Hi Survivor,
It is great to hear that you are getting a bible. The first couple of years I still read the NWT and I got the message that the orgainzation missed loud and clear. The NWT will do if you still have one, except for some alterations they made to prove their doctrines.
Just for and example I will show you a major change. The bible is clear that we are saved thru believing in Jesus, that when you really get to know him and believe that he was real he forgave ALL our sins and that he died and was resurected. It is also clear that it was a GIFT...like a present and that we do not have to earn it. He did the job of saving us and there is nothing we can do to add to that. Take note of these scriptures.
Acts 4:12......."Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Right there that rules out the JWs.. it is Jesus name that saves, not carrying their name. You know how they feel you MUST be a baptised JW to be saved.
Ephesians 2:8....."For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith.....and this NOT FROM YOURSELVES, it is a GIFT of God....NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast."
Again it shows that all those hours spent in the field service to save our hides do not add brownie points with God. We were so self righteous. We liked to be called pioneers, ministerial servants, elders and such. There is not enough works we could do to buy our way out. Jesus paid the price for things he did not do, but things we did. He did not derserve that, but he did it because he loved us so much and gave us this gift.... this present.
You know how zelous JW's are about knowledge saving you along with works. Look as Jesus own words at John 5:39
"You diligently study the scriptures because you think that by them you posses eternal life........yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Wow.. think about that!! Do you ever hear Jesus given any diety in the kingdom halls. They know all ABOUT HIM..... but they do not really KNOW HIM. Big difference. I knew all the scriptures and my head was filled with knowledge, but I never, never, never knew Jesus. Like a friend. Infact, Jesus calls us His friends.
Now the clincher with the NWT...... As witness we all knew John 17:3. Look at how they changed Jesus words and meaning by adding their word 'KNOWLEDGE"
The NWT reads this way:.......""This means everlasting life, their taking in "knowledge" of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."
ALL OTHER BIBLES..... any of them read this way...
"Now this means eternal life: that they may KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent forth."
Big difference between taking in knowledge to save you and knowing Jesus to save you.
There is many other word changes, but like I said, they cannot change the context of the bibles meaning that we are saved thru excepting Jesus and nothing else is required. What we do after just comes from the heart. I did not spend time on this post for you today to fill out a service card with how much time I spent on you............... I was not required. Because of the gift I received I felt love for you and did it because I care. Whether I wrote this or not has nothing to do with being a child of God's and being saved.
I am sorry this is long. I wish I could wave a magic wand and show you so many things and have you understand instantly.... but it just does not happen that way. I pray others read this post to and become curious enough to really just plain old read the bible. No religion saves you. Just Jesus does.
As Matthew 23:4 , and it fits the JW's....."They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders,....... yet the same book of Matt 11:30 says.."My yoke is easy and my burden light.."
Can you any of you say that about the organization. We were burdened to the max. That should not be so with Christ.
lots of agape love gold morning. again if you need me... [email protected]
