Posts by agapa37

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

edited due to thought

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

Here are some more articles from the bible based Watchtowers that JWS put out .

3/1 2005

"I do not want to talk to that person. If I ever see her again, it will be too soon." If you have spoken such words about someone, you need to take action, as the following Bible passages show.

Jesus taught: "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother." (Matthew 5:23, 24) He also said: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone." (Matthew 18:15) Whether you have offended someone or someone has offended you, Jesus’ words emphasize the need for you to talk the matter out promptly with the other person. You should do this "in a spirit of mildness." (Galatians 6:1) The goal of that conversation is, not to preserve your image by making excuses or to pummel your adversary into apologizing, but to make peace.

10/15 2000

Jesus advised that you "lay bare his fault between you and him alone." That is wise. Some German translations phrase this, present his fault "under four eyes," meaning yours and his.

Jesus began: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." Clearly, this is not a step based on mere suspicion. You should have evidence or specific information that you can use to help your brother to see that he committed a wrong and needs to set matters straight. It is good to act promptly, not letting the matter grow or letting his attitude become entrenched.

jgnat said:.....We are familiar with the Jehovah's Witness method of peace. Put up and shut up. Don't make any waves. Endure your imperfect brothers for the sake of unity.

That is not the advise coming from the WT that is posted......It is good to act promptly, not letting the matter grow or letting his attitude become entrenched.

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

Flash you said her content of the thread was how true christians ought to handle disputes....Well see for your self what she said

We are familiar with the Jehovah's Witness method of peace. Put up and shut up. Don't make any waves. Endure your imperfect brothers for the sake of unity. But is this the Christian way? How did the early Christians resolve disputes? Did they tolerate imperfection in their brothers?

She accused the WT not giving the accurate bible councel on how to handle disputes. So it stands!

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

There is theory and there is practice. The WTS 'Talks the Talk' but it doesn't 'Walk the Walk' ...and that's the problem.

Flash the discussion at hand was that the WT DOESNT print information on how to handle disputes, jgnat made it. Whether or not they walk the walk was not in question here. As seen by just a few exerpts from articles we see that the accusation was false.

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

Ok first I would like to address the proof you sited from example as to how the WT does not promote biblical solutions as to how to handles differences. First off, as I said in my first response the Bible based WT that JWS are instructed from DO give the proper councel to handle differences but it is the PEOPLE who do not apply them at times. The example you Gave with your husband and others is a prime one. In the end of it NOONE applied bible princibles! Your husband should not have switched Congregations and the women should not have left and the Elders should not have done what they done. Everything they did was AGAINST what the Bible based WT instructs JWS to do.

You asked for examples Of Bible based WT showing how to handle personal differences? Here are just a few because there are to many to post.

Consider, for example, Jesus’ advice on settling personal differences. He said: "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24) Taking the initiative in making peace with others takes first priority

HARMONY between spiritual brothers and sisters is much more precious than mere ornaments. The psalmist appropriately sang: "Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1) Settling a difference with a fellow Christian can sometimes be a delicate matter. Moreover, some do not go about this in the right way. Often the "restoration" is unnecessarily painful or is not very sound, leaving unsightly telltale marks. Some Christians unnecessarily seek to involve appointed elders in matters that they could handle themselves. This may be so because they are not sure what to do. "Many of our brothers don’t know how to apply Bible counsel to settle their differences," commented one brother experienced in giving Bible counsel. "Very often," he continued, "they do not follow Jesus’ way of doing things." So, what did Jesus actually say about how a Christian should settle differences with his brother? Why is it vital to become well acquainted with this counsel and to learn how to apply it? "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift."—Matthew 5:23, 24.

What to Do When You Offend Others

SOMETHING is wrong. You just know it. Your Christian brother is giving you the cold shoulder. He has not said what is bothering him, but he barely says hello—and then only if you first greet him! Should you approach him to find out what is wrong?

‘That’s his problem,’ you may think. ‘If he has something against me, he should come and talk to me about it.’ Indeed, the Bible encourages a person who is offended to take the initiative to make peace with his brother. (Compare Matthew 18:15-17.) But what about the offender? What responsibility, if any, rests on his shoulders? In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24) Notice that Jesus’ words here are aimed at the offender. What responsibility does he have to settle the matter? To answer that, let us consider what Jesus’ words meant to his first-century Jewish listeners.

I could go on and on but if you find anything wrong with this then your just LOOKING for something to pick on. The advise in those exerpts of Bible based WT articles is proof enough to show that JWS are instructed by the bible to handle difference. Can it be any clearer?

60

Recommend a GOOD film - no snakes, planes or spandex superheroes.

by nicolaou in

it's been out a while and i know it's already been commented on here but i really enjoyed the village.

the creation of fear and the control that it allows must surely strike a chord.. recently i saw christian bale in the machinist.

bloody awesome!

agapa37

I Am Sam

49

Confrontation - is it for Christians?

by jgnat in

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes.. (romans 12:18 rv) if it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.

(2 cor 13:11 cev) good-by, my friends.

do better and pay attention to what i have said.

agapa37

agapa's quiet admission to "imperfect men" in the congregation inspired me to finish a small bible study on confrontation, and how the early church handled disputes. It is encouraging to know that I inspired you to finish some bible study, however some of the things you said ( accused ) Jws of practicing are incorrect. That is one of the MAIN reasons why there is so much misconception and understanding about JWS. You said............. We are familiar with the Jehovah's Witness method of peace. Put up and shut up. Don't make any waves. Endure your imperfect brothers for the sake of unity. That is not true. The ORG. does not teach us to handle problems with our brothers and siters that way. Go through the bible based WT that discusss the issue at hand and you will see that it teaches us EXACTLY as you have outline from the bible.

Go directly to your brother to work it out.
If that doesn't work, talk about it with some witnesses present.
If that doesn't work, bring it before the congregation.
If that doesn't work, say good-bye to your friendship.

We are instructed to do exactly what Jesus said to do when differences arise. Now, there are some who dont do it that way because of various reasons, maybe they dont like to confrontation or they are shy or what ever the reason, but be assured that JWS are taught how to handles differences and disputes the bible way. The princibles you site and examples you gave were excellent. It would be great if EVERYONE ( not just JWS ) followed those excellent princibles, but the reality is that we dont. As you said before jgnat you hate when someone LUMPS in the whole board (remember? ) well please dont do it to the JWS. Jesus said, " Do unto others as you would want done to you."

The study you did was great and I hope that the ones who read this topic will apply it in thier OWN lives and benefit from it. I know for me it was a good reminder thanks!

12

Welcome to so many New ones...Question...

by xjwms in

jw
friends

.

i found this place from randy's ..."freeminds".

how did you begin your search?

agapa37

I agree with hambreaks comment

34

JW official website promoting Jesus?

by agapa37 in

i have heard from many people when i would go out in the ministry that "we" witness do not believe in jesus.

when my mother first heard about me becoming interested in the witness that is what she said.

ive seen some make that same statement here.

agapa37

So the focus is on non-JWs;

Blondie of course it is targeted for those on the outside. thats the idea of witnessing and obeying the commision Jesus gave his disciples....To teach and preach and make MORE disciples.

the question is what do articles that are targeted to JWs say?

They say alot. As a matter of fact Many if not most WT articles are directed to baptised witness. How to apply princibles in thier lives, how to be more Christ like and so on.

34

JW official website promoting Jesus?

by agapa37 in

i have heard from many people when i would go out in the ministry that "we" witness do not believe in jesus.

when my mother first heard about me becoming interested in the witness that is what she said.

ive seen some make that same statement here.

agapa37

That jws believe in Jesus is not in dispute, but they refuse to acknowledge his rightful position, even, as shown in the example above, adding words that weren't previously there to the scriptures.

All Bible translators add indefinite articles ( a, an ) in there rendering of scriptures. The way it is translated agrees with the context of the scripture. Jesus being a Mighty God does not demean him or lower his statis or role in any way.