"New light" and BLOOD ...

by EdenOne 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  EdenOne

  This might deserve a thread of its own, but here goes ...

  On 1st Timothy 3:16, we read: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness ..."

  What Paul meant by "all Scripture"...?

  The context shows what Paul was talking about. On v.15 he mentions tells Timothy that " from infancy you have known the holy writings , which are able to make you wise for salvation". If Timothy was in his early 30's when he was appointed by Paul as an elder in Ephesus, then Timothy was born circa 29 CE, that is, well before Jesus' death, and therefore, the "holy writings" that he has known since his infancy were the OT. That's the "all Scripture" that paul refers to on v.16.

  Since Paul was talking about the OT, saying that it was "useful" [Greek: opheleo, meaning: profit, help, benefit] for "teaching". Shall we conclude that Paul was endorsing the OT as a source of doctrine for Christians?

  No. Here's why. The context on v.15 shows that Paul considered the OT useful because they "are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." The salvation doesn't come from observation and obedience to the OT. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus. However, the OT can become "useful" and "helpful" to the Chrstian [in particular, the Christian with a jewish background, as it was Timothy's case], to gain wisdom to recognize the Messiah as Jesus.

  While Paul described the OT Scriptures as "useful / profitable", he didn't describe them as "authority". However, he described the apostleship as "authority that the Lord gave us" (2 Corinthians 10:8) [Strong's #1832, exesti, meaning: lawful], thus tracing his authority directly from Jesus Christ.

  Eden
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  Phizzy

  Surely the claim in the July WT is that there was no FDS after the death of the Apostles, so the "decree" in Acts 15 can still be taken out of context and used to cause deaths through lack of medical care.

  This is one claim from the July WT :

  "FEEDING THE MANY FROM PENTECOST ONWARD

  Para 8. Starting at Pentecost 33 C.E., the resurrected Christ used his apostles as the channel through which he fed the rest of his anointed disciples. (Read Acts 2:41, 42.) That channel was clearly recognized by the Jews and proselytes who became spirit-anointed Christians that day.

  Unhesitatingly, they "continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles." "
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  Pterist

  Good catch Eden

  Also, the WHEAT matured without any FDS through the centuries, as it was/will be fully mature for reaping (not to an earthly org but heaven) when he arrives.

  Shalom
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  whathappened

  The governing body and their writting staff do not understand what a deep grave they have dug themselves. It's mindboggling the holes that are in this "new light."