Nov 15, 2006 WT
When requesting reinstatement, he should be able to give evidence that he has repented and is producing “works that befit repentance.”—Acts 26:20.
How possibly can someone "give evidence" or "produce works"?
Reinstatement - repentance - works - Can you explain how this is supposed to work?
by berrygerry 19 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
berrygerry
-
leaving_quietly
Attend all the meetings and make sure your WT / book is underlined. And if you have wronged someone, try your best to make restitution. That isn't always possible because some situations don't call for restitution. But, whereever possible, to so.
Of course, the verse used is WAY, WAY, WAY out of context. I wish I had realized that when I was an elder.
Paul was talking about his ministry to those in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea and the Gentiles and was telling them to repent and do works befitting repentence. These people were not yet Christians. What "works" did Paul emphasize? He contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5. The works he constantly talked about were the works produced by the spirit: love, joy, peace, etc. The works that befit repentence would naturally be things that showed one actually had the spirit, namely, helping others, such as the poor, the orphans and the widows. That these are the works Paul referred to can be seen easily by reading his letters.
-
sowhatnow
attending meetings, and not missing is about all you can do when your df, so i know what you mean.
id certainly like to know how someone regularly attending meetings and just sitting there not talking or associating is showing repentance, they did it anyway.
the elder evaluations that a df person goes through is rediculose, they aske questions as if you have any answers different than the last time they may have met with you. you just tell them what they want to hear, or what they are told to look for.
crying? I dont know.
it really makes no sense at all especially if you read the whole 26th chapter, from a real bible.
acts 26 was i believe talking about those who were unrepentant jews who were to return to god, and perfoming deeds in KEEPING WITH thier repentance
[english standard version] i dont think it is for us to apply. its was talking about the ones who were straying again from God. the chosen nation of israel.
-
prologos
re: if you have wronged someone, got someone pregnant, fork over the quarter million that it takes to raise th kid through college.
-
sloppyjoe2
Actually there are important things to be said. When deciding to disfellowship often times elders look at how the person is doing spiritually as a direct correlation to their repentance. Do they feel like they have jahs spirit, do they earnestly pray for forgivness as well as in everyday life. Do they talk as if they have a personal relationship with him.
Now you just apply the same when trying to get reinstated. Tell the elders how you did not pray to Jehovah and did not feel worthy to be one of his sheep. Tell them how you had a bad attitude and was critical of others in the congregation causing you to stray. Tell them you didn't pray, never studied for meetings, never did personal study. tell them you thought meetings were boring and disliked field service. Now bring on the works that befit repentance.
Tell them When you were disfellowshipped you never felt more empty and alone. You cried and begged Jehovah for help. As you got back to reading the bible everyday, studying for all the meetings, personal study you very slowly and gradually felt Jehovah giving you his spirit. You developed a spiritual routine everyday. As time went on you found yourself talking and praying to jehovah all day long everyday. You couldn't wait to go to the meetings even though no one could speak with you, just being around his sheep became so refreshing to you. You read every watchtower and awake as soon as it is available. After awhile all you could think about doing was how you need to preach to others about your god. It was then that it hit you just how much you not only hurt those who loved you but how much you hurt jehovah. Reflecting on it all became very emotional for you once again. but this time you gave a very long and heartfelt prayer to jehovah. You actually felt his spirit encouraging you and uplifting you. It was then you finally knew you were determined to never let this happen again and never let your spiritual guard down. It was then you realized you were determined to return to hi and be in good standing whenever Jehovah felt the time was right.
And that about sums up your works that befit repentance. And probably wouldn't be a bad letter requesting reinstatement.
-
berrygerry
Sloppy
You're hired.
-
Balaamsass2
Sloppy knows. What he says in a dated letter. If money is involved making payments helps. Apology letter/cards (save copies).
Tears. (A dash of pepper spray near your eyes).
On second thought......... WHY bother??
-
prologos
Are disfellowshipped persons allowed to make contributions to the world wide work? if yes,
are receipts for contributions not just for tax purposes, but
are they acts of repentence too?
money sings, and the disfellowshipped sing kingdom songs at our hall.
-
Terry
What evidence of works did the Prodigal Son demonstrate to the father who welcomed him with open arms?
I rest my case.
-
DesirousOfChange
TERRY: What evidence of works did the Prodigal Son demonstrate to the father who welcomed him with open arms? I rest my case.
We're talking about reinstatement here. WTF does the Prodigal Son have to do with anything concerning reinstatement. Get real, Terry! The Elders aren't even going to read anything in their Bibles, except a couple token scriptures to the person requesting reinstatement. They're going to read the Elders' Book and recall that at the most recent Elders' School they were told Robbie couldn't be reinstated because 6 months is not enough time to prove repentance.
Doc