Posts by Chalam

226

The Doctrine of Hell

by Yizuman in

is the doctrine of hell a hindrance or a help in witnessing?

many evangelicals are ashamed of this biblical doctrine, viewing it as a blemish to be covered up by the cosmetic of divine love.

but this dishonors gods word.

Chalam

leavingwt It's 2010, is this really the tool to turn people to Christ?

Probably not, I certainly prefer the message of Grace.

God is the friend of sinners but He is also holy and just.

Much better to fall into the loving arms of the Father rather than be without a Mediator in the hands of the Judge.

Hebrews 10:28-31 (New International Version)

28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Blessings,

Stephen

54

According to fundi Christians, where did people go when they died pre-ransom?

by sabastious in

before jesus offered the ransom, where did people go when they died?.

-sab.

Chalam

According to fundi Christians, where did people go when they died pre-ransom?

To heaven Hebrews 11

Notice that with the "cloud of witnesses" mentioned in chapter 11 are both those before and after Christ.

So how did they get there, pre Jesus' sacrifice?

By faith.

Blessings,

Stephen

226

The Doctrine of Hell

by Yizuman in

is the doctrine of hell a hindrance or a help in witnessing?

many evangelicals are ashamed of this biblical doctrine, viewing it as a blemish to be covered up by the cosmetic of divine love.

but this dishonors gods word.

Chalam

An excellent article, thanks for posting Yizuman!

For me it is interesting that many exJW still view Hell and the Trinity in exactly the same way as they did when they were believing JWs.

Blessings in Christ,

Stephen

21

1st Post! and the topic of Grace

by GOrwell in

hi folks,.

a bit of a long-time lurker and a recently registered account, i thought i'd post my first topic.

i'm a successful fader, and have recently begun reading the new testament, using a few different translations (nwt included, for comparisons sake).

Chalam

Welcome GOrwell!

The WT do not preach grace because they are actually preaching salvation by works.

JWs are slaves to the WT and the "works" they dictate.

This verse sums it up true salvation.

Romans 11:6 (English Standard Version)

6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

And this passage

Romans 4:1-8 (New International Version)

Abraham Justified by Faith

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

And this

Acts 16:31 (New International Version)

31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

Blessings in Christ,

Stephen

61

Ex-JW Resources

by brotherdan in

does anyone have some good ex-jw or current jw resources that are free and online that they would like to share?

i know that one thing that helped me greatly was hearing mp3s by the late great bill cetnar.. i though this thread could be a place to save as a favorite and keep for whenever you need some reminders about why the organization is so wrong and how to build yourself up.. here are a few sites i've come across that have great audio and video resources for us:.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/j02ag.html.

Chalam

Just watched these, good stuff :)

Way Of The Master Jehovah Witness Part 1

Way Of The Master Jehovah Witness Part 2

Blessings,

Stephen

388

I HATE this religion

by brotherdan in

so today was my first sunday meeting that i didn't go with my wife.

as an update she has decided not to move out right now...because she doesn't have anywhere to go.

but she is giving me the silent treatment.

Chalam

As much as I want to help, the Lord is going to have to use someone else to get through to her.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit will come and convict her :)

Blessings in Christ,

Stephen

7

What does love mean?

by Lozhasleft in

jw
friends

a little light relief for our weekend..... .

what does love mean?.

a group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8. year-olds, "what does love mean?".

Chalam

Awesome, thanks for posting :)

Matthew 19:14 (New International Version)

14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 18:3 (New International Version)

3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings,

Stephen

388

I HATE this religion

by brotherdan in

so today was my first sunday meeting that i didn't go with my wife.

as an update she has decided not to move out right now...because she doesn't have anywhere to go.

but she is giving me the silent treatment.

Chalam

I think the loathing of field service is probably almost universal

The only reason most JWs do it is to attempt to earn their salvation and earn some pride points in front of their peers.

The huge drawback with FS is it is a rejection fest.

Blessings,

Stephen

135

No one is going to Heaven (and my introduction to the forum)

by sobrino1 in

i'm new to the forum, though i had been a lurker for quite some time now.

i studied w/ the witnesses for a number of years, to be specific, for 10 years (since i was a child) but never actually became one; though, i was counted as one in the yearbooks as a "publisher.

" so, as far as i got was as an unbaptized publisher.

Chalam

Welcome dysfunction!

Frankly I do not want to go to heaven because there is no food, sex, or sleep.

Who said there is no food or sleep?

Revelation 19:9 (New International Version)

9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Luke 14:15 (New International Version)

15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Hebrews 4:10 (New International Version)

10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

Jesus has the physical resurrection body already (being the firstborn of many brothers) and He clearly eats.

Luke 24:39-42 (English Standard Version)

39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [ a ]

Footnotes:

Luke 24:42 Some manuscripts add and some honeycomb

John 21:15 (English Standard Version)

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." Unfortunately, it is those who go the the second death who will never have any rest

Psalm 95:11 (New International Version)

11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
"They shall never enter my rest."

Matthew 25:46 (New International Version)

46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Jude 1:7 (New International Version)

7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

Revelation 14:11 (New International Version)

11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."

Revelation 20:10 (New International Version)

10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Blessings,

Stephen

135

No one is going to Heaven (and my introduction to the forum)

by sobrino1 in

i'm new to the forum, though i had been a lurker for quite some time now.

i studied w/ the witnesses for a number of years, to be specific, for 10 years (since i was a child) but never actually became one; though, i was counted as one in the yearbooks as a "publisher.

" so, as far as i got was as an unbaptized publisher.

Chalam

Matthew 22:31-32 (New International Version)

31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

John 11:25-26 (New International Version)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

James 2:26 (New International Version)

26 As the body without the spirit is dead

Blessings,

Stephen