1, 2. (a) How do some Christian parents respond when their child asks to get baptized? (b) Why are baptism candidates asked if they have made a dedication to Jehovah? (See opening picture.)

AS HER Christian parents looked on, a young girl, whom we will call Maria, stood up with the other baptism candidates. In a loud, clear voice, she answered two questions that the speaker posed. Shortly afterward, she got baptized.

² Maria’s parents were proud of their daughter’s decision to make an unreserved dedication to Jehovah and to get baptized. Even so, earlier her mother had some lingering questions. She had asked herself: ‘Is Maria too young to get baptized? Does she really understand the seriousness of what she is doing? Would it be better to have her wait before getting baptized?’ These are questions that many loving parents ask themselves when a child expresses the desire to get baptized. (Eccl. 5:5) After all, dedication and baptism are the most important steps in a Christian’s life.​—See the box “ Have You Dedicated Yourself to Jehovah?”

3, 4. (a) How did the apostle Peter illustrate the importance of baptism? (b) Why can baptism be likened to constructing the ark in Noah’s day?

 ³ In discussing baptism, the apostle Peter referred to Noah’s constructing of the ark: “Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you.” (Read 1 Peter 3:20, 21.) The ark was a physical structure that provided undeniable visible evidence that Noah was devoted to the doing of God’s will. Noah faithfully fulfilled the work assignment that Jehovah had given him. Yes, visible acts of faith led to the preservation of Noah and his family through the Flood. What is the point of Peter’s illustration?

⁴ Just as the ark amounted to evidence of Noah’s faith, baptism before onlookers provides visible evidence. What does it show? That a Christian disciple has dedicated himself to Jehovah on the basis of faith in the resurrected Christ. Like Noah, dedicated disciples obediently carry on in the work that God has assigned them to do. Just as Noah was preserved through the Flood, loyal baptized ones will be preserved when the present wicked world meets its end. (Mark 13:10; Rev. 7:9, 10) This makes dedication and baptism very important. A person who needlessly delays getting baptized endangers his prospects for everlasting life.

5. What will we consider in this article?

⁵ In view of how serious baptism is, three questions deserve our attention. What does the Bible say about baptism? What steps must a person take before getting baptized? Why should a Christian teacher have the importance of baptism clearly in mind when teaching his child or another Bible student?

6, 7. (a) Explain the significance of John’s baptism. (b) What unique baptism did John perform?

⁶ We first read of baptism in the Bible in reference to that performed by John the Baptist. (Matt. 3:1-6) Those submitting to John’s baptism did so as evidence of their repentance over sins against the Mosaic Law. It is noteworthy, however, that the most important baptism that John performed had nothing to do with repentance. John had the unique privilege of baptizing Jesus, the perfect human Son of God. (Matt. 3:13-17) Jesus was without sin, so he did not need to repent. (1 Pet. 2:22) His baptism symbolized the presenting of himself to do God’s will.​—Heb. 10:7.

⁷ During the course of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his disciples also performed baptisms. (John 3:22; 4:1, 2) Like those performed by John, these baptisms symbolized the individuals’ repentance over sins against the Mosaic Law. However, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, baptism would take on a much different meaning for his followers.

8. (a) After his resurrection, Jesus gave what command to his followers? (b) Explain the significance of Christian baptism.

⁸ In 33 C.E., the resurrected Jesus appeared to a crowd of more than 500 men, women, and possibly even children. It may have been on that occasion that he said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 15:6) Yes, it seems that hundreds of his followers were present when Jesus gave the commission to make disciples. Jesus thus revealed that baptism would be a requirement for those who accept the yoke of Christian discipleship. (Matt. 11:29, 30) Anyone who wished to serve God acceptably would have to acknowledge and accept Jesus’ role in the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose. After doing so, that person could get baptized. This would be the only water baptism having God’s approval. The Bible record provides abundant evidence that in the first century, new disciples of Christ understood the significance of baptism. And they did not unnecessarily delay getting baptized.​—Acts 2:41; 9:18; 16:14, 15, 32, 33.

9, 10. What can we learn about baptism from the Ethiopian proselyte and from the apostle Paul?

⁹ Read Acts 8:35, 36. Consider the example of the Ethiopian proselyte who was returning home after going to Jerusalem to worship. Prompted by Jehovah’s angel, Philip approached the Ethiopian and “declared to him the good news about Jesus.” What was the Ethiopian’s response? What he did next gave clear evidence of his heartfelt appreciation for the truths he had learned. He desired to work in harmony with Jehovah’s arrangement, so he got baptized without delay.

¹⁰ A second example is that of a Jewish man who was persecuting Christians. He was born in a nation that was dedicated to God. However, the Jews had lost their special relationship with Jehovah. That man was zealous for the traditions of Judaism, but he learned a better way. He  received a personal witness from the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ. What was the man’s response? He welcomed assistance from the Christian disciple Ananias. Regarding that man the Bible tells us: “He then got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17, 18; Gal. 1:14) You certainly recognize that Jewish man as the one who came to be known as the apostle Paul. But reflect on the fact that once he gained appreciation for the truth about Jesus’ role in the outworking of God’s purpose, Paul acted. He got baptized without delay.​—Read Acts 22:12-16.

11. (a) What motivates Bible students today to get baptized? (b) How are we affected when we see newly dedicated ones get baptized?

¹¹ It is much the same with Bible students today, whether young or old. Those who have faith and genuine appreciation for Bible truth are eager to make a personal dedication and get baptized. The talk presented especially for such ones is a highlight of every assembly and convention. Jehovah’s Witnesses rejoice when a Bible student accepts the truth and progresses to the point of water baptism. Do not Christian parents delight to see their children among the other new disciples getting baptized? During the 2017 service year, more than 284,000 “rightly disposed” individuals symbolized their dedication to Jehovah by water baptism. (Acts 13:48) Clearly, those new disciples understood that baptism is a requirement for Christians. What steps led up to their baptism?

12. What steps must a Bible student take before baptism?

¹² Before a student can get baptized, he must cultivate faith based on accurate knowledge of God, His purpose, and His arrangement for salvation. (1 Tim. 2:3-6) Such faith moves the student to reject conduct that is displeasing to God and to come in line with Jehovah’s righteous standards. (Acts 3:19) Understandably, an individual could not make a valid dedication to God while engaging in any conduct that would exclude him from the Kingdom. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) But more is needed than adhering to Jehovah’s elevated moral standards. One who is pursuing righteousness would also be present at congregation meetings and have a meaningful share in the lifesaving preaching and disciple-making work. Jesus said that this work would be carried out by his true disciples. (Acts 1:8) Only after taking such steps can a new disciple make a valid dedication to Jehovah in private prayer and then publicly symbolize this dedication by getting baptized before onlookers.

13. Why must Bible teachers bear in mind that baptism is a Christian requirement?

¹³ As we assist our children and other Bible students to take the essential steps, we should bear in mind that genuine discipleship includes baptism. If we keep that clearly in mind, we will communicate more effectively with our students. We will not hold back from discussing at appropriate times the importance of dedication and baptism. Yes, we want our children and other Bible students to progress to the point of baptism!

14. Why do we not pressure anyone to get baptized?

¹⁴ Certainly, no one should feel pressured by a parent, a Bible teacher, or anyone else in the congregation to get  baptized. That is not Jehovah’s way. (1 John 4:8) Rather, as we teach such ones, we ought to emphasize the importance of building a personal relationship with God. It is the student’s heartfelt appreciation for the truth and his desire to shoulder the yoke of Christian discipleship that will move him to get baptized.​—2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

15, 16. (a) Is there a certain age at which one should get baptized? Explain. (b) Why must a Bible student get baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses even if he was previously baptized in another religion?

¹⁵ There is no set age at which one should get baptized. Each student grows and matures at a different rate. Many get baptized at a young age, and they go on to be faithful to Jehovah. Other students see the importance of getting baptized after learning Bible truth when advanced in years​—some being over 100 years of age!

¹⁶ One elderly Bible student asked her teacher if it was really necessary to get baptized again; she had previously been baptized in different religions over the years. The student and her teacher reviewed pertinent scriptures from the Bible. The student now understood the Bible’s requirement and got baptized soon thereafter. Although in her late 70’s, she did not feel that baptism was unnecessary for her. Yes, valid baptism is based on an accurate knowledge of Jehovah’s will. Hence, new disciples must get baptized even if they previously were baptized in another religion.​—Read Acts 19:3-5.

17. What is it appropriate to contemplate on the day of one’s baptism?

¹⁷ The day of one’s baptism is a time for genuine rejoicing. It is also a time for sober reflection. Living up to one’s dedication involves hard work. That is why Jesus compared Christian discipleship to a yoke. Jesus’ disciples must “live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up.”​—2 Cor. 5:15; Matt. 16:24.

18. What questions will we consider in the next article?

¹⁸ Maria’s mother had such thoughts in mind when she asked the questions mentioned in the introduction. If you are a parent, you may have asked yourself: ‘Is my child really ready to get baptized? Does he or she have adequate knowledge to make a valid dedication? What about secular goals associated with education and a career? What if my child gets baptized and then falls into serious sin?’ In the next article, we will consider these matters and discuss how Christian parents can maintain a balanced view of baptism.

1, 2. (a) De emwi ne evbibiẹ emọ eso ru vbe ivbi iran gha hoo ne iran dinmwiamẹ? (b) Vbọzẹe ne a na nọ emwa ni khian dinmwiamẹ deghẹ iran ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova nẹ? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

ẸDẸ ne Maria dinmwiamẹ, evbibiẹ ọre na gha ghee ẹre vbe ọ deba etẹn ọvbehe ni khian vbe dinmwiamẹ kpaegbe. Ọ keghi ya urhu nọ la kevbe nọ rriẹ zẹ ewanniẹn ye inọta eva ne ọtẹn nọ ya ọta guan nọ rẹn. Vbe iyeke ọni, ọ na dinmwiamẹ.

² Evbibiẹ Maria na gha ghọghọ rhunmwuda ovbi iran ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova ọ na vbe dinmwiamẹ. Sokpan ọ mwẹ inọta eso ni ka gha rre ekhọe iye Maria: ‘E Maria ma kherhe gbe nọ dinmwiamẹ? Ọ kue rẹn wẹẹ, ne a ya egbe fiohan i re emwi ne a ya rhẹghẹrẹ? Ẹi re te ọ gha te wan sẹ ọna nẹ kherhe ọ ke dinmwiamẹ?’ Ena ọre inọta ne evbibiẹ emọ ni hoẹmwẹ ivbi iran nọ egbe iran re, vbe ivbi iran gha hoo ne iran dinmwiamẹ. (Asan 5:5) Vbọzẹe? Rhunmwuda, ne a ya egbe fiohan kevbe ne a dinmwiamẹ keghi re azẹ ni ghi ru ekpataki sẹ nọ khẹke ne Ivbiotu e Kristi ru.—Ghee Ne Ẹkpẹti “ U Ya Egbuẹ Fiohan Ne Jehova Nẹ Ra?”

3, 4. (a) De igiemwi ne Pita ru nọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ idinmwiamẹ wa ru ekpataki? (b) Vbọzẹe ne Pita na ya idinmwiamẹ gie okọ ne Noa ka re?

 ³ Vbe ukọ ighẹ Pita guan kaẹn idinmwiamẹ, ọ keghi yae gie okọ ne Noa ka re. Ọ na kha wẹẹ: “Idinmwiamẹ, nọ yevbe okọ e Noa, keghi re emwi nọ miẹn uwa fan nia.” (Tie 1 Pita 3:20, 21, NW.) Okọ nii keghi re osẹ ne a zaromiẹn nọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ekhọe hia ẹre Noa ya gha ru ahoo ọghe Osanobua. Amuẹtinyan ọghe Noa ma beghe vbe ọ winna iwinna ne Jehova waa re. Amuẹtinyan ọghe Noa ẹre ọ ye Jehova miẹn ẹgbẹe ọre fan vbe ẹghẹ ne okpamẹ nii ya rhọ. De emwi ne Pita hoo nọ ya igiemwi na maa ima re?

⁴ Okọ ne Noa ka re keghi re osẹ nọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ọ mwẹ amuẹtinyan. Erriọ idinmwiamẹ vbe ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ọmwa ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua nẹ rhunmwuda amuẹtinyan ne ọ mwẹ yan arhiọkpaegbe ọghe Jesu. Vbe na ghee Noa, emwa ni ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua nẹ keghi ya ekhọe hia ru iwinna ne Osanobua waa iran re. Zẹ vbene Jehova ya miẹn Noa fan vbe ẹghẹ ne okpamẹ nii ya rhọ, erriọ emwa ni dinmwiamẹ nẹ, ni mwẹ ẹkoata khian vbe ya miẹnfan vbe ẹghẹ ne Osanobua khian ya fuẹn emwa dan. (Mak 13:10; Arhie 7:9, 10) Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ a ya egbe fiohan kevbe idinmwiamẹ na wa ru ekpataki. Deghẹ ẹkpotọ kie re ne ọmwa ya dinmwiamẹ sokpan ọ na gha la ẹdẹ yọ, arrọọ ọghe etẹbitẹ sẹtin lae ban.

5. Vbe ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na?

⁵ Rhunmwuda vbene idinmwiamẹ ru ekpataki sẹ hẹ, ma gha ziro yan inọta eha: De emwi ne Baibol khare vbekpae idinmwiamẹ? De emwi eso nọ khẹke ne ọmwa ru ọ ke dinmwiamẹ? Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima gi emwa ne ima gu tie Baibol rẹn vbene idinmwiamẹ ru ekpataki sẹ hẹ?

6, 7. (a) Vbọzẹe ne Jọn na gha dinmwi emwa ya amẹ? (b) Vbuwe emwa hia ne Jọn dinmwi ya amẹ, de nọ hiunsi sẹ?

⁶ Vbe okha ọghe Baibol, e Jọn ne Baptist ọre ọmwa okaro nọ dinmwi emwa ya amẹ. (Mat 3:1-6) Emwa ni bu e Jọn gha dee nọ dinmwi iran ye amẹ keghi re emwa ni rraa Uhi e Mozis. Idinmwiamẹ ọghe iran keghi re osẹ nọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ iran fiwerriẹ nẹ. Idinmwiamẹ nọ ghi hiunsi sẹ vbe ehia ọre ọghe Jesu. E Jọn ne Baptist ẹre ọ dinmwi e Jesu ne ọmwa nọ gbae ya amẹ. Ọni ke wa gha re ukpamuyọmọ nọ hiunsi. (Mat 3:13-17) Jesu ma ru orukhọ, nọnaghiyerriọ, esa ma ghaa rrọọ ne ọ ya fi uyinmwẹ werriẹ. (1 Pit 2:22) Vbọ ghi zẹ ne ọ na dinmwiamẹ? Idinmwiamẹ ọghẹe keghi rhiema wẹẹ, ọ mu egbe nẹ, ne ọ ya ru ahoo ọghe Osanobua.—Hib 10:7.

⁷ Vbe Jesu rre agbọn, erhuanegbe ẹre ghaa dinmwi emwa ye amẹ. (Jọn 3:22; 4:1, 2) Zẹ vbene Jọn vbe ru ẹre, emwa ne erhuanegbe Jesu dinmwi ya amẹ keghi re emwa ni vbe rraa Uhi e Mozis, ni kie rre nẹ vbe uyinmwẹ dan. Sokpan vbe Jesu ghi rhiọ kpaegbe nẹ, erhuanegbe ẹre ye gha dinmwiamẹ, sokpan ẹi re rhunmwuda iran rraa Uhi e Mozis.

8. (a) De iwinna ne Jesu waa erhuanegbe ẹre vbe ọ ghi rhiọ kpaegbe nẹ? (b) Vbọzẹe ne Ivbiotu e Kristi na dinmwiamẹ?

⁸ Vbe Jesu ghi rhiọ kpaegbe nẹ vbe ukpo 33 C.E., ọ keghi rhiegbe ma ẹbu emwa ni gberra 500—ikpia, ikhuo, ọ gha kẹ, ibiẹka vbe gha rre evba. Ughaghe ẹghẹ na ẹre ọ ya tama iran wẹẹ: “Wa bu emwa hia gha rrie ehe hia ne uwa ya ya iran khian erhuanegbe mwẹ, wa gha dinmwi iran ya amẹ vbe Eni Erha, ọghe Ọmọ kevbe ọghe orhiọn nọhuanrẹn. Wa gha maa iran re ne iran gha lele iyi hia ne I yi ne uwa.” (Mat 28:19, 20, NW; 1 Kọr 15:6) Ọ khọ wẹẹ erhuanegbe Jesu wa gha bun vbe ọ waa iran iwinna ne kpataki na. Evba ẹre ọ na vbe gi iran rẹn wẹẹ, te ọ khẹke ne emwa ni hoo ne iran lele ukpowẹ irẹn dinmwiamẹ. (Mat 11:29, 30) Te ọmwa ke ọmwa nọ hoo nọ ga Osanobua vbe odẹ nọ kue yi gha ka rẹn ukpo ne Jesu na zẹ vbe emwamwa ọghe Jehova, ọ vbe miẹn ọnrẹn yi wẹẹ, Jesu ẹre Osanobua khian loo ya mu emwamwa rẹn sẹ. Vbe iyeke ọni, ọ ghi dinmwiamẹ. Ọna ọre idinmwiamẹ ne Osanobua kpasẹ yi. E Baibol ẹre ọ ya ima rẹn wẹẹ, vbe orre nokaro, erhuanegbe Jesu rẹn vbene idinmwiamẹ ru ekpataki sẹ hẹ rhunmwuda iran ma ya idinmwiamẹ rhẹghẹrẹ ra ne iran gha si obọ ẹgogo ghee iyeke.—Iwinna 2:41; 9:18; 16:14, 15, 32, 33.

9, 10. Vbe ima miẹn ruẹ vbe idinmwiamẹ ọghe Ovbi Ẹtiopia ne ọ miẹn ugamwẹ ọghe Ivbi e Ju yi kevbe idinmwiamwẹ ọghe ukọ e Pọl?

⁹ Tie Iwinna 8:35, 36. Gia guan kaẹn okpia ọkpa ne Ovbi Ẹtiopia ne ọ miẹn ugamwẹ ọghe Ivbi e Ju yi. Vbe ọ ke Ọgua Osa nọ rre Jerusalẹm die owa, odibosa keghi tama e Filip nọ tua okhian sikẹ okpia na, ne ọ “kpe orhu iyẹn nọ maan” vbekpae Jesu ma rẹn. Vbọ ghi sunu? Emwi ne Ovbi Ẹtiopia nii ghi ru keghi rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ọ ya ekhọe hia gbọyẹmwẹ ye emwi nọ ruẹ re, ọ na vbe gha hoo ne ọ zowẹ lele emwamwa ọghe Jehova. Ọ na dinmwiamẹ vbobọvbobọ.

¹⁰ Ọmwa ọvbehe ne ima gha vbe guan kaẹn nia, ọre okpia ọkpa ne Ovbi e Ju, nọ wa gha zẹ Ivbiotu e Kristi kpokpo. Ivbi e Ju kegha re agbẹnvbo ne Jehova hannọ zẹ. Ọ ghi sẹ ẹghẹ, ukpamuyọmọ nọ hiunsi na keghi wii iran rhunmwuda, iran ma ghi gha lele uhi Osanobua. Sokpan okpia na, keghi rhiegba ye ugamwẹ ọghe Ivbi e Ju, ne a tie ẹre Judaism rhunmwuda, ọ ghaa mwẹ ọnrẹn vbe orhiọn wẹẹ, ọni ọre ugamwẹ ne Osanobua kpasẹ yi. Sokpan, ọ ghi sẹ ẹdẹ ọkpa, e Jesu nọ rhiọ kpaegbe gha rrie ẹrinmwi  nẹ, ẹre ọ ke ẹrinmwi kporhu ma rẹn. Vbe okpia na ghi ru? Ọ na fiwerriẹ, erriọ vbe ya gbọyẹmwẹ ye iyobọ ne Ananaias ru nẹẹn. E Baibol keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọ keghi kpaegbe,” ọ na dinmwiamẹ. (Iwinna 9:​17, 18; Gal 1:14) Okpia ne a guan kaẹn na keghi re ukọ e Pọl. Yẹrẹro wẹẹ, vbe Pọl ghi rẹn ukpo ne Jesu na zẹ vbe emwamwa ọghe Osanobua nẹ, ọ na zẹ emwi ru, ọ na dinmwiamẹ vbene ọ ma na si obọ ẹgogo ghee iyeke.—Tie Iwinna 22:12-16.

11. (a) De emwi nọ ya emwa ne ima gu tie Baibol dinmwiamẹ? (b) Vbọ ye hẹ vbe ekhọe ima vbe etẹn ghaa dinmwiamẹ?

¹¹ Erriọ vbe ye vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, emwa ne ima gu tie Baibol, ni mwẹ amuẹtinyan kevbe ni gele gbọyẹmwẹ ye imamwaemwi ọghe ẹmwata ne iran ruẹ, keghi hoo ne iran ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua kevbe ne iran dinmwiamẹ vbe ne ai na si obọ ẹgogo ghee iyeke. Ọta idinmwiamẹ keghi re ọta kpataki ne emwa hia kpẹ ẹho khẹ vbe asikoko. Ọ keghi re emwi nọ sẹ Avbe Osẹe Jehova ọyẹnmwẹ vbe emwa ne iran gu tie Baibol gha miẹn odẹ ọghe ẹmwata yi kevbe iran na vbe ru azẹ wẹẹ iran gha dinmwiamẹ. Erriọ evbibiẹ emọ vbe ya sọyẹnmwẹ vbe ivbi iran gha khian dinmwiamẹ. Vbe Ukpo Ugamwẹ ọghe 2017, emwa ni mwẹ ekhọe ata ni gberra arhunmwu 284,000 ẹre ọ ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua, iran na vbe dinmwiamẹ. (Iwinna 13:48) Etẹn ni dinmwiamẹ na rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, emwi nọ khẹke Ivbiotu e Kristi nọ. Sokpan, de owẹ ne iran zẹ iran ke dinmwiamẹ?

12. De owẹ eso nọ khẹke ne ọmwa ka zẹ ọ ke dinmwiamẹ?

¹² Vbene ọmwa te dinmwiamẹ, ọ ka gha mwẹ amuẹtinyan nọ hẹnhẹn egbe yan irẹnmwi nọ gbae vbekpae Osanobua, emwamwa nọ mwẹ ne emwa nagbọn kevbe emwamwa ne ọ ru ya miẹn emwa nagbọn fan. (1 Tim 2:3-6) Amuẹtinyan vbenian, ẹre ọ ya emwa ne ima gu tie Baibol mu uyinmwẹ dan fua, ne iran mieke na sẹtin gha lele ilele ọghe Jehova. (Iwinna 3:19) Vbene ẹmwata, ọmwa gha wẹẹ irẹn ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua, vbene ọ na ye yin uyinmwẹ dan, a ya egbe fiohan nii i mwẹ esa, rhunmwuda, Osanobua i khian miẹn ọnrẹn yi. (1 Kọr 6:9, 10) Ọ ma fo ye evba, ọ vbe khẹke ne ọmwa nọ ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova gha yo iko kevbe ikporhu vbe ẹghẹ hia. Iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan keghi re iwinna ne Jesu waa erhuanegbe ẹre. (Iwinna 1:8) Te ọ khẹke ne ọmwa gha lele ilele na hia, ọ ke gbegba zẹvbe ọmwa ne ọ gha ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua vbe erhunmwu. Vbe iyeke ọni, ọ ghi dianmwiamẹ.

13. Ma ghaa gu ọmwa tie Baibol, vbọzẹe ne ọna khẹke ne ima gha mwẹ ọnrẹn vbe orhiọn wẹẹ, idinmwiamẹ keghi re emwi nọ wa ru ekpataki vbe arrọọ ọghe Ivbiotu e Kristi?

¹³ Ma ghaa gu ivbi ima kevbe emwa ọvbehe ruẹ e Baibol, te ọ khẹke ne ima kọe ye orhiọn wẹẹ, idinmwiamẹ keghi re emwi nọ ru ekpataki ne ọmwa ke ọmwa nọ hoo nọ lele ukpowẹ ọghe Kristi. Ma ghaa mwẹ ọna vbe orhiọn, ẹre ima khian na sẹtin kọe ye orhiọn ọghe emwa ne ima maa re emwi. Ma ghi loo ẹkpotọ nọ rhirhi kie ya gi iran rẹn vbene a ya egbe fiohan kevbe idinmwiamẹ ru ekpataki sẹ hẹ. Vbene ẹmwata, erhunmwu ne ima na, ọre ne emwa ne ima maa re Baibol gha mwẹ alaghodaro kevbe ne iran dinmwiamẹ!

14. Vbọzẹe ne ima i na kpikpi ọmwa rhọkpa nọ dinmwiamẹ?

¹⁴ Ọ ma khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ ra etẹn rhọkpa vbe iko kpikpi ọmwa rhọkpa nọ dinmwiamẹ. E Jehova tobọre i ru emwi vberriọ. (1 Jọn 4:⁠8) Te ọ khẹke ne ima gha kọe ye orhiọn ọghe emwa ne ima gu tie Baibol ne iran gu Osanobua gha mwẹ asikẹgbe ne khuankhuankhuan. Ọmwa ne a maa re emwi gha gele gbọyẹmwẹ ye emwi nọ ruẹ,  ọ na vbe gha hoo nọ lele ukpowẹ ọghe Kristi, ẹre ọ khian na sẹtin taa mu olọ yan rẹn wẹẹ irẹn gha dinmwiamẹ.—2 Kọr 5:14, 15.

15, 16. (a) Ọ mwẹ ukpo ne ọmwa sẹ ọ ke dinmwiamẹ ra? Rhan otọ re. (b) Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ọmwa ne ọ ka dinmwiamẹ vbe ugamwẹ ọvbehe werriegbe dinmwiamẹ zẹvbe Osẹe Jehova?

¹⁵ Ẹi mwẹ ukpo ne ọmwa sẹ ọ ke dinmwiamẹ rhunmwuda te emwa hia lughaẹn ne egbe. Emwa eso rherhe rẹn otọ emwi vbene eso na rhie ẹghẹ. Etẹn eso ni dinmwiamẹ vbe iran ye rre ọvbokhan, ye ga Osanobua vbuwe amuẹtinyan uhiẹn vbe iran khian eniwanrẹn nẹ. Eso gberra ukpo 100 iran ke dinmwiamẹ rhunmwuda ẹghẹ nii, ẹre iran ya miẹn odẹ ọghe ẹmwata.

¹⁶ Okhuo ọkpa nọ khian ọmaẹn nẹ keghi nọ ọtẹn nọ gu ẹre tie Baibol deghẹ esa rrọọ ne irẹn dọlegbe dinmwiamẹ rhunmwuda ọ ka dinmwiamẹ vbe ugamwẹ ughughan nọ ka gha ye. Ọtẹn nii keghi ye Baibol zẹ ewanniẹn nọ khẹke ye inọta nii. Ọna ẹre ọ ghi ya okhuo ne ọ khian ọmaẹn nẹ na, rẹn wẹẹ te ọ khẹke ne irẹn dinmwiamẹ, ọ na gele ru vberriọ. Te okhuo ne a kha na ghi sikẹ ukpo 80, ọrheyerriọ, ọ ma wẹẹ idinmwiamẹ i mwẹ esa nọ ye. Idinmwiamẹ ne Jehova miẹn yi keghi ọghe ọmwa nọ mwẹ irẹnmwi nọ gbae nọ dekaan emwamwa ọghe irẹn. Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ọ khẹke ne emwa ni ka dinmwiamẹ vbe ugamwẹ ọvbehe werriegbe dinmwiamẹ zẹvbe Osẹe Jehova, ọ gha khọn rẹn wẹẹ iran ka dinmwiamẹ nẹ vbe ugamwẹ ne iran ka ye.—Tie Iwinna 19:3-5.

17. De emwi nọ khẹke ne ọmwa gha mu roro vbe ẹdẹ ne ọ dinmwiamẹ?

¹⁷ Ọyẹnmwẹ nọ sẹ otọ ẹko ẹre ọ sẹ ọmwa vbe ẹdẹ ne a dinmwiamẹ. Ẹdẹ ne a vbe ya mu ọghe enegbe ọmwa roro nọ rhunmwuda, ẹi khuẹrhẹ ne a do sẹtin muẹn sẹ ighẹ eyan ne a ru vbe ẹdẹ ne a ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne Jesu na ya urọnghọn gie iwinna nọ bi ye izabọ ọghe Ọvbiotu e Kristi. Ọmwa gha ghi khian erhuanegbe Jesu nẹ, ẹi ghi mu ọghe enegbe ẹre ye okaro, ukpowẹ ọghe Jesu ẹre ọ khian ghi gha lele vbe arrọọ ọghẹe.—2 Kọr 5:15; Mat 16:24.

18. De inọta ne ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi lele ọna?

¹⁸ Iye Maria ne a ya unu kaẹn vbe omuhẹn ban keghi nọ egbe ẹre ọta eso rhunmwuda, ọ rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, ẹi khuẹrhẹ ne a sẹtin muẹn sẹ ighẹ eyan ne a ru vbe ẹdẹ ne a ya egbe fiohan ne Osanobua. Evbibiẹ emọ, wa sẹtin nọ egbe uwa ọta vbenian: ‘Ovbi mwẹ gele mu egbe nọ dinmwiamẹ ra? Ọvbi mwẹ gele mwẹ irẹnmwi nọ somwa nọ gha gua re kpa nọ ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova ra? Ọ khẹke ne ovbi mwẹ ka yo owebe nọ yo, nọ vbe miẹn iwinna nọ maan ọ ke dinmwiamẹ ra? Ọvbi mwẹ gha ghi ru orukhọ nọ wegbe vbe ọ gha dinmwiamẹ nẹ ghi vbo?’ Vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi lele ọna, ma gha ziro yan avbe inọta na. Ma gha vbe guan kaẹn vbene evbibiẹ emọ ni rre otu e Jehova khian ya sẹtin gha ya aro ne Jehova ya ghee idinmwiamẹ ghee ẹre.