26/04/2026
WATCHTOWER SUMMARY
APRIL 20-26, 2026
SONG 49 Making Jehovah’s Heart Glad
Keep Working Toward Baptism“Now is the especially acceptable time.”—2 COR. 6:2.
FOCUS Now is the time to build a close friendship with Jehovah and get baptized.
1. (a) What are some of the benefits we gain from getting baptized? (b) What will we consider in this article?
a). According to 1 peter 3:21 Baptism is saving us, not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So when we dedicate ourselves to Jehovah abd symbolized that dedication by water baptism we have requested a clean conscience from God. And we set a fine example for both young ones and new ones associating with our congregation so Getting Baptized is an excellent decision, to some who are yet to be baptized, for sure we are here because we love Jehovah and want to do his will.
According to what apostle Peter said through inspiration in Act 2:38-40 we learn that baptism is vital in order for you to have your sins forgiven and to gain Jehovah’s approval.
b.) In this article, we will consider (1) why some hold back from getting baptized, (2) why it is wise to keep the end close in mind, and (3) how you will benefit from working toward baptism without delay.
WHY SOME HOLD BACK
2. Why do some hold back from getting baptized?
Some hold back from getting baptized because of fear, though they want to serve Jehovah but then they are afraid that they will never be good enough to please him.
If one feel this way, that person should review Bible verses like psalm 103:13,14 which says that "Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him.14 For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust."
this can convince you that Jehovah does not expect perfection and that he is pleased with your worship when you give him your best,
If you fear opposition, ask Jehovah to give you the same confidence expressed at psalm 118:6, by the psalmist who wrote: “Jehovah is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
3. What thinking might prevent some from getting baptized? (See also picture.)
Some may think that they lack sufficient knowledge and this might prevent them from getting baptized.
Considering a Scriptural example will help tell us how much we need to know before getting baptized.
After an earthquake shook the prison where the apostle Paul and Silas were being held, they witnessed to the jailer and his household. The man and his family likely understood that a miracle had taken place. Additionally, they learned a great deal that night. As a result, they were moved to get “baptized without delay.”
This means that we don't have to know all before we can get baptized.
Mark 12:30 Jesus mentioned the first Commandment that is
One must love Jehovah with his whole heart. This means that to get baptized we must know Jehovah love him with our whole heart, gain the basic knowledge fo Bible teachings, most importantly repent of our sins and are determined to keep living by his standards then dedicate our life to him through earnest prayer, if we do all these lt means we are ready for baptism.
4. What do some focus on that causes them to hold back from getting baptized? (See also picture.)
Some hold back from getting baptized because they focus on the cost of doing Jehovah's will and to please God.
At Luke 14:27-30 Jesus told his followers to first Calculate the expense of anything they want to do, just as a man wanting to build a tower will first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it.
So it is wise to consider the cost of any decision. Though, some, worry about the sacrifices they will have to make in order to serve God.
Others are concerned about the high standard of conduct for those who get baptized. They worry that after baptism, they will commit a serious sin and be removed from the congregation.
Candace, who was raised around the truth, felt that way when she was offered a Bible study as an adult. She says: “I knew what I should be doing for Jehovah, but part of me held back because I enjoyed what I was doing in the world. I knew that it would be hard to give up those things.”
5. What should we focus on when we consider whether to get baptized? (Matthew 13:44-46)
If a value of an item is far greater than the cost, one will likely buy it right away. Similarly when we consider whether to get baptized we should focus not solely on the cost of the changes we must make but on the great value of a good relationship with Jehovah. Jesus used two illustrations to teach this point at Matthew 13:44-46.
In each illustration, a man gladly sold all his possessions so that he could buy the valuable item he had found. You too have found something of great value—the truth about the Kingdom. If you wonder whether living in harmony with the truth is worth the effort, think carefully about Jesus’ illustrations.
Those contemplating whether to get baptized should ask themselves these questions
"Am I truly convinced of the value of what I have found? Do I treasure my relationship with Jehovah, the hope he has given me, and the loving brotherhood?
6. How can we develop a good heart condition?
Luke 8:5-15 tells us about Jesus illustration of the sower, using that illustration Jesus described Heart condition that could prevent person from making a spiritual progress.
Still Jesus at the same time showed how a person with a fine and good heart will respond to the message. So if we concerned about our heart condition we should not give up.
At Ezekiel 18:31 , Jehovah urge us to acquire a new heart, one that will respond to his guidance found in the Bible, and we can gain a good heart condition through prayer, asking Jehovah to help soften our heart so that the Kingdom truth can flourish in us.
7-8. Why do some young people fail to progress to baptism? (See also picture.)
Some young people who love Jehovah fail to progress to baptism because of the influence of others. For example, some school counselors might advise students to “keep an open mind” about moral standards, even those that violate God’s standards. But such advice can lead to disaster
Reports indicate that some Witness parents hold their children back from baptism. The parents focus excessively on their children’s education and career, or the parents simply fail to help their children set spiritual goals.
9. Why might some delay getting baptized?
Some who qualify to get baptized might delay taking this step because of peer pressure, perhaps even waiting for a particular person to take the same step.
An unbaptized publisher might wait to get baptized on the same day with a friend or a loved one, that's not bad, but then such factor should bit hold one back from getting baptized, a person dedication to God is a personal promise,
We should remember what God's word says at Romans 14: 12 which reads "So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God"
This means that our baptism should not depend on what someone else does.—
WHY KEEP THE END CLOSE IN MIND
10. Why might some delay making spiritual progress?
some might delay making spiritual progress because they reason that there is plenty of time before the end. But that reasoning is not sound.
At Luke 12:40 Jesus warned his disciples: “Keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely, the Son of man is coming.”
Since we do not know the day.
11. According to Psalm 119:60, how do we feel about Jehovah’s commands as we come to know him?.
According to Psalms 119:60, the more we come to know Jehovah our loving God, we feel highly motivated to obey his commandments because of our love for him and follow his commandments as we learn about them.
12. What can we learn from Jesus’ illustration of the vineyard?
In Jesus illustration of the Vineyard , some who worked just one hour and still receive the same wages as those who worked all day, not that the one hour workers had not tried to get out for working all day—they simply had not been hired. As recorded at Matthew 20 : 6:7 when the master of the house asked them, "Why have you been standing here all day unemployed?’ They replied, ‘Because nobody has hired us."
So as soon as they were called, they joined the workforce.
To us Today, Jesus has called us to be his disciples and join in the Kingdom work. We should respond to his call as soon as we hear it .
13. What can we learn from the wife of Lot.?
Jesus knew that last making last-minute changes to please God is too difficult.
At Luke 17:31-35 Jesus warned his disciples: “Remember the wife of Lot."
The wife of lot was well aware that God's judgement on S***m and Gomorrah was imminent, yet it seems that she still could not break her attachment ti things she kedt behind.
When Jehovah made it rain sulfur and fire on Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah—it came from Jehovah, from the heavens.
Ass recorded at Genesis 19:26 which says
"Lot’s wife, who was behind him, began to look back, and she became a pillar of salt."
This teaches me that the door of salvation will not remain open indefinitely. At God’s due time, that door will be closed and permanently locked, according to Luke 13:24,25.
14. How should Bible prophecies about the end affect you?
seeing what is happening in one place after another should increase your sense of urgency to progress to baptism.
“be vigilant,” or “alert,” because “the end of all things [had] drawn close.” (1 Pet. 4:7; ftn.) “The end” was evidently that of the Jewish system of things. Those whom Peter wrote to lived far away from Jerusalem, so they would not be directly affected by the destruction of that city. (1 Pet. 1:1) However, once they saw the fulfillment of that prophecy, their confidence in all of Jehovah’s other promises would be strengthened. Similarly, as you see prophecies related to the coming end being fulfilled, you will be moved to be vigilant by advancing toward the goal of baptism.
15. How should we view the timing of Jehovah’s day? (2 Peter 3:10-13)
We should not be like Christians in the first century who viewed the timing of Jehovah' as still far. Rather we should head the warning of Peter to keep close in mind or eagerly desire Jehovah's day.
We can keep that day close in mind by being ready and eager for it to come. We show our eagerness by performing “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.
No doubt, Jehovah will be delighted to see us performing deeds of godly devotion, which includes dedicating our live to him and getting baptized.
THE BENEFITS OF ACTING NOW
16. When is the best time to progress to baptism? (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2) (See also pictures.)
Now is the time to progress towards baptism.Act 8:26_39 shows that the Ethiopian eu**ch did not hesitate to get baptized. As soon as he has learned the truth, he immediately got baptist, that's a good lesson for us.
17. Of what can we be assured?
If you are holding back from getting baptized, be assured that Jehovah is ready to lead you into a good relationship with him. (Rom. 2:4) He can help you overcome any fears, concerns, or outside influences that might be limiting your progress. Once you gain a good conscience with God through your baptism, you will likely find that “the things behind” no longer matter to you.
