Although I was a JW for almost all my life, I have just finished reading the New Testament for the first time. I have been disfellowshipped for over 3 weeks and it has taken me those 3 weeks to get through it all. I have REALLY enjoyed it and I have learnt a lot. I must say that the bible's version of Christianity is much better than the JW's (Acts 5:29 ).
I would like to address one point after reading the NT - ORGANISATION!
When I was disfellowshipped, i HATED this word and i still do actually. I think the way the JW's speak about it is vile and I believe they need to get their facts straight by reading the bible contextually. Having said that, after reading the NT, I must say that in some ways I do agree with the term and its meanings. Here is how:
- Likewise, I certainly believe that God has 'organised' for his son to save all mankind. That much is made clear in almost every single book and letter in the NT (John 1:29 ).
- I agree that it would take ‘organisation’ in order to preach throughout the world. The apostles in the first century were ‘organised’ this way as we can read in Acts.
- I agree that God has always been 'organised' (1 Corinthians 14:33 ). He ‘organised’ Noah, Moses and many others to lead his people.
- I believe that God has an 'organisation', though I think a better term would be congregation. That congregation is the body of Christ who is the head, and those who have faith in him are a part of it (Ephesians 1:22 -23).
- I believe that Christians work best when they meet together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24 -25). This takes place all over the world in millions of Christian churches and congregations.
Here is what I don’t agree with:
- I believe the praise goes to God and his son Jesus NOT an ‘organisation’ which is simply there to facilitate helping people come to a close relationship with God and do his will. (Matthew 4:10)
- I don’t think anyone should overlook the importance of Jesus Christ and render his sacrifice as irrelevant and obsolete by giving way to strange new ideas, ie, that he would want us to join an exclusive group (Acts 10:24-35, Hebrews 13:8-9).
- The JW’s quote 1 Corinthians 1:10 and say that ‘such unity does not exist among the varied churches of Christendom’ (Reasoning Book p.283). They should read up to verse 13 to get the context. Paul is here talking about being united in belief in Christ. Almost all churches today are united in their belief that salvation is through Christ. It is the JW’s who are divided as they believe salvation is through an ‘organisation’.
- I don’t believe that Jesus would have a literal human congregation, but it is figurative in the sense that hundreds of millions are serving and praising Jesus united throughout the earth today (Ephesians 4:4-5). These people are believers; therefore they can be joined in worship.
I think that all JW’s should read the New Testament with an open mind and maybe they would realise that Jehovah today does have an ‘organisation’ but it isn’t exactly how the governing body are portraying it.
Jesus made no mention of a man made ‘organisation’ in the gospels. He is the head of the Christian congregation and ANYONE who puts their faith in him will be saved (John 3:16 ). It is not a matter of being part of an ‘organisation’. If Jesus had changed his mind then I’m sure he would have informed us.
Timmy xxx