WT COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE 2-23-03 WT STUDY
JANUARY 15, 2003
DO YOU REALLY HAVE FAITH IN THE GOOD NEWS?
Mark 1:15
Mark 1 (CEV)
15 He said, "The time has come! God's kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!"
Mark 1 (WE)
15 `The time has come,' he said. `The kingdom of God is here. Stop your wrong ways, turn back to God and believe the good news.'
Some questions:
Is the kingdom of God the theme people hear when JWs come to their door?
Why the difference in the 2 translations: "God’s kingdom will soon be here." (CEV) and "The kingdom of God is here." (WE)
Why up until 1969 was Jesus portrayed without a beard by the WTS in their publications? (This issue has a picture of Jesus with a beard)
Why did the baptism questions change to "spirit-directed organization" rather than holy spirit?
Can one study and apply the Bible in full faith without using the WTS publications?
How can baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins not require a judicial committee?
Introduction
Jesus preached "the kingdom of God has drawn near."
Yet JWs are given these sermons to use at the door in the February 2003 Kingdom Manifesto:
1) Some people wonder if there is a personal God.
2) Do you think God meant for humans, including children, to suffer from malnutrition?
3) How can a person be happy when he is being persecuted?
4) Wouldn’t you agree that despite life’s problems we still have reason to be thankful?
Each one of these four opening questions and followup information is missing 2 vital things: the mention of God’s kingdom and Jehovah’s name.
Do the WTS and JWs "really have faith in the good news" if they never mention it in their preaching activity?
"Righthearted ones" are mentioned as being the only people to respond. If people don’t respond, then do JWs rightly label them unrepentant goats?
Since 1985 "righthearted ones" have been baptized in the name of a spirit-directed organization not the holy spirit.
1970 Version
:(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God = s Word as his holy spirit makes it plain?
1973 Version
:(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible
under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?1985 Version
(2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah = s Witnesses in association with God=s spirit-directed organization ?
At Acts 2:38 Peter says:
Acts 2 (CEV)38 Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit.
How is it then that judicial committees can decide if one is repentant or not and forgiven of one’s sins?
4/15/96 WT page 28There is no Scriptural basis for concluding that Christians in general, or even appointed elders in the congregations, have divine authority to forgive sins (unless they are acting in harmony with God’s thoughts in the Bible, huh?!). Yet , what Jesus said to his disciples at John 20:23, quoted above, indicates that God granted the apostles special powers in this regard.
As in the case of the man in ancient Corinth, when a gross sinner refuses to repent, he has to be disfellowshipped. If he later repents and produces works befitting repentance, divine forgiveness is possible. (Acts 26:20) In such a situation, the Scriptures give the elders reason to believe that Jehovah has indeed forgiven the wrongdoer.
Hence, any forgiving or not forgiving on the part of the elders would be in the sense of Jesus’ words at Matthew 18:18 : "Truly I say to you men, Whatever things you may bind on earth will be things bound in heaven, and whatever things you may loose on earth will be things loosed in heaven." Their actions would simply reflect Jehovah’s view of matters as presented in the Bible."Make a dedication to God" but only through the WTS.
"Taken their stand on the side of God’s Kingdom" but only by associating with the FDS/WTS.
"Everything God promises in his Word is good as done" but not what the WTS says.
The presence of Christ began in 1874 later changed to 1914.
Armageddon would come in 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, and 1975.
WE NEED FAITH! Christians must have faith in order to inherit God’s promises.Yes, JWs once again have that carrot put before them of everlasting life in heaven or on a paradise earth. Where is the goal of vindicating God’s sovereignty and sanctification of his name? Isn’t that where faith is most important?
We need to rejectMATERIALISMYes, once again this is brought to the fore.
We must believe that God is with us and that the counsel in his Word (translation: the WTS publications) really works.The counsel on transplants really worked. Past to 1967 okay, 1967-1980 not okay, 1980 to present okay. Those who followed the counsel from 1967-1980 probably were most appreciative.
Faith is part of the fruitage of God’s holy spirit.Yet if you were baptized from 1985 onward, you were baptized in the name of a spirit-directed organization not in the name of the holy spirit.
"The Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him" but only through the WTS.
FAITH IN GOD’S WORD (translation: WTS publications) VITAL
"Exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in me (Christ)" but through the WTS.
If we study and apply it in full faith that it provides the best counsel and direction available to us (translation: WTS publications).Helpful scriptures (translation: WTS publications) may be brought to our attention by fellow believers or while studying the Bible.Can we study the Bible and understand it without the WTS help?
10/1/94 WT page 8Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave . John 6:68.
Or we are guided by Jehovah’s holy spirit in some other way.
But not without going through the WTS.
FAITH AND SUSTENANCE
Elijah was fed by a lowly unclean bird and later by a lowly woman.
Based on these examples, the WTS says:
Faith in God’s Word gives us the assured expectation that Jehovah will care for our daily needs and will eventually make abundant provision for all who love him .
Yes, through lowly birds and women because congregations only help those who are deserving or worthy and a long-time worshippers in good standing.
7/15/98 WT page 24So it should not be necessary to have a special arrangement for those present to give money to cover lavish funeral expenses. If poor widows cannot meet necessary expenses, others in the congregation will no doubt be glad to assist. If such help is inadequate, the elders may arrange to provide material assistance for worthy ones .1/15/91 WT page 26
We can show consideration for widows by kind words of encouragement, by including them in our Christian activities and social gatherings, and by giving them material assistance if they are deserving and truly in need .Organized to Accomplish Your Ministry pages 122-123
Paul explained how material assistance may be provided to deserving ones . True worship involves looking after faithful and loyal ones.
A situation may arise where it might become necessary for the congregation as a whole to consider providing some form of assistance to certain needy brothers and sisters who have a long history of faithful service.
Application of Bible principles will help us put bread on the table.Being a good Christian worker will assure you getting a job before others. FAITH HELPS US TO ENDURE GRIEFGrief is natural. Even Jesus cried over Lazarus. Yet find the experience where a brother was praised for postponing his wife’s funeral so the elder’s school could be conducted.
FAITH STRENGTHENS THE DEPRESSEDHere it is in writing from the WTS:
God’s Word shows that even those who exercise faith may become victims of depression.Yes, depression is not a lack of faith, unless Job, Nehemiah, and Peter were faithless.
But back again to the WTS stance that depression is a result of external events rather than physical causes like diabetes.
Instead of viewing them (serious problems) as one major plight, we may be able to resolve them one at a time by applying Bible principles (WTS filtered of course which may mean that going to a worldly counselor will be discouraged).Balanced activity (less work and recreation and more ministry) and adequate rest (not sleeping during the meetings) may also be helpful.One thing is sure: Faith in God and his Word (through the WTS) promotes spiritual well-being.
"Jehovah is giving support" not WTS and elders.
We should believe these assurances for they are found in God’s Word (translation: WTS publications). FAITH AND OTHER TRIALS Serious illness (don’t confuse with depression which the WTS does not consider an illness but a lack of balance and adequate rest).Pray with those who are ill, but no miraculous healing to be requested (save that for Benny Hinn).
Jehovah’s support, as do our many fellow Christians who have grown old in God’s service (expecting never to die as promised by the WTS). MAINTAIN FAITH IN GOD’S WORD (translation: WTS publications)The spirit-begotten and their companions, highlights that the "great crowd" are second in time and importance with God according to the WTS. Have you ever thought that the 2 folds were the Jews, then the Gentiles but all spirit-begotten?
Even Jehovah himself would take me upBut the WTS, elders, and other JWs will walk on by.
Accept the Scriptures for what they truthfully are, the Word of God (but only as the WTS explains it). ConclusionThis is longer than I expected but there are so many BS items to plow through. Please comment on anything I missed or an insight you had reading it on your own or as you read my comments. As a JW are you putting faith in a man or a man’s organization?
Blondie