BEFORE going back to heaven, Jesus told his disciples: “You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) How would it be possible for them to preach all over the earth?

Martin Goodman, a professor at Oxford University, says that the “sense of mission set Christians apart from other religious groups, including Jews, in the early Roman empire.” Jesus went from place to place to preach. True Christians had to imitate his example and preach “the good news of the Kingdom of God” everywhere. They had to look for people who wanted to know the truth. (Luke 4:43) That is why in the first century, there were “apostles,” a word that means those who are sent out to do something. (Mark 3:14) Jesus commanded his followers: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations.”​—Matthew 28:18-20.

The 12 apostles of Jesus are not on earth anymore, but many servants of Jehovah imitate their example in the ministry. When they are invited to preach where there is a greater need, they say: “Here I am! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) Some, such as thousands who have graduated from Gilead School, have moved to faraway countries. Others have moved to another area in their own country. Many have learned a new language to help a congregation or a group. It was not always easy, but all these brothers and sisters were willing to make sacrifices to show their love for Jehovah and for people. So they planned carefully and used their time, energy, and money to help preach where there is a greater need. (Luke 14:28-30) What these brothers and sisters are doing is very valuable.

Not all of us can move where the need is greater or learn a new language. But all of us can be like missionaries in our own congregation.

BE A MISSIONARY IN YOUR OWN CONGREGATION

In the first century, Christians were zealous in the preaching work even though most of them stayed in their hometown and were not missionaries. Paul told Timothy: “Do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5) These words applied to the first Christians, and they still apply to us today. All Christians must obey the command to preach the Kingdom message and to make disciples. And even in our own congregation, there are many ways we can be like missionaries.

For example, when missionaries move to another country, things are very different, and they need to find ways to adapt to the new way of life. Even if we cannot move to where the need is greater, can we find new ways to preach to people? For example, in 1940, our brothers were first encouraged to do street witnessing one day every week. Have you tried to do street witnessing? Have you ever used literature display carts? The point is, Are you willing to try new ways of preaching the good news?

If you have a positive attitude, you will be zealous and enthusiastic for the ministry. Those who move where the need is greater or who learn a new language are often very qualified publishers and can be a great help to the congregation. For example, they take the lead in the preaching work. Missionaries also often take the lead in the congregation until local brothers are qualified to do so. If you are a baptized brother, are you “reaching out,” that is, are you willing to serve the brothers and sisters in your congregation as a ministerial servant or as an elder?​—1 Timothy 3:1.

BE “A STRENGTHENING AID”

We can also help our congregation in other ways. All of us, young and old, brothers and sisters, can be “a strengthening aid” to fellow believers in need.​—Colossians 4:11, footnote.

If we want to help our brothers and sisters, we need to know them well. The Bible encourages us to “consider one another,” or to think about the needs of our brothers and sisters, when we meet together. (Hebrews 10:24) This does not mean that we should try to learn details about the personal lives of others. It means that we should try to understand our brothers and sisters and what they need. They may need practical help, emotional support, or encouragement from the Bible. It is true that in some cases only elders and ministerial servants can help them. (Galatians 6:1) But all of us may be able to help elderly brothers and sisters, or entire families, who are facing problems.

Salvatore received that kind of help. Because of serious financial problems, he had to sell his business, his home, and many things his family owned. He worried a lot about his family. Another family in the congregation saw that they needed help. They gave Salvatore some money and helped him and his wife to find work. They also spent many evenings with his family listening to them and encouraging them. They became very good friends. Now the two families have happy memories of the time they spent together during that very difficult time.

True Christians do not hesitate to share their beliefs with others. We must imitate Jesus and let everyone know about the wonderful promises God has made. Whether we can move or not, all of us can do our best to help others in our own congregation. (Galatians 6:10) When we give to others, we will be happy and we will “go on bearing fruit in every good work.”​—Colossians 1:10; Acts 20:35.

1, 2. (a) What gives God’s people joy today? (b) How can Christian parents and elders help young ones to understand the meaning of baptism?

“I HAVE known you since you were born,” said an elder to 12-year-old Christopher, “and I’m happy to hear that you want to get baptized. I would like to ask you, ‘Why do you want to take that step?’” That elder had good reasons for asking that question. It gives us much joy to see thousands of young people get baptized every year. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) But Christian parents and elders in the congregation want to make sure that young ones make their own decision and understand what it means to get baptized.

² In the Bible, we learn that dedication and baptism are the start of a new life for a Christian. This new life will bring many blessings from Jehovah but also opposition from Satan. (Proverbs 10:22; 1 Peter 5:8) That is why Christian parents must take time to teach their children what it really means to be a disciple of Christ. When young ones do not have Christian parents, elders in the congregation will lovingly help them to understand what it means to be dedicated and baptized. (Read Luke 14:27-30.) Just as it takes preparation to complete a building project, young ones must prepare before they get baptized so that they can serve Jehovah faithfully “to the end.” (Matthew 24:13) What will help young ones to be determined to serve Jehovah forever? Let us see.

3. (a) What do the words of Jesus and Peter teach us about the importance of baptism? (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Peter 3:21) (b) What questions will we consider, and why?

³ Are you a young person who wants to get baptized? If so, that is an excellent goal! It is a great honor to be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is also something a Christian must do, and it is a vital step for those who will be saved during the great tribulation. (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Peter 3:21) When you get baptized, you show that you have promised to serve Jehovah forever. You really want to keep that promise, so the following questions will help you to see if you are ready for baptism: (1) Am I mature enough to make the decision? (2) Do I have a personal desire to do so? (3) Do I understand what it means to be dedicated to Jehovah? Let us discuss those questions.

WHEN YOU ARE MATURE ENOUGH

4, 5. (a) Why is baptism not for older people only? (b) What does it mean for a Christian to be mature?

⁴ The Bible does not say that only those who are older or who have reached a specific age can get baptized. We read at Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his actions, whether his behavior is pure and right.” So even a child can understand what it means to do what is right and to be dedicated to his Creator. Thus, baptism is an important and appropriate step for a young person who has proved to be mature and has made a dedication to Jehovah.​—Proverbs 20:7.

⁵ What does it mean to be mature? Maturity does not always refer to a person’s age or physical growth. The Bible says that mature people have trained their “powers of discernment” to know the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:14) A mature person knows what is right and has decided in his heart to do it. So he cannot easily be influenced to do what is wrong. And he does not always need someone else to tell him to do what is right. It is reasonable to expect that a young person who gets baptized will do what is right even when his parents or other adults are not around.​—Compare Philippians 2:12.

6, 7. (a) Describe the challenges Daniel had when he was in Babylon. (b) How did Daniel prove to be mature?

⁶ Can a young person really show that type of maturity? Consider the example of Daniel. He may have been a teenager when he was taken from his parents and sent to Babylon. Suddenly, Daniel lived among people who did not obey God’s commands. But let us look at Daniel’s situation a little closer. He was treated as someone special in Babylon. He was one of a few young people who were carefully chosen to serve the king. (Daniel 1:3-5, 13) It seems that Daniel had a better position in Babylon than he would ever have had in Israel.

⁷ So how did young Daniel react? Did he allow the people of Babylon to change him or weaken his faith? Not at all! The Bible says that while in Babylon, Daniel decided “in his heart that he would not defile himself,” that he would stay away from anything connected to false worship. (Daniel 1:8) That showed real maturity!

8. What can you learn from Daniel’s example?

⁸ What can you learn from Daniel’s example? A mature young person will be firm in his beliefs, even in difficult situations. He will not be like a chameleon, the lizard that changes color depending on its environment. He does not act like a friend of God at the Kingdom Hall but a friend of the world at school. Rather, he will stay faithful even when he is tested.​—Read Ephesians 4:14, 15.

9, 10. (a) How might a young person benefit from thinking about how he or she has reacted to recent tests of faith? (b) What does baptism mean?

⁹ Of course, no one is perfect. Young people as well as adults sometimes make mistakes. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) But if you want to get baptized, it would be wise to find out how determined you are to obey Jehovah’s commands. Ask yourself, ‘Have I obeyed Jehovah over a period of time?’ Think about how you reacted the last time your faith was tested. Were you able to decide what the right thing to do was? Like Daniel, has someone encouraged you to use your talents in Satan’s world? When something like this is tempting for you, are you able to understand what Jehovah’s will is?​—Ephesians 5:17.

¹⁰ Why is it important to know the answers to those personal questions? Because they will help you to see how serious baptism really is. Baptism shows others that you have made an important promise to Jehovah. You promise that you will love him and serve him forever with your whole heart. (Mark 12:30) Everyone who gets baptized should be determined to keep his promise to Jehovah.​—Read Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.

IS IT YOUR PERSONAL DESIRE?

11, 12. (a) A person who is thinking about getting baptized needs to be sure of what? (b) What will help you to keep the right view of Jehovah’s arrangement of baptism?

¹¹ The Bible says that all of Jehovah’s people, even young ones, would serve him “willingly.” (Psalm 110:3) So a person who wants to get baptized needs to be sure that this is his or her personal desire. That may require you to examine your desire carefully, especially if you were raised in the truth.

¹² While growing up, you have probably seen many people get baptized, perhaps even some of your friends and your siblings. But be careful that you do not begin to feel that you must get baptized just because you have reached a certain age or because everyone else is getting baptized. How can you make sure that you see baptism the way Jehovah does? Take time to think about why baptism is so important. You will find many good reasons in this article and in the next.

13. How can you tell whether the decision to get baptized comes from your heart?

¹³ One way you can tell whether the decision to get baptized comes from your heart is to examine your prayers. How often do you pray to Jehovah? How specific are your prayers? The answers to those questions may show how close your relationship with Jehovah is. (Psalm 25:4) Many times Jehovah provides the answers to our prayers in the Bible. So another way you can tell if you really want to get closer to Jehovah and serve him from your heart is to examine your study schedule. (Joshua 1:8) Ask yourself: ‘How regular is my personal study of the Bible? Do I willingly participate in our family worship?’ The answers to those questions will help you to see whether your decision to get baptized is your personal desire.

THE MEANING OF DEDICATION

14. Describe the difference between dedication and baptism.

¹⁴ Some young ones may not truly know the difference between dedication and baptism. Some may say that they have already dedicated their life to Jehovah but are not ready to get baptized. But is that really possible? A dedication is a prayer telling Jehovah that you promise to serve him forever. When you get baptized, you show others that you have already made a dedication to Jehovah. So before you get baptized, you need to understand what it means to be dedicated to God.

15. What does dedication mean?

¹⁵ When you dedicate your life to Jehovah, you tell him that you now belong to him. You promise that serving him will be the most important thing in your life. (Read Matthew 16:24.) Such a promise to God is very serious! (Matthew 5:33) So how do you show that you know that you do not belong to yourself anymore but that you now belong to Jehovah?​—Romans 14:8.

16, 17. (a) Illustrate what it means to disown yourself. (b) What is a person who makes a dedication really saying?

¹⁶ Let us consider an example. Imagine that a friend gives you a car as a gift. He hands you the title and says: “The car is yours.” But then your friend says: “I will keep the keys. And I will be the one who drives the car, not you.” How would you feel about this gift? How would you feel about your friend who gave you the car?

¹⁷ When someone dedicates his life to Jehovah, he tells God: “I am giving you my life. I belong to you.” Jehovah has the right to expect that person to keep his promise. But what if that person begins to disobey Jehovah by secretly dating someone who does not serve God? Or what if that person accepts a job that limits the time he can spend in the ministry or that causes him to miss congregation meetings often? Then that person would not be keeping his promise to Jehovah. It would be like keeping the keys to the car. When we dedicate our life to Jehovah, we say to him, “My life belongs to you, not me.” So we will always do what Jehovah wants even when it is not what we personally want to do. Let us imitate Jesus, who said: “I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”​—John 6:38.

18, 19. (a) How do the expressions of Rose and Christopher illustrate that being baptized is a privilege that leads to blessings? (b) How do you feel about the privilege of baptism?

¹⁸ Clearly, baptism is a serious decision. It is a great privilege to be dedicated to Jehovah and to be baptized. Young ones who love Jehovah and who understand what dedication means do not hesitate to dedicate their lives to God and get baptized. They do not regret their decision. A baptized teenager named Rose says: “I love Jehovah, and I couldn’t be happier doing anything but serving him. I have never been more sure about anything in my life than my decision to get baptized.”

¹⁹ And what about Christopher, mentioned at the beginning of this article? How does he feel about his decision to get baptized when he was 12 years old? He says that he is very happy that he made such a decision. He began serving as a regular pioneer when he was 17 years old and became a ministerial servant at 18. Today he is serving at Bethel. He says: “Baptism was the right decision. My life is filled with satisfying work for Jehovah and his organization.” If you want to get baptized, how can you prepare for it? The next article will answer that question.

1, 2. (a) Explain why baptism is a serious step. (b) What should a person be sure of before getting baptized, and why?

ARE you a young person who would like to get baptized? If so, this is the greatest honor that you could ever have. As mentioned in the last article, baptism is a serious decision. It shows others that you have dedicated yourself to Jehovah, that is, you have promised him that you will serve him forever and that doing his will is the most important thing in your life. Because this is such a serious promise to God, you should get baptized only when you are mature enough, you have a personal desire to do so, and you understand what it means to be dedicated to God.

² However, maybe you do not feel that you are ready for baptism. Or maybe you feel that you are ready but your parents think that you should wait until you are older and have more experience in life. What should you do? Do not be discouraged. Instead, use this time to make progress so that soon you can qualify to get baptized. With that in mind, you can set goals in three different areas: (1) your convictions, or beliefs, (2) your actions, and (3) your gratitude.

YOUR CONVICTIONS

3, 4. What lesson can young ones learn from the example of Timothy?

³ Think about how you would answer these questions: Why do I believe that God exists? Why am I sure that the Bible comes from God? Why do I obey God’s commands rather than imitate the world’s moral standards? Those questions can help you to follow the apostle Paul’s counsel: “Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) Why should you do that?

⁴ The example of Timothy can help you. He knew the Scriptures well because his mother and grandmother had taught him from the Scriptures. However, Paul told Timothy: “Continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe.” (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) Here, the word “persuaded” means “to be convinced and certain of the truth of something.” So Timothy had to be convinced that the truth could be found in the Scriptures. He accepted it, not because his mother and grandmother told him to do so, but because he reasoned on what he had learned and was persuaded.​—Read Romans 12:1.

5, 6. Why is it important for you to learn to use the “power of reason” early in life?

⁵ What about you? Maybe you have known the truth for a long time. If so, make it your goal to think about the reasons for your beliefs. That will help you to strengthen your faith and to avoid making wrong decisions because of peer pressure, the world’s thinking, or even your own feelings.

⁶ If you learn to use your “power of reason” while you are still young, you will be able to answer questions from your peers such as: ‘How do you know for sure that there is a God? If God loves us, why does he allow bad things to happen? How is it possible that God has always existed?’ When you are prepared, such questions will not create doubts in your mind but will motivate you to study the Bible more.

7-9. Describe how the online series of study guides, “What Does the Bible Really Teach?,” can help you strengthen your conviction.

⁷ Careful personal study can help you answer questions, get rid of any doubts, and strengthen your convictions. (Acts 17:11) We have several publications that can help you to do that. Many have found it helpful to study the brochure The Origin of Life​—Five Questions Worth Asking and the book Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? Also, many youths have enjoyed and benefited from the series “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” that is on jw.org. You can find it under BIBLE TEACHINGS. Each study guide in this series is designed to help you strengthen your conviction about a Bible subject.

⁸ You are a student of the Bible, so you may already know the answers to some of the questions found in the study guides. But are you sure of your answers? The study guides will help you to think carefully about various scriptures and then encourage you to write down the reasons for your beliefs. That will help you to know how to explain your beliefs to others. If you have access to the online series “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” you can use it in your personal study to help you strengthen your convictions.

⁹ You must prove to yourself that this is the truth. That will help prepare you for baptism. One teenage sister said: “Before I decided to get baptized, I studied the Bible and saw that this is the true religion. And each day that I live, that conviction gets stronger.”

YOUR ACTIONS

10. Why is it reasonable to expect that a baptized Christian would have actions in line with his faith?

¹⁰ The Bible says: “Faith by itself, without works, is dead.” (James 2:17) If you have strong conviction, you will show it by your actions. You will have what the Bible calls “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.”​—Read 2 Peter 3:11.

11. Explain the expression “holy acts of conduct.”

¹¹ What are “holy acts of conduct”? If your actions are holy, you are morally clean. For example, think about the past six months. When you were tempted to do something wrong, did you think carefully about what was right and what was wrong? (Hebrews 5:14) Do you remember specific times when you did not give in to temptation or peer pressure? At school, are you a good example to others? Do you remain faithful to Jehovah, or do you try to be like your classmates so that they will not tease you? (1 Peter 4:3, 4) Of course, no one is perfect. At times, even those who have served Jehovah for many years may feel shy and find it difficult to preach to others. But someone who is dedicated to God will be proud to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and he shows this by his clean conduct.

12. What are some “deeds of godly devotion,” and how should you view them?

¹² What are “deeds of godly devotion”? They include your activities in the congregation, such as going to meetings and preaching. But they also include activities that others do not see, such as your private prayers to Jehovah and your personal study. Someone who has dedicated his life to Jehovah will not think that these activities are a burden. He will feel similar to King David, who said: “To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is deep within me.”​—Psalm 40:8.

13, 14. What provision can help you to perform “deeds of godly devotion,” and how have some young ones benefited from this provision?

¹³ To help you set goals, we have a worksheet on pages 308 and 309 of the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 2. On the worksheet, you can write down your answers to questions such as: “How specific are your prayers, and what do they reveal about your love for Jehovah?” “What do you include in your personal study?” “Do you engage in the ministry even if your parents do not?” The worksheet also has space for you to write down any goals you would like to set for yourself regarding your prayers, personal study, and preaching.

¹⁴ Many young ones who think about getting baptized have seen that this worksheet is a valuable tool. A young sister named Tilda said: “I used the worksheet to set goals. One by one I reached those goals, and I was ready for baptism about a year later.” A young brother named Patrick had similar success. “I already knew what my goals were,” he said, “but writing them down made me work harder to reach them.”

15. Explain why dedication should be a personal decision.

¹⁵ One of the questions on the worksheet is: “Would you serve Jehovah even if your parents and friends stopped doing so?” When you dedicate your life to Jehovah and get baptized, you will have your own personal relationship with him. So, what you do for Jehovah should not depend on your parents or anyone else. Your holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion show that you are convinced that you have the truth and want to follow God’s standards. Soon you will qualify to get baptized.

YOUR GRATITUDE

16, 17. (a) What should motivate a person to become a Christian? (b) How can appreciation for the ransom be illustrated?

¹⁶ One day, a man who knew the Mosaic Law very well asked Jesus: “Which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” (Matthew 22:35-37) Jesus explained that love for Jehovah should be the reason why someone gets baptized and becomes a Christian. One of the best ways to strengthen your love for Jehovah is to think carefully about the ransom, God’s greatest gift to mankind. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; 1 John 4:9, 19.) When you do that, you will want to show your gratitude for that wonderful gift.

¹⁷ Your gratitude for the ransom could be explained this way: Imagine that you are drowning and someone rescues you. Would you simply go home, dry yourself off, and forget about what that person did for you? No! You would always feel grateful to the person who saved your life! In a similar way, we should be very grateful to Jehovah and Jesus for the ransom. We owe them our life! They have rescued us from sin and death. Because of their love for us, we now have the hope of living forever in Paradise on earth!

18, 19. (a) Why should you not fear belonging to Jehovah? (b) How does serving Jehovah make your life better?

¹⁸ Are you grateful for what Jehovah has done for you? If so, then dedication and baptism is the right thing to do. Your dedication is a promise to God that you will do his will forever. Should you be afraid to make such a promise? No! Jehovah wants what is best for you, and he will reward those who do his will. (Hebrews 11:6) When you dedicate your life to God and get baptized, your life will not become worse but, instead, will become better! A 24-year-old brother who got baptized before he was a teenager says, “I may have had a deeper understanding if I had been older, but making the decision to dedicate myself to Jehovah protected me from worldly pursuits.”

¹⁹ Jehovah wants what is best for you. However, Satan is selfish and does not care about you. He cannot give you anything good if you follow him. How can he give you something that he does not have? He does not have good news, and he does not have any hope. He can only give you a bad future, because that is the future he will have!​—Revelation 20:10.

20. What can a young person do in order to progress toward dedication and baptism? (See also the box “To Help You Make Progress.”)

²⁰ To dedicate your life to Jehovah is the best decision you will ever make. Are you ready to do that? If you are, do not be afraid to make that promise. But if you feel that you are not ready, use the suggestions in this article to continue making progress. Paul told the Philippian brothers to continue making progress. (Philippians 3:16) If you follow that advice, soon you will want to dedicate your life to Jehovah and get baptized.

1. From the beginning, what has characterized God’s works?

JEHOVAH and Jesus have been united from the very beginning of creation. Jehovah created Jesus before all other things. Then, Jesus worked with him and “was beside him as a master worker.” (Proverbs 8:30) Jehovah’s servants also cooperated with one another in the work that they had to do. For example, Noah and his family built the ark together. Later, the Israelites worked together to build the tabernacle, to take it apart, and to move it from one place to another. At the temple, they sang and played musical instruments together to praise Jehovah with beautiful music. Jehovah’s people were able to do all these things because they cooperated with one another.​—Genesis 6:14-16, 22; Numbers 4:4-32; 1 Chronicles 25:1-8.

2. (a) What was noteworthy about the early Christian congregation? (b) What questions will we address?

² Christians in the first century also cooperated with one another. The apostle Paul explained that although they had different abilities and assignments, they were united. They all followed their Leader, Jesus Christ. Paul compared them to a body that has many different parts that all work together. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12.) But what about us today? How can we cooperate with one another in the preaching work, in the congregation, and in the family?

COOPERATE IN THE PREACHING WORK

3. What vision did the apostle John receive?

³ In the first century, the apostle John had a vision of seven angels who were blowing trumpets. When the fifth angel blew his trumpet, John saw “a star that had fallen from heaven to the earth.” That “star” used a key to open the door to a deep, dark pit. First, thick smoke came out of the pit, and then a swarm of locusts flew out of the smoke. Instead of harming the trees or plants, these locusts attacked those who did “not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” (Revelation 9:1-4) John knew that a swarm of locusts can cause a lot of damage; they had done so in Egypt in the time of Moses. (Exodus 10:12-15) The locusts that John saw represent anointed Christians who have been preaching a powerful message against false religion. And millions of others who look forward to life on earth have joined them. Together, they are united in this preaching work. This work has helped many people to leave false religion and to be free from Satan’s control.

4. What work do God’s people have to do, and what is the only way they can do this?

⁴ We have the assignment to preach the “good news” to people worldwide before the end comes. This is a huge amount of work! (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) We have to invite all those “thirsting” to drink “life’s water,” that is, we need to teach Bible truth to all those who want to understand it. (Revelation 22:17) But we can do this only if we are “harmoniously joined together” and cooperate with one another in the congregation.​—Ephesians 4:16.

5, 6. How are we united as we preach the good news?

⁵ To reach as many people as possible, we need to be well-organized in our preaching work. The direction we get from our congregation helps us to do this. After we meet for field service, we go out to speak to people about the good news of the Kingdom. We also offer them publications about the Bible. In fact, we have given out millions of these publications around the world. Sometimes we are asked to take part in special preaching campaigns. When you do this work, you are united with millions of others around the world who are preaching the same message! You are also working with the angels, who are helping God’s people to preach the good news.​—Revelation 14:6.

⁶ How exciting it is to read in the Yearbook about the results of the preaching work all over the world! Think, too, about how we are united worldwide as we invite people to our conventions. There, we all listen to the same information. Talks, dramas, and demonstrations encourage us to give Jehovah our best. We are also united with our brothers and sisters worldwide when we attend the Memorial every year. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) We meet together on the same date, Nisan 14, after sundown to show that we are grateful for what Jehovah did for us and to obey Jesus’ command. And in the weeks before the Memorial, we work together to invite as many people as possible to join us at this important event.

7. As we work together, what are we able to do?

⁷ One locust cannot do much on its own. And on our own, we cannot preach to all people. But because we work together, we are able to tell millions of people about Jehovah and to help some praise and honor him.

COOPERATE IN THE CONGREGATION

8, 9. (a) What illustration did Paul use to teach Christians to stay united? (b) How can we cooperate in the congregation?

⁸ Paul explained to the Ephesians how the congregation is organized, and he said that all in the congregation need to “grow up in all things.” (Read Ephesians 4:15, 16.) Paul used the example of a body to explain that each Christian can help the congregation to stay united and to follow Jesus, the Leader of the congregation. He said that all parts of the body cooperate “through every joint that gives what is needed.” So whether we are young or old, have good health or not, what should each one of us do?

⁹ Jesus has appointed elders to take the lead in the congregation, and he wants us to respect them and follow the direction they give us. (Hebrews 13:7, 17) This is not always easy to do. But we can ask Jehovah for help. His holy spirit can help us to obey any direction that the elders give us. Think also about how much we can help our congregation if we are humble and cooperate with the elders. Our congregation will be united, and our love for one another will grow stronger.

10. How do ministerial servants help the congregation to be united? (See opening picture.)

¹⁰ Ministerial servants too help to keep the congregation united. They work hard to help the elders, and we are grateful for all that they do. For example, ministerial servants make sure that we have enough publications to use in the ministry, and they welcome visitors who come to our meetings. They also work hard to repair the Kingdom Hall and keep it clean. When we cooperate with these brothers, we are united and serve Jehovah in an organized way.​—Compare Acts 6:3-6.

11. What may younger ones do to help the congregation be united?

¹¹ Some elders have worked very hard in the congregation for many years. But perhaps they cannot do as much as they used to because they are getting older. Younger brothers can help. If they are trained, they can take care of more responsibilities in the congregation. And when ministerial servants work hard, they may be able to serve as elders in the future. (1 Timothy 3:1, 10) Some younger elders have made even more progress. They now serve as circuit overseers and are helping brothers and sisters in many congregations. We are grateful when younger people are willing to serve the brothers and sisters.​—Read Psalm 110:3; Ecclesiastes 12:1.

COOPERATE IN THE FAMILY

12, 13. What can help all in the family to cooperate with one another?

¹² How can we help the members of our family to cooperate with one another? Family worship each week can help us. When parents and children spend time together learning about Jehovah, their love for one another grows stronger. During that time, they can practice what they will say in the ministry, which helps all of them to be better prepared. And when they hear one another talk about the truth and see that all in the family love Jehovah and want to please him, they draw even closer together.

¹³ How can a husband and wife cooperate with each other? (Matthew 19:6) When they both love Jehovah and serve him together, they will be happy and united in their marriage. They should also show affection for each other, as Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Elkanah and Hannah did. (Genesis 26:8; 1 Samuel 1:5, 8; 1 Peter 3:5, 6) When a husband and wife do this, they are united with each other and draw closer to Jehovah.​—Read Ecclesiastes 4:12.

14. If your husband or wife is not serving Jehovah, what can you do to keep your marriage strong?

¹⁴ The Bible clearly says that we should not marry someone who does not serve Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 6:14) Yet, there are brothers and sisters who are married to someone who is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some learned the truth after they were married, and their mate did not become a Witness. Others may have married a servant of Jehovah, but then their husband or wife left the congregation. In these situations, Christians do all they can to keep their marriage strong by obeying counsel from the Bible. This may not always be easy. For example, Mary and her husband, David, served Jehovah together. Then, David stopped going to meetings. But Mary still tried to be a good wife and show Christian qualities. She also taught her six children about Jehovah and continued to go to meetings and conventions. Years later, when the children grew up and all left home, Mary continued to serve Jehovah even though it was much harder for her. But then, David began reading the magazines that Mary left out for him. In time, he started to go to some meetings again. His six-year-old grandson always saved a seat for him, and if David did not come, the boy would say, “I missed you at the meeting today, Grandpa.” David returned to Jehovah after 25 years, and he and his wife are happy that they now serve Jehovah together again.

15. How can older married ones help younger ones?

¹⁵ Satan attacks families today. That is one reason why a husband and wife who serve Jehovah need to cooperate with each other. No matter how long you have been married, think about what you can say or do to strengthen your marriage. If you are an older married couple, you can be a good example to younger couples. Perhaps you can invite a younger couple to join you for family worship. They will see that no matter how long a couple have been married, they must show affection to each other and be united.​—Titus 2:3-7.

“LET US GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF JEHOVAH”

16, 17. What do God’s united servants look forward to?

¹⁶ When the Israelites went to their festivals in Jerusalem, they cooperated with one another. They prepared everything they needed for the journey. Then, they traveled together and helped one another. At the temple, they all praised and worshipped Jehovah together. (Luke 2:41-44) Today, as we prepare for life in the new world, we need to be united and do all we can to cooperate with one another. Can you think of ways you can do this even more?

¹⁷ People in this world disagree and even fight about many things. But we are thankful that Jehovah has helped us to have peace and to understand the truth! His people around the world are worshipping him in the way that he wants. And especially in these last days, Jehovah’s people are more united than ever. Just as Isaiah and Micah prophesied, we are going up to “the mountain of Jehovah” together. (Isaiah 2:2-4; read Micah 4:2-4.) How happy we will be in the future when all people on earth are “harmoniously joined together” and cooperate with one another to worship Jehovah!

1, 2. (a) Many lives have been saved by what warning? (See opening picture.) (b) God’s people have what guidance that can save their lives?

“STOP, LOOK, LISTEN.” For more than 100 years, these words have appeared on large signs at railroad crossings in North America. Why? So that cars crossing the railroad tracks would not get hit by a speeding train. Paying attention to these warning signs has saved the lives of many people.

² Jehovah does something better than giving us safety signs. He guides his people so that they can receive everlasting life and stay away from dangers. Jehovah is like a loving shepherd who directs and warns his sheep so that they can avoid dangerous paths.​—Read Isaiah 30:20, 21.

JEHOVAH HAS ALWAYS GUIDED HIS PEOPLE

3. How did the human family get on a path leading to death?

³ From the beginning of human history, Jehovah has given people specific instructions or directions. For example, in the garden of Eden, Jehovah gave clear instructions that would guide the human family to everlasting life and happiness. (Genesis 2:15-17) But Adam and Eve rejected the guidance of their loving Father. Eve listened to the advice that seemed to come from a snake, and then Adam listened to his wife. What was the result? Both of them suffered, and they died with no hope. Also, because of their disobedience, the entire human family was on a path leading to death.

4. (a) Why were additional guidelines needed after the Flood? (b) How did new circumstances reveal God’s thinking?

⁴ God gave Noah directions that saved lives. After the Flood, Jehovah commanded people not to eat or drink blood. Why? Jehovah was now going to allow humans to eat meat. Because of these new circumstances, they needed new guidelines: “Only flesh with its life​—its blood—​you must not eat.” (Genesis 9:1-4) From this command we learn God’s thinking about life, which belongs to him. He is the Creator and he gives us life, so he has the right to make rules about life. For example, he commanded that humans were not to murder another person. God views life and blood as sacred, and he will punish anyone who misuses them.​—Genesis 9:5, 6.

5. What will we now examine, and why?

⁵ After Noah’s day, God continued to guide his people. In this article, we will look at a few examples of how he guided them. This review will strengthen our decision to follow Jehovah’s direction into the new world.

NEW NATION, NEW GUIDELINES

6. Why was it necessary for God’s people to obey the laws given through Moses, and what attitude did the Israelites need to have?

⁶ In Moses’ day, Jehovah gave his people clear guidelines on their conduct and worship. Why? Again, circumstances had changed. For more than two hundred years, the Israelites lived in Egypt where everyone around them worshipped the dead, used idols, and did many other things that dishonored God. When God’s people were freed from Egypt, they needed new directions. They would become a nation that followed only Jehovah’s Law. Some reference books say that the Hebrew word for “law” is related to a word that means “direct, guide, instruct.” The Law protected the Israelites from the immorality and false religion of the nations around them. When Israel listened to God, they received his blessing. When they ignored him, they suffered terrible consequences.​—Read Deuteronomy 28:1, 2, 15.

7. (a) Explain why Jehovah gave directions to his people. (b) How was the Law a guardian for Israel?

⁷ New guidelines were needed for another reason. The Law prepared the Israelites for an important event in Jehovah’s purpose, the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Law reminded the Israelites that they were imperfect. It also helped them to understand that they needed a ransom, that is, a perfect sacrifice that would remove their sins completely. (Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 10:1-10) Additionally, the Law protected the family line of the Messiah and helped the Israelites to identify him when he appeared. Yes, the Law was like a temporary guide, or “guardian,” leading to Christ.​—Galatians 3:23, 24.

8. Why should we be guided by the principles of the Mosaic Law?

⁸ As Christians, we too can benefit from the guidelines that Jehovah gave in the Law. In what way? We can stop and look at the principles that the Law is based on. Even though we are no longer under those laws, we can still rely on many of them as guides in our everyday lives and worship of Jehovah. He had those laws recorded in the Bible so that we could learn from them, be guided by their principles, and be grateful that Jesus taught us something greater than the Law. Listen to what Jesus said: “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” So not only do we need to avoid the act of adultery but we also need to reject immoral thoughts and desires.​—Matthew 5:27, 28.

9. What new circumstances made new direction from God necessary?

⁹ After Jesus came as the Messiah, Jehovah gave new instructions and revealed more details about his purpose. Why was this necessary? In the year 33, Jehovah rejected the nation of Israel and chose the Christian congregation to be his people. So the circumstances of God’s people were once again new.

GUIDANCE FOR SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

10. Why were new laws given to the Christian congregation, and how were these different from those given to the Israelites?

¹⁰ Jehovah had given the Mosaic Law to the Israelites to teach them how to live and worship him. Beginning in the first century, God’s people were no longer from one nation but from many nations and backgrounds, and they were called spiritual Israel. They formed the Christian congregation and were under a new covenant. Jehovah gave them new or expanded instructions on how to live and worship him. Truly, “God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) They followed “the law of the Christ,” which was based mainly on principles that were written, not on stone, but on their hearts. This law would guide and benefit Christians wherever they lived.​—Galatians 6:2.

11. What are two aspects of Christian life that would be affected by “the law of the Christ”?

¹¹ Spiritual Israel benefited greatly from Jehovah’s guidance through Jesus. Just before he introduced the new covenant, Jesus gave two important commands. One was about the preaching work. The other was about the way Christians should act and treat one another. These instructions were for all Christians, so they apply to all of us today, whether we hope to live forever in heaven or on earth.

12. What was new about the preaching work?

¹² In the past, people of the nations had to come to Israel to serve Jehovah. (1 Kings 8:41-43) But then Jesus gave the command that we find at Matthew 28:19, 20. (Read.) Jesus told his disciples to “go” to all people. At Pentecost in the year 33, Jehovah showed that he wanted the good news to be preached all over the world. That day, about 120 members of the new congregation were filled with holy spirit and started speaking in different languages to Jews and proselytes. (Acts 2:4-11) Next, the territory was expanded to include the Samaritans. Then, in the year 36, the territory expanded even more to include uncircumcised Gentiles. This meant that Christians had to go preach to everyone in the world!

13, 14. (a) What is involved in Jesus’ “new commandment”? (b) What do we learn from the example that Jesus set?

¹³ Jesus also gave “a new commandment” about how to treat our brothers and sisters. (Read John 13:34, 35.) We must show our love for them every day, but we must also be willing to give our life for them. That is something that was not required by the Law.​—Matthew 22:39; 1 John 3:16.

¹⁴ Jesus is the greatest example of someone who showed such unselfish love. He loved his disciples so much that he willingly died for them. And he expects all of his followers to do the same. So we should be willing to endure difficulties and even die for our brothers and sisters.​—1 Thessalonians 2:8.

DIRECTIONS FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE

15, 16. What new circumstances do we now have, and how does God guide us?

¹⁵ Jesus has appointed “the faithful and discreet slave” to give his followers spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45-47) This food includes important directions for God’s people when circumstances change. How are our circumstances new?

¹⁶ We are living in “the last days,” and very soon we will experience a tribulation like nothing that has happened before. (2 Timothy 3:1; Mark 13:19) Also, Satan and his demons have been thrown out of heaven and down to the earth, causing much suffering to mankind. (Revelation 12:9, 12) Additionally, we are obeying Jesus’ command by preaching all over the world to more people and in more languages than ever before!

17, 18. How should we respond to the guidance being given?

¹⁷ God’s organization gives us many tools to help us in the preaching work. Do you use them? At our meetings, we receive guidance on how to use these tools in the best way. Do you view these directions as guidance from God?

¹⁸ To receive God’s blessing, we need to pay attention to all the directions he gives us through the Christian congregation. If we obey now, it will be easier to follow directions during the “great tribulation,” when Satan’s entire wicked world will be destroyed. (Matthew 24:21) After that, we will need new directions for life in a righteous new world that will be totally free of Satan’s influence.

19, 20. What scrolls will be opened, and with what result?

¹⁹ In Moses’ day, the nation of Israel needed new directions, so God gave them the Law. Later, the Christian congregation had to follow “the law of the Christ.” Similarly, the Bible tells us that in the new world, we will receive scrolls with new directions. (Read Revelation 20:12.) Most likely, these scrolls will explain Jehovah’s requirements for mankind at that time. By studying these, all people, including resurrected ones, will be able to know what God wants for them. The scrolls will help us to learn more about Jehovah’s way of thinking. We will also understand the Bible better, so in Paradise we will treat one another with love, respect, and honor. (Isaiah 26:9) Imagine how many things we will learn and teach others under the direction of the King, Jesus Christ!

²⁰ If we follow the directions “written in the scrolls” and we remain faithful to Jehovah during the final test, he will permanently write our names in “the scroll of life.” We can receive everlasting life! So we need to STOP to read what the Bible says, LOOK to understand what it means for us, and LISTEN by obeying God’s guidance now. If we do these things, we can survive the great tribulation and enjoy learning about our wise and loving God, Jehovah, forever.​—Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 11:33.

When were God’s people captives, or prisoners, of Babylon the Great?

This started sometime after the year 100 and ended in 1919. Why is this adjustment to our understanding necessary?

All the evidence shows that in 1919, anointed Christians were freed from Babylon the Great and were gathered into a cleansed congregation. Think about this: Immediately after God’s Kingdom began ruling in the heavens in 1914, God’s people were tested and gradually cleansed of false worship.a (See footnote.) (Malachi 3:1-4) Then in 1919, Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave” to give “food at the proper time” to God’s cleansed people. (Matthew 24:45-47) In that same year, God’s people were released from symbolic captivity to Babylon the Great. (Revelation 18:4) But when did God’s people become captives?

In the past, we explained that God’s people became captives of Babylon the Great for a short time beginning in 1918. The Watchtower of March 15, 1992, said that just as the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, in 1918 Jehovah’s servants became captives of Babylon the Great. But more research shows that God’s people became captives many years before 1918.

The prophecy at Ezekiel 37:1-14 foretold that God’s people would become captives and would later be released. Ezekiel had a vision of a valley filled with bones. Jehovah said: “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” (Verse 11) This applied to the nation of Israel and would later apply to “the Israel of God,” who are the anointed. (Galatians 6:16; Acts 3:21) In the vision, the bones came to life and became a large army. This described the way that God’s people were released from Babylon the Great in 1919. But how does this prophecy show that they were captives for a long time?

First, Ezekiel noticed that the bones of the dead people were “very dry.” (Ezekiel 37:2, 11) This means that the people had been dead for a very long time. Second, Ezekiel saw that the dead came back to life gradually, not suddenly. He heard “a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones began to come together, bone to bone.” Then, he saw “sinews and flesh come on them.” Next, skin covered the flesh. Later, “breath came into them, and they began to live.” Finally, after the people came back to life, Jehovah gave them their land to live on. All of this would take time.​—Ezekiel 37:7-10, 14.

Just as this prophecy foretold, the Israelites were captives for a long time. Their captivity began in the year 740 before Christ when the ten tribes of Israel, the northern kingdom, were forced to leave their land. Later, in the year 607 before Christ, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the other two tribes, the southern kingdom of Judah, were also forced to leave their land. Then, in the year 537 before Christ, the captivity ended when a small number of Jews returned to rebuild the temple and to worship Jehovah again in Jerusalem.

So all these details show that anointed Christians must have been captives of Babylon the Great for a long time, not just from 1918 to 1919. Jesus also referred to this long period of time when he said that false Christians, the weeds, would grow together with “the sons of the Kingdom,” the wheat. (Matthew 13:36-43) During that time period, there were only a few true Christians. Most of those who said that they were Christians accepted false teachings and became apostates. That is why we can say that the Christian congregation was held captive by Babylon the Great. This captivity began sometime after the year 100 and continued until God’s spiritual temple was cleansed in the time of the end.​—Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 6; 1 John 2:18, 19.

During those hundreds of years, church leaders and political leaders wanted to keep people under their control. For example, people were not allowed to have a Bible or to read the Bible in a language they could understand. Some who read the Bible were even burned at the stake. And those who spoke against what church leaders taught were severely punished. It was almost impossible for anyone to learn the truth or teach it to others.

We also learn from Ezekiel’s vision that God’s people came back to life and were released from false religion gradually. So when did this start to happen, and how? The vision mentions “a rattling sound.” This started to happen in the last few hundred years before the time of the end. During those years, there were some faithful individuals who wanted to find the truth and serve God even though they were surrounded by false teachings. They studied the Bible and did all they could to tell people what they were learning. Others worked hard to translate the Bible into languages that people understood.

Then, near the end of the 1800’s, it was as if flesh and skin were coming on the bones. Charles Taze Russell and his friends worked hard to find Bible truth and serve Jehovah. They also helped others to understand the truth by using Zion’s Watch Tower and other publications. Later, the “Photo-Drama of Creation” in 1914 and the book The Finished Mystery in 1917 helped Jehovah’s people to strengthen their faith. Finally, in 1919, it was as if his people were given life and a new land. Since then, those who have the hope of living forever on earth have joined the anointed. They all worship Jehovah, and together they have become “an extremely large army.”​—Ezekiel 37:10; Zechariah 8:20-23.b​—See footnote.

So it is clear that God’s people became captives of Babylon the Great after the year 100. This is the time period when many people became apostate by accepting false religious teachings and rejecting the truth. For many years, it was very difficult to serve Jehovah, just as it was for the Israelites when they were prisoners. But today the truth is being preached to everyone. How happy we are that we are living in the time when “those having insight will shine . . . brightly”! Many can now “cleanse themselves,” “be refined,” and accept true worship!​—Daniel 12:3, 10.

When Satan tried to tempt Jesus, did he actually take Jesus to the temple, or did he show the temple to Jesus in a vision?

We do not know for sure how Satan showed the temple to Jesus.

The Bible writers Matthew and Luke both wrote about what happened. Matthew said that “the Devil took” Jesus to Jerusalem and “stationed him on the battlement of the temple,” that is, the “highest point” of the temple. (Matthew 4:5; footnote) Luke said that the Devil “led him into Jerusalem and stationed him on the battlement of the temple.”​—Luke 4:9.

In the past, our publications said that Satan may not have physically taken Jesus to the temple when he tried to tempt him. The Watchtower of March 1, 1961, compared this to when Satan tried to tempt Jesus by showing him all the kingdoms of the world from a high mountain. It said that there is no mountain that is high enough for someone to be able to see all the kingdoms of the world. The Watchtower then said that in the same way, Satan probably did not physically take Jesus to the real temple. However, later articles in The Watchtower said that if Jesus had jumped off the temple, he could have been killed.

Some say that since Jesus was not a Levite, he would not have been allowed to stand on top of the temple sanctuary. So they say that Satan must have tried to tempt Jesus using a vision. Hundreds of years earlier, Ezekiel was also taken to a temple in a vision.​—Ezekiel 8:3, 7-10; 11:1, 24; 37:1, 2.

But if Jesus was taken to the temple in a vision, some may wonder:

• Would Jesus really have felt tempted to jump off the temple?

• The other times Satan tried to tempt Jesus, he asked Jesus to turn real stones into real bread and wanted Jesus to do a real act of worship to him. So is it possible that Satan also wanted Jesus to jump off the real temple?

But if Satan did not use a vision and took Jesus to the real temple, then some may wonder:

• Did Jesus break the Law by standing on top of the temple sanctuary?

• How did Jesus get from the wilderness to the temple in Jerusalem?

Let us consider some additional information that will help us answer these last two questions.

Professor D. A. Carson wrote that the Greek word for “temple” used in Matthew and Luke probably referred to the entire temple area and not just to the sanctuary, an area where only Levites were allowed to go. The southeastern corner of the temple area had a flat roof that was the highest in the temple. Jesus could have been placed on that roof. The distance from that point to the bottom of the Kidron Valley was about 140 meters (450 feet). The historian Josephus said that this area was so high that if a person stood there and looked down, he “would become dizzy.” Even though Jesus was not a Levite, he could have stood there and nobody would have objected.

But how could Jesus get from the wilderness to the temple in Jerusalem? We do not know for sure. The Bible simply says that Jesus was taken to Jerusalem. It does not say how far Jesus was from Jerusalem or how long he was tempted by Satan. So it is possible that Jesus walked to Jerusalem, even though this may have taken a long time.

When Satan showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world,” he probably used a vision, because it is not possible to see all these kingdoms from any mountain on earth. This may have been similar to the way we can use a movie screen to show someone pictures of other parts of the world. Satan may have used a vision, but he actually wanted Jesus to bow down and worship him. (Matthew 4:8, 9) So when Satan took Jesus to the temple, it is possible that he actually wanted Jesus to risk his life by jumping off the temple. But Jesus rejected him. How much more of a temptation this would have been than if Jesus had only been tempted in a vision!

So it is possible that Jesus actually went to Jerusalem and stood on the highest point of the temple. Of course, as was said at the beginning of this article, we do not know for sure exactly how Satan showed the temple to Jesus. But we can be sure that Satan kept trying to get Jesus to do something wrong and that each time, Jesus firmly rejected him.