Baptismal questions
The following should be a guide only. It is best for both the
interviewer and the candidate for baptism to put their thoughts into their own
words. If a potential question has already been answered during an earlier
exchange, it is not necessary to repeat it.
First and primary question: Why do you want to be
baptized?
(Acceptable answers involve one's love for God, and a personal
desire and commitment to serve Him. Unacceptable answers: "I'm old enough now."
"It would make my parents (or husband, or wife, or children) happy." "My friends
are getting baptized.")
1. What is the Bible?
A collection of writings by men inspired by God, to write the
story of God's dealings with man, and to write of God's offer of eternal
life.
2. Is there any other direct source of the knowledge about
eternal life?
No.
3. What was the condition of the original creation, including
Adam when he was first created?
Perfect, or "very good". There was no sin or death in the
world.
4. What caused Adam to lose this condition? That is, what
brought God's curse upon man and his world?
Adam disobeyed God!
5. Does Adam's transgression affect us? If so, how?
Yes, the consequence of Adam's disobedience is upon all
mankind, in our mortal, sinful natures inherited from him.
6. Has God made any provision for our redemption from this
curse?
Yes, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
7. What is the primary promise God made to Abram?
That he and his "seed" would receive the land of Palestine for
an everlasting possession.
8. Was this promise made to anyone else?
Yes, to hls descendants Isaac and Jacob.
9. Did any of them actually receive this promise?
No, they all died in faith, not yet receiving the
promise.
10. Who is the "seed" referred to in these promises?
Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham.
11. How can we inherit these promises?
By being baptized into Christ we become spiritually the
children of Abraham, and heirs with Christ of the same promise.
12. What is the gospel?
The "good news" of the kingdom of God and the name (or
purpose) of Jesus Christ.
13. Did God ever have a kingdom on earth before?
Yes, the kingdom of Israel. It was ruled first by the judges,
then by the kings for about 400 years.
14. What happened to that kingdom?
It was first divided and then overthrown, and the people of
Israel scattered among the other nations, because of their rebellion against
God.
15. What is the promise God made to David, king of Israel?
That his kingdom would be restored and his "seed" would rule
over it forever, sitting upon his throne in Jerusalem.
16. Who is the "seed" referred to in this promise?
Jesus Christ, the descendant of David.
17. What is the nature of man?
Mortal. Physically, he has no superiority over the animals.
When his breath leaves him, he dies, and ceases to possess all of his
senses.
18. What is the "soul"?
The body, the person himself. The entire being.
19. What is the "spirit"?
The breath of life within man. Also, his mind or
disposition.
2O. Does the Bible teach that men or their "souls" go to
heaven at death?
No.
21. Does man or his "soul" have any conscious existence in
death?
No.
22. How many Gods are there?
Only one God, the Creator of all things.
23. Who is Jesus Christ?
The only-begotten Son of God, born of the virgin
Mary.
24. Is Jesus also a man?
Yes. He was born with the same mortal, sinful nature which we
all possess. Even now, although he is immortal, he is still a man.
25. Are God and His Son the same person, or separate persons
of a "trinity"?
No, there is only one God!
26. Did Jesus have a pre-human existence?
No, except in the mind and purpose of God.
27. Are God and His Son equal in power?
No. God is supreme. Any power and authority which Christ now
has was given him by his Father.
28. What is the Holy Spirit?
God's power, by which He performs His will.
29. Is the Holy Spirit a separate and co-equal
"God"?
No, it is simply an extension of the one God.
30. Who or what is the "devil"?
The personification of evil or sin, which is part of mortal
human nature.
31. While he was mortal, was it possible for Jesus to
sin?
Yes. Otherwise, his temptation and victory over sin, or the
"devil", would have been unreal and pointless.
32. Why was it necessary in God's plan that the Savior be a
man?
So that by perfect obedience he might overcome the "devil" in
his own flesh.
33. Why was it necessary that Jesus die?
As a perfect sacrifice, to destroy perfectly and absolutely
this "devil", or the power of sin in himself. And as a representative for
others, who by faith in him might be forgiven their sins and thus win their own
victories over sin.
34. Why did God raise Christ from the dead, and give him
eternal life?
Because he was perfectly obedient, even to the death of the
cross, and therefore the grave could not hold him in death.
35. After his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven. What is
his role now?
He is acting as a high-priest and mediator for those who
through faith approach God in prayer.
36. Can we pray to God through anyone other than Jesus
Christ?
No. He is the only mediator between God and man.
31. Did Jesus die because God was angry with
mankind?
No, he died because God so loved the world that He was willing
that His beloved Son should die, so that sinners might believe, repent, and be
saved.
38. Who or what is "satan"?
Any adversary or enemy (usually, against God).
39. What are "devils" or "demons"?
A New Testament way of describing mental illnesses and
disorders.
40. What is "hell"?
The pit or the grave; in short, the state of the
dead
41. Are the wicked tortured forever?
No, they simply die without hope. This is an "eternal
punishment" because it is eternal death.
42. What is required before baptism?
A knowledge and belief of the gospel. This belief should also
lead to sincere repentance of past sins.
43. Briefly, what is the gospel?
The gospel is the "good news" about the kingdom of God and the
name of Jesus Christ. It is the message that God will fill the earth with His
glory in a group of immortal people who will love and obey him. Jesus will
establish the kingdom of God upon the earth and rule as king with his saints for
a thousand years.
44. What is baptism?
Immersion or complete covering by water.
45. Why are we to be baptized in this way?
Because it symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of
Christ.
46. Why must we be baptized?
It is the only way by which our sins may be washed away and we
may put on the name of Jesus Christ.
47. Why must we bear the name of Jesus Christ?
So that we may become heirs with him of God's promise and
partake of his righteousness through faith.
48. Are all people who ever lived going to be raised from the
dead?
No, only those responsible to God by knowledge.
49. What will become of those who live and die without
knowledge of the gospel?
They will perish. They will not be resurrected.
50 . When will the resurrection take place?
At the return of Christ to the earth.
51. What else will Jesus do when he returns?
He will assemble the living responsible, together with those
who have been raised from the dead. He will judge all the responsible, punishing
the unfaithful with eternal death and rewarding the faithful with eternal
life.
52. After the righteous are made immortal, what
happens?
Christ and his saints will establish their rule over the
world, by divine force if necessary, and set up the kingdom of God.
53. Who will be the king of this kingdom?
Jesus Christ.
54. Who will rule with him?
The immortalized saints.
55. Who will be the subjects of this kingdom?
The mortal people who are left after the times of
trouble.
56. Does the return of the Jews to Israel have any part in
God's plan?
Yes, they will undergo trials; some will repent and be
prepared for the coming of Jesus their Messiah, so as to be the "first dominion"
of his kingdom.
57. How long will Christ reign?
About one thousand years.
58. What takes place after the thousand years?
All sin and death will be removed at last, and the earth will
truly be filled with God's glory.
59. When only immortal people are on the earth, why will
happen next?
Christ will turn the kingdom over to the Father.
60. Who are the angels?
The messengers of God. Sometimes the Bible uses the word for
mere mortal men, but most often the angels were and are immortal beings from
heaven.
61. Do you believe in the scientific theory of evolution?
No.
62. Can we be saved by good works only?
No, we are saved by the grace of God through faith.
63. Can we be saved apart from the sacrifice of Christ?
No, it is the only way our sins may be forgiven.
64. Should believers vote or take part in politics?
No. Their kingdom is not of this world. They believe that God
rules in the kingdom of men, and sets up and removes whomever He pleases;
therefore they should not put themselves in the position of opposing the will of
their Father in heaven.
65. Should believers bear arms, or serve in the military or
police force?
No. They should be strangers and pilgrims in this present evil
world, not resisting the authority of governments, but also not participating in
exercising that authority either.
66. Should believers avenge themselves against wrong, by suing
at law or by other means?
No. They should "turn the other cheek", return good for evil,
forgive those who wrong them, and even love their enemies.
67. What is our duty toward God and His Son?
To love and praise and glorify God through His Son, in all
things and at all times. To keep the commandments of Christ to the best of our
abilities, out of gratitude for what God has done for us.
68. What is our duty toward the world?
To love our neighbors as ourselves, in deeds as well as words.
If possible, to teach them the Truth of God.
69. Does anyone possess the Holy Spirit gifts today?
No. Those gifts ceased after the Apostles' days.
70. Whom should a believer marry?
Only another believer. We are commanded not to become
unequally yoked together with an unbeliever.
71. Should a believer ever seek to be divorced?
No. What God has joined, man should not divide.
72. What special ordinance did Christ institute?
The Lord's supper, or the breaking of bread. It is also
sometimes called communion.
73. What is the Lord's supper?
The breaking of bread and the partaking of wine in remembrance
of Christ.
74. What does this signify?
The bread represents the body of Christ; the wine, his shed
blood; together, they show forth his death on our behalf, until he comes.
75. How often should we partake of the Lord's
supper?
Every Sunday, if possible.
76. Can anyone partake of the Lord's supper?
No, only baptized believers in the true gospel.
77. Why do we insist on breaking bread or communion only with
members?
Christ did not ask anyone but true believers to so remember
him. In this way false doctrines cannot dilute or destroy the true gospel
believed among us. Also, by not breaking bread with others who do not believe as
we do, we are showing them how important our hope is to us, and encouraging them
to learn the same truths.
78. Have you fully considered all the present disadvantages
(from a natural point of view) that the Truth will bring upon you?
Yes, and I am prepared to accept them.
79. Do you realize the Truth is not just a "religion", but an
entirely different way of life?
Yes, and I am prepared to live it.
