Posts by bennyk

16

"The governing body at that time..."

by OneEyedJoe in

so i'm listening to the regional manager give his mid week talk and he's going over acts 15 where they're dealing with the issues that arrose from the jewish christians wanting the gentile christians to adhear too the mosaic law, so some of the apostles gathered to hash it out.

it struck me, though, that he kept using the phrase "the governing body at that time" to describe the apostles and older men who decided on the matter.

once he even slipped up and said apostles, then corrected it to the gb.. i'm thinking that they've actually gone so far as to put it in his outline to make sure its beaten into the r/f that the gb's power is somehow based in scripture.

bennyk

One EyedJoe writes: "It's clear that this cult thinks of its literature as equal to the bible since the GB is supposed to be the continuation of the folks who set doctrine in the first century."

The "Christian Greek Scriptures" demonstrate that the early Christians were guided by the Head of the Congregation, the Lord Christ Jesus, not some "Governing Body." But even if we were to assume from Acts chapter 15 that some manner of governing body existed in the first century, we would note that it would have been composed of “the Apostles and older men.” (vs. 6) And the authority of the Apostles was unique: we cannot clothe anyone today with their authority. Even the Reasoning book (p.37) notes: “ Apostolic Succession --Definition: The doctrine that the 12 apostles have successors to whom authority has been passed by divine appointment.... Not a Bible teaching.” (Italics in original)

5

134 years ago

by Splash in

as 2014 draws to a close, i looked to see what important things happened in history.. looking to 1880, these things all made the news for good reason:.

jan 27th - thomas edison patents electric incandescent lamp.

mar 10th - salvation army of england sets up us welfare & religious activity.

bennyk

More "deliverance at hand" nonsense: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/118225/1/Continually-pounding-the-Deliverance-at-Hand-drum

(Shamelessly plugging old thread)

17

Imperfect but 'Glorious Ones" daily text Oct.29.2014

by prologos in

.

bennyk

" how inappropriate it would be for any member of the congregation to react according to the world’s spirit, vehemently demanding “justice” or that “something be done.."

The Apostles do not agree:

"... a murmuring arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrew-speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution." (Acts 6:1)

"... when YOU come together in a congregation, I hear divisions exist among YOU; and in some measure I believe it." (1 Corinthians 11:17)

"I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation." (3 John 9,10)

5

Did CT Russell use the term "Light" in his ministry?

by FFtruther144 in

i mean it in the sense of: "light" = "truth" = "knowledge".

as the wtbts uses it in "we have received 'new light'...".

if anyone knows of one or two specific instances, and maybe where they can be found, i would appreciate it.. blondie?

bennyk

[Duplicate]

5

Did CT Russell use the term "Light" in his ministry?

by FFtruther144 in

i mean it in the sense of: "light" = "truth" = "knowledge".

as the wtbts uses it in "we have received 'new light'...".

if anyone knows of one or two specific instances, and maybe where they can be found, i would appreciate it.. blondie?

bennyk

This should help:

All truth is in harmony, whether old or new. What

was true at any time in the past must be true yet....

and if it is not true now, instead of being advanced

light then it was terrible darkness. [...] We have

sometimes been accused by unbelievers for teaching

that the true way to advance was to displace the

truth we learned yesterday by new truth learned to-

day; but we utterly repudiate the absurd charge. To

grow in knowledge is to retain the truth we have

and add to our stock.

(Zion’s Watch Tower July 1880 WTR p. 119)

If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be

different with us; undoubtedly one human idea

would contradict another and that which was light

one or two or six years ago would be regarded as

darkness now: But with God there is no

variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is

with truth; any knowledge or light coming from

God must be like its author. A new view of truth

never can contradict a former truth. "New light"

never extinguishes older "light," but adds to it. If

you were lighting up a building containing seven

gas jets you would not extinguish one every time

you lighted another, but would add one light to

another and they would be in harmony and thus give

increase of light: So is it with the light of truth; the

true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one

for another.

(Zion's Watch Tower February 1881 WTR p. 188)

15

Female presenter on JW Video

by Listener in

there is a video on jw org titled "what happens at a kingdom hall?

" i wouldn't suggest that you watch it as it's pretty sickly, as usual they are praying on emotions in order to encourage people to attend their halls.. the video is presented by a female but does show her face.

it just seems weird that they have allowed a woman to star in this very prominant role.

bennyk

Don't worry. The "sister" was wearing a head-covering...

5

Charles Russell Quote Request - Only Called Christian?

by Koskoskos in

i so clearly remember reading a quote from charles russell where he was asked which denomination he belonged to and replied that the only name he goes by is 'christian'.

but i can't find the quote anywhere!.

would anyone happen to know where it is located?.

bennyk

“ Ques. Please let me know by what name you people call yourselves? What denomination?

Ans. We are strictly unsectarian, and consequently recognize no sectarian name, believing with Paul, (read 1 Cor. 3:1-4) that where one saith I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, or I am a Baptist, or I a Methodist, etc., it is an evidence of carnality, and consequently in opposition to the Spirit of Christ. Did Paul or Apollos die for us? If so, let us call ourselves theirs. Were we baptized into the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, or other denominational churches? If so, we are members of it, and should be properly recognized by those names. But if we were baptized into the one body or church of which Jesus is the one and only Head, then we are members in particular of his body, and the only name appropriate would be his; Scripturally called the "Church of Christ," "Christians," "Church of the first born," and such like general names. Again we would remark that ours is the only Scriptural basis of Christian union, viz.: We have no creed (fence) to bind us together or to keep others out of our company. The Bible is our only standard, and its teachings our only creed, and recognizing the progressive character of the unfolding of Scriptural truths, we are ready and prepared to add to or modify our creed (faith--belief) as we get increase of light from our Standard.

We are in fellowship with all Christians in whom we can recognize the Spirit of Christ, and especially with those who recognize the Bible as the only standard. We do not require, therefore, that all shall see, just as we do in order to be called Christians; realizing that growth in both grace and knowledge is a gradual process. Nor do we see reason to expect that any but the watchmen of Zion will "see eye to eye" (Isa. 52:8) until that which is perfect is come, when that which is in part shall be done away. (1 Cor. 13:10.)

If all Christians were to thus free themselves of prescribed creeds, and study the Word of God without denominational bias, truth and knowledge and real Christian fellowship and unity, would result. The Spirit of the Head would pervade the unfettered members of the body, and sectarian pride would vanish. Thus we believe, thus we practice, and thus we teach. It becomes our duty to denounce sectarianism and the God-dishonoring creeds of men which, while contradicting each other, unite in misrepresenting God's Word and character.”

(Zion's Watch Tower April 1882 [WTR p.344])

45

Lying about Shunning! jw.org conceals the "truth"

by Skinnedsheep in

jw
friends

http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ .

"those who were baptized as jehovahs witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned.

in fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.".

bennyk

"[We] might be tempted to mention only selected details, editing them to color the facts. Hence, what we say might technically be true yet give a totally different impression. While this may not be flagrant lying, such as is common in the world today, is it really 'speaking truth each one with his neighbor,' or brother? (Ephesians 4:15,25; 1 Timothy 2:1,2) When a Christian phrases things in such a way that he inwardly knows is leading brothers to a wrong conclusion, to believe something that is really not true, not accurate, how do you think God feels?" (Live With Jehovah's Day In Mind, p.115)

Hypocrites!

22

Quick, answer this question: What was the meaning behind: MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE?

by Terry in

pay attention to what you are told, and how it is presented.. what is the actual message being communicated?

what is the intention behind it?.

this 128-page book millions now living will never die, was placed with the people on a contribution of 25c a copy.. .

bennyk

Sorry to hijack, but where /when did Rutherford say he'd made an ass out of himself, and is it a source you could quote to another witness without coming over all apostate!?

"...Rutherford quit predicting dates. In fact, referring to that prophetic failure he later admitted, 'I made an ass of myself.'" (The Watchtower, 01. October 1984, p. 24)

40

I got asked THE QUESTION !!

by Tech49 in

a little experience that happened very recently:.

another brother, an elder, and i were talking, i was explaining to him and giving him several examples of how a couple of the elders in our congregation were blatantly trying to run their own show, parading themselves around as "representatives" of the body, when the other brothers didnt know what the hell they were talking about.

they are using their "elder powers" to bully and push people around, causing a bit of angst and hurt feelings.

bennyk

Ah... The QUESTION.

Eight years ago two Elders met with me because they were "concerned" about the fact that I had entirely (and abruptly) ceased meeting attendance. Using Watch Tower literature, I had just discussed with them a number of discrepancies [read: "lies"] in the Society's historical claims. I asked how these things could be so -- how the Society could publish such things...

They asked: "But you still believe that the [Watch Tower] Society is God's Organisation, right?"

I answered: "I can not unequivocally state that it is. That is the significance of my concerns regarding the Society's claims. It devolves on you Brothers to provide me with a reasonable answer."

As of today, they have not given an answer (reasonable or otherwise). They also have not announced me as DF'd/DA'd. Your milage may vary.