hi dave/battman,
Before i go on, i'd like you to know that i'm not so sure of how you understand the term 'organization' based on your notes. As to Jehovah not having any organization at all, just individual men, pls. consider some examples. Abraham was God's spokesman for his large family & later on his descendants. Moses was God's spokesman in behalf of the Israelites. Jesus was God's spokesman who organized his apostles & later on disciples. After his death, this organization carried on in the work he gave them. Jesus himself set the precedent. I'm not sure of your meaning on organization, but basing it on your comments it seems that being organized implied being in the same place all the time? But isn't it true that being organized can also mean possibly being in different locations & yet same beliefs? For example, the prophets you were saying might be physically apart but are united in their preaching of the same message from Jehovah? Also, the early Christian congregation are based mainly on Jerusalem. But as the preaching work spread abroad, it would require arrangement & organization to function & succeed as it did. The proof is there of Jehovah's blessings for the congregations flourished. Organization by Jehovah is not only limited with men nor did it start with men. Even in the heavens, as shown in Ezekiel's vision, organization is evident. Organized armies of angels.
Another thing. We are urged by the apostle Paul not just to 'swallow' everything that's said. Acts 17:11 mentions Paul's commendation for the ancient Beroeans who 'received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.' We are likewise encouraged to do the same.
chris_mj_gum18
JoinedPosts by chris_mj_gum18
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66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
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66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
TW,
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any similar experience?
by chris_mj_gum18 ini'm also a newbie & was wondering if any brother or sister had gone thru this same experience?
any advice is welcome.
one knows 1 co 7:39 quite well among the witnesses.
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chris_mj_gum18
Prisca,
Thanks for the note. Nice illustration by the way of certain brothers compared to little boys selecting & picking in a sweet shop. -
66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
Prisca,
Thanks for the note. Only one of the elders came a bit strong on his comments. The other one was just listening. I know Jehovah understands my situation. As to your questions, the Bible doesn't make a distinction between rp and publishers. It does urge all to give it our best efforts. Another thing, salvation is not earned by how many hours one puts in. The Bible stresses quality not quantity, heart motives in service. Salvation is not earned by works, it is a gift Jah gives. Works are there as part of faith. Individuals vary in their works due to circumstances. -
66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
Mark,
I'm not sure what you meant. Are you pertaining to a particular time period? -
66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
larc,
just to let you know that i don't claim to be very good with Bible chronology or lineage, but i'll try to answer your questions as best as possible. here goes: From Adam to Noah-Abel, Seth, Enosh,...Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech & Noah. Noah had 3 sons, one of which is Shem..the list goes on to Nahor,Terah then to Abraham. When Jerusalem was destroyed, there was a remnant of the Jews that survived. Among these were the prophets i.e. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Ezra, etc. The prophets guided the nation til Christ. Before the death of the last apostle, it was made clear that Christianity would be facing tough times ahead. Apostasy set in for a long time. But champions of Bible truth are still there, those who are willing to stake their own lives for the Bible. Efforts were made to silence the Bible but failed because of God's backing. This brings us to our modern time when CT Russell initiated a serious step back to Christianity as taught by Jesus himself. -
66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
good perspective, mr. knight. one's relationship with Jehovah is the primary thing. letdowns from high pedestals is not new either. it even happened in Jesus' times, in the midst of his own apostles. recall on how they were arguing many times on who is the greatest among them? Jesus did not abandon them. how about the betrayal of peter when Jesus was being tried? its possible effect on the rest of the apostles & other disciples? Jehovah sees things as it happens & will correct them in his due time. take comfort, mr. knight, that whatever our service is to Jah, no matter how small we may feel it is compared to previous efforts, are always appreciated by Him. remember the illustration of the widow's small coins dropped at the temple? Jesus was watching & commended her for it. its monetary value is minimal but she gave it her best, that was her best, her whole means of living. Jehovah only asks of us our best. whether great or small, Jehovah appreciates our efforts in serving Him.
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66
i am new
by knight ini have read the various posts here an i have my own story to tell i amstill a witness not as active as i used to be but stillfaithful i think the main problem that jws have is that they put c.o's m.s's elders and the like on pedestals and when you do that you set yourself up for a letdown and when that person does something you dont think is right you are letdown but one should not let this block his/her relationship with jehovah.
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chris_mj_gum18
very true, mr. knight, i agree with you. i made the same mistake of putting those in privileged positions [elders, ms, rps, etc.] on high pedestals. got letdown too because of it. however there are things to keep in mind. if they are doing things that doesn't seem right, be assured that it is noted of by Jah himself. it was He who appoints them to those positions, a privilege, & it is also Him who has the right to take it away if He wishes. with privilege granted there is also responsibility or accountability to Jah. as for being a part of an organization, this is not something new in Jehovah's dealings with men. He always has an organization or a channel of communication ever since man was created. adam was his first human spokesman, Noah, going on til Jesus' time, his greatest spokesman, going on til our time; to name just a few. fellow believers of Jehovah are gathered together for encouragement not just by learning more about the Bible & having it explained as to application in one's life. but getting to know the rest of the brothers & sisters in the congregation who had the same trials one might be going thru. it would be encouraging to know how they coped succesfully and perhaps learn to do the same in one's own trial.
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Hang-ups about sex
by jelly ini have not really thought this out yet but i was thinking after reading another post.
what exactly did jesus say about sex?.
the only things i can remember about jesus was that he revealed his messiahship to a woment that had multiple husbans (lovers), for married men to not lust after other women, and in his linage was a former prostitute.. .
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chris_mj_gum18
i have to agree with Mark/introspection. to quote him: 'everyone seems to be ready for sex, but who is ready for a relationship?' quite thought provoking. somewhat related to instant gratification vs. long term effects. a relationship entails more; loyalty, trust, respect, commitment, love, etc.
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news in UK?
by chris_mj_gum18 inhow are the brothers & sisters in uk in view of the outbreak of the foot & mouth disease?
it doesn't affect humans but how are they coping with the economic crisis?
if any?
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chris_mj_gum18
how are the brothers & sisters in UK in view of the outbreak of the foot & mouth disease? it doesn't affect humans but how are they coping with the economic crisis? if any?