Who should we depend on for our Scriptural Knowledge?
My online Dictionary defines this word depend, as follows; in part:
depend [d?'p?nd]
vb
(intr)1.
(foll by on or upon)to put trust (in); rely (on); for support; to place trust or confidence in; be sure (of)
As I continue with this discussion, I have in mind what the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society will tell us about those who do independant thinking, on their own. Are we really to believe, that to do that, is out of harmony with Jehovah's will? If that were to be true, then why did the Apostle Paul give us this following direction?
2 "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." {Romans 12:2 AB} Or the Apostle John, this:
1 "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.:{1 John 4:1 NLT}
While we're sitting at home, alone, perhaps pouring over a recent Watchtower magazine; am I to believe, that we are to, without question, to accept every statement in that magazine, as directly and immediately word of God; without following Pauls direction to Prove it to ourelves; or John's, to test it out, to see if it originates with God? We would be lax in our duty as a Christian, would we not, was we to fail to do, the things we're commanded to do, would we not?
I had an an Elder tell me one time, that after I'd tested it out the first time, it wasn't necessery to keep on doing that. Paul thinks he was wrong about that, and so do I! From the following:
5 "Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [[ a ]not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?" {2 Corinthians 13:5 AB} Even the Governing Body agrees with this testing and proving we must do, as is seen, now:
The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life 1968, pg 13
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization... Notice though just where they tell us to look as we do, this further proving and testing:
Wt, 6/15/1985, pg 12,
...for the purpose of getting the full depth of the thoughts explained...
It requires digging deeper, putting forth effort to locate that older publication and then studying the pages...
Yeah! That older publication, that came out of their 130 year record of failed prediction and false Prophecies. Is that were Jehovah expects us to look to when our knowledge needs honing and sharpening? From a source that's been in error for that long a period of time? Are we complete idiots? They must think we are, if we fall for that gobbeldy-gook! Where do we look, when we wish to prove something to ourelves, or test something out? Even more important, what essential engredient do we need that will enable us to do that, further digging? Lacking that, we just might as well use their older publications, because we'd get just as far, either way. Notice now, how they contradict themselves:
Wt, 6/1/1967, pg 338,
...in Jehovah’s organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing.... My! Isn't that nice? Saving us all that time and energy we'd waste doing our own studies? Very thoughtful of them!
These ones assigned to do all of this research, are allowed to mediated and ponder over the Holy Writings; then after conclusions are drawn, they set it before the Governing Body for approval, and then dished out to all of their followers to agree with, or else, get out! So no one is allowed to go beyond their reasonings on scripural matters; their followers are co-erced, out of their obligation to test and prove everything, as commanded that they should do. What it all boils down to is, when one studies on his own, alone, at home, looking to perhaps build on the knowledge he/or she already possesses, and because of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in these believers, they suddenly begin to get flashes of spiritual light, that reveals something not known by others, and when these ones speak out, because others are not as advanced in knowledge as they are, they are viewed with a jaundiced eye, and accused of being independant thinkers. When they are really nothing of the kind! They have simply been appyling themselves to their Bible Studies; exerting themselves to learn as much as they can, because they know that's what Jehovah wants them to do. They know and appreciate Pauls and Peters, following words:, and the imoportance of applying them. 4 "Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth." 1 Timothy 2:4 AB}
9 "And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may ] display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment],
10 So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].:{ Philippians 1:9,10 AMP}
17 "[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him," {Ephesians 1:17 AB}
2 "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2 AB} As well, the words of the Apostle Peter on this required knowledge:
1 "SIMON PETER, a servant and apostle (special messenger) of Jesus Christ, to those who have received (obtained an equal privilege of) like precious faith with ourselves in and through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) 3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
4By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
5For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),
6And in
[exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),7And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.
8 For as these qualities are yours
and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."{2 Peter 1:1-8 AB}15-16 "Cultivate these things.Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.."{1 Timothy 4:15 The Message}
1"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God," {Hebrews 6:1 NIV}
14 "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."{Hebrews 5:14 NIV} Of course! These that train themselves, would be viewed as independant thinkers! According to the Governing Body, that is!
20 "And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal."{1 John 5:20 AB}
This knowledge, as it says, is progressive, it takes time, it takes effort, it takes the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit! Those that take this time, put forth this effort, who do gain for themselves the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, will advance in knowledge, beyond what others possess. Does that make them independant thinkers, or does it make them more studious than most others? More appreciated by Jehovah and his Son, perhaps?
As far as being independant from the Governing Body! That would be one of the first things Jehovah himself would desire us to be!
Right now, as far as I know, there are some 7 Million going door-to-door! They have obviously, refused to 'prove it to themselves;' refused to 'Test it out' for themselves! As a result, 7 Million are being led down the garden - path like a bunch of Brainless - idiots! How would you wish to be referred to? As a Brain-less-idiot, or an independant thinker? Easy choice, eh what? {Matthew 24:24}
The independant thinkers will depend on the Holy Spirit for thier knowledge, not the Governing Body! The better choice? Of course, the Holy Spirit, in the hands now of the Christ! Not the Governing Body! Which explains their 130 year record of failed predictions and false prophecies. {Acts 2:33}