Jehovah`s Witnesses today & first Century Christianity

by smiddy 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  smiddy

  In the first century ,did not Christians who took the lead , have to earn their own keep ? and provide for their own sustenance ? Their are numerous texts that support that position are their not ?

  What about the members of the G.B. today of Jehovah`s Witnesses , do they have secular work to provide for their sustenance and covering ? I think not .

  When did it change from a prominent member / leader of Christianity to provide for himself and his family by manual / secular work to taking a wage /,stipend from the contributions given by the congregants.? First Century , till now.?

  And how does this measure/ stack up with the claim that the Jehovah`s Witnesses religion is based on First Century Christianity.? Do you think they are the same ?

  Once again they are caught out in deception ...Or is that theocratic warfare in action .

  smiddy
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  Doltologist

  Religion is just an excuse for the idle to get rich at the expense of the gullible.

  Religion is a means for the controlling to exert their control over the gullible.

  Religion - masochism controlled by sadists.
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  Mephis

  Earliest texts seem to suggest that those who travelled would stay a day or two at most and have basic needs provided for. Some texts (eg the Didache) seem to suggest they had a problem with imposters and people taking advantage and so set time limits for the hospitality to be provided. The non-Christian stuff which touches on the religion (eg Lucian's Passing of Peregrinus) also suggest they were seen as being somewhat gullible and could be taken advantage of. There were also communal meals held at the houses of the richer members in each area, with the suggestion that the richer helped provide for the poorer. Worth noting that the bible examples of people like Paul suggest they had trades to support themselves.
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  The Searcher

  There's a huge chasm between accepting hospitality, and living off other people's blood, sweat, & tears. Unfortunately, the "hosts" are deluded into believing that a beneficial service is being provided by the parasites.

  The apostle Paul set the scriptural standard - one which all of the parasites within the Org refuse to follow:

  (Acts 18:3) "and on account of being of the same trade he stayed at their home, and they worked, for they were tentmakers by trade."

  (Acts 20:34) "YOU yourselves know that these hands have attended to the needs of me and of those with me."

  (1 Corinthians 4:11-12) "Down to this very hour we continue to hunger and also to thirst and to be scantily clothed and to be knocked about and to be homeless and to toil, working with our own hands."

  (2 Corinthians 11:9) "....and yet when I was present with YOU and I fell in need, I did not become a burden to a single one.....Yes, in every way I kept myself unburdensome to YOU and will keep myself so."

  (2 Corinthians 12:13) "For in what respect is it that YOU became less than the rest of the congregations, except that I myself did not become a burden to YOU? Kindly forgive me this wrong."

  (Ephesians 4:28) "Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work, that he may have something to distribute to someone in need."

  (1 Thessalonians 2:9) "Certainly YOU bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of YOU, that we preached the good news of God to YOU."

  (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) "...make it YOUR aim to live quietly and to mind YOUR own business and work with YOUR hands, just as we ordered YOU; so that YOU may be walking decently as regards people outside and not be needing anything."

  (2 Thessalonians 3:8) "...nor did we eat food from anyone free. To the contrary, by labor and toil night and day we were working so as not to impose an expensive burden upon any one of YOU."

  2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) "In fact, also, when we were with YOU, we used to give YOU this order: "If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat." For we hear certain ones are walking disorderly among YOU, not working at all but meddling with what does not concern them. To such persons we give the order and exhortation in [the] Lord Jesus Christ that by working with quietness they should eat food they themselves earn."

  Maybe we can expect to see these 16 scriptures removed from the next revision of the NWT!
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  Vidiot

  "Jehovah`s Witnesses today & first Century Christianity"...

  ...wouldn't recognize each other.