How do jws explain this verse?

by badboy 10 Replies latest jw friends

  • jwfacts
    jwfacts

    They try to apply it to JW meetings, which is not intended meaning of the passage. Quite a misapplication, since this scripture has nothing to do with Bible Study, or promotion of meeting attendance.

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    w6210/15p.627Bible-basedSocietyofKingdomWitnesses***

    Like the early Christians, Jehovah’s modern-day witnesses congregate for Bible study and to equip themselves for preaching the Kingdom message. Jesus said: "Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20) This is true whether his followers meet in private homes or in modest auditoriums called "Kingdom Halls." (Rom. 16:5; Acts 20:8) The congregation schedules five hours of meetings each week, as follows:

    w983/1p.14AppreciatingChristianGatherings

    "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together."—HEBREWS 10:24, 25.

    WHAT a privilege it is to attend a Christian gathering, whether it be made up of fewer than ten or of several thousand worshipers of Jehovah, for Jesus said: "Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst"! (Matthew 18:20) True, when making that promise, Jesus was discussing judicial matters that needed to be handled correctly by those taking the lead in the congregation. (Matthew 18:15-19) But can Jesus’ words also be applied in principle to all Christian gatherings that are opened and closed with prayer in his name? Yes. Remember, when Jesus commissioned his followers to do the disciple-making work, he promised: "Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things."—Matthew 28:20.

    2

    There can be no doubt that the Head of the Christian congregation, the Lord Jesus Christ, is keenly interested in all gatherings of his faithful followers. Moreover, we can be sure that he is present with them by means of God’s holy spirit. (Acts 2:33; Revelation 5:6) Jehovah God too is interested in our meeting together. The primary purpose of such meetings is for praise to be lifted up to God "among the congregated throngs." (Psalm 26:12) Our attending congregation meetings is an evidence of our love for him.

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    w727/1p.407"AmongtheCongregatedThrongsIShallBlessJehovah"***

    Would you think of not attending a meeting when you knew Christ Jesus was going to be there? Christ Jesus gave us a strong reason why we should associate with the congregated throngs when he said: "For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20) Yes, Christ Jesus never misses attending meetings with his congregated disciples on earth as he attends all five congregational meetings held by Jehovah’s Christian witnesses each week through his spiritual presence. Should we not therefore attend?

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