Jehovah's Witnesses baptize 28 in pool at BJCC Arena

[Brother_Bliss]

Jehovah's Witnesses baptize 28 in pool at BJCC Arena

Published: Saturday, June 16, 2012, 1:13 PM Updated: Saturday, June 16, 2012, 6:16 PM

By Greg Garrison -- The Birmingham News

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- About 8,000 Jehovah's Witnesses gathered for a regional Bible teaching convention this weekend at the BJCC Arena and cheered as 28 new converts were baptized today in a portable swimming pool set up on the arena floor.

"It has changed my life," said Juanita Duff, 69, of Greene County, the oldest of those baptized. "When I was in my thirties, I had a sign made for Jehovah's Witnesses that said, 'Don't knock on my door.' I didn't know I was turning away God's witnesses. Now I'm one of those people who knocks on doors."

The new converts have studied a book of the basic tenets of Jehovah's Witnesses, who believe believe Jesus was the son of God but not God himself. They emphasize using the name Jehovah for God, to give glory to the creator, and teach that the end of the world is imminent. Many Jehovah's Witnesses believe they will be among 144,000 kings and priests ruling in heaven with Jesus, while others hope to be among the meek who live forever on a restored earth following Armageddon, when God destroys the wicked.

Benjamin Henderson, 9, of Columbus, Miss., was the youngest of those baptized. "It was exciting once you got in the water," he said. "You feel the crowd and the excitement."

He said the baptism makes him a minister of Jehovah. Isaiah Coley, 11, of Birmingham, agreed.

"It means I've dedicated myself to Jehovah, gave him my life, repented for all my sins," Coley said.

Jehovah's Witnesses, more than 1.1 million U.S. members, are one of the fastest-growing denominations, with door-to-door evangelism required of all members.

There are more than 150 worship centers called Kingdom Halls in Alabama, with a combined membership of more than 15,000.

Article Source: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/jehovahs_witnesses_baptize_28.html

[Suzy74]

I was there! Lovely assembly!