Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-13-06 WT Study (July 1, 2006 issue date, pages 26-30 )(YOUTHS CHOICE)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible (various Bible translations online)
www.reexamine.org (WT publications online)
www.silentlambs.org (child abuse)
www.ajwrb.org (blood issue)
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm (United Nations issue)
YOUTHS, MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE TO SERVE JEHOVAH
"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve."--Joshua 24:15
Opening Comments
Where is Christ Jesus in the lives of JW children? Why are they being told to follow Joshua, a non-Christian? Are there no NT examples of people who chose to follow Christ?
(Romans 15:16) 16 for me to be a public servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, engaging in the holy work of the good news of God, in order that the offering, namely, these nations, might prove to be acceptable, it being sanctified with holy spirit.
(Ephesians 6:5-6) 5 YOU slaves, be obedient to those who are [YOUR] masters in a fleshly sense, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of YOUR hearts, as to the Christ, 6 not by way of eye-service as men pleasers, but as Christ's slaves, doing the will of God whole-souled.
(Philippians 1:1) 1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. . .
(1 Corinthians 7:22-23) 22 For anyone in [the] Lord that was called when a slave is the Lord's freedman; likewise he that was called when a freeman is a slave of Christ. 23 YOU were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves of men.
(Colossians 3:24) . . .SLAVE for the Master, Christ.
START OF ARTICLE
Q1,2) What wrong kinds of baptism have been practiced in Christendom?
1) "Let [children] become Christians when they have become able to know Christ." A writer named Tertullian penned those words at the close of the second century C.E. He was protesting infant baptism, a practice that was taking root in the apostate Christianity of his day. In disagreement with Tertullian and the Bible, Church Father Augustine claimed that baptism removes the stain of original sin and that infants who die unbaptized are damned. That belief promoted the practice of baptizing babies as quickly as possible after they were born.
writer named Tertullian...Church Father Augustine
The WTS tries to make it seem that some how Tertullian is more on track with correct Christian thinking than Augustine. Isn't Tertullian considered a Church Father also? Did you know that Tertullian introduced the term "trinity"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tertullian
What has the WTS said about Tertullian...do they cherry pick his opinions?
*** w02 5/15 p. 31 The Paradox of Tertullian ***
How was Tertullian able to devise the theory of "one substance in three persons"? The answer lies in yet another paradox about the man-his view of philosophy. Tertullian called philosophy "'the doctrines' of men and 'of demons.'" He openly criticized the practice of using philosophy to support Christian truths. "Away with all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition," he stated. Yet, Tertullian himself made liberal use of secular philosophy when it harmonized with his own ideas.-Colossians 2:8.
One reference work states: "Trinitarian theology required the aid of Hellenistic concepts and categories for its development and expression." And the book The Theology of Tertullian notes: "[It was] a curious blend of juristic and philosophic ideas and terms, which enabled Tertullian to set out the trinitarian doctrine in a form which, despite its limitations and imperfections, supplied the framework for the later presentation of the doctrine at the Council of Nicaea." Hence, Tertullian's formula-three persons in one divine substance-played a major role in the spreading of religious error throughout all of Christendom.
Tertullian accused others of destroying the truth while they were trying to defend it. Ironically, however, by mixing divinely inspired Bible truth and human philosophy, he fell into the same trap. Let us therefore take to heart the Scriptural warning against "paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons."-1 Timothy 4:1.
2) Many mainstream churches of Christendom still baptize newborn babies. Moreover, throughout history, compulsory baptism of conquered "pagans" was practiced by rulers and religious leaders of so-called Christian nations. But infant baptism and forced baptisms of adults have no foundation in the Bible.
Many (but not all) mainstream churches of Christendom.......which ones do not? Why does the WTS skip over that? What is "mainstream"?
so-called Christian nations--in WTS definition the only "true Christians" are JWs, thus no true Christian nations.
forced baptisms--can you think of parents who being part of the family conditional based on baptism as a JW? "If you aren't baptized by the time you graduate from high school you will have to move out." "If you get baptized this year and pioneer, we'll buy you a car."
No Automatic Dedication Today
Q3,4) What can help children of dedicated parents to make a voluntary dedication?
3) The Bible shows that God considers young children to be holy even if only one of their parents is a faithful Christian. (1 Corinthians 7:14) Does that make such children dedicated servants of Jehovah? No. However, children who are raised by parents who are dedicated to Jehovah receive training that can lead those children to make a voluntary dedication to Jehovah. Wise King Solomon wrote: "Observe, O my son, the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother...when you lie down, it will stand guard over you; and when you have waked up, it itself will make you its concern. For the commandment is a lamp, and light the law is, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life."--Proverbs 6:20-23
faithful Christian--only JWs
dedicated servants of Jehovah...dedicated to Jehovah--where is Christ?
Are there no scriptures counseling children in the NT?
Can you think of others?
Followers of whom? Christ?
(1 Peter 2:21) In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely.
4) The guidance of Christian parents can be a protection for youngsters, provided they are willing to follow it. Solomon also stated: "A wise son is the one that makes a father rejoice, and a stupid son is the grief of his mother." "You, O my son, hear and become wise, and lead your heart on in the way." (Proverbs 10:1; 23:19) Yes, to benefit from parental training, you young ones must willingly accept advice, counsel and discipline. You are not born wise, but you can "become wise" and voluntarily follow "the way of life."
Christian parents--only JWs
youngsters...young ones--WT buzzwords
More OT scriptures; and a wonderful example of a "servant of Jehovah" who stayed faithful to God, Solomon.
To benefit from parental training--children have to observe that their parents "accept advice, counsel and discipline." Too many see their parents act one way at the KH or in front of other JWs and another way at home.
What is Mental-Regulating?
Q5) What counsel did Paul give to children and to fathers?
The apostle Paul wrote: "Children, be obedient to YOUR parents in union with [the] Lord, for this is righteous: 2 "Honor your father and [your] mother"; which is the first command with a promise: 3 "That it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth." 4 And YOU, fathers, do not be irritating YOUR children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah."--Ephesians 6:1-4.
Finally an NT scripture but not until after 4 OT Scriptures.
Q6,7) What is involved in bringup children in the "mental-regulating of Jehovah," and why does this not mean that parents are unfairly influence their children?
6) Are Christian parents unfairly influencing their children when they raise them in "the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah"? No. Who can criticize parents for teaching their children what they consider to be right and morally beneficial? Atheists are not criticized for teaching their children that God does not exist. Roman Catholics feel duty-bound to bring up their children in the Catholic faith, and they are rarely critized for endeavoring to do so. Similarly, Jehovah's Witnesses should not be accused of manipulating the minds of their children when they raise them to adopt Jehovah's thinking on basic truths and moral principles.
Christian parents--only JWs, this paragraph implies that Catholics are not Christians.
Do JWs criticize non-JW parents for what they teach to their children? Don't they say that these children will die if they follow their parents' religion? I can see some faulty reasoning in this paragraph...are JWs now comparing themselves with atheists and Catholics? How does it jump from teaching what is "right and morally beneficial" to "manipulating minds." Whose thinking is being taught...God's, Christ's or the WTS/FDS? Aren't many JWs through unwritten rules told that non-JW children can disobey their parents when it comes to their choice of religion and to help them.
7) According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the original Greek word translated "mental-regulating" at Ephesians 6:4 refers to a process that "seeks to correct the mind, to put right what is wrong, to improve the spiritual attitude." What if a young person resists parental training because of peer pressure, the desire to go along with the crowd? Who can be said to exert harmful pressure--the parents or the young person's peers? If the latter are pressuring the youngster to take drugs, drink heavily, or engage in immoral conduct, should the parents be criticized for trying to adjust their child's thinking and help him or her realize the consequences of such dangerous conduct?
Do any other Bible translations use any words like "mental regulating"? Does this sound like "mind control"? What is the original Greek word? Where is "mental regulating" in the brief quoted definition they use?
King James Version (KJV)
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.
Notice how the WTS picks issues most parents would agree with: drugs, alcohol, premarital sex rather religious doctrinal beliefs.
Q8) What was involved in Timothy's being "persuaded to believe?"
The apostle Paul write to the young man Timothy: "You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14,15) From Timothy's early childhood, his mother and grandmother had firmly grounded his faith in God on knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5) Later, when they became Christians, they did not force Timothy to believe but "persuaded" him by means of sound reasoning based on Scriptural knowledge.
Holy Scriptures--There was no NT as we know it today, so what was Timothy's training based on?
became Christians--Notice that the early Christians did not become JWs although the WTS teaches that they fulfilled Isaiah 43:10-12.
did not force--do you think that JW children have a choice about going to meetings and field service? I know children that were told they could not go and play unless they spent and 1 hour reading the Bible first......or at least spent an hour in their rooms.
Where was Timothy's Greek, non-Christian father during all this?
Is all persuasion good?
Jehovah Invites You to Choose
Q9) (a) How did Jehovah dignify his creatures, and for what reason? (b) How did God's only-begotten Son exercise his free will?
9) Jehovah could have made his creatures robots, programmed to do his will and unable to do otherwise. Instead, he dignified them with free will. Our God desires willing subjects. He takes delight in seeing his creatures, old and young, serve him out of love. The finest example of loving submission to God's will is his only-begotten Son, of whom Jehovah stated: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." (Matthew 3:17) This firstborn Son said to his Father, "To do your will, O my God, I have delighted and your law is within my inward parts."--Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10: 9,10.
Notice how Jesus or Christ is never mentioned and that they are sure to insert the phrase "only-begotten" and "firstborn."
Is the WTS definition of free will the same as non-JW readers would think?
Did Jesus follow the law as defined by the Pharisees?
Q10) What is the basis for serving Jehovah acceptably?
10) Jehovah expects those who serve him under the direction of His Son to show the same willing submission to His will. Prophetically, the psalmist sang: "Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In the splendors of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, you have your company of young men just like dewdrops." (Psalm 110:3) Jehovah's entire organization, both the heavenly and the earthly parts, functions on the basis of loving submission to God's will.
Is submission to the WTS the same as submission to God?
Notice once again "Jesus" is left out of the discussion.
Q11) What choice is placed before young ones raised by dedicated parents?
11) So you young ones should understand that neither your parents nor the Christian elders in the congregation are going to force you to get baptized. The desire to serve Jehovah must come from you. Joshua of old told the Israelites: "Serve [Jehovah] in faultlessness and in truth...Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:14-22) Similarly, it must be of your own accord that you choose to dedicate yourselves to Jehovah and devote your lives to doing his will.
What would have happened to some Israelites if they had not chosen to serve Jehovah then? Would they have been able to stay with their families and the nation? Would they have been left behind as they entered the Promised Land? Would they have been killed as the Canaanites were because they did not choose Jehovah?
Have children of JWs been asked to leave home because they reached 18 but were not baptized? Not because they were smoking, using drugs, getting drunk, fornicating, etc.
Have children of JWs been bribed materially if they "choose" to get baptized?
Facing up to Your Responsibility
Q12) While parents can train their children, what can they not do for them? (b) When does a young person become responsible before Jehovah for the choices he makes?
12) The time comes when you young people are no longer protected by the faithfulness of your parents. (1 Corinthians 7:14) The disciple James wrote: "If one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sim for him." (James 4:17) Parents cannot serve God for their children any more than children can serve God for their parents. (Ezekiel 18:20) Have you learned about Jehovah and his purposes? Are you old enough to understand what you have learned and to begin to have a personal relationship with him? Would it not then be reasonable to think that God considers you capable of deciding to serve him?
The WTS term is "family merit" if you wish to research it in their publications.
Hold old is old enough, 5, 10, 15? Is it a different age depending on the child? Does the child decide or do the elders in JW congregations have final approval as to who gets baptized? If a child wanted to get baptized and the parents did not think they were ready, can the elders override that decision?
Old enough to drive at 16, get married without parental permission at 18, drink alcohol at 21 but get baptized at 10, the most serious decision a Christian will ever make?
Learned about Jehovah but not Jesus, have a personal relationship with Jehovah but not Christ, are we talking about become a Christian at baptism?
Q13) What questions would unbaptized adolescents do well to ask themselves?
What is an adolescent, what age?
being of the age 13 through 19
In the United States, adolescence is generally considered to begin around age 13, and end around 24. ...
13) Are you an unbaptized young person who is being raised by godly parents, attending Christian meetings, and even sharing in the preaching of the Kingdom good news? If so, ask yourself honestly: Why am I doing this? Do I attend meetings and share in the preaching work because my parents expect me to do so or because I want to please Jehovah? Have you proved to yourself "the good and acceptable and perfect will of God"?--Romans 12:2
godly parents--only JWsChristian meetings--only meetings at a KHpreaching--handing out tracts
please Jehovah--where's Jesus?
Why Put Off Getting Baptized?
Q14) What Biblical examples who that baptism should not be unduly delayed?
14) "What prevents me from getting baptized"? The Ethiopian man who put that question to the evangelizer Philip had just learned that Jesus was the Messian. But the Ethiopian had sufficient knowledge of the Scriptures to realize that he should not delay in openly testifying that from then on he would serve Jehovah as part of the Christian congregation, and brought him much joy. (Acts 8:26-39) Similarly, a woman named Lydia, whose heart was opened "wide to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul," immediately "got baptized," she and her household. (Acts 16:14,15) Likewise, the jailer in Philippi listened to Paul and Silas as they "spoke the word of Jehovah to him," and "he and his were baptized without delay." (Acts 16:25-34) Therefore, if you have a basic knowledge of Jehovah and his purposes, a sincere desire to do his will, and a good reputation in the congregation, and you are faithfully attending meetings and sharing in preaching the good news of the Kingdom, why would you put off getting baptized?--Matthew 28:19,20.
Ethiopian man...woman named Lydia...jailer--all adults living away from their parents with their own household
Acts 8:26-39...serve Jehovah...Acts 16:25-34--where is "Jehovah" in this scripture
basic knowledge of Jehovah---where's Jesus?
Q15,16) (a) What incorrect reasoning may hold some young ones back from getting baptized? (b) How can dedication and baptism serve as a protection for young ones?
Does getting married protect "young ones" from porneia?
15) Could it be that you hesitate to to take this important step for fear of being held accountable should you faill into wrong conduct? If so, think of this? Would you refuse to apply for a driver's license simply because you were afraid that some day you might have an accident***************************************Of course not! Neither should you hesitate to get baptized if you qualify. Indeed, you will be strongly motivated to do your utmost to resist wrongdoing if you have dedicated your life to Jehovah and have agreed to do his will. (Phillippians 4:13) Young ones, please do not imagine that by postponing baptism, you can avoid accountability. When have reached the age of responsibility you are answerable to Jehovah for the way you act whether you are baptized or not.--Romans 14:11,12
What is the age of responsibility? 6, 9, 12, 15, 18...........
Of course, having a fender bender is not the same as having every JW, family, friend, acquaintance, no longer speak to you, treat you as invisible.
Is the WTS suggesting that 15 or 16 is the age of responsibility, the age at which DL's are issued with parental permission?
Remember that the WTS teaches that everyone who is not a dedicated, baptized JW will be destroyed forever, without hope of a resurrection, at Armageddon; and without even a personal witness having been given to them. What do you think will happen to the unbaptized children of JWs who have been going to the KH?
16) Numerous Witnesses around the world feel that their decision to get baptized when they were young helped them greatly. Take as an example a 23-year-old Witness in Western Europe. He recalls that getting baptized at the age of 13 motivated him to be careful not to be swept away by the "desires incidental to youth." (2 Timothy 2:22) Early on, he set his sights on serving as a full-time minister. Today, he serves happily at a branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses. Rich blessings await all youths, including you, who choose to serve Jehovah.
Is the WTS advocating young marriages to protect JW children from fornication?
If you aren't a pioneer, CO/DO, Bethelite, are you a part-time servant?
serve Jehovah--Where's Christ?
Q17) In what areas is it necessary to go on perceiving what "the will of Jehovah" is?
17) Dedication and baptism mark the beginning of a life where we take Jehovah's will into account in every sphere of activity. Fulfilling our dedication involves "buying out time." How do we do that? By taking time that we would otherwise spend in futile pursuits and devoting it to serious Bible study, regular meeting attendance, and the fullest possible share in preaching the "good news of the kingdom." (Ephesians 5:15,16; Matthew 24:14) Our dedication to Jehovah and our desire to do his will affect for the good all aspects of our lives, including the way we relax, our eating and drinking habits, and the kind of music we listen to. Why not choose the type of relaxation that you will be able to enjoy throughout eternity? Many thousands of happy, young Witnesses will tell you that there are many healthy ways of having fun while staying within the bounds of "the will of Jehovah."--Ephesians 5:17-19.
futile pursuits (resistance is futile)
serious Bible study
regular meeting attendance
fullest possible share in preaching
choose the type of relaxation that you will be able to enjoy throughout eternityhunting?
video games?
listening to (any current group)
"We Will Go With You"
Q18) What question should young ones ask themselves?
18) From 1513 B.C.E. to Pentecost 33 C.E., Jehovah had on earth an organized people (before 1513?) whom he had chose to practice his worship and be his witnesses. (Isaiah 43:12) Young Israelites were born into that nation. Since Pentecost, Jehovah has a new "nation" on earth, spiritual Israel, (only 144,000 and JWs), "a people for his name." (1 Peter 2:9,10, Acts 15:14; Galatians 6:16) The apostel Paul states that Christ has cleansed for himself "a people peculiarly his own, zealous for fine works." (Titus 2:14) You young people are free to determine for yourselves where that people are to be found. Who today make up "the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct," living in harmony with Bible principles, acting as faithful Witnesses for Jehovah, and proclaiming his Kingdom as the only hope for humanity? (Isaiah 26:2-4) Look at the churches of Christendom and other religions, and compare their conduct with what the Bible requires of true servants of God.
Only the 144,000 are spiritual Israelites, that fulfill 1 Peter 2:9,10.
Q19) Of what have millions of people throughout the earth become convinced?
19) Millions of people throughout the world, including many young ones, have become convinced that the anointed remnant of Jehovah's Witnesses constitute that "righteous nation." They say to these spiritual Israelites: "We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people." (Zechariah 8:23) We truly hope and pray that you young ones will decide to take your place among God's people and thus "choose life"--life everlasting in Jehovah's new world.--Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 2 Peter 3:11-13.
Millions of people--only JWsGod's people--only JWs
CARROT--life everlasting in Jehovah's new world.
By Way of ReviewWhat is involved in mental-regulating?
What kind of service is acceptable to Jehovah?
What choice is placed before all young ones raised by dedicated parents?
Why should baptism not be unduly postponed?
Concluding Comments
Will baptism protect young JWs from not committing DFing offenses? That has not been the case in the congregations I have attended over the years. I was once a "young one" myself watching my baptized contemporaries be DF'd one by one.
And did you get the message--There is no salvation apart from the WTS.
As summer winds down, take advantage of the time to enjoy nature.
Love Blondie