THE "OTHER SHEEP" ARE NOT GENTILE CHRISTIANS, because...............

by Titus 55 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Titus
    Titus

    WHY?

    I don't want Biblical answer, but from any Watchtower Publication. ANY. Has that question ever been answered in any Watchtower Publications?

    Please, give me some references.

    I expect answer from Debator, Alice, BANE, Scholar or any other active Jehovah's Witness. OK, Alice is not active Witness. However, she can answer that.

    Of course, all other posters are invited to answer if they want.

    We don't need to debate about the issue. I expect only the source or reference, nothing else.

    Thank you!

    COMRADE TITO

  • Titus
    Titus

    To prevent any stupid answer, I will put the ONLY source here:

    w95 2/1

    A Great Crowd of True Worshipers—From Where Have They Come?

    The “Other Sheep”—Are They Gentile Christians?

    6 After mentioning one sheepfold at John 10:7-15, Jesus brought another group into the picture, saying: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Who are those “other sheep”?

    7 Christendom’s commentators generally take the view that these other sheep are Gentile Christians and that those in the sheepfold referred to earlier are Jewish, those who were under the Law covenant, and that both groups go to heaven. But Jesus was born a Jew and was by birth under the Law covenant. (Galatians 4:4) Furthermore, those who view the other sheep as Gentile Christians who will be rewarded with heavenly life are failing to take into account an important aspect of God’s purpose. When Jehovah created the first humans and put them in the garden of Eden, he made it clear that his purpose was that the earth be populated, that all of it be a paradise, and that its human caretakers enjoy life forever—on the condition that they respect and obey their Creator.—Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-17; Isaiah 45:18.

    8 When Adam sinned, Jehovah’s purpose was not thwarted. God lovingly made provision for Adam’s offspring to have the opportunity to enjoy what Adam had failed to appreciate. Jehovah foretold that he would raise up a deliverer, a seed, through whom blessings would be made available to all nations. (Genesis 3:15; 22:18) That promise did not mean that all good people on earth would be taken to heaven. Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:9, 10) Not long before he spoke the illustration recorded at John 10:1-16, Jesus had told his disciples that it was only to a “little flock” that his Father had approved of giving the heavenly Kingdom. (Luke 12:32, 33) So when we read Jesus’ illustration of himself as the Fine Shepherd who surrenders his soul in behalf of his sheep, it would be a mistake to exclude from the picture the majority of those whom Jesus brings under his loving care, the ones who become earthly subjects of his heavenly Kingdom.—John 3:16.

    9 As early as 1884, the Watch Tower identified the other sheep as being people who would be given opportunity to live on this earth under conditions that would fulfill God’s original purpose. Those early Bible Students realized that some of these other sheep would be people who had lived and died before Jesus’ earthly ministry. There were, however, some details that they did not understand correctly. For example, they thought that the gathering of the other sheep would take place after all the anointed ones had received their heavenly reward. Still, they did definitely realize that the other sheep were not simply Gentile Christians. The opportunity to become one of the other sheep is open to both Jews and Gentiles, to people of all nations and races.—Compare Acts 10:34, 35.

    10 To fit the description given by Jesus, the other sheep must be people who, regardless of racial or ethnic background, recognize Jesus Christ as the Fine Shepherd. What does that include? They must manifest meekness and a willingness to be led, which qualities are characteristic of sheep. (Psalm 37:11) As is true of the little flock, they must “know [the fine shepherd’s] voice” and not allow themselves to be led off by others who may seek to influence them. (John 10:4; 2 John 9, 10) They must appreciate the importance of what Jesus did in surrendering his soul in behalf of his sheep and exercise full faith in that provision. (Acts 4:12) They must “listen” to the voice of the Fine Shepherd when he urges them to render sacred service only to Jehovah, to keep on seeking first the Kingdom, to keep separate from the world, and to show self-sacrificing love for one another. (Matthew 4:10; 6:31-33; John 15:12, 13, 19) Do you fit that description of those whom Jesus views as his other sheep? Do you want to? What a precious relationship opens up to all who truly become Jesus’ other sheep!

    © 2010 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvanias

    If you read it carefully, you will see that it is NOT ANSWERED! How?

    It says:

    Christendom’s commentators generally take the view that these other sheep are Gentile Christians and that those in the sheepfold referred to earlier are Jewish, those who were under the Law covenant, and that both groups go to heaven.

    You will notice that the article answers the question "WHY WE CAN SAY THAT BOTH GROUPS WILL NOT GO TO HEAVEN?"

    Imagine whole article if this sentence was written:

    Christendom’s commentators generally take the view that these other sheep are Gentile Christians and that those in the sheepfold referred to earlier are Jewish, those who were under the Law covenant.

    Without that addition, "and that both groups go to heaven". What would they answer then? That's what I expect. I don't ask about different hopes - heavenly and earthly. I ask WHY THE "OTHER SHEEP" ARE NOT GENTILE CHRISTIANS?

    Thank you again!

    COMRADE TITO

  • TD
  • Titus
    Titus

    Thanks TD. I am looking for WT reference. Debator once told me that there are MANY ARTICLES which I can read for explanation. That's why I ask this again.

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    Titus, there are not many articles as Debator claimed.

    The WT cleverly dances around this because they don't want people to wake up to their trickery and read the Bible without WT spectacles.

    For example, this:

    Ephesians 3:4-6 As you read over what I have written to you, you'll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God's Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I've been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board. MSG

    Tee hee hee.

    Syl

  • heathen
    heathen

    They are too stupid to recognize their error as usual. The first church had to make clear that gentiles and jew were equal since the jews were still clinging to genealogy and ancestry which entitled them to worship God in a way that nobody else could with privilege and a hierarchy that would now be invalid . The jews actually did hate the gentiles because of enmity and of course now had to accept them on equal terms .

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    The other sheep were indeed gentiles, hence the circumcision and dietary restrictions issues addressed in Acts and by Paul.

  • myelaine
    myelaine

    dear heathen...

    you said: "The first church had to make clear that gentiles and jew were equal since the jews were still clinging to genealogy and ancestry which entitled them to worship God in a way that nobody else could with privilege and a hierarchy that would now be invalid ."...

    I'm not so sure that invalid would be the right word...Paul instucted timothy to pay attention to the doctrine and traditions...in the new church traditions would be hard to come by wouldn't they?...I think that because of the "privilege and hierarchy" of the jewish system the early church had a template for the church as well as what one might call a "geneology" in God. therefore the new church writings, by the inclusion of some OT writings and of course OT "theology", was really magnifying the doctrine of God and providing a continuity of privilege and hierarchy within the church structure...this authority was to govern the church not lord it over them...thus the church(imo...the restored "judah"...jeremiah 31:22-28 ) have doctrine and traditions when we worship in spirit and "truth"...

    For unto us a Child is born,
    Unto us a Son is given;
    And the government will be upon His shoulder.
    And His name will be called
    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. isaiah 9:6

    love michelle

  • heathen
    heathen

    my point was that there is no longer a high priest and the priestly arrangement does not apply . The jews did have a hard time accepting the belief that gentiles were equal in Gods eyes .I'm not going off topic and discuss the Christian arrangement . The fact is the 2 fold of sheep the WTBTS claims are the GC and LF is misused even though I do believe there are 2 groups .

  • Titus
    Titus

    Yes. But, have they ever explained their (and my) official teaching in any publication? That's what I ask.

    Debator? BANE? Alice?

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