Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-14-10 WT Study (SEPTEMBER 15, 2010, pages 16-20)(CHRISTIAN UNITY GLORIFIES GOD)
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C HRISTIAN U NITY
G LORIFIES G OD
‘Earnestly endeavor to observe the oneness of the spirit.’—EPH. 4:3.
OPENING COMMENTS
Think about congregations you attended. Was there unity?
1) Elders who did not talk to each other or others
a) I can remember 2 blood brothers, elders, that did not talk to each other even to the point of the one who was dying not telling his brother.
b) The congregation that had 2 factions on the elder bodies that screamed at each other and had 4 hour elder meetings (I knew about 5 of these).
c) The new PO (COBOE) who told the BOE that it was his way or the highway.
d) The dark black elder who told off the lighter blacks in his congregation that they were prejudiced (from the platform).
2) The elders wives and children who listened in on their father’s phone calls and spread the information all over the congregation
3) The jw families with 2 jw parents who would not let their children associate with children who had only one jw parent.
4) The jws that would not go to a book study group they were assigned to because a) they did not like the people who went there, b) they preferred going at a different part of town or day of the week.
5) The congregation that shared a KH but would not show up to help the other do cleanup and repair in the spring and fall, because the elders were not talking.
6) The congregation that would not clean up the KH after their meeting and left the bathrooms filthy, the trash overflowing, and the carpet not vacuumed.
START OF ARTICLE
1. How did the first-century Christians in Ephesus
bring glory to God?
THE unity of the Christian congregation
in ancient Ephesus glorified the true
God, Jehovah. In that prosperous trading
center, some Christian brothers evidently
were wealthy slave owners, while others
were slaves and probably very poor. (Eph. 6:
5, 9) Some were Jews who learned the truth
during the three months that the apostle
Paul spoke in their synagogue. Others previously
worshipped Artemis and had practiced
magical arts. (Acts 19:8, 19, 26) Clearly,
true Christianity drew together people from
many backgrounds. Paul recognized that
Jehovah was glorified by means of the congregation’s
unity. The apostle wrote: “To him be
the glory by means of the congregation.”
—Eph. 3:21.
COMMENTS
Christian congregation = only spirit-anointed Christians
Evidently—probably—clearly
Some were slaves owned by Christians---was it the same as being employed by a jw as the WTS says? How could early Christians be slaves and not be slaves to two masters? If slavery is legal in a country today, can jws own slaves?
*** w91 2/1 p. 21 par. 7 Honor Men of All Sorts *** But the principles that governed Christians in a slave-owner relationship are applicable to an employee-employer relationship.
*** w78 4/1 p. 23 par. 32 Recognize Christ’s Vital Place *** You slaves [today, employees], be obedient in everything to those who are your masters [today, employers] in a fleshly sense, not with acts of eye-service, as men pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah. Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance. Slave for the Master, Christ. Certainly the one that is doing wrong will receive back what he wrongly did, and there is no partiality. You masters [today, employers] , keep dealing out what is righteous and what is fair to your slaves [today, employees], knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”—Col. 3:18–4:1.
2. What threatened the unity of Christians in Ephesus?
2 However, the blessed unity of the Ephesian
congregation was threatened. Paul
warned the elders: “From among you yourselves
men will rise and speak twisted things
to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
(Acts 20:30) Also, some brothers had not
completely left behind the divisive spirit
that, Paul warned, “operates in the sons of
disobedience.”—Eph. 2:2; 4:22.
COMMENTS
“men” not women?
What are twisted things?
Can you think of any half-truths or outright lies the WTS has said? This one jumped out at me in a 1993 WT.
*** w93 8/15 p. 9 Why You Need to Attend Christian Meetings ***
Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently shown from the Scriptures that the year 1914 marked the beginning of this world’s time of the end and that “the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men” has drawn near.
*** w93 1/15 p. 5 ‘Caught Away to Meet the Lord’—How? ***
The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914.
*** Thousand Year Reign--ka chap. 11 pp. 187-188 par. 7 “Here Is the Bridegroom!” ***Due to this fact, when Charles T. Russell began publishing his own religious magazine in July of 1879, he published it under the title “Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.” He had already become familiar with Wilson’s The Emphatic Diaglott, which translated the Greek word parousia as “presence,” not “coming,” in Matthew 24:3 and elsewhere. The new magazine was heralding Christ’s invisible presence as having begun in 1874. This presence was to continue until the end of the Gentile Times in 1914, when the Gentile nations would be destroyed and the remnant of the “chaste virgin” class would be glorified with their bridegroom in heaven by death and resurrection to life in the spirit.
*** w04 9/1 p. 15 par. 10 Beware of “the Voice of Strangers” ***
Indeed, today as in Paul’s day, some individuals who were once part of the Christian congregation now attempt to mislead the sheep by speaking “twisted things”—half-truths and outright lies. As the apostle Peter puts it, they use “counterfeit words”—words that resemble truth but that are actually as worthless as counterfeit money.—2 Peter 2:3.
A Letter That Highlights Unity
3, 4. How does Paul’s letter to the Ephesians emphasize
unity?
3 Paul realized that if Christians
are to continue cooperating
in harmony, each of
them must make an earnest
effort to promote unity. God
inspired Paul to write a letter
to the Ephesians in which
unity was a theme. For example,
Paul wrote about God’s
purpose “to gather all things
together again in the Christ.”
(Eph. 1:10) He also likened
Christians to the different
stones that make up a building.
“The whole building, being
harmoniously joined together,
is growing into a holy
temple for Jehovah.” (Eph. 2:20, 21)
Furthermore, Paul highlighted the unity of Jewish
and Gentile Christians and also reminded
the brothers of their common origin. He referred
to Jehovah as “the Father, to whom
every family in heaven and on earth owes its
name.”—Eph. 3:5, 6, 14, 15.
COMMENTS
Christians—only jws
Are jws cooperating in harmony?
Does the WTS promote unity or absolute obedience to the “governing body”?
Building—temple—only spirit anointed Christians (Jewish and Gentile)
Where do non-anointed jws fit in?
4 As we examine chapter 4 of Ephesians,
we will see why unity requires effort, how Jehovah
helps us to unite, and what attitudes
will help us to remain united. Why not read
the entire chapter so that you will benefit
from the study even more?
COMMENTS
2 articles on unity—I get the feeling that the rank and file and not obeying and/or not fast enough.
Why Oneness Requires Earnest Effort
5. Why can God’s angels serve in unity, but why
may unity be more challenging for us?
5 Paul entreated his Ephesian brothers ‘to
endeavor to observe the oneness of the spirit.’
(Eph. 4:3) To understand the need for effort
in this regard, consider the case of God’s
angels. No two living things on earth are
completely alike, so we can reasonably conclude
that Jehovah has blessed each one
of his millions of angels with uniqueness.
(Dan. 7:10) Yet, they can serve Jehovah in
unity because they all listen to him and do
his will. ( Read Psalm 103:20, 21. ) While
faithful angels have diverse attributes, Christians
in addition have various defects. This
can make unity more challenging.
COMMENTS
Brothers? No sisters?
Did the angels serve in unity? Did they all listen? 1/3 left….
(Revelation 12:4) and its tail drags a third of the stars of heaven, and it hurled them down to the earth. . . .
*** re chap. 27 p. 179 par. 9 God’s Kingdom Is Born! ***
The dragon has authority also in the spirit realm. With his tail, he “drags a third of the stars of heaven.” Stars can represent angels. (Job 38:7) Mention of “a third” would emphasize that a considerable number of angels have been misled by Satan.
Does uniqueness = not be able to work together?
Does having diverse attributes mean that angels are secondary to other angels; worthy of “double honor” as the elders as said to be?
Christians—only jws—have defects?
6. What attitudes will help us to enjoy cooperating
with brothers who have defects different from ours?
6 When imperfect people try to cooperate,
they can easily have difficulties. For
example, what if a mild-tempered brother
who often arrives late serves Jehovah along
with a brother who is punctual but easily
loses his temper? Each might feel that
the other’s conduct is lacking something
but might forget that aspects of his own
conduct are equally inappropriate. How
could two such brothers serve together in
harmony? Note how the attitudes recommended
in Paul’s next words would help
them. Then reflect on how we can promote
unity by cultivating those attitudes.
Paul wrote: “[I] entreat
you to walk worthily
. . . with complete lowliness
of mind and mildness,
with long-suffering, putting
up with one another in love,
earnestly endeavoring to observe
the oneness of the spirit
in the uniting bond of
peace.”—Eph. 4:1-3.
Those from many backgrounds are united (picture
Of carefully staged jws)
COMMENTS
So the WTS thinks difficulties arise over that punctuality divides congregation?
“equally inappropriate”
“attitudes”
7. Why is it vital to work toward being united with
other imperfect Christians?
7 Learning to serve God in
unity with other imperfect
people is vital because there
is only one body of true worshippers.
“One body there is,
and one spirit, even as you
were called in the one hope
to which you were called; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all persons.”
(Eph. 4:4-6) Jehovah’s spirit and blessings
are linked to the one association of
brothers that God is using. Even if someone
in the congregation upsets us, where else
can we turn? Nowhere else can we hear the
sayings of everlasting life.—John 6:68.
COMMENTS
“only one body of true worshippers”—only jws
“one association of brothers (sisters?) that God is using”—only jws
WHERE else can we turn---WHO
(John 6:68) Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life;
*** w06 2/15 p. 30 par. 21 Walking in the Path of Increasing Light ***
I reflect on Peter’s words to Jesus: ‘Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.’ Then I ask myself, ‘Where shall I go away to—out there into the darkness of the world?’ This helps me to hold firmly to God’s organization.”—John 6:68.
*** w97 9/15 p. 5 Poor yet Rich—How Can It Be? ***
I remind myself of Peter’s words to Jesus, recorded at John 6:68: ‘Lord, whom shall we go away to?’ If I stop serving Jehovah, where do I go?
*** w88 3/15 pp. 18-19 par. 13 Serving as Jehovah’s Trusting Fellow Workers ***
Furthermore, suppose a person was to separate himself from Jehovah’s people. Where could he go? Is he not faced with the same issue that confronted Jesus’ apostles when he asked them if they also wanted to leave him? The apostle Peter rightly replied: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:68) There is nowhere else to go but to “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, or into the clutches of Satan’s political “wild beast.” (Revelation 13:1; 18:1-5)
Nowhere else can we hear the sayings of everlasting life—THE CARROT THAT THE WTS HOLDS OUT TO JWS
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***Only Jehovah’s Witnesses , those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the “flesh” that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.
“Gifts in Men” Promote Unity
8. What does Christ use to help strengthen us
against divisive influences?
8 Paul used a common practice among soldiers
of ancient times to illustrate how Jesus
has provided “gifts in men” to help unify
the congregation. A victorious soldier might
bring a foreign captive home as a slave
to provide his wife help with chores. (Ps.
68:1, 12, 18) Similarly, Jesus’ victory over
the world provided him with many willing
slaves. ( Read Ephesians 4:7, 8. ) How did he
use those captives, so to speak? “He gave
some as apostles, some as prophets, some as
evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers,
with a view to the readjustment of
the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the
building up of the body of the Christ, until
we all attain to the oneness in the faith.”
—Eph. 4:11-13.
COMMENTS
So were these captive “women” who became maidservants
only to serve the needs of the wife?
Hagar
Bilhah
Zilpah
Do elders consider themselves slaves? Have you ever heard an elder refer to himself as a “good for nothing slave”?
Are any in the WTS today considered apostles or prophets?
Body of Christ—only spirit anointed Christians
9. (a) How do “gifts in men” help to maintain our
unity? (b) Why should every member of the congregation
contribute to its unity?
9 As loving shepherds, these “gifts in
men” help to maintain our unity. For example,
if a congregation elder notices two
brothers “stirring up competition with one
another,” he can contribute powerfully to
the unity of the congregation by offering
private counsel “to readjust [them] in a spirit
of mildness.” (Gal. 5:26–6:1) As teachers,
these “gifts in men” help us to build firm
faith based on Bible teachings. Thus they
promote unity and help us advance to Christian
maturity. Paul wrote that this is “in or-
der that we should no longer be babes,
tossed about as by waves and carried hither
and thither by every wind of teaching by
means of the trickery of men, by means of
cunning in contriving error.” (Eph. 4:13,
14) Every Christian should contribute to
the unity of the brotherhood, just as every
member of our physical body builds up the
others by helping to supply what is needed.
— Read Ephesians 4:15,16.
COMMENTS
“loving”?
Maintain unity or control?
What does the WTS mean by stirring up competition?
Do elders base their “counsel” on the bible or the elders manual?
*** w06 10/15 p. 27 par. 16 Prove Your Faith by Your Life Course ***
Identifying the givers of gifts could lead to “stirring up competition” as to which is the better or the more costly gift.
*** w02 11/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Gambling also incites egotism and an unhealthy competitive spirit, a strong desire to win.
---------Doesn’t the WTS stir up competition by comparing jws to each other?
*** w95 9/15 p. 17 par. 10 Love Conquers Improper Jealousy ***
Hence, parents should train their children to measure their progress by considering the examples in God’s Word, not by competing with one another
Do you understand the dangers of flirting? (which one
Is the jw, the man or the woman? Most jw marriages are broken up by dallying with other jws, not non-jws.)
Cultivate New Attitudes
10. How can immoral conduct threaten our unity?
10 Did you notice that the fourth chapter
of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians shows that
practicing love is the key to attaining unity
as mature Christians? Next, it shows what
love involves. For one thing, following the
way of love rules out fornication and loose
conduct. Paul urged his brothers not to
“go on walking just as the nations also
walk.” Those people were “past all moral
sense,” and “they gave themselves over to
loose conduct.” (Eph. 4:17-19) The immoral
world in which we live threatens our unity.
People joke about fornication, sing about it,
watch it for entertainment, and practice it
either in secret or openly. Yet, even flirting,
which may involve acting as though you are
sexually attracted to someone you have no
intention of marrying, can move you away
from Jehovah and the congregation. Why?
Because it so easily leads to fornication.
Also, flirting that leads a married person
into adultery can cruelly separate children
from parents and innocent partners from
marriage mates. Divisive indeed! No wonder
Paul wrote: “You did not learn the Christ
to be so”!—Eph. 4:20, 21.
COMMENTS
PRACTICING love not just talking about it
Loose conduct—more than sexual sins
Immoral world—all non-jws are immoral?
People (elders) joke about fornication and watch it for entertainment
Jws practice it is secret…they are afraid of being df’d but not being judged worthy of eternal death by God.
Sounds like flirting is still a problem; and the biggest offenders were elders and/or married brothers.
11. The Bible encourages Christians to make what
change?
11 Paul stressed that we should drop disruptive
ways of thinking and instead cultivate attitudes
that enable us to live in harmony
with others. He said: “You should put
away the old personality which conforms to
your former course of conduct and which is
being corrupted according to his [the old
personality’s] deceptive desires; . . . you
should be made new in the force actuating
your mind, and should put on the new personality
which was created according to
God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”
(Eph. 4:22-24) How can we ‘be made
new in the force actuating our mind’? If we
appreciatively contemplate what we learn
both from God’s Word and from the fine example
of mature Christians, with effort we
can acquire the new personality “created according
to God’s will.”
COMMENTS
What is a disruptive way of thinking…not following the bible or not following the WTS?
So who are the fine examples—the men and women in the congregation who gossip, slander, and judge?
Cultivate New Ways of Speaking
12. How does speaking the truth promote unity,
and why is it difficult for some to be truthful?
12 Speaking the truth is vital for those
who belong to one another in a family or in
a congregation. Frank, open, kind speech
can draw people together. (John 15:15) But
what if a person lies to his brother? When
his brother realizes it, the bond of trust between
them will be weakened. You can understand
why Paul wrote: “Speak truth each
one of you with his neighbor, because we
are members belonging to one another.”
(Eph. 4:25) A person who is accustomed to
lying, perhaps having started when he was a
child, may find it hard to start speaking
truth. But Jehovah will appreciate his effort
to change and will help him.
COMMENTS
Does the WTS feel that speaking the truth is good in all situations?
The WTS has lied to its members; is it no surprise that those who find out no longer trust the WTS?
Does the WTS feel that its members are entitled to the truth?
13. What is involved in putting away abusive
speech?
13 Jehovah teaches us to promote respect
and unity in both the congregation and the
family by setting firm limits on the way we
speak. “Let a rotten saying not proceed out
of your mouth . . . Let all malicious bitterness
and anger and wrath and screaming
and abusive speech be taken away from you
along with all badness.” (Eph. 4:29, 31) One
way to avoid offensive speech is to cultivate
a more respectful attitude toward others. For
example, a man who speaks abusively to his
wife should strive to change his attitude toward
her, especially as he learns how Jehovah
honors women. God even anoints some
women with holy spirit, giving them the
prospect of ruling as kings with Christ. (Gal.
3:28; 1 Pet. 3:7) Similarly, a woman who habitually
screams at her husband should be moved to
change as she learns how Jesus restrained
himself when provoked.—1 Pet. 2:
21-23.
COMMENTS
Does the WTS show they value their members by showing respect to them?
Has an elder ever screamed at you? In the last 40 years that has happened to me without cause and with no apology from that person…instead another elder comes and apologizes.
Why do jw husbands speak abusively; because women are not valued in the WTS, but are considered secondary, weak.
While women may be anointed to rule in heaven; while on earth they have no more value than a non-anointed woman, and less value than a non-anointed male jw.
As to wives screaming, I can remember 3 sisters being told that this caused their jw husband to hit them…it was their fault.
14. Why is expressing anger dangerous?
14 Closely related to abusive speech is failure
to control anger. This too can separate
people who belong to one another. Anger is
like a fire. It can easily get out of control
and cause disaster. (Prov. 29:22) One
who is justified in expressing his displeasure
must carefully control his anger to avoid
damaging valuable relationships. Christians
should work at being forgiving, not holding
a grudge and not talking about the matter
again. (Ps. 37:8; 103:8, 9; Prov. 17:9) Paul advised
the Ephesians: “Be wrathful, and yet
do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a
provoked state, neither allow place for the
Devil.” (Eph. 4:26, 27) Failure to control one’s anger
would give the Devil an opportunity
to sow disunity and even conflict in
the congregation.
COMMENTS
Control anger…I can remember an elder racing up to me to tell me to stop telling the brother at the sound desk how to do his job; actually I was asking him if he was stuck again doing it because the brother assigned had not shown up; or if he would be sitting with me; if not, I would get his books….did this elder say “I’m sorry”? Not a chance.
Holding a grudge…talking about a matter again…how long does it take elders to let go of the so-called sins of the rank and file?
15. Taking what does not belong to us can have
what effect?
15 Showing respect for the property of
others contributes to the unity of the congregation.
We read: “Let the stealer steal no
more.” (Eph. 4:28) A general sense of trust
has developed among Jehovah’s people. If a
Christian were to abuse that trust by taking
what is not his, he would damage that happy
unity.
COMMENTS
Showing respect for the property of others…it was next to impossible to get anyone to volunteer to have the book study in their home because….
One child went to the bathroom (a one hour meeting and they couldn’t hold it) turned on the faucet and left it on creating a cascading waterfall down the basement steps
One child splashed water all over including the ceiling, tossing wet toilet paper making it stick.
One child stole items from the bedrooms of the homeowners to the point the put locks on the door
One child stole food from the refrigerator
One sister stole medication from the medicine cabinet
One family let their children eat in someone’s car although asked not to do so…it ruined the seats which had to be replaced
One child left in the car out in service destroyed the locking mechanism on the door
One child jammed the cigarette lighter in so the dash caught on fire
(none of the parents paid for the child’s actions)
Love for God Unites Us
16. How can we use upbuilding speech to strengthen
our unity?
16 The unity of the Christian congregation
is the result of all being moved by love for
God to treat others with love. Appreciation
for Jehovah’s kindness motivates us to
make an earnest effort to apply the counsel:
“[Speak] whatever saying is good for building
up as the need may be, that it may impart
what is favorable to the hearers. . . .
Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate,
freely forgiving one another just
as God also by Christ freely forgave you.”
(Eph. 4:29, 32) Jehovah kindly forgives imperfect
people like us. Should we not likewise
forgive others when we see their imperfections?
COMMENTS
The real problem is that vast majority of jws only give lip service to love.
Is the WTS suggesting that jws forgive unrepentant people?
*** w97 12/1 pp. 19-20 par. 15 ‘Continue Forgiving One Another Freely’ ***
The Scriptures clearly indicate that Jehovah does not forgive unrepentant, hardened sinners. (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26, 27) What about us? Insight on the Scriptures says: “Christians are not required to forgive those who practice malicious, willful sin with no repentance. Such become God’s enemies.” (Volume 1, page 862) No Christian who has been a victim of extremely unjust, detestable, or heinous treatment should feel forced to forgive, or pardon, a wrongdoer who is not repentant.—Psalm 139:21, 22.
*** w91 4/15 p. 21 par. 6 Imitate God’s Mercy Today ***
At the time of disfellowshipping someone for unrepentant sin, elders who represent the congregation explain to him that it is possible for him to repent and receive God’s forgiveness.
17. Why should we earnestly endeavor to promote unity?
17 The unity of God’s people glorifies Jehovah.
His spirit moves us in different ways to
promote unity. We surely would not want
to resist the spirit’s leading. Paul wrote: “Do
not be grieving God’s holy spirit.” (Eph. 4:
30) Unity is a treasure worth protecting. It
brings joy to all those who share in it and
glory to Jehovah. “Therefore, become imitators
of God, as beloved children, and go on
walking in love.”—Eph. 5:1, 2.
COMMENTS
Are jws unified? Behind their closed doors what do they do or say?
Are they saying “Jehovah has left the land, he is not seeing”?
(Ezekiel 9:9-10) 9 So he said to me: “The error of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with bloodshed and the city is full of crookedness; for they have said, ‘Jehovah has left the land, and Jehovah is not seeing.’ 10 And as for me also, my eye will not feel sorry, neither shall I show compassion. Their way I shall certainly bring upon their own head.”
How Would You Answer?
· ? What attitudes promote unity among Christians?
· ? How can our conduct promote unity in the congregation?
· ? How can our speech help us in cooperating with others?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Next week, “Your Leader is One, the Christ.”
The WTS taught that THE CHRIST consisted of Jesus and the 144,000, with Jesus the head and the 144,000 the body.
Love, Blondie