Two questions to make one think (page 2)

OnTheWayOut

You will get JW's answering all over the map.

(1) Can one be a genuine Christian without being a JW?

They will say that this has been possible in the past, but God is directing people to Jehovah's Witnesses in these last days. Still, they may feel that isolated people here and there could be genuine Christians just waiting for JW's to find them.

(2) Can one be an "exemplary" JW without being a genuine Christian?

I imagine that sincere JW's recognize that there are JW's in good standing who do the right things for their own selfish reasons.

I personally find the first question rather presumptious. Asking if one can be a genuine Christian seems to imply that such a thing exists, while other beliefs would just be wrong. The same person searching for genuine Christians would assume that genuine [anything else] are living in false beliefs. Instead of looking at genuine Christianity as a truth, I can look at it in a way where "genuine" means living by the tenants of the belief. I personally think that virtually no humans genuinely live by Christianity in the fullest sense. Maybe the one known as "Mother Theresa" did so, and a few others, but most are not really willing to live their life fully for the benefit of others and be content with "sustenance and covering" or whatever the non-JW translation of such things are.

The second question: Perhaps millions of JW's are exemplary JW's because they attend the meetings and turn in recruiting time.

leaving_quietly

Seems to me a genuine Christian is one who Christ himself chooses. Why?

Matt 7:21-23: "“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22?Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23?And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness."

Thus, anyone who thinks they are a genuine Christian may very well not be.

Deputy Dog

l_q

I agree with you. Faith (in Christ) is a gift from God.

whathappened

As a JW I would answer both questions a no.

As an ex JW I would answer both questions a yes. (that 2nd one is tricky, but since JW's are not true Crhistians, they only think they are.)

Bella15

@ JGNAT -- EXACTLY ... a Christian is a follower of CHRIST --- we were called Christians starting in Antioch ... Christians are not "followers of Jehovah" those are called JEWS and they don't even pronounce that name ... lol .... I have thought the same just this week ...

sspo

1) No, you cannot be a genuine Christian unless you are a baptized JW and be part of "God's organization" and be active in service and meetings.

2) Yes, you can be exemplary in the congregation just by making all the meetings and turning in a 10 hour report every month.

I think that's what a JW would have to answer according to what we know about the Watchtower

Being genuine Christian cannot be proven or seen by the outward appearance.

ablebodiedman

(1) Can one be a genuine Christian without being a JW? Yes, all you have to do is obey Jesus Christ! (2) Can one be an "exemplary" JW without being a genuine Christian? ALL Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians because they do not obey Jesus Christ: Luke 21:8 8 He said: “Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time has approached.’ Do not go after them. Do not go after them.............. Its a commandment from Jesus Christ! . see answer to #1 above . abe

Two questions to make one think