Was asked questions in May of 2003 regarding Bible Students and Baptism... the questioner not realizing there are different groups of Bible Students...
I'm affiliated with LHMM, but baptism has nothing to do with the group as such, because folks are not baptised into the group... they are baptised unto the Lord,... the only thing to join is Him. It is a highly personal and private matter regarding what a person's standing before God is. Baptism was designed to be a public statement of where one claims to stand... but nowhere does the Word tell us that there are any qualifications outside of belief in Jesus and the desire to serve in a higher way.
I cannot speak for other Bible Students groups... but I do not expect much or any difference. I'm sure someone will speak up.
His questions and my answers...
Do individuals who wish to be baptized by the Bible Students have to read and study The Divine Plan of the Ages and/or the complete series of Studies in the Scriptures or perhaps Creator's Grand Design or perhaps another Bible Student publication?
jon: Baptism is the outward sign that one desires to serve the Lord with their heart and soul. It is usual to find that such a one has read quite a bit and has already found answers to many questions... but baptism is not about qualifying in someone else's eyes as to how much they know... it is about presenting oneself before the Lord as recognizing Him as Savior and King... and presenting oneself as an instrument in His hand to do His bidding.
Are there any questions that are asked of the individual such as the V.D.M questions?
jon: yes... usually about 3 to 5 questions right before the baptism... Do you recognize you Adam was perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him, and that disobedience to God caused him to fall to imperfection?... do you recognize yourself as his offspring too are a sinner and in need of salvation?... do you recognize Jesus as that salvation as the only one able to release you from your delimna?... Do you consecrate you life to God, and to the carrying out of His will to the best of your ability?... something like that.
VDM questions were arranged by Bro Russell late in his ministry to test brothers who might be elected as elders. It was not a long held practice, vut they are in the old Towers and it is not unreasonable that an elder should be able to answer them... however, they had nothing to do with baptism.
Do you baptize at your Conventions or at another place where you hold your gatherings?
jon; we baptize whereever the candidate is when it becomes necessary. Usually folks wait for a convention, but we have had special meetings and sometimes it has been spur of the moment.
I have pictures of Bible Students in the 1800s and 1900s who were baptized in all black or all white gowns. Is this still a practice held today by the modern-day Bible Students?
jon: it depends on what is available... there is no particular symbolism... we just try to make sure the person is suitably covered as wet clothing is often revealing and that might spoil the day. Some are baptised in shorts and a t-shirt...
If a person was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness (or another denomination) would he have to be baptized again as a Bible Student?
jon:... with us, no... not unless the person felt the former baptism was of no effect for one reason or another... otherwise, it is nobody else's business.
And just out of curiosity...who baptized Brother Russell? Where and when was he baptized?
jon: Not sure... probably was baptized in the congregational church. He never talught a new or additionaly baptism would be necessary, because people who consecrate do so to the Lord and not to a church or organization.
(new comment) "a brother I just met in the last few weeks who was a JW for 45 years some years ago joined up with the Bible Students (high callers) who insisted that he be baptised again. I cringe at this thought... it was not their prerogative to insist on such a thing."
Dear brother... none that come to the Lord in my opinion need be scrutinized by any board of elders or leaders or teachers... Jesus and the Apostles encouraged people to be baptised if they were believers already and that belief was driving them onward to something more. None were ever asked to my knowledge to prove otherwise to a man by reading or doing anything else. If you come to us and claim to be already consecrated and baptised... what business of ours would it be to say we thought you weren't? The Lord knows, and it is impossible for someone to fool the Lord. It may be at a later date that such a person would realize in their own heart that it was really not the case, and then they could do something about it.
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