by Chalam 30 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Lars NO STEPHEN. The Bible says gather yourselves together. It didn't limit that to a Kingdom Hall (i.e. now pagan temple!)
Agreed! The church is the people, not the place (not that the "kingdom hall" was ever anything else that a temple of idolatry IMHO).
The INTERNET! The internew is where we gather together. Right here! Isn't this fellowship? Of course.
As much as I like the net, it certainly cannot replace meeting with people in person yet.
Blessings,
Stephen
Hi Michael,
Some interesting points.
Wouldnt the Good Samaritan be good assocition for a follower of Christ.
Yes, indeed! Luke 10:25-37 According to Jesus' brother, faith is paramount and precedes the works
18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Tell me where and by whos authority did the term Christian come?
We just picked it up along the way Acts 11:26
The term Christian seperates people in the same way denominations divide.
Yes and no. Christians follow Christ. You can find that in many denominations. JWs are of course following the WT and ignore the teaching of Christ.
If Christian association means accepting teaches that are interpretations of people. If it means a person who is seen as superior in spirituality becauuse he accepts an organisational denominations concept and interpretation of being a follower of Christ. Then its not for me.
We are here to serve, not be served, humble ourselves, not be exalted
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Stephen if the Samaritan was approved association by Jesus then so can the muslin the atheist or the (Well read the History books of the holocaust)
Association is fine. I am happy to associate with anyone.
However, those who are my spiritual siblings are following Jesus, not Buddah, Mohammed, Richard Dawkins or even Charles Taze Russell.
Blessings,
Stephen
Hi Stephen
"To be or not to be that is the question" and providing a" person proves himself to be what he shall prove to be" and it is acceptable with Christ then that association must be approved and spiritually uplifting.
Maybe many people dont rationalise their faiths. iIs instintive and guided by the Holy Spirit. Maybe those that have no faith in God but love thier neighbour as themselfs may find themselfs approved true followers of Christ-
I mean take Thomas for example and the other disiples they certainly wernt true belivers when approved by Christ.
Hi Lilly,
I don't like the way churches set denominational guidelines. Christians should be called just that and not have titles that divide such as Catholic, Baptist, etc. And as a Christian I recognize the "real" church is the body of believers all through out the entire world regardless of church attendence or denominational affiliation. I associate with Christians thru out the U.S. and in Europe and in Africa whom I have met online and write to and speak with on the phone. I am not bound to one group so I can fellowship with believers everywhere. Anyone accepting Christ is a spiritual brother or sister to me.
Agreed!
When I first left the WT I was isolated and fearful of attending another church or organization. But now the Lord has revealed to me that I do not have to be fearful of any church or group. I can and should associate freely with all believers and I've visited many churches in my area.
Cool! WT fears have been allayed :)
Of course, I also associate with people who are not Christians too. But am simply answering this Q from the perspective of whether or not I joined another religious organization and why. My new faith in Christ allows me to love all people not just my spiritual brothers or sisters.
Amen!
Blessings,
Stephen
Hello Canleave,
The question is Which Church?
For sure.
IMO and based on the churches in my area, Catholic - no way, pope i equivalent to JW's GB. Protestant - too wishy washy, methodist - too happy clappy.
Agreed, many catholics are way of base and re just following the "tradition of men" rather than the command of God Mark 7:8
That said, there are millions of Catholic who love Jesus, are filled with the Holy Spirit and do not pray to Mary and the saints etc.
Agreed, you do not want any wishy washy church. "Protestants" are a broad church though, just like Catholics
So what is so bad about being happy and clapping?!
So my new church is JWN - suits me perfectly
Indeed! Some things are missing here though for those who want the church of the New Testament.
Blessings,
Stephen
I have lost my trust in most people and certainly in any church. I had thought of attending a Baptist Church (which I was brought up in) since most have no central authority figure. I'm talking about independent Baptist Churches.
I thought of the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Eastern orthodox Church. Everywhere I looked I saw the WTS embodied in these different denominations. I know that no church has all the answers because they are made up of imperfect people.
So far I just isolate myself, read things online and study alone. I understand the great value in meeting together, I just cannot bring myself to do so.
Hello Designs,
If you scratch below the surface on your local church community you will find a real mish mash of beliefs. Do your homework before joining anything to make sure you support the underlying agendas and beliefs.
Agreed.
Blessings,
Stephen
You quote passages that were written to a specific audience and quote them as though they were for the general public.
The Bible is not a handbook. It does not contain answers such as how to baptize, what to say for a baptismal prayer, who may baptize, who may confer the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, who may call, who may ordain, how to ordain, what various offices do, etc. You quote letters written to people who aren't you, so it's like that classic song Diary, by Bread. (The song was about some guy who was reading a diary entry he thought was about him but ended up being about someone else!)
I found her diary underneath a tree.
and started reading about me.
The words began stick and tears to flow.
Her meaning now was clear to see.
The love she'd waited for was someone else not me
Wouldn't you know it, she wouldn't show it.
You can't do that legitimately with the Bible, either. It was written during another time to another people, and not a non-denominational people.
Find a church that can authoritively answer the above questions and you'll be closer to the Kingdom of God.
Hi Cold Steel and thanks for the post.
Personally I find this
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The book is like no other, it is indeed living and active and speaks to you like nothing else (via the Holy Spirit), see here
5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Blessings,
Stephen
People like to congregate, we are a social species so Churches, Synagogues, and other houses of worship are here to stay. Many find more earthy grass roots types of groups more to their liking.
For me it was the later. I visited a lot of Churches in my post exit years, interesting but no real connection. Give me a group that feeds the hungry or spends their weekend cleaning up a beach or mountain trailhead any day.
