Comments You Will Not Hear at the 01-01-06 WT Study (December 1, 2005 issue, pp. 22-26)(Language)
Review comments will be in redWT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxesw = Watchtower
g = Awake
ww.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
www.reexamine.org
www.silentlambs.org
www.ajwrb.org
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
PEOPLE "OUT OF ALL THE LANGUAGES" HEAR THE GOOD NEWS
"Ten men out of all the languages of the nations will [say]: 'We will go with
you people, for we have heard that God is with you people."' -ZECHARIAH 8:23.
Opening Comments
Does this topic sound familiar to you if you are an active JW?
*** w04 7/1 p. 11 'Go and Make Disciples'/"Out of All the Languages"
Making disciples in all nations is a challenge not only geographically but also linguistically. Through the prophet Zechariah, Jehovah foretold: "It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying: 'We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.'" (Zechariah 8:23) In the larger fulfillment of this prophecy, the "man who is a Jew" represents the remnant of anointed Christians, while the "ten men" represent the "great crowd." (Revelation 7:9, 10; Galatians 6:16) This great crowd of Christ's disciples would be found in many nations, and as Zechariah noted, they would be speaking numerous languages. Does the modern-day history of God's people illustrate that aspect of discipleship? Yes, it does.
But does the WTS application of this to the 1st century Christian congregation fit? Were the ten men then those of the great crowd or were they also anointed Christians? Hmmm? No excitement in this article, just a windup for next week for the DO MORE segment.
START OF ARTICLE
THE timing and the setting could not have been better. It was the day of
Pentecost 33 C.E. Weeks earlier, Jews and proselytes from at least 15 regions of
the far-flung Roman Empire and beyond had packed Jerusalem to celebrate the
Passover. On that day, thousands of them heard--not in confusion, as those at
ancient Babel did, but with understanding--ordinary people filled with holy
spirit proclaim the good news in numerous languages spoken in the empire. (Acts
2:1-12) That occasion marked the birth of the Christian congregation and the
start of a multilingual, international educational work that has continued down
to this day.
C.E.--changed from A.D. in the WT by 1965; little explanation although they recognized in 1958 that it was "wrong." There was an article in 6/22/1965 on it but I don't have it in my library or on CD.
Birth of the Christian congregation and the start of a multilingual, international educational work that has continued down to this day
The WTS believes that there is a continuous chain of faithful Christians from 33 C.E. down to 1879 C.E. when the WT organization was formed and that only the WTS is the true Christian congregation which was validated by God and Jesus in 1919.
*** w60 7/15 p. 435 The Awake "Faithful and Discreet Slave" ***
Down through the years the slavelike congregation has been feeding its true members faithfully and discreetly. From Pentecost, A.D. 33, up to this very present hour (1960) this has been lovingly and carefully performed.
From the 1870's onward the thin line of true Christians began to come to historic view again as in the days of the first century. A decided move was made by many of the "wheat" group to disassociate themselves from the many weedlike sects of Christendom. This gathered group of Christians from many parts of the earth formed a new association that later came to be known as Jehovah's witnesses. From 1879 the Watch Tower magazine was used by this collective group to dispense spiritual food regularly to those of the anointed "little flock." Yes, the "domestics," or individual anointed ones, were being spiritually revived with increasing restored light of Bible truth by the collective "slave" group. In 1884 this "slave" group formed a legal servant, a corporation, called Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
As we now know, this watchman class of the "faithful and discreet slave" was being cleansed for still greater watchman service in the turbulent years to follow their restoration in 1919. Previously, in the spring of 1918, Jehovah came to his temple of earthly Christian servants for inspection and cleansing. (Mal. 3:1-3) The many bad ones were disfellowshiped by Him and sent away. A loyal remnant were permitted to go through the fiery test where Jehovah and his Messenger, Christ Jesus, (1) tested them by organization arrangements on their loyalty to Jehovah's organization rather than to human leaders, (2) tested them by service instructions and provisions as to their zeal and devotion to Jehovah's worship and witness work, and (3) tested them by revealed truth as to their love of it. What a fiery time it was!-See You May Survive Armageddon into God's New World, pp. 303 to 305.
A faithful remnant of some thousands of the "domestics" of the "faithful and discreet slave" class survived this time of testing. From the spring of 1919 forward they began to rise from the dust of inactivity to their new lofty service as watchmen to the world. (Dan. 12:2; Rev. 11:11, 12) The Scriptures also describe them as being clothed with new garments of clean identification to represent Jehovah's interests in the earth.-Zech. 3:4, 5; see the book Preparation, pp. 55 to 58.
Now that the long-expected Kingdom had become an established reality in heaven, surely its growing interests in the earth after 1919 would not be left in the hands of a novice organization of spiritual babes. And that proved to be true. It was the 1900-year-old "faithful and discreet slave," the old Christian congregation, that was entrusted with this precious Kingdom service.
Of all the so-called Christian groups following World War I, only the awake witnesses of Jehovah were prepared to undertake the heavy global commission to preach the final witness.
Ordinary people filled with holy spirit--are JWs today, even those who say they are of the 144,000 anointed, filled with holy spirit as these were? Is the WTS dogma proclaimed in various languages through the gifts of the holy spirit as they were in 33 C.E.?
2 Jesus' disciples could probably speak common Greek, the popular language of
the day. They also used Hebrew, the language spoken at the temple. However, on
that Pentecost day, they "astonished" their diverse audience by speaking in the
native languages of those people. What was the result? The hearts of the
listeners were touched by the vital truths that they heard in their mother
tongue. By the end of the day, the small group of disciples had grown to be a
vast company of more than 3,000!-Acts 2:37-42.
Probably--and what reasoning proof do they base that on?
Speaking in the native languages--not that they attended any language classes--it was a miracle of holy spirit
3 Soon after that momentous event, a wave of persecution broke out in Jerusalem,
and "those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news
of the word." (Acts 8:1-4) For example, we read in Acts chapter 8 about Philip,
apparently a Greek-speaking evangelizer. Philip preached to the Samaritans. He
also preached to an Ethiopian official who responded to the message about
Christ.-Acts 6:1-5; 8:5-13, 26-40; 21:8, 9.
Apparently--no discussion of why this is only "apparently."
Preached to an Ethiopian official--and how many days, months, years did he study before he was baptized? Did he continue studying with him after he was baptized?
(Acts 8:35-39) 35 Philip opened his mouth and, starting with this Scripture, he declared to him the good news about Jesus. 36 Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the eunuch said: "Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?" 37 -- 38 With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 When they had come up out of the water, Jehovah's spirit quickly led Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him anymore, for he kept going on his way rejoicing. . .
4 As the Christians moved and searched for places to rebuild their lives outside
the confines of Jerusalem, Judaea, and Galilee, they encountered new ethnic and
language barriers. Some of them might have witnessed only to Jews. But the
disciple Luke reports: "There were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene that came to
Antioch and began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news
of the Lord Jesus."-Acts 11:19-21.
Might have--Another way the WTS adds to the Bible.
Did you know that for many years when the WTS went into an area populated mostly by non-Christians, that they only preached to members of Christendom. That explains why they had little increase in those countries because there were so few Christians. They let Christendom do the hard work of making disciples of non-Christians.
An Impartial God-A Message for All
5 Such developments are in keeping with God's ways; favoritism is alien to him.
After the apostle Peter was helped by Jehovah to adjust his view of people of
the nations, he appreciatively noted: "For a certainty I perceive that God is
not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness
is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:34, 35; Psalm 145:9) When the apostle Paul,
formerly a persecutor of Christians, declared that God's "will is that all sorts
of men should be saved," he reaffirmed that God is free from bias. (1 Timothy
2:4) The Creator's impartiality is seen in that the Kingdom hope is open to
people of any gender, race, nationality, or language.
Favoritism is alien to him--but not to JWs.
It took the WTS 121 years to put a black man on the board of directors or governing body.
The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control." (Zion's Watch Tower, July 15, 1902, p.215-216)
"It is generally believed that the curse which Noah pronounced upon Canaan was the origin of the black race. Certain it is that when Noah said, 'Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren,' he pictured the future of the Colored race. They have been and are a race of servants, but now in the dawn of the twentieth century, we are all coming to see this matter of service in its true light and to find that the only real joy in life is in serving others; not bossing them. There is no servant in the world as good as a good Colored servant, and the joy that he gets from rendering faithful service is one of the purest joys there is in the world." (The Golden Age, July 24, 1929, p. 702)
"Really, our colored brothers have a great cause for rejoicing. Their race is meek and teachable, and from it comes a high percentage of the theocratic increase." (The Watchtower, Feb. 1, 1952, p. 95)
Typical of the "Watchtower amnesia" regarding their own past history, they act today as if they never taught any prejudicial views, and that only the churches of Christendom are guilty of such things. Yet even the Catholic Church surpasses them in this regard. The Watchtower of Oct. 8, 1977 states:
"Even up to a hundred years ago the Catholic Church held the view that blacks were cursed by God. Maxwell explains that this view 'apparently survived until 1873 when Pope Pius IX attached an indulgence to a prayer for the wretched Ethiopians in Central Africa that almighty God may at length remove the curse of Cham [Ham] from their hearts.' " (p. 29. See also the 2/8/82 WT, p.14-15.)
According to what the Watchtower is saying, the Catholic Church dropped their official prejudice against the black man at least 40 years before they did. Of course, they are banking on the fact that few Witnesses really know the history of the Watchtower organization. As has been demonstrated earlier, they viewed the curse of Ham as applying to the Negro as late as 1929.
Further, there are likely more subtle reasons behind the reluctance of the Governing Body to take in minorities. The unspoken requirements of serving as a member of the Governing Body apparently include having the same eccentricities and Victorian attitudes as the men already serving in such capacities, which are somewhat peculiar to certain older Caucasians of English-American descent. Any aspiring man of color must put on the same attitudes in order to be trusted. While the Watchtower does have a few blacks in high position, including Circuit Overseers and members of the Service Department at Bethel, such ones have been promoted no higher, in spite of their adopting "white" attitudes. Perhaps with increased public pressure and the passing away of the older diehards, more minorities may be appointed to the Governing Body - time will tell. One thing for sure, they will have to lose their minority flavor in order to do so.
http://www.freeminds.org/history/blacks.htm
Blurb on page 23: At Pentecost 33 C.E., people from 15 regions of the Roman
Empire and beyond heard the good news in their native languages
6 This international expansion was foretold centuries earlier. According to
Daniel's prophecy, "there were given [to Jesus] rulership and dignity and
kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even
him." (Daniel 7:14) The fact that this magazine is published in 151 languages
and distributed worldwide, enabling you to read about Jehovah's Kingdom,
reflects the fulfillment of that Bible prophecy.
This international expansion was foretold centuries earlier...Daniel 7:14...the fact that this magazine is published in 151 languages and distributed worldwide...reflects the fulfillment of that Bible prophecy.
This is to assume that Daniel 7:14 was being fulfilled at that time 33 C.E. and that the Watchtower is the only religious magazine produced in many languages and "distributed" (not necessarily read).
While the WTS has been busy producing and distributing magazines that are considered inspired, other Christian religions have been translating and distributing Bibles which are considered inspired/
7 The Bible foretold a time when people of diverse languages would hear its
lifegiving message. Describing how true worship would attract many, Zechariah
prophesied: "It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of
the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a
man who is a Jew [spirit anointed Christian, part of "the Israel of God"],
saying: `We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you
people."' (Zechariah 8:23; Galatians 6:16) And relating what he saw in a vision,
the apostle John said: "Look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number,
out o f all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9) We have seen such prophecies
coming true!
Jew [spirit anointed Christian, part of "the Israel of God']--the dreaded brackets where the WTS adds words and their interpretation to the body of a scripture to make it seem "inspired."
We have seen such prophecies coming true!
But only on the WTS. I would say that are many Christian and non-Christian religions could point to a greater crowd being joined to their organizations.
Mormons, Pentecostals, Muslims, etc.
Reaching People of All Sorts
8 Today, people have become increasingly mobile. Globalization has opened a new
era of migration. Droves of people from war zones and economically depressed
areas have moved to more stable places, seeking a materially secure way of life.
In many lands, an influx of immigrants and refugees has resulted in the
formation of foreign-speaking enclaves. For instance, in Finland more than 120
languages are spoken; in Australia the number is over 200. In just one city in
the United States-San Diego-over 100 languages can be heard!
Influx of immigrants and refugees--many illegal; JWs who come in as illegals or men who study and are baptized as illegal immigrants cannot be used as elders or MS or pioneers. But although they are breaking Caesar's laws, they can still get baptized. The WTS cites the example of runaway slave Onesimus.. It they can be baptized why can't they be appointed?
*** w77 3/15 pp. 191-192 Questions from Readers ***
A man I know is progressing toward Christian baptism, but his visa to be in this country has expired. What should I advise him?
You certainly should commend him for desiring to know and follow God's counsel. The Scriptures urge Christians to be law-abiding, to pay to Caesar what is Caesar's. (Matt. 22:21) Hence, it would be good for you to urge this man to do what he can to rectify his status, which may at present be considered that of an illegal alien.
Evidently he is not stealing, lying, living in immorality or otherwise violating God's moral laws plainly stated in the Bible. We mention this because a person who is breaking God's laws must repent and turn around before he will qualify for Christian baptism. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Acts 26:20; 2:38) But, this man wants to know, What about complying with the laws of the land, such as in his case?
The Bible advises Christians to obey the laws of the land in all matters where there is no conflict with God's law. (Rom. 13:1; Acts 5:29) The apostle explained that by doing this we will not need to fear punishment from the authorities who punish lawbreakers. Also, we can thus have a clear conscience.-Rom. 13:3-5.
Still, God's Word does not charge the Christian congregation, through its overseers, with the obligation to become acquainted with all the details of civil and criminal law so as to enforce these. We can see this in how Paul handled the case of Onesimus.
Onesimus was a slave of a Colossian Christian named Philemon. For some selfish reason Onesimus fled to Rome so he could lose himself in the masses of people there; he may even have robbed his master before fleeing. In Rome as a runaway slave (Latin, fugitivus) Onesimus came in contact with Paul, became a Christian and ministered to Paul. In time the apostle urged Onesimus to return to his legal master, Paul even encouraging Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother and to treat him kindly.-Philem. 8-22.
Take note that while Onesimus was in Rome the apostle Paul did not hand him over to the Roman authorities for punishment as a fugitive slave and possibly a thief. We know from his writings that Paul believed that a Christian should obey the law of the land, but plainly he did not consider it the congregation's duty to serve as an arm of the government in policing individuals' lives. Also, we can observe that Onesimus' situation was not treated as a barrier to his getting baptized. Eventually Onesimus, likely motivated by counsel such as had been written earlier in Romans 13:1-5 and by Paul's personal urgings, chose to return to his legal master.
The Christian congregation today follows a course harmonious with this Biblical pattern. It does not, before allowing a person to get baptized or continue in the congregation, check to see if someone's home meets every detail of the building code, whether he has satisfied every detail as to his legal status in the country, and so forth.
This by no means suggests that God's people care little about Caesar's laws. On the contrary, we are well known as a people who strive to be law-abiding; many governmental officials have praised Jehovah's Witnesses for this. It is even as Paul wrote about obeying the government, "Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it."-Rom. 13:3.
In particular should men who take the lead in the congregation be exemplary in this respect. The Bible says about elders and ministerial servants that they should be "irreprehensible," 'having a fine testimony from people on the outside' and being "free from accusation." (1 Tim. 3:2, 7, 10) Thus a Christian who chooses to ignore well-known legal requirements of "Caesar" would hardly be in position to be recommended for such offices in the congregation. Men recommended for such privileges should be ones "holding firmly to the faithful word," not only in what they say, but also in how they choose to live, including their applying the counsel to pay "Caesar's things to Caesar."-Titus 1:7-9.
True, each individual, Christian or not, is personally responsible as to whether he complies with civil laws. Yet, it will be kind on your part to share with your acquaintance these Scriptural thoughts. Indeed, the Bible's counsel to be obedient to governmental laws is wise and for our good. By applying it Christians can avoid troublesome problems and enjoy a clear conscience in serving God.
9 Do we as Christian ministers view the presence of such people who speak
different languages as an impediment to our ministry? Not at all! Rather, we see
this as a welcome expansion of our ministerial territory -'fields white for
harvesting.' (John 4:35) We endeavor to care for people who are conscious of
their spiritual need, regardless of their nationality or language. (Matthew 5:3)
As a result, each year a growing number of people of `every tongue' are becoming
disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:6) For example, as of August 2004, the
preaching work in Germany was being carried out in about 40 languages. At the
same time, the good news was preached in Australia in close to 30 languages, up
from 18 just ten years ago. In Greece, Jehovah's Witnesses were reaching people
in almost 20 different languages. Worldwide, about 80 percent of Jehovah's
Witnesses speak a language other than English, the prevalent international
language.
Christian ministers--only JWs
Regardless of their nationality or language--how many JWs carry the little brochure with their presentation in many languages? How many pull it out when meeting someone who speaks another language? How many fill out those forms to give to the elders so a JW who speaks the language will be sent to them?
Preaching work--or the placement of WT publications in other languages.
Blurb on page 24: Many foreigners respond well to Bible truth
10 Indeed, Jesus' command to "make disciples of people of all the nations" is
being carried out! (Matthew 28:19) Eagerly embracing that commission, Jehovah's
Witnesses are active in 235 lands, distributing literature in more than 400
languages. While Jehovah's organization provides the material needed to reach
the people, the individual Kingdom publisher must take the initiative to convey
the Bible's message to "people of all sorts" in the language they can best
understand. (John 1:7) This united effort enables millions of people of various
language groups to benefit from the good news. (Romans 10:14,15) Yes, each one
of us plays a vital role!
Jehovah's Witnesses are active in 235 lands, distributing literature in more than 400 languages.
Does offering a publication in that person's language count as preaching the good news?
Individual Kingdom publisher (not preacher)...each one of us--yes, according to the WTS each JW's future life is dependent on distributing WT publications.
Rising to the Challenge
11 Today, many Kingdom publishers would like to learn another language, but they
cannot depend on or expect miraculous gifts of God's spirit. (1 Corinthians
13:8) Learning a new language is a major undertaking. Even those who already
speak a second language may have to adjust their thinking and approach in order
to make the Bible's message appealing to people who speak that language but have
different backgrounds and cultures. Then, too, new immigrants are often shy and
timid; to understand their way of thinking takes hard work.
Would like to learn another language--but they would have to take time out of their already busy schedule to learn it.
Many JWs know that if they turn in 1 hour a month that their eternal life in paradise is guaranteed.
To understand their way of thinking takes hard work--yes, those foreigners are so very different from the average JW, right! Is this prejudice?
12 Nonetheless, the holy spirit is still operative among Jehovah's servants in
their efforts to help people who speak other languages. (Luke 11:13) Rather than
imparting miraculous linguistic abilities, the spirit can heighten our desire to
communicate with people who do not speak our language. (Psalm 143:10) Preaching
or teaching the Bible's message to people in a language they are not familiar with may reach
their mind. However, in order to touch the heart of our listeners, it is often
better to use their mother tongue-the language that speaks to their deepest
aspirations, motives, and hopes.-Luke 24:32.
Holy spirit is still operative among Jehovah's servants--only JWs and how does the holy spirit operate? How does it tell the GB what to put in the publications; as individuals or a group? How does the holy spirit tell the elders who to appoint as elders or MS or pioneers? Does the GB really read what the recommendations the elders send to them? No, they pass it off to the non-anointed brothers in charge. I swear they just put their hand on a pile of recommendations like I see a preacher on TV does on a pile of letters, and then prays for holy spirit.
Spirit can heighten our desire--does it flow into us, change our feelings and emotions and thinking.
It is often better to use their mother tongue--except for Spanish in the US, for years people had to learn English to advance as a JW. Now that there is little response in the English-speaking community (or native-speaking area), the WTS is giving time to these foreign speakers.
13 Many Kingdom publishers have taken up the ministry in a foreign-language
field when they observe the fine response to Bible truth. Others feel
invigorated when their service becomes more challenging and interesting. "Many
of those who come from Eastern Europe are thirsting for the truth," states a
branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses in southern Europe. How satisfying it is to
help such receptive individuals!-Isaiah 55:1, 2.
Kingdom publishers--why not preachers? What are JWs booksellers?
Feel invigorated when their service becomes...interesting--how more challenging can it be to go door to door when no one is home. These foreign-speaking people haven't had JWs calling at their door for the last 30 years. They're ignorant of what this really means.
14 To have a meaningful share in this work, however, we need determination and
self-sacrifice. (Psalm 110:3) For instance, a number of Japanese Witness
families have given up comfortable homes in large cities and have moved to
remote areas to help groups of Chinese immigrants understand the Bible. On the
west coast of the United States, publishers regularly drive from one to two
hours to conduct Bible studies with people in the Filipino field. In Norway, a
couple studies with a family from Afghanistan. The Witness couple uses the
English and Norwegian editions of the brochure What Does God Require of Us?*
(Footnote: * Published by Jehovah's Witnesses.) The family read the paragraphs
in Persian, a language closely related to their native Dari. They converse in
English and Norwegian. Such a spirit of self-sacrifice and adaptability is
richly rewarded when foreigners respond to the good news.# (Footnote: # For
further examples, see "Small Sacrifices Brought Us Great Blessings," in The
Watchtower, April 1, 2004, pages 24-8.)
Meaningful share--and the WTS decides how much this is; national average (10 hours) for most elders, MS and brothers.
Given up comfortable homes--and if you don't are you materialistic.
Regularly drive from one to two hours to conduct Bible studies--and why not, they can make a brief attempt at a return visit before they start out, and a brief attempt at a return visit as they walk into their door and count all that time.
Spirit of self-sacrifice and adaptability--yet how many JWs use the same presentation that have used for 20 years? Self-sacrifice rewarded by seeing their experience in print and being to show their friends and family as well as a real possibility for the husband for higher appointment and talks on the conventions.
Blurb on page 25: "Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses" A Kingdom Hall sign in
five languages
15 Can you have a share in this multilingual activity? Why not start by noting
which foreign languages are commonly spoken in your territory? Then you might
carry some tracts or brochures in those languages. The booklet Good News for
People of All Nations, released in 2004, has already been instrumental in
spreading the Kingdom hope by its simple, positive message in numerous
languages.-See the article "Good News for People of All Nations," on page 32.
Carry some tracts or brochures in those languages--no Bibles?
Simple, positive message--no mention of the destruction of 6 billion men, women and children in the near future?
"Loving the Alien Resident"
16 Whether we learn another language or not, we can all help with the spiritual
education of foreigners in our area. Jehovah instructed his people to "love the
alien resident." (Deuteronomy 10:18, 19) For example, in one large city in North
America, five congregations meet in the same Kingdom Hall. As in many halls,
there is a yearly rotation of meeting times that would have moved the Chinese
meetings there to a later hour on Sunday. However, this would mean that many of
the immigrants who work at restaurant-related jobs would not be able to attend.
The elders in the other congregations graciously made adjustments so that the
Chinese meetings could be held earlier on Sunday.
The elders in the other congregations graciously made adjustments so that the Chinese meetings could be held earlier on Sunday.
Graciously? In this area, a foreign-language congregation shares with 2 other English-speaking congregations. The 2 English congregations are always complaining that they shouldn't have to have the late time slot on Sunday, that the foreign-language one should always have it because they have such a small attendance.
17 Loving overseers commend qualified and skilled brothers and sisters who want
to move to assist other language groups. Such experienced Bible teachers may be
missed locally, but the overseers feel as did the elders in Lystra and Iconium.
Those elders did not hold Timothy back from traveling with Paul, even though
Timothy was an asset to their own congregations. (Acts 16:1-4) In addition,
those who take the lead in the preaching work are not deterred by the different
mentality, customs, or manners of foreigners. Instead, they embrace the
diversity and seek ways to cultivate good relations for the sake of the good
news.-1 Corinthians 9:22, 23.
Qualified and skilled brothers and sisters--skilled in teaching the scriptures or in secular education. In one area, the elders requested people who had taken a foreign language in high school or the university even if it wasn't the one needed.
May be missed locally--they use the same logic when it comes to sending your children to Bethel or Gilead.
Not deterred by the different mentality, customs or manners of foreigners--and the foreigners not offended by theirs.
Embrace diversity--doesn't sound like the clique-oriented JWs I know. Only associating with people like yourselves.
18 As prophesied, the good news is being preached in "all the languages of the
nations." Wonderful potential for increase still exists in foreign-language
fields. Thousands of resourceful publishers have entered this "large door that
leads to activity." (1 Corinthians 16:9) Yet, more is needed in order to
cultivate such territories, as the next article will show.
As prophesied--as only apply to JWs
Potential for increase still exists in foreign-language fields--and as we see in the report for 2005, no where else.
Resourceful publishers--preachers?
Concluding Comments
Looks like the WTS is trying to get the "publishers" energized. No organization will grow if the recruiters are spending only 1 hour a month recruiting. But if the one-hour recruiters get the same pay as those "doing more" why exert yourself. There are so few "qualified" brothers in some congregations, that brothers are being used for privileges such as microphones and reading that never would have been considered.
Next week the WTS will concentrate on becoming progressive and adaptable MINISTERS (not publishers).
Love, Blondie (Did you have a good New Years?)
Can You Explain?
- How can we imitate Jehovah in showing impartiality to all people?
- How should we view people in our territory who do not speak our language?
- Why is it helpful to preach to people in their mother tongue?
- How can we show concern for the foreigners among us?
Questions
1. How did Jehovah provide the best timing and setting for the multilingual and
international launch of Christianity?
2. How did the disciples of Jesus 'astonish' their diverse audience at Pentecost
33 C.E.?
3, 4. How did the preaching work expand as the disciples moved out from
Jerusalem, Judaea, and Galilee?
5. How is Jehovah's impartiality seen in connection with the good news?
6, 7. What Bible prophecies foretold the international, multilingual spread of
the good news?
8. What modern-day reality has called for adjustments in our witnessing work?
9. What view should we take of the presence in our territory of people who speak
different languages?
10. What is the individual publisher's role in making disciples of people of
"all the nations"?
11, 12. (a) What challenges must be met, and how does the holy spirit help? (b)
Why is preaching to people in their mother tongue often helpful?
13, 14. (a) What motivates some to take up the ministry in another language? (b)
How is the spirit of self-sacrifice seen?
15. How can all of us share in the multilingual preaching effort?
16. How can responsible brothers manifest selfless interest in helping
foreign-speaking people?
17. How should we feel when some decide to move to help another language group?
18. What large door of activity is open to all?