it. It is obvious as well to depend on Jehovah for help. Talk to him in Prayer and he will give you the strength to handle your family.

Taking sides with Jehovah might not always be easy but it will be very rewarding in the long run. Even the way you handle this decision might help your family also to accept Jehovah.

Say to the person -" you are important to me and God is important to me. I really want you to share this moment in my life." If that doesn't work, nothing will.

If you are baptized without their support remember all that Jesus taught you about the possibility of giving up some family members.

Also remember all the stories you have read about some one finding the truth after 20 or 30 years of resistance. Don't give up hope for them.

Congratulations on becoming one of God's servants. May Jehovah bless all your efforts.

Matt 10:21 Further, brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death. 22 And YOU will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.

Matt. 10:35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39 He that finds his soul will lose it, and he that loses his soul for my sake will find it.

I've been where you are now. It was over 19 years ago and here I am. The Scriptures above were the ones I read and re-read to help me. It is not easy but you will get past it. You can message me if you want. Your concern shows your love for family and Jehovah knows your heart dear. By the way, my family is fine with it now and both my husband and my father at one time told me they wouldn't be caught dead in a Kingdom Hall. Hubby is studying and my dad and mom go to the Hall every time they are here visiting. Jehovah calms the heart.

Hi Jen

Remember your doing this for Jehovah and yourself. If some of your family members don't like it, you continue strong and proud to dedicate your life to Jehovah. We never know, by our steadfastness some of thee ones might change their view.

Handle any situation in a loving way... it may take time, some might never like you for it, others might change their views, but the only view point you want is Jehovah's.

All the best

Agape

Darran