Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-08-10 WT Study (JUNE 15, 2010, pages 10-14)(BUILDING UP)
Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will headed by QUOTES
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com
www.jehovahs-witness.net
http://www.jwsupportforum.com/index.php
http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/
Excellent website: www.jwfacts.com
KEEP BUILDING UP THE CONGREGATION "Keep comforting one another and building one another up." — 1 Thess. 5:11.
OPENING COMMENTS
Who are the congregation of God? Only anointed Christians (really only anointed jws). What does the Insight Book say, it says that these are "selected" by God and were under the new covenant mediated by Jesus and were to be kings and priests anointed with holy spirit and are adopted as God's sons....none of this is applied to non-anointed jws...so they cannot be members of the congregation of God.
*** it-1 p. 498 Congregation ***
The members of the Christian congregation of God are selected by Jehovah. (Ro 8:30; 2Th 2:13) The first members thereof were called out from the rejected Jewish congregation, which had not accepted God’s Son as their Messiah.
However, beginning with Cornelius in 36 C.E., members of the Christian congregation were also called out from the nations in general, so that Paul could say: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one person in union with Christ Jesus.” (Ga 3:28; Ac 10:34, 35; Ro 10:12; Eph 2:11-16) Whereas the Law covenant mediated by Moses and under which the congregation of Israel was regulated was fulfilled by Christ and was taken out of the way by Jehovah God (Mt 5:17; 2Co 3:14; Col 2:13, 14), members of the Christian congregation of God partake of the benefits of the new covenant mediated by the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ. (Mt 26:28; Heb 12:22-24; Ac 3:19-23) Also, while the priests and kings of Israel were anointed with oil (Ex 30:22-30; 2Ki 9:6), those chosen by God to be members of the Christian congregation are anointed with holy spirit (2Co 1:21, 22; 1Jo 2:20) and are adopted by Jehovah God as his sons.—Eph 1:5.
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In Isaiah 43:10-12, the natural Israelites were referred to Jehovah's witnesses. The WTS applies Galatians 6:16, spiritual Israel, only to anointed Christians (really only anointed jws). Thus only anointed jws are spiritual Israelites and can be called Jehovah's witnesses...how is it then that non-anointed members of the WTS are also called jws? Were they always?
*** w50 3/1 p. 70 par. 12 A Call to Praise ***
Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions
*** w55 10/1 p. 608 Announcements ***
Jehovah’s witnesses and their associates present opportunity to the people at their doors to subscribe for Awake! magazine.
*** w56 2/1 p. 96 Announcements ***
To be sure, all of Jehovah’s witnesses and their good-will companions will be active this month presenting from house to house a year’s subscription
*** w56 10/15 p. 640 Announcements ***In harmonious effort during November, Jehovah’s witnesses and persons of good will will present in house-to-house preaching
START OF ARTICLE
1. What blessings come with being in the Christian congregation, but what challenges may still remain?
BEING a member of the Christian congregation is a great blessing indeed. You have a good relationship with Jehovah. Your reliance on his Word as a guide shields you from the bad consequences of an unchristian lifestyle. You are surrounded by genuine friends, who want you to do well. Yes, the blessings are many. Most Christians, however, are struggling with problems of one kind or another. Some of them may need help to understand the deeper things of God's Word. Others are sick or depressed, or they may be suffering the consequences of unwise decisions. And we all have to live in an ungodly world.
COMMENTS
What about a good relationship with Christ = being a Christian; only once on the WT-CD does it mention it:
*** w74 10/1 p. 602 par. 12 To Whom Do You Belong? ***but they have not committed themselves to Jehovah and Christ Jesus by entering into a definite relationship with them.
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Why did jws not take the name "Christian" instead of "Jehovah's Witnesses" even directly congregations not to name themselves Christian on their kingdom hall signs?
*** km 4/79 p. 4 Announcements ***Is it appropriate to have a Kingdom Hall sign saying: “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses”? So there will be uniformity, the Society encourages all to make their signs read: “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
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Which Christians (only jws) are not struggling with problems?
How do they learn the deeper things of God's Word if the publication they use are written by the WTS, where they are told they cannot understanding without WTS publications or guidance?
"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave" Watchtower 1994 October 1 p.8
"We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah's visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own. We would not have discovered the truth regarding Jehovah, his purposes and attributes, the meaning and importance of his name, the Kingdom, Jesus' ransom, the difference between God's organization and Satan's, nor why God has permitted wickedness." Watchtower 1990 December 1 p.19
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind." Watchtower 1967 October 1 p.587 ----------------------------------------------------------
Sick or depressed....consequences of their unwise decision????
Ungodly world = all non-jws are ungodly per the WTS
Picture: When a fellow Christian is struggling in a difficult situation, we can provide support
2. How should we respond to our brothers' hardships, and why?
2 None of us like to see fellow Christians suffer or struggle. The apostle Paul likened the congregation to a body and said that "if one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it." (1 Cor. 12:12, 26) In such circumstances, we should strive to support our brothers and sisters. There are a number of Scriptural accounts in which congregation members helped others meet and overcome challenges. As we now consider those accounts, think how you might offer assistance in ways similar to those described. How can you assist your brothers spiritually and thus build up Jehovah's congregation?
COMMENTS
fellow Christians--only anointed jws (non-anointed jws?)
Paul likened the Christian congregation of anointed Christians to a body...
How are jws directed specifically to help fellow jws---they have to be longtime jws and in "good standing"
What about the jws who complain about giving rides to others that are "weak" or they have to go out of their way?
What about the jws who feel that they cannot help jws who don't come to the meetings regularly...that they can only help them if they do?
Is it the Christian congregation of Jehovah's congregation? Whose sheep are they?
(John 21:17) . . .Jesus said to him: “Feed my little sheep. . .
"They Took Him Into Their Company"
3, 4. In what way did Aquila and Priscilla help Apollos?
3 When Apollos took up residence in Ephesus, he was already a zealous evangelizer. "As he was aglow with the spirit," says the Acts account, "he went speaking and teaching with correctness the things about Jesus, but being acquainted with only the baptism of John." Apollos' being unaware of baptism "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit" likely meant that he had either been witnessed to by disciples of John the Baptizer or by Jesus' followers prior to Pentecost 33 C.E. Though Apollos was zealous, there were some significant gaps in his knowledge. How did association with fellow believers help him? — Acts 1:4, 5; 18:25; Matt. 28:19.
COMMENTS
Apollos had gaps in his knowledge....by association did that mean Apollos had to attend meetings to be helped?
4 The Christian couple Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos speaking boldly in the synagogue, took him into their company, and taught him further. (Read Acts 18:24-26.) This was the loving thing to do. Of course, Aquila and Priscilla would have approached Apollos in a tactful and helpful manner, not making him feel that he was being criticized. It was simply a matter of his not being aware of the history of the early Christian congregation. And Apollos was no doubt grateful to his new companions for sharing these important details with him. Equipped with this information, Apollos "greatly helped" his brothers in Achaia and gave a powerful witness. — Acts 18:27, 28.
COMMENTS
Apollos was speaking in the synagogue...that would be like speaking in a church today....do jws speak in churches...only elders approved by the BOE and rarely. If you were to imitate Apollos today, be prepared to have a visit by the elders definitely not in a tactful or helpful manner, not making him feel criticized but criticizing him.
And what were these important details? Why not mentioned in the bible?
jws today are not baptized in the name of the holy spirit...see these questions current still since 1985. Do those baptized since 1985 have to be rebaptized like Apollos needed to be?
*** w85 6/1 p. 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication ***At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ’s example. The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism.
5. What loving assistance do thousands of Kingdom publishers offer, and with what result?
5 Many in the Christian congregation today are very grateful to those who helped them to understand the Bible. Numerous enduring friendships have been formed between students and their teachers. In most cases, helping people to understand the truth requires scheduling regular conversations with them over a period of several months. However, Kingdom publishers are willing to make that sacrifice because they recognize that it is a question of life and death.
(John 17:3) And what a joy it is to see people grasp the truth, live in accord with it, and use their lives to do Jehovah's will!
COMMENTS
Christian congregation today = only jws
What happens when their now baptized students have doubts--aren't they treated like they have leprosy by these same teachers?
scheduling regular conversations = actually rigid question-and-answer discussions using WT publications and answering from the paragraph.
how many jws want to be tied down to a weekly "conversation" and turn it over to pioneers and elders they think have more time...not wanting to tie up the two evenings they have free each week, and two evenings they might have free on the weekends.
"He Was Well Reported On"
6, 7. (a) Why did Paul choose Timothy as a traveling companion? (b) What progress was Timothy helped to make?
6 When the apostles Paul and Silas visited Lystra during the second missionary journey, they found there a young man named Timothy, perhaps in his late teens or early 20's. "He was well reported on by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium." Timothy's mother, Eunice, and his grandmother Lois were dedicated Christians, but his father was an unbeliever. (2 Tim. 1:5) Paul may have become acquainted with this family on his first visit to the area a couple of years earlier. But the apostle now expressed particular interest in Timothy because he seemed to be an exceptional young man. Hence, with the approval of the local body of elders, Timothy became an assistant to Paul in missionary activity. — Read Acts 16:1-3.
COMMENTS
So Silas was an apostle too and so is Barnabas, and the age old discussion "who was the replacement for Judas...Paul or Matthias.
perhaps...may have...seems like there are not many details about Timothy's life...but a drama at a recent district convention made up some.
- Honor-Godhttp://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/94277/1/DRAMA-SUMMARY-2005-District-Convention-Pursue-Goals-That
7 Timothy had much to learn from his older companion. But learn he did, to the extent that, in time, Paul could confidently send Timothy to visit congregations and act as his representative. In the 15 years or so that Timothy enjoyed Paul's association, the inexperienced and perhaps shy young man progressed to the point of becoming an excellent overseer. — Phil. 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 1:3.
COMMENTS
Did the COs that visited your congregations take the same interest in young men? What about young women?
perhaps...
8, 9. What can congregation members do to encourage young people? Give an example.
8 Many young men and women in the Christian congregation today have great potential. If encouraged and nurtured by spiritually-minded companions, these young people can reach out for and accept greater responsibilities among Jehovah's people. Look around in your congregation! Do you see there any young individuals who could make themselves available, as Timothy did? With your help and encouragement, they might become pioneers, Bethelites, missionaries, or traveling overseers. What could you do to help them reach out for such goals?
COMMENTS
Do they bother with young women in the congregation?
jws are told not to associate with other jws they deem "on the edge."
So what greater responsibilities and a female reach out for, pioneer, marry MS or elder, in most congregations they can't time the talks for the school overseer though an unbaptized 10 year old can, they can't handle microphones, although there is no teaching involved.
Women can kiss goodbye the idea of being a Bethelite unless they marry one with "huge" responsibilities, ditto as far as going to Gilead, or marrying a CO or DO.
One elder I know pioneered and was having a problem scheduling both...he was told it was more important to be an elder than be a pioneer...where it in the bible does it say that Jesus called his followers to be elders?
9 Martin, who has been a member of the Bethel family for 20 years, recalls with gratitude the interest that a circuit overseer took in him 30 years ago while the two were in the field service together. The overseer spoke with enthusiasm about his own service at Bethel when he was a young man. He encouraged Martin to consider the possibility of making himself available to Jehovah's organization in the same way. Martin feels that this memorable conversation was fundamental to choices he later made. Who knows what good you can do for young friends by talking with them about theocratic goals?
COMMENTS
So Martin made the cut and wasn't laid off from Bethel. Do COs encourage 9 year olds to go to Bethel today? I can tell you that 30 years ago that single women were not being encouraged to go to Bethel unless they were a nurse or a dental hygienist.
I am sure that going to school is not considered a theocratic goal? I wonder what Martin would be saying if he had been tossed after 20 years without job skills and not much money to his name?
"Speak Consolingly to the Depressed Souls"
10. How did Epaphroditus feel, and why?
10 Epaphroditus made a long and fatiguing journey from Philippi to Rome to visit the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned for his faith. This traveler acted as envoy of the Philippians. Not only did he carry their gift for the apostle but he also planned to stay with him to do whatever he could to assist Paul in his difficult situation. While in Rome, however, Epaphroditus became sick "nearly to the point of death." Feeling that he had failed in his mission, Epaphroditus got depressed. — Phil. 2:25-27.
COMMENTS
And we know that Epaphroditius did not drive his car, take bus, or hop a train or a plane. How many jws today in the US would walk 2 miles to the KH? How many would go to visit a jw in prison?
If Epaphroditus were a jw in this area, he would have the elders badgering him that he really wasn't sick and even if he was he should be at ALL the meetings. And then they would tell him that he was depressed because he had made the wrong personal decisions.
*** w71 5/1 p. 263 Relief from Depression ***Depression may be your lot because as a lover of righteousness you grieve over your own weaknesses and shortcomings. You may have trouble controlling your tongue or your temper. Or you may have some secret vice that keeps troubling you.
*** w82 6/1 p. 10 An Educated Tongue—“To Encourage the Weary” ***One depressed Christian who deeply appreciated the visits of her loving shepherds to help her was convinced that she had lost God’s spirit. “Really, try to think hard and see if there is something bad you’ve done,” said an elder at one point. The woman just sat there and cried. “But I can’t think of anything. Do you want me to make something up? Will that help?” she sobbed. The elders got the point and tried other ways to help.
11. (a) Why should we not be surprised if some in the congregation are depressed? (b) What did Paul recommend in Epaphroditus' case?
11 Various pressures cause people to suffer from depression today. Statistics from the World Health Organization state that as many as 1 in 5 of the population may suffer from depression at some time in their life. Jehovah's people are not immune. Problems in providing for one's family, ill health, discouragement over one's failings, or other factors may contribute to feelings of downheartedness. What could the Philippians do to help Epaphroditus? Paul wrote: "Give him the customary welcome in the Lord with all joy; and keep holding men of that sort dear, because on account of the Lord's work he came quite near to death, exposing his soul to danger, that he might fully make up for your not being here to render private service to me." — Phil. 2:29, 30.
COMMENTS
Does that mean that 1 in 5 at the kingdom hall suffer depression? "Jehovah's people" (only jws) are not immune.
Does the WTS acknowledge that some forms of depression are a physical illness in themselves?
Do jws welcome other jws "with all joy" "holding them dear" or view their depression as a form of spiritual weakness?
Doesn't "he came quite near to death" mean physical illness, physical death?
12. What can be a source of comfort to the depressed?
12 We too should encourage brothers who are discouraged or depressed. Doubtless there are positive things that we can say about their service to Jehovah. Perhaps they have made great changes in their lives in order to become Christians or to serve in the full-time ministry. We appreciate those efforts, and we can assure them that Jehovah does too. If advancing age or ill health prevents some faithful ones from doing all they once could, they nevertheless merit all our respect for their years of service. Whatever the case may be, Jehovah's recommendation to all of his faithful ones is: "Speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all." — 1 Thess. 5:14.
COMMENTS
Encourage sisters?
Say positive things....like DO MORE...or rather saying their depression is due to not attending ALL the meetings, not praying INCESSANTLY, not reading the bible DAILY, not be submissive enough to their husbands, not being obedient enough to the elders, etc. Or do other jws drop by unannounced in their formal meeting clothes and read a few scriptures if they do that at all...be assured that any elders count their time. Or the elders that make photocopies of articles to drop on the coffee table for you to read later telling you that the solution lies in attending more meetings...like they could tell someone bedridden to get out of bed and walk..
"Kindly Forgive and Comfort Him"
13, 14. (a) What serious action did the Corinthian congregation take, and why? (b) What was the effect of the disfellowshipping action?
13 The first-century Corinthian congregation faced the situation of a man who unrepentantly practiced fornication. His conduct threatened the purity of the congregation and was a scandal even among nonbelievers. Hence, Paul rightly directed that the man be removed from the congregation. — 1 Cor. 5:1, 7, 11-13.
COMMENTS
Was it fornication? Was he married to her? Was she divorced from his father? Then the real sin was that he married his stepmother who was divorced from his father but not on the grounds of adultery...not his own mother so it wasn't incest...and there was no law under Christ that said you could not scripturally marry a stepparent or stepsibling, only under the Jewish law.
Was in illegal under Greek/Corinthian law to marry a woman or man now divorced or widowed who had been married to a blood parent?
*** w78 3/15 p. 26 Incestuous Marriages—How Should Christians View Them? ***Marriage to a half sister was prohibited, but no prohibition is stated against a son marrying a stepdaughter of his father, that is, an adoptive daughter, not the offspring of the son’s parents.—Lev. 18:11.
So, whereas, when relatives not related by blood marry, the danger of genetic hazards does not come into the picture, the closeness of their kinship can still affect the honorableness of their marriage in the eyes of the community.
14 That discipline had a good effect. The congregation was protected from a corrupting influence, and the sinner was brought to his senses and to sincere repentance. On the basis of the man's works befitting repentance, Paul indicated in his second letter to that congregation that the man should be reinstated. This was not all that was required, however. Paul also directed that the congregation "kindly forgive and comfort [the repentant sinner], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad." — Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-8.
COMMENTS
What about protecting children from confessed pedophiles in the jw congregations? Does their "sincere" repentance mean children are safe around them? Are elders qualified to or have the time to monitor them in the congregation?
Who is more a moral danger the man in Corinth or the "forgiven" pedophile?
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/Secrets_Commentary_Version_2.pdf
15. How should we view repentant wrongdoers who are reinstated in the congregation?
15 What do we learn from this account? It saddens us when individuals have to be disfellowshipped. They may have brought dishonor upon God's name and discredited the congregation. They may even have sinned against us personally. Yet, when the elders appointed to examine the case determine, in line with Jehovah's direction, that a repentant sinner ought to be readmitted to the congregation, it indicates that he has been forgiven by Jehovah. (Matt. 18:17-20) Should we not seek to imitate Him? Indeed, to be harsh and unforgiving would be tantamount to opposing Jehovah. In order to contribute to the peace and unity of God's congregation and to have Jehovah's approval, should we not, rather, 'confirm our love' for sinners who truly repent and are reinstated? — Matt. 6:14, 15; Luke 15:7.
COMMENTS
Remember there have to be 2 eyewitnesses to a pedophile's molesting a child and the elders determine if the child is qualified to testify, that the child must testify with the pedophile present, and the elders are only required to report pedophiles in states that require it legally. So how many pedophiles are walking around your congregation, your circuit, your district that have not been reported by the elders or others in the congregation? While you might view non-jws as suspect, do you realize that these jw pedophiles have better access to your child and other jw children?
Should a molested child be required to forgive the person who raped them? But who determines if they are truly repentant? The elders who were not raped or the child who was?
*** g91 10/8 p. 11 “A Time to Heal” ***On the other hand, the confrontation may trigger a torrent of denial and verbal abuse from the molester and other family members. Worse, you may discover that he is still a threat to you. Forgiveness may then be inappropriate, a close relationship impossible.—Compare Psalm 139:21.
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So the elders make no mistakes when it comes to reinstatement? Are they acting as God in the congregation? If the reinstated one should be welcomed...why does the WTS forbid clapping when a reinstatement is announced? Aren't they 'confirming their love' for truly repentant sinners?
Why was a pedophile reinstated after 8 MONTHS in one city and a sister who committed adultery only after 8 YEARS?
*** km 2/00 p. 7 Question Box ***
Is it appropriate to applaud when a reinstatement is announced?
In his loving-kindness, Jehovah God has provided a Scriptural way for repentant wrongdoers to regain his favor and achieve reinstatement in the Christian congregation. (Ps. 51:12, 17) When this takes place, we are encouraged to confirm our love for such sincerely repentant ones.—2 Cor. 2:6-8.
Even so, as joyful as we are when a relative or acquaintance is reinstated, a quiet dignity should prevail at the time that the person’s reinstatement is announced in the congregation. The Watchtower of October 1, 1998, page 17, expressed matters this way: “We must remember, however, that most in the congregation are not aware of the particular circumstances that led to a person’s expulsion or to his reinstatement. In addition, there may be some who have been personally affected or hurt—perhaps even on a long-term basis—by the wrongdoing of the repentant one.
Being sensitive to such matters, therefore, when an announcement of reinstatement is made, we would understandably withhold expressions of welcome until such can be made on a personal basis.”
Although we are very happy to see someone return to the truth, applause at the time of his or her reinstatement would not be appropriate.
"He Is Useful to Me"
16. Why was Paul disappointed in Mark?
16 Another Scriptural account shows that we should not harbor negative feelings against those who have disappointed us. John Mark, for example, bitterly disappointed the apostle Paul. How? When Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey, Mark went along to assist them. But at a certain point in their journey and for a reason not specified, John Mark left his companions and returned home. Paul was so disappointed about this decision that in the planning stages for a second journey, he had a disagreement with Barnabas about whether Mark should accompany them again. In view of what had happened on the first journey, Paul did not want Mark to travel with them. — Read Acts 13:1-5, 13; 15:37, 38.
COMMENTS
Yet elders keep records of those who have disappointed them and send it off by letter (sometimes by phone call to keep it out of hard copy) to the next congregation that person goes to.
It is a good thing that the apostle Barnabas was not so rigid as Paul regarding Mark. Who knows if Mark would have been "blessed" to write his book.
So how long did Paul hold this opinion; long enough to be a grudge?
17, 18. How do we know that the breach between Paul and Mark was resolved, and what can we learn from this?
17 Evidently, Mark did not allow himself to become overly discouraged by Paul's rejection, for he continued his missionary activity in a different territory along with Barnabas. (Acts 15:39) That he proved faithful and trustworthy is shown by what Paul wrote about him some years later. Paul, now a prisoner in Rome, summoned Timothy by letter. In the same letter, Paul said: "Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering." (2 Tim. 4:11) Yes, Mark had grown in Paul's estimation.
COMMENTS
Mark had the support of Barnabas (called an apostle) who had been a Christian longer than Paul. But what kind of recommendation had Paul been handing out about Mark before this.
18 There is a lesson to be learned from this. Mark developed the qualities of a good missionary. He did not get stumbled over Paul's initial rejection. Both he and Paul were spiritual men, and there was no lasting ill will between them. On the contrary, Paul later recognized Mark as a valuable assistant. So when brothers overcome difficulties and the problems pass, the right thing to do is to move on and continue to help others make spiritual progress. Being positive builds up the congregation.
COMMENTS
Stumbling, yes, the one hurt must be the better Christian and wait for the other to wake up spiritually? No lasting ill will....not like the elder who after 20 years of being punished for his adultery finally found himself the PO....announced to the BOE that it was his way or the highway. There was no mention that Paul made a direct apology to Mark either in person or in writing.
The Congregation and You
19. What help can all members of the Christian congregation offer to one another?
19 In these "critical times hard to deal with," you need the help of your brothers and sisters in the congregation, and they need yours. (2 Tim. 3:1) Individual Christians may not always know what course to take in order to handle successfully the situations they are facing, but Jehovah knows. And he can use different members of the congregation — including you — to help others follow the right course. (Isa. 30:20, 21; 32:1, 2) By all means, then, take to heart the apostle Paul's exhortation! Keep on "comforting one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing." — 1 Thess. 5:11.
COMMENTS
all members of the Christian congregation--only anointed jws who alone are spiritual Israelites, the congregation of God...where do the other sheep or subset group the great crowd fit it?
How do/did you specifically and directly help others in the congregation? Only the people you liked or were viewed as worthy, spiritually?
Why do individual Christians (only) jws not know what to do? Are they discouraged by the elders from taking such steps because that person is "dangerous" spiritually, not in "good standing," that the congregation needs their time and money more, or do the elders say "we have the matter in control" only to find out no one has done a thing thinking others "have the matter in control."
I heard the account from an elder about a older sister who always came to the meetings, her husband was not a jw and she had no children. One month she missed all the meetings and they assumed she had gone somewhere with her husband, but no one called. Two more weeks went by and the elders decided to do a drop by call without calling ahead. The husband came to the door, the elders asked for his wife (without a greeting to the husband). Husband: I'm surprised it took this long to come by. Elders (thinking, he's not a jw and he's opposed since he doesn't come to the meetings). Is she home? Husband: Nope, buried her 2 weeks ago (handing them a memorial card). Elders look stunned. It seems that the husband had called to say his wife was not feeling well and no one called back. So the husband shut the door in the face and walked away. I guess they were building their new hall and had not gotten back to that call.
How Would You Answer?• Why is building others up needed in the Christian congregation?
• What kinds of difficulties might you help others to overcome?
• Why do we need the help of others in our congregation?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Some that might have read other posts of mine know that I left because of the lack of love at all the congregations I attended over the last 45 years. It was bad enough that my parents were abusive, people I should have expected to care about me, but even in an organization that claims to show Christlike love, I was fooled into expecting it and not seeing or receiving it.
Next week, "KEEP CONQUERING THE EVIL" BY CONTROLLING ANGER.
Love, Blondie