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The following are the baptismal formulas for JW’s from a 1904 publication written by Charles Taze Russell, and the questions asked candidates before baptism as stated from their Watchtower magazine in 2006. I’ve prefaced these excerpts with Christs own words.
Matthew 28:19 (New International Version)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Simple command from Our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare this with the baptismal formula of the WTBS in 1904:
1904
*** New Creation, 1904, p.455 ***
The Form of Words
No particular form of words for this service is set before us in the Scriptures, and all can readily see that the words are of secondary importance—that the baptism might be equally valid if no words at all were used; because, as previously stated, the real contract is between the baptized one and the Lord, and the act of water baptism is the open confession of it. It is not, therefore, a question of what the administrator may believe or disbelieve, say or omit to say, but of what is the thought and intention of the heart of the one thus symbolically baptized. Nevertheless, basing our judgment upon the words of the Lord, in Matt. 28:19, and the words of the Apostle in Rom. 6:3, we recommend as a simple form of sound words for the occasion these:
“Brother John [or other Christian name], in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, by this authority, I baptize thee into Christ.”
Now, compare with this:
2006
***The Watchtower, April 1, 2006, p.22 ***
TheTwoBaptismalQuestions
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
No mention of the simple formula Jesus gave at all. So when JW’s state that they “only follow scripture and not the WT”, show them this.
Matthew 28:19 (New International Version)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Simple command from Our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare this with the baptismal formula of the WTBS in 1904:
1904
*** New Creation, 1904, p.455 ***
The Form of Words
No particular form of words for this service is set before us in the Scriptures, and all can readily see that the words are of secondary importance—that the baptism might be equally valid if no words at all were used; because, as previously stated, the real contract is between the baptized one and the Lord, and the act of water baptism is the open confession of it. It is not, therefore, a question of what the administrator may believe or disbelieve, say or omit to say, but of what is the thought and intention of the heart of the one thus symbolically baptized. Nevertheless, basing our judgment upon the words of the Lord, in Matt. 28:19, and the words of the Apostle in Rom. 6:3, we recommend as a simple form of sound words for the occasion these:
“Brother John [or other Christian name], in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, by this authority, I baptize thee into Christ.”
Now, compare with this:
2006
***The Watchtower, April 1, 2006, p.22 ***
TheTwoBaptismalQuestions
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
No mention of the simple formula Jesus gave at all. So when JW’s state that they “only follow scripture and not the WT”, show them this.
