Just asking for help from the vast number of very knowledgeable people here. When was the "stake" doctrine adopted by JW's and what publication contains that information. Thank you.
HELP: the cross or the stake
by never a jw 13 Replies latest jw friends
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yadda yadda 2
Everything you need to know at the link below, particularly the brilliant article by Leolaia (Phd graduate).
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/97358/1/Cross-or-a-Stake-which-was-it#.UqFsCtIW3nh
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never a jw
Leolaia? Say no more. Only God knows how much I miss her.
Thanks Yadda
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The Searcher
The bottom line is that the implement used to kill Jesus is neither fundamental nor should it be functional in our faith and worship, it's the fact that he gave his perfect life as as a ransom that should be a Christian's sole focus for God's grace.
As far as my my studies have shown me, both crosses and stakes were used to execute people by the Romans - thousands at one particular time in their history!
Since the only eyewitness reports we have of the event of Jesus' death are quoted in the Gospels, (as far as I know!) then I will simply accept those references and descriptions of the stauros as factual.
If it wasn't an upright stake, so what? Does it increase or decrease someone's faith if there was or wasn't a cross beam, or whether 2 or 4 nails were used to fasten him to the artefact? The Scriptural and moral point is not to revere any such objects and absorb it into Bible teachings by stealth.
"Bend the knee" (Philippians 2:10) to the Christ, not to the apparatus he was executed upon! (1 John 5:21)
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Faithful Witness
Searcher, great points. The "cross vs. stake" argument didn't get far in our house either. My husband made similar points to what you said.
The JW's get hung up on these details, and overlook the big picture. They miss the whole message of redemption and salvation.
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DATA-DOG
I agree that the particular method of death is not a salvation issue. The real issue for me was the WTBTS lying once again. Check out Jwfacts.com, there is some awesome info. Once again the WTBTS tries to set itself up a source of "truth", while being deceptive and giving the R&F half-truths and misleading information.
DD
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eyeuse2badub
The ONLY reason JW's dug up stuff about 'stake verses cross' was because of Rutherford. He was forming HIS own religion and needed to be different in everyway from all others. Didn't make any difference if HIS doctrines were believeable or reasonable, they just needed to be different.
eyeuse2badub
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Stand for Pure Worship
While you're at it, consider whether or not the object used to execute Jesus was made out of cedar or timber.
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DesirousOfChange
Leolaia? Say no more. Only God knows how much I miss her.
Did something happen to Leolaia?
She had such a vast amount of knowledge about things!!!
I see now that she has not posted for nearly a year.
Doc
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rocketman
"The JW's get hung up on these details" - pun intended, Faithful Witness?