BY EPN REPORTER
At over 80 years old, Philip Ndwandwe (82) could not hold back his excitement after finally stepping into the pool onsite to get baptized at the ongoing convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses themed, “Exercise Patience!”
Ndwandwe is one of the 45 people who were baptized yesterday at the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention. He is one of the oldest who was baptized on the day. He said after completing a free Bible Study course with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was convinced that what he studied was the absolute truth.
“Looking at all the things that are happening around us I was convinced that we are now living in a period that the Bible refers to as the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1. That is why I decided to dedicate myself to Jehovah and use the rest of the time I have in serving him,” he said.
Sindiswa Dlamini (12) from Boyane who is amongst the youngest who were baptized also said she was very happy that she finally dedicated herself to Jehovah.
Thando Malaba (18) from Power said he took the decision to be baptized because he was assured by the accuracy of the Bible, “As I studied the Bible, my love for Jehovah grew, hence I felt the need to get baptized now than later on in life.”
Sizwe Shongwe delivering the baptism talk.
Before being baptized, the baptism candidates listened to a talk that was specially dedicated to them themed, ‘Jehovah’s Patience Is Our Salvation.’ The baptism talk was delivered by Sizwe Shongwe, who encouraged the baptism candidates to treat their relationship with Jehovah like a precious white cloth, “do everything you can not to stain it by applying Bible principles in your day-to-day lives at school, in your community, at work, and home, and everywhere you go.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses Spokesperson Lucky Dlamini said while they treat all three days of the convention special, the Saturday program is always the highlight of the three days. “The significance of the baptism and the powerfully compelling drama in the afternoon make quite an impact on those attending,” he said.
Asked why infants were not part of the people who were baptized on the day, Dlamini said while the scriptures do not give an age requirement for baptism, the Bible principle found in Acts 8:12 shows that before being baptized people should be believers. “Therefore, infants, certainly could not become believers, exercise faith, or make a dedication to God.”
In the case of the youngest candidates who were baptized yesterday, Dlamini said some can develop a measure of spirituality at a relatively tender age, while others take longer. “Before being baptized, however, a youngster should have a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the Scriptures, and a clear comprehension of what dedication involves, as is the case with adults,” he said.
The first convention of the two annual conventions will end today. The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken. Dlamini invited the public to join them, especially for the Bible discourse titled, “Will God Act in Your Behalf” and the final part of the Feature Drama titled, “Commit Your Way to Jehovah.” Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years before April 2020, when the organization cancelled all their in-person events around the world. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they are gathering at much larger regional events around the world.
