"We acknowledge our fallibility. Truth will endure the closest investigation. I bear you record that you have a zeal for God. Is it, or is it not according to knowledge? Is it in the holy word, which you declare is the ONLY rule of faith...?". (Henry Grew 1857)
"Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible, or on a par with the holy Scriptures. The most we claim or have ever claimed for our teachings is that they are what we believe to be harmonious interpretations of the divine Word, in harmony with the spirit of the truth. And we still urge , as in the past, that each reader study the subjects we present in the light of the Scriptures, proving all things by the Scriptures, accepting what they see to be thus approved, and rejecting all else . (C.T Russell)
These two statements harmonize with Scriptural commands to examine closely what is being taught about God's word the Bible and to confirm it is the truth, just as the Beroeans compared what the anointed apostle Paul said, by studying the Scriptures. (1 John 4:1; 1 Tim.4:1; ; 1 Tim. 1:3,4; 2 Pet. 2:1; Acts 17:11)
The following statements must be placed alongside the Scriptures for an honest-hearted appraisal as to whether they "originate with God"or they "make God's word invalid". (1 John 4:1; Matt.15:6) To forbid such a scrutiny is nothing short of obeying the will of demons - regardless of "justification".
w10 1/15 p. 5 - Jesus’ "other sheep" will not become sons of God until the end of the thousand years. However, since they have dedicated themselves to God, they can properly address God as "Father" and can rightly be considered members of Jehovah’s family of worshippers.
w08 1/15 p. 21 par. 8 - Anointed Christians are declared righteous, because they exercise faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice . (Rom. 3:24, 28) In Jehovah’s eyes, they are acquitted of sin and can be anointed with holy spirit to be spiritual sons of God, brothers of Jesus Christ. (John 1:12, 13) They come into the new covenant and form a new nation, "the Israel of God." (Gal. 6:16; Luke 22:20) What a magnificent privilege all of that represents!
w08 1/15 p. 22 par. 11 - The Christian Greek Scriptures were written primarily for "the Israel of God," those anointed as brothers of Christ and spiritual sons of God.
w05 6/1 p. 10 par. 5 - They (anointed) have been declared righteous as spiritual sons of God, and to them these words apply: "He delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins." — Colossians 1:13, 14. Those who successfully pass the final test after the Millennial Reign of Christ will be adopted as Jehovah’s earthly sons and "have the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:21; Revelation 20:7, 9) In anticipation of this , they address Jehovah as their Father.
w04 11/1 p. 13 par. 17 -
According to Scripture, Who Are Jesus' "Brothers"?
(Matthew 12:50)
Jesus said that the meek would inherit the earth, therefore, we become joint heirs with Christ when he inherits his reward from our mutual heavenly Father. J esus addressed Jehovah as his Father . How were all his disciples to address Jehovah? (Matt. 6:9) Jesus promised that he would have one flock of sheep, not two different "classes". (John 10:16) Different hopes , but not separate classes! It is God's will "that all sorts of men should.......come to an accurate knowledge of truth". (1 Ti m. 2:4)
There are no Scriptures which even infer that all 1st Century Christians had the heavenly hope, therefore do not try to use a false teaching to validate another false teaching. The wording in the above Scriptures is undeniable as to whom it applies - all Christians in the one flock!
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matthew 13:38) The field is the world; as for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; (Matthew 25:40) To the extent that YOU did it to one of the least of these my brothers, YOU did it to me. (Mark 3:35) Whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother." (Luke 8:21) In reply he said to them: "My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." (John 1:12,13) However, as many as did receive him , to them he gave authority to become God’s children , because they were exercising faith in his name ; and they were born, not from blood or from a fleshly will or from man’s will, but from God. (John 15:14) YOU are my friends if YOU do what I am commanding YOU . (Romans 8:14) For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. (1 John 5:1) Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God , and every one who loves the parent loves the child [Christ]. (Revised Standard Version)