aChristian

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Posts by aChristian

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  31

  The Trinity: to believe or not to believe?

  by speechless in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this question applies to those exjws who are at peace with god:.

  do you now believe in the trinity?.

  for myself, it took awhile for me to accept the trinity doctrine, but i finally came to believe!.

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  aChristian

  Ros,

  As you know, the Trinitarians knock JWs for being "polytheists," worshippers of more than one god. But that is not quite accurate, for as we know, JWs do not worship their little g god, Jesus. I think I understand to you say that Jesus was a little g god before Pentecost and afterwards he became a big G God. Does that mean from that point on Christians should no longer call Christ's father their God, or do we now have worship two Gods and leave ourselves open to the charge of being polytheists? You mention that it is helpful to "think Jewish." Obviously Jews would not think much of us having two Gods.

  You wrote: it was once pointed out to me that if the Biblical scribes Jewish leaders had not become superstituous about God's OT name, leaving it out of the Greek translations, the whole confusion that has led to the trinity doctrine might never have occurred.

  As you know, historians tell us that the personal name of God, as recorded in the Old Testament, was not used in either its written or spoken form for many years before the time of Christ. Because the Jews were afraid that casual use of the divine name might amount to "taking the name of the Lord in vain," they actually forbid its use altogether.

  As you also know, the Bible tells us that for Christians the name of Jesus should be promoted above every name. (Phil. 2:9) Has it occurred to you that it may have been by God's own design that His Old Testament name fell out of use and was eventually lost, to make certain that the name of Jesus Christ would be put "above all names" by Christians?

  Just a thought.
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  130

  Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

  by plmkrzy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

  why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

  he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

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  aChristian

  Yadirf/Fencepost:

  You wrote: Such reasoning places limitations on God’s abilities.

  As I have told you twice already, I believe God could do anything, eventhings that do not make sense to me or things which seem impossible to me. However, as Christians we should believe that God does things in the way that the Bible says that He does them. And the Bible does not indicate that he does things in the way that you say He does them.
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  31

  The Trinity: to believe or not to believe?

  by speechless in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this question applies to those exjws who are at peace with god:.

  do you now believe in the trinity?.

  for myself, it took awhile for me to accept the trinity doctrine, but i finally came to believe!.

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  aChristian

  Ros,

  On the surface your explanation of how Jesus could become God (Do you put a big G or a little g on that word when you use it to describe Jesus?) seems to be a good one. Kings and queens do often abdicate their thrones to their heirs. The only problem I have with that is that the God of the Bible seems to say that He would never do such a thing. "I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion." (Ex. 20:5) Jesus said the same thing. He said, "It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service." (Matt. 4:10) Yet we know he accepted "worship," the same Greek word he used in Matt. 4:10. (Matt.28:9,17; Luke 24:52) Many other things come to mind. For instance, God said, "I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory." (Isa. 42:8) However, Jesus said, "For the Son of Man is destined to come in the glory of his father." (Matt. 16:27) As I've said before, I'm not sure how I feel about the Trinity doctrine. But I believe that the Father and Son are One in a far greater way than the way JWs say they are.
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  125

  Ya'll dont believe in God?

  by flower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have to ask this although i have a feeling i dont really want to read the responses but anyway.

  i talked to several people here today who dont believe there is a god at all.

  this is disturbing!

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  aChristian

  The God of the Bible created our universe and He loves us all very much. I have no doubt about it. And I have listened to everything all of the atheists, agnostics and Bible bashers here say to the contrary.
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  3

  Where to go? Where to go?

  by D8TA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  wish that frickin jw lingo line would die plz, thnx.. been hearing it every time i take issue of the wtbts scam.

  long slow discussions that have been going on for months.

  patiently showing them from the wtbts own publications and no outside sources, the falicy this cult is.. when down to the final round, and have all them facts laid out, pages and pages of wt quotes contradicting its self.

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  aChristian

  Of course the reason the question seems hard to answer is because you are asking yourself the wrong question. Peter asked the right one. It is not a question now of where you should go, but to whom you should go.

  "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
  Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'" (John 6:67,68)
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  1

  faith in God...

  by speechless in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i admit i am often as an exjw troubled in my faith of god, his eternal existence, and his eternal purpose.

  today, my soul was very troubled and, by whether by chance or by god's arm, i was led to the following discussion: .

  http://groups.google.com/groups?q=proof+christ+rose&start=30&hl=en&selm=noahdove-ya023480001608980947250001%40news.lightspeed.bc.ca&rnum=36

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  aChristian

  Having just read what was written at the link you posted, I'm curious, what did you find most faith strengthening?
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  9

  Was 587B.C. the first destruction of jerusalem?

  by compton in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  all the footnotes in most bibles point to this date, as the final fall of jerusalem.

  if this is the correct,this date means this is when the 2,520 days of years commenced.

  in daniel chapter 4.the seven times.

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  aChristian

  Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon in either 587 or 586 BC. The only reason there is any doubt at all about the exact date, 587 or 586, is not because there is a problem with secular historical records for this period of time, but because the Bible itself is not absolutely clear as to whether this happened in Nebuchadnezzar's 18th or his 19th year as king.

  But even if we put aside the fact that the Watchtower Society is wrong about the date of Jerusalem's destruction, which they certainly are, their Daniel 4/"Gentile Times"/1914 doctrine still has more holes in it than a 500 lb. piece of Swiss cheese.
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  130

  Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

  by plmkrzy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

  why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

  he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

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  aChristian

  Dakota,

  You asked: Why would Jesus descend from heaven with the voice of one lower than himself?

  Michael will anounce Christ's return as he leads a procession of angels. Remember, Christ will return with "all the angels with him." The same verse also tells us that Christ's return will be announced by a "trumpet's call." Does this mean Jesus is a trumpet?

  You spoke of "the message of God's Kingdom. That being found at John 13:34, 35. Love one another just as I have loved you! When we learn to love one another, in spite of differing views and beliefs, then I feel we have conquered the world and may receive salvation."

  I hope you didn't mean that literally. Love is certainly very important. But it is not THE message of God's kingdom. And showing endless love to everyone will not gain us salvation.

  We can discover the real message of God's kingdom by looking at what the apostles preached. The apostle Paul said, "We preach Christ crucified." In fact, Paul said that in his ministry he had "resolved to know nothing" "except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2) The apostles spent all their time telling people about Jesus Christ and what He had done for them. The meassage they preached was that if people would only believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ's sacrificial death was a sufficient payment for all their sins, God would forgive them completely for all of their unrighteousness, and He would then give them the gift of eternal life.

  Many religions besides Christianity also preach the need for us to love one another. However, unless we put our faith in Jesus Christ and in the power of His sacrificial death to pay for all of our sins, all the love we show to others and all the good works we perform on their behalf will be as valuable in gaining salvation as a pile of dirty rags.
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  130

  Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

  by plmkrzy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

  why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

  he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

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  aChristian

  Jesus is not Michael the Archangel. Read Hebrews chapter 1. The whole chapter makes it quite clear that Jesus was not and is not an angel. Verse 13 asks, "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enimies a stool for your feet'?" The answer to this rhetorical question, which is made quite clear in the previous 12 verses, is obviously, "None."
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  130

  Micheal the ArcAngel/Jesus the man

  by plmkrzy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that a lot believe that micheal and jesus are one in the same some believe that jehovah and jesus are one in the same some believe that one is the son of god yadda yadda yadda.. would some of you please address or post your reasons for believing that micheal the arc angel was not gods first creation and why he couldn't be the one sent to us to be born as a man and become our savyor?

  why would he not have another name fitting his role as a man on earth?

  he obviously wouldn't be living on earth as a child growing up as an angel.

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  2. 
  3. 
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  aChristian

  Dakota,

  You wrote: I doubt too many here are still wearing JW glasses. Just becuase we may see and agree with some of their beliefs does not constitute being misled by them. May I recommend you remove the glasses of traditional orthodoxy and then view the Bible.

  I'm not wearing any. I was a JW for 30 years. I am now a Christian, nothing more. I have several "unorthodox" understandings. However, believing like the JWs, that no part of us survives our deaths is not one of them. The Bible clearly teaches that our "spirits" do survive our deaths. I notice that you did not refute any of the scriptural arguments I made for this fact.

  You wrote: If our souls go off to heaven, why does every church teach Matthew 5:5, The meek shall inherit the earth?

  Revelation 5:10 tells us in nearly all translations of the Bible, except for the JW NWT, that those who will rule as kings and priests with Christ will do so "on the earth."