Watchtower teaches that Jesus dying on the stake is no longer certain

by Listener 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Listener

  The Watchtower has held for many years that Jesus died on a stake and held strongly to this teaching.
  
  

  W 1951 3/15 The above agrees with the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in its Appendix, page 769, in saying that the instrument upon which Jesus was nailed was a stake without a crossbeam, and not the religiously represented “cross”; and that the Greek word used for that instrument in ancient time meant a “stake” and not the conventional religious cross

  They are no longer certain on this point. This is from their website on the question of whether Jesus died on a cross or stake
  
  

  Many view the cross as the most common symbol of Christianity. However, the Bible does not describe the instrument of Jesus’ death, so no one can know its shape with absolute certainty.

  
  This is an issue that was strongly upheld when going out in field work. So many arguments would have been prevented if we could have said that there is no absolute certainty on the matter.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Vanderhoven7

  Is there WTS documentation of this uncertainty?
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  Bungi Bill

  If this is not a complete turnaround, then it is very close to it!

  So much for the old, popularly held JW belief that nobody had knowledge of the Koine Greek language to match that of FW Franz. (And all that talk in the Truth book about the Greek words "stauros", "xylon" etc.)
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  redpilltwice

  Bungi Bill, F. Franz would turn in his grave lol
  

  So, from cross to stake to uncertain? Wow, just wow! Is this WT's next step towards a more mainstream religion?

  Next question (if official): will JW's be allowed to have/wear a cross?
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  Anders Andersen

  @Vanderhoven

  https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/did-jesus-die-on-cross/
  
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  redpilltwice

  Thanks for the link Anders. So it's not so big after all ey?
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  smiddy

  "1.God rejecs worship that uses symbols or images including the cross"

  Does that also include using the Tetragrammaton displayed in some kingdom halls ?

  How about the JW.ORG logo used so widely now ? and worn as badges and pins and other paraphenalia?

  So they still lean heavily on the belief Jesus died on a stake and not on a cross-beam.
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  tor1500

  Hi All,

  They had to. Because they don't want to stray to far from other bibles. In John 20:25 in part it says..."unless I see in his hands the print (mark) of the NAILS". When the wt shows Jesus hung on a stake, we see only one nail, because his hands are crossed (there that word). So now some reader may have pointed it out so once again they have to back peddle their theory.

  I think they should stick with their explanation of why not to wear a cross. If your loved one was killed by a dagger would you wear that around your neck to remember them. That's a good one, who could reason that. The other is that Jehovah don't want us to worship idols. That's a good one too.

  Just stayed tuned. The organization chariot is making skid marks towards Jesus. I think The lightbulb went on in the tower. Jesus is the way. Even Jehovah said whoever believes in my son believes in me. Jw's are so concerned about Jehovah sovereignty, they forgot about Jesus, Jehovah already said he would make his name known all we are supposed to do is tell of the Christ. That is what Christianity is about....Christ. Jw's are missing the entire point.

  Take pity.

  Tor
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  Half banana

  Since when have the JW organisation started to use logical reasoning?

  If they really go in that direction they might all wake up.
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  AverageJoe1

  Half banana
  

  Since when have the JW organisation started to use logical reasoning?

  If they really go in that direction they might all wake up.

  We can live in hope!