Not according to scripture...1 John 5 (Amplified Bible)
1. EVERYONEWHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).2. By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God andobey His commands (orders, charges)--[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].
3. For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
4. For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
5. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
6. This is He Who came by (with) water and blood [His baptism and His death], Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--not by (in) the water only, but by (in) the water and the blood. And it is the [Holy] Spirit Who bears witness, because the [Holy] Spirit is the Truth.
9 If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority), for this is the testimony of God, even the witness which He has borne regarding His Son.
10. He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself. He who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed (put his faith in, adhered to, and relied on) the evidence (the testimony) that God has borne regarding His Son.
11. And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.
13. I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life.
1 John 5 (Amplified Bible)
3. And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.John 17:1-5 (The Message)
1-5
Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
Father, it's time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
The very splendor I had in your presence
Before there was a world.Acadian
acadian
JoinedPosts by acadian
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6
Christian Pasciviscm Leads to Eternal Life?
by AK - Jeff inon another thread a poster suggested that jw's inherently are 'christian' due to restraint in the matter of not killing each other in warfare.. i personally view this as ludricous, as such non-violence cannot of itself mark christians any more than could the absence of chocolate in a hot beverage mark it as coffee without question.
it is a riduculous assumption that leads to false acceptance of 'facts' that are not.. jeff .
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acadian
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How would a tract like this work to 'Unveil' Jehovah's Witnesses?
by AK - Jeff inwhy i left jehovah's witnesses.
parents protect your children from possible assault.
i was one of your jehovah's witnesses neighbors for over 40 years.
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acadian
Good idea AK-Jeff, Another thing you could do is a bulk mailing through the USPS, then even witnesses will get it and some will read it. And who knows you might plant a seed, where if you went to their door they won't even consider what you have to say. Acadian
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Having a hard time with this, what to do, what to do
by nonamegiven infor those who don't know my story (look up past posts, i posted it) here's the cliff's notes.. i was df'd about 10 weeks ago for things other than apostacy.
i plan in being reinstated to keep communication with my family (wife and i were raised in the........tr......tru.........truth) so i am still going to the meetings.. well, for any that don't know my wife had a baby thursday woo-hoo!
anyway, the cong we are in is actually fairly loving and it's quite a shock to me since it's very different from what i have experienced for the last 30+ years.
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acadian
Hello nonamegiven,
Matthew 18 (Amplified Bible)
15 "If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (this is as far as elders follow this scripture, they ignore verse 17)
17 If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector"
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The elders never bring the matter before the church as verse 17 brings out, everything is done in private/secrete in a backroom, then when the announcement is made all in the hall are left to speculate as to your "supposed" sin.
Elders are to be ministers to the cong. Not lords.
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Continuing on...
Matthew 18 (Amplified Bible)
21 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?
22 Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.
24 When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000], (this one represents the elders)
25 And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.
26 So the attendant (the elder) fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.
27 And his master's heart (master = Christ) was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [cancelling] the debt.
28 But that same attendant (the elder), as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants (could be you) who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!
29 So his fellow attendant (could be you) fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all !
30 But he (the elder) was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt.
31 When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master.
32 Then his master (Christ) called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.
33 And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?
34 And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.
35 So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.
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They (the elders) do not freely forgive, they put conditions on your forgiveness/repentance.
(Waiting a year or more to be reinstated?)
I believe you know what to do, you just don't want to make waves. (understandable)
Your wife believes you are the head of your household, if she's a JW, well, start acting like it then, you have guests coming in your home dis-respecting you, you should not feel like you need to hide in your own home.
You can be a gracious host, and still lay down the law of your house to your guest if they don't know how to behave. (Shunning you in your own home is not acceptable behavior)
You know what's right, do it....
Peace
Acadian -
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Advice please! (kinda urgent)
by Schism inok, so let's say you haven't gone to a meeting in a while.
then along comes the co visit (the first since you've stopped attending).
everyone has pretty much left you alone up until this point, right?
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acadian
If you want to make your exit fairly clean, tell the truth and they'll most likly leave you alone. Make excuses for why you havn't been to the meetings and you are only going to drag out your exit from the org. I made excueses at first and kept getting visits, when I finally told them the truth why I wasn't going to meetings the visits stopped. The truth works better than excuses... Peace Acadian
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what religion suits u best
by pippy ini just saw this questionare that asks you 20 ??
on your own thoughts or beleifs,, then it gives you a % of which ones you are most attracted to.. my highest came up church of christ, and scientist,, followed closely by new age ,, jw came in at 50 % i was hoping it would be less, but it was an interesting couple of minutes to spend my time,, my bro is church of christ, and i went once or twice and found it good, just still feel abit lost to actually going full steam ahead with a particular way, would rather just sit back and look, and take care of myself and family as best i can.... http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html.
hope that link works for those intersted.
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acadian
Don't believe in religion, I believe in the kingdom/Government Christ taught. Christ didn't bring a religion he brought a government.
We have it within ourselves to make the world a better place ,,,
That's what Christ taught "the kingdom is within you" It's like a mustard seed, growing inside of those who accecpt it. Acadian
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We claims the R&F dont understand but do we ???????????
by vitty inyes its about the blood .
please bear with me.........................i was talking to my pregnant daughter about the blood .
she said she must get a special directive to give to the hospital.
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acadian
Oh and another point, what criteria do the GB use to decide what fraction can be used and which ones cant ???????
After much fasting and prayer the GB then use a most Holy ritual.. enee mnee minee moe, pick a fraction by the toe...
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The Arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven, When?
by acadian inkingdom of heaven, now or later?.
at the last supper, jesus said that he would eat and drink with the apostles in the kingdom of god:.
and he said unto them, with desire i have desired to eat this passover with you before i suffer: for i say unto you, i will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of god.
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acadian
Hi Narkissos, I like Luke17:20,21 (NIV) 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." Lk 20-21 (the message) Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, "The kingdom of God doesn't come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, 'Look here!' or, 'There it is!' And why? Because God's kingdom is already among you." Lk 17:20-21 (Amplified Bible) 20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display, 21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. Thanks! Acadian
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The Arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven, When?
by acadian inkingdom of heaven, now or later?.
at the last supper, jesus said that he would eat and drink with the apostles in the kingdom of god:.
and he said unto them, with desire i have desired to eat this passover with you before i suffer: for i say unto you, i will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of god.
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acadian
Hi Gary,
"Jehovah's Witnesses have never believed that the Kingdom of God will be on earth."
(The Watchtower April 1, 1985, p. 30)I was kinda asking what anyone thought, not just JW's. (I'll have to read it and see what their spin is) I thought the scriptures were interesting that Jesus said he wouldn't eat or drink again "until the kingdom of God shall come" And "until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God" Then you read in Acts and John that he eats and drinks. Does it appear that the Kingdom arrived 2000 yrs ago? Acadian
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The Arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven, When?
by acadian inkingdom of heaven, now or later?.
at the last supper, jesus said that he would eat and drink with the apostles in the kingdom of god:.
and he said unto them, with desire i have desired to eat this passover with you before i suffer: for i say unto you, i will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of god.
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acadian
Kingdom of Heaven, Now or later?
At
the Last Supper , Jesus said that He would eat and drink with the apostles in the Kingdom of God:
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL COME.
(Luke 22:15-18). Also see Mark 9:1.
Then Jesus rose from the dead, and He did "eat" and "drink" with the apostles. Did this act confirmed that the kingdom of God had truly come.
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from dead. John 21:12-14
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did EAT AND DRINK WITH HIM after he rose from the dead.
(Acts 10:39-41)So, is this Confirmation that the Kingdom of Heaven is already here on earth?
Any thoughts?
Acadian
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JW Citizenship to another country
by dawgfan ini've always wondered how jws get around the citizenship process when moving to another country.. example: here in the us, to my understanding, all naturalized citizens have to take the oath of allegiance.
also i read that there are similar things that other countries require.. the us oath.
"i hereby declare, on oath, that i absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which i have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that i will support and defend the constitution and laws of the united states of america against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that i will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that i will bear arms on behalf of the united states when required by the law; that i will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the united states when required by the law; that i will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that i take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me god.".
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acadian
Justahuman24,
Most of them are of the great crowd and they can also argue that since they serve the God who created the earth and they will eventually inherit the earth, they can do that without there being any kind of conflict. Know what I mean?
Oh, I didn't know, that the only citizens to God's govenment were the 144,000, who are they going to rule over then? What about the Lord's prayer, "your kingdom come, on earth as in heaven" dawgfan,
That's what I don't understand either. Even though a JW might not be required to take an oath, wouldn't even just applying for citizenship be against the Society's policies because of what the definition of citizenship is?
Maybe not the societies policies, but it's against scipture.
I mean I was born in the US. Because of that I didn't have a choice to be a citizen of the US but if i went to another country becoming a citizen would be an option.
Actually you do, just because you are born in the usA, that doesen't automaticly make you a citizen of the USA (usA and USA are two seperate governments one is a corporation the other is not) Citizenship implies incorporation (corporate citizen). Incorporation into what? To the United States, which is defined as a Federal Corporation in 28 U.S.C. 3002 (15).
"Citizenship implies political status. It may or may not confer suffrage or any other particular incident, but it does imply incorporation into the body politic." The National Law Library, published by Collier, Volume III, p.358 footnote.
BUT...
"Citizens are natives or naturalized. All persons born in the United States are not citizens. The exceptions are 1) children of foreign ambassadors..." Bouvier's Institutes of Law, 1851.
Just because one is born in a country it does not make one a citizen of that country; especially when it comes to ambassadors:
Follower's of Christ fit this description. We are children of God, and we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 6:20). Therefore, this is further evidence that ambassadors are not considered citizens of a country, even if born in that country.
I could keep going...
Acadian