Posts by Chalam

25

Curious about the name "Jesus"

by tec in

my niv has notes at the bottom of pages, regarding other possible meanings and some definitions, etc.. anyway, it says that jesus is the greek form of joshua, which means the lord saves.

would that mean that joshua is the english form of his name?

thanks for your comments,.

Chalam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua

Name

The English name Joshua is a rendering of the Hebrew language "Yehoshua", meaning "Yahweh is salvation". [ 4 ] [ 5 ] The vocalization of the second name component may be read as Hoshea - the name used in the Torah before Moses added the divine name ( Numbers 13:16 ). [ 6 ]

"Jesus" is the English of the Greek transliteration of "Yehoshua" via Aramaic. In the Septuagint, all instances of the word "Yehoshua" are rendered as "?ησο?ς" (Iesous/Jesus), the closest Greek pronunciation of the Aramaic "Yeshua" (Hebrew word #3443 in Strong's, Neh. 8:17 ). [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Thus in Greek Joshua is called "Jesus son of Nun" (του Ναυ?) to differentiate him from Jesus Christ. Joshua and Jesus are called with the same name, adding Navin ("son of Nun") for Joshua, also in theSlavic languages following the Eastern Orthodox tradition (e.g. ?????, Iisus, in Russian, or ????, Isus, in Serbian).

In Christianity
Among the early Church Fathers, Joshua is considered a type of Jesus Christ. For instance, just as Moses did not lead the children of Israel into the promised land, but Joshua did, so Moses' law could not lead them into Heaven but the new covenant mediated by Jesus (the same name as "Joshua") could. Hebrews 4:8-10 identifies Jesus as a better Joshua, as Joshua led Israel into the rest of Canaan, but Jesus leads the people of God into "God's rest," salvation. [citation needed]

61

The New Covenant Discussion

by Listener in

i left the org many years ago as a teenager.

i started looking more closely at their doctrines a few months ago to work out if they really have the truth.

when i cam across the notion that jesus is not mediator for everyone i was startled and have been looking at the issue a lot more closely.

Chalam

For all those having difficulty with the New Covenant, it is really simple!

The old one was for the Israelites only, it was impossible to keep and the law which it came by only was to show sin for what it was and the penalty for sinning.

The new covenant supercedes the old one! it is open to all (Jews and Gentiles), it is a covenant of Grace, not the law and it is possible to keep by follwing the Spirit of Jesus who is THE Mediator between God and man.

You either enter by Jesus or else are "thieves and robbers" who have broken into the pen and will be weeded out later on.

This is a great video on the subject as it relates to JWs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV2WcRWfcIA

Blessings in Christ,

Stephen

15

My thoughts about John 16:1-3

by TimothyT in

the gospel according to john is my favourite book of the bible.

i've just picked up where i left off reading it at chapter 16. i havnt looked at the bible since being disfellowshipped and i read the first 3 verses:.

1 i have told you these things so that you wont abandon your faith.2for you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for god.3this is because they have never known the father or me.. jesus encouraged his disciples not to lose their faith, it seems when they would be thrown out of the religion they belonged to.

Chalam

I find it quite poignant that the first thing i read is something that relates directly to me at the moment, and how my being thrown out of this religion could have affected my own spirituality.

Get to know the Holy Spirit! If you think back in the past you might discover it likely He has been talking to you for quite some time :)

John 10

English Standard Version (ESV)

I Am the Good Shepherd

1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd.I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Psalm 95:1-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise

1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Blessings in Christ,

Stephen

17

"LOOK! Here is the Christ." Don't believe it people!

by TimothyT in

in my research of the gospels, im trying to prove to myself what the acceptable and perfect will of god is.

as its becoming clearer and clearer, i cant help but notice how wrong the jws are.

why couldnt i see these things in the past?

Chalam

Hello Timmy,

Seems like you are on the right path :)

Here's another

Acts 1:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, twomen stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

And another

Revelation 1:7-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail [ a ] on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Footnotes:

Revelation 1:7 Or mourn

Here's another thing.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Man of Lawlessness

1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, [ a ] 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness [ b ] is revealed, the son of destruction, [ c ] 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Footnotes:

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Some manuscripts sin
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom)

Have a read of John 14 when you get a chance.

Avoid the NWT like the plague and let the Spirit be your guide. Plenty of good versions here http://www.biblegateway.com/

Every blessing in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

Stephen

26

Top 10 JW Beliefs

by OnTheWayOut in

i will post a serious list of the beliefs that make jw's unique.

but i want your thoughts, including anything weird like "beards are evil" or that "smurfs are from the devil.".

the top 10 jw beliefs:.

Chalam

Nice list :)

IMHO the JW disbelief of the literal second death clearly should be high in the list though as it is far more catastrophic than smoking and shunning etc.

42

Even the Bible doesn't say that the world is about to end..

by The Quiet One in

here are some scriptures that show that the world isn't about to end, even according to the bible!

i noticed most of these in my own reading, but this page brings them all together.

i don't believe in the coming system of things, though.. any comments welcome.. http://www.apocatastasis.net/prophecy/prophecy-system-of-things-.html.

Chalam

Seems like these important verses might have eluded you?

Pay close attention to verses 6 & 8!

Matthew 24:4-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

4 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will befamines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Blessings,

Stephen

39

Hey Christians

by free2beme in

jw
friends

does it bother you thinking that you are saved and others are damned?.

Chalam

Does it bother you thinking that you are saved and others are damned?

Of course!

Tammy what's the difference here? The two statements seems contradictory or am I missing something?

"I don't think I'm saved and others are damned, so no.

I don't think everyone is saved though, and that does make me sad. Not because God is unjust or without mercy, because that is a lie. But because some will have chosen to hurt others and so reject peace and love... and they will never know what that peace and that love can be."

There are saints and sinners, sheep and goats, wheat and tares etc.

John 3:16-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 5:24

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Blessings, Stephen

22

New video: Is Jesus Your Mediator?

by RayPublisher in

this video is geared towards witnesses that are willing to listen to all sides:.

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv2wcrwfcia.

Chalam

Another excellent video Ray!

Has God Always Had A Visible Organization on ...

youtube.com 9 min - 21 Jun 2011 - Uploaded by JWStruggle
Jehovah's Witnesses are reminded regularly that God has always had a visible organization on earth. They're further told that ...

The only thing I would consider is toning down the effect on the WT speaker's voice. It sounds too much like an alien and might put off some and cause them to miss the excellent message. Even the narrator could have a more natural voice. Are you trying to obscure their identity or just make them sound like Rambo ;)

Anyhow, it is the content that matters and that scores 11 out of 10 :) Looks like you wear the crown since WT Comments went A.W.O.L.

Look forward to your future productions.

Blessings,

Stephen

10

Whats the truth???????????

by PaulinoRamones in

jw
friends

i have read many articles in this website and have seen many people talking bad about jws and people talking good, so whats going on!!!!!!!!

?.

Chalam

Jesus

5

Learning Biblical Hebrew?

by digderidoo in

hi all,.

i've been thinking about attempting to learn biblical hebrew through the summer and wondered if any of you scholars out there have a site or resource to recommend?.

paul.

Chalam

Start here http://biblos.com/genesis/1-1.htm