Perpetuating the Misapplication of1 Peter 2:21

by The Searcher 5 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  The Searcher

  Just listened on KHCONF to an Elder telling the audience that Christ left us a model to imitate his preaching.

  What really was the model he left?

  w02 8/15 p. 15 par. 1 “Follow Me Continually” said this - "JESUS CHRIST was by far the greatest Teacher ever to walk the earth. Furthermore, he was perfect, never sinning during his whole life course as a man. (1 Peter 2:22) Does that mean, though, that Jesus’ example as a teacher is too lofty for us imperfect humans to imitate? Not at all."

  However, a later WT changed the teaching to what it really is:

  *** w07 12/1 p. 29 Are You for Jehovah’s Sovereignty? A Model to Follow

  12 Today, the good news of the Kingdom is being preached in many lands, as Jesus prophesied it would be. (Matthew 24:14) As a result, millions of people have dedicated their life to God. They are excited about the blessings that the Kingdom will bring. They look forward to living forever in peace and security on a paradise earth, and they joyfully tell others about their hope. (Psalm 37:11; 2 Peter 3:13) Are you one of these Kingdom proclaimers? If so, you are to be commended. There is, however, something else that each one of us must consider.

  13 The apostle Peter wrote: “Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) Note that in this instance, Peter mentioned, not Jesus’ zeal in preaching or his skill in teaching, but his suffering.

  No wonder Witnesses don't know what the truth is, when they've been taught falsehoods all their lives, then teachings are reversed!
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  Zoos

  Well... clearly this is the fault of the spirit, AGAIN. The governing body can only dispense what it has been directed to dispense. It's not their fault when things get all jumbled and confused.
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  prologos

  Jesus really missed an opportunity, he could just have kept going, curing the sick, having fish provide money, resurrecting the dead , with angelic protection, living past the ~1000 years of the near-perfect Methuselah, but, as it turned out,

  the model to follow is: drop out of sight, work* for 30 years, then 3 and 1/2 years of pioneering, you are done, that is the footsteps.

  * being a joiner, sawyer without powertools is torture. try it!
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  Terry

  What Jesus + Apostles did which JW's do NOT do is quite a list, indeed.

  Jesus instructed those he sent forth to not take anything with them, not even a bag. JW's go nowhere in service without

  a bookbag and tons of literature to place.

  Jesus instructed those he sent forth to cure the sick and cast out demons. No JW does these things.

  Jesus instructed those he sent forth to NOT move house to house. They were supposed to stay and eat and drink

  with the householder whatever they were given. JW's miss the details on this rather blindly.

  The form of religion considered pure and undefiled is laid out rather plainly in

  James 1: 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

  JW's certainly devote zero time with widows and orphans outside the Kingdom Hall.
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  Phizzy

  Taking the verse at face value as that 07 WT does seems to be the right thing to do, Christ suffered for you, Gentiles looked upon as unworthy by his own Race, so you should be willing to suffer for each other. Nothing to do with preaching.
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  The Searcher

  Wrong Terry - BIG time!!

  In my experience, Witnesses generally avoid Witness widows and other elderly ones, especially if they are in a nursing home - unless of course the elderly one hands over their Attendance Allowance benefit to pay them for their 'time'. (UK)