The Beroean example.

by dmouse 5 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  dmouse

  People here often use the example of the Boroeans, who examined the scriptures to test 'whether theses things were so' to try and encourage JWs to test their beliefs and see if they really measure up to the bible.

  As usual, the Society twist scriptures so that they mean the opposite of what was intended. Anyway, that's the feeling I get after reading this study article:

  Watchtower September 15 th 2002

  Keep Practicing The Things You Have Learned

  Page 18, paragraph 11

  In this regard, Paul wrote: Keep testing whether you are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5) The apostle urged us to keep testing ourselves to determine whether we are adhering to the body of Christian beliefs. If our ears are inclined towards disgruntled ones (what, like raped children? dm.), we need to analyse ourselves prayerfully. Are we inclined to find fault with Jehovahs people?

  12. Rather than being critical, let us maintain a spiritually healthy view of the information received through personal study and congregation meetings. And instead of questioning Gods Word (read Watchtower dm.), how much wiser it is to have the attitude of the first-century Beroeans who examined the scriptures closely! Then, let us act on what we learn, turning down false stories and clinging to the truth.

  So, i t doesnt mean that you should question a particular religion to see if its the truth, it means that you should test yourself, to see if you are still a good dubbie.
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  blondie

  During the time when Ray Franz and others were being scrutinized and kicked out of Bethel, this information came out criticizing their private study groups and warning the rank and file of the danger and misapply Acts 17:11. I am not surprised to see this tactic used again.

  *** w81 2/15 18-19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?

  A NOBLE-MINDED VIEW

  How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this "faithful and discreet slave"? Should it be viewed criticallyOh, well, it might be true but then again it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically? Some apparently have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: "Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so."

  But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the "faithful and discreet slave," with a view to finding fault? Not at all!

  First of all, let us note the setting of the statement about the noble-minded Beroeans. Paul, accompanied by Silas, was on his second missionary tour. Due to persecution that arose, the brothers at Thessalonica sent them on to Beroea. In Beroea they met sincere Jews who had strong faith in Gods Word. These were not Christians yet. They were simply interested persons who had to satisfy themselves that what Paul was telling them had the support of the Hebrew Scriptures.

  Up to this time, these devout Jews in Beroea may never have heard of Jesus Christ. What Paul was telling them was entirelynew.So those noble-minded Jews in Beroea searched the Scriptures daily to make certain that the references that Paul gave were really part of Gods Word. And with what mental attitude did they pursue their studies? With a skeptical attitude, trying to prove Paul wrong? No, they were altogether unlike Pauls critics on Mars Hill, for we read that they heard Pauls testimony with "the greatest eagerness of mind."Acts 17:11, 32.

  These Beroeans listened with a readiness, yes, an eagerness, to believe. Thus not only were they open-minded, but they were wanting to have this "good news" proved true. In fact, for a person to acquire faith he must have "the will to believe." If he is determined not to believe, then no amount of evidence will convince him; for if a person looks for them he can always find excuses, plausible reasons for not accepting the accountability that belief will bring upon him. As the apostle Paul well said: "Faith is not a possession of all people." (2 Thess. 3:2) But the Beroeans had the will to believe. They considered what they heard with a receptive frame of mind. As a result, "many of them became believers, and so did not a few of the reputable Greek women and of the men."Acts 17:12.

  Jesus disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in "the way of the truth." (2 Pet. 2:2) But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about.

  Yet here the WTS says:

  ***W81 2/15 27 Make Your Good Name Now!***

  11 Who, then, are the modern-day Philips that are safe guides? Those who believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God; who take it as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path; who neither add to it nor take away from it; who let God and his Word be true though they make every man a liar; and who expend themselves in publicly preaching this good news of the kingdom in all the earth as a witness. (2 Tim. 3:16; Ps. 119:105; Deut. 4:2; Rom. 3:4; Matt. 24:14) They use the Bible as their authority, and encourage their hearers to check up on them, not taking their word for it, but taking only Gods Word for it. (Acts 17:11) For you to make a name with God, you should aim to be such a faithful guide, "always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect." Or, as Paul said: "Know how you ought to give an answer to each one."1 Pet. 3:15; Col. 4:6.

  Edited by - Blondie on 16 August 2002 14:34:50
• 

  Gopher

  Dmouse,

  Good point. The JW's indeed apply this scriptural to help deflect useful examination of their OWN teachings.

  Blondie,

  Once again you nailed it on the head. Excellent research using the 1981 Watchtower magazine. That last quote really got to me!!

  They use the Bible as their authority, and encourage their hearers to check up on them, not taking their word for it, but taking only Gods Word for it. (Acts 17:11)

  So they think that they're the modern-day Philip class, but do they really encourage their hearers to check up on them? The only thing I recall ever being encouraged to check was the Watchtower Publications index. So in essence, to see if the current thing written is true, go back and compare it, not to the Bible, but to "our earlier publications".

  What a stale body of work their brand of teachings is!!
• 

  minimus

  If you thought they were tough in 1981, you ain't seen nothin' yet!!!
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  jgnat

  Bleep quoted another WT article on the Beroeans :

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=31219&site=3&page=5

  Once he had become a Christian, Paul went forth boldly to spread the good news that he had learned. And as would be expected, he met up with the same kind of closed-mindedness that he himself had once had-but not in every case. In Beroea, in northern Greece, he found some meekhearted ones who were a fine example of how to listen to counsel. These ones recognized the ring of truth in Paul's words. Hence, "they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind." But they were open-minded, not gullible. They 'carefully examined the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.' (Acts 17:11) They liked what they heard, although they checked its authenticity with the Bible before completely accepting it. (Would You Have Listened to Paul? Sorry, he gave no reference)

  The spin on this is amazing. Lucky for Paul, his claims stood the test of the scriptures. I wonder if a stranger showed up at Bethel with some amazing claims on Jehovah's promises, if the meek Bethelites would eagerly search out the scriptures to see if that stranger were correct?
• 

  neyank

  jgnat says:

  "I wonder if a stranger showed up at Bethel with some amazing claims on Jehovah's promises, if the meek Bethelites would eagerly search out the scriptures to see if that stranger were correct?"

  I'm sure the response from the Bethelites would go something like this......

  Hmmm sounds interesting. But did you check with our writing department?
  If they didn't write it, it can't be true..
  After all, we have Gods mouthpiece right here with us and I'm sure we would know things before you.

  What do you think?
  Sound like something bethelites would say?????

  neyank