Posts by acolytes

37

"IF"

by acolytes in

most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.. but gods promises are very conditional and the word "if" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.. the bible is an "iffy" book and the promises of god very conditional.. i would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-.

acolytes.

acolytes

The primary salvation promise in the bible is John .3.16 which says

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believs in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

However John 3-16 does not say that salvation is a free gift because it contains a "IF" statement. You will not perish if you belive in me.This is a partial statement because Just acknowledging that Jesus is Lord is not sufficient even Satan does that. The John 3.16 statement is further clarifiefd in the word where it says you must not only accept Jesus is Lord but you must submit yourself to him.(Something Satan doesnt do) So Gods promises are conditional they are only free"IF" you obay certain conditions.

The word "IF" is used approx 1600 times in bible verses -It is a well used word in the bible and it places conditions on Gods promises.

Acolytes

37

"IF"

by acolytes in

most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.. but gods promises are very conditional and the word "if" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.. the bible is an "iffy" book and the promises of god very conditional.. i would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-.

acolytes.

acolytes

Thanks for the replys

pSarcramento you say The gift of Grace is given, freely the only "IF" is IF we choose to accept this gift.

I agree with you "But.......

Acolytes

37

"IF"

by acolytes in

most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.. but gods promises are very conditional and the word "if" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.. the bible is an "iffy" book and the promises of god very conditional.. i would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-.

acolytes.

acolytes

I envy you Mouthy.

Acolytes

37

"IF"

by acolytes in

most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.. but gods promises are very conditional and the word "if" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.. the bible is an "iffy" book and the promises of god very conditional.. i would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-.

acolytes.

acolytes

Iam not mad at the giver Mouthy-

But Gods love seems very conditional based on reading the bible.

I just opened the book of John and with little effort-

Jesus. You are my friend IF you do what I COMMAND-

Jesus IF you obay my COMMANDS you will remain in my love

Jesus IF anyone does not remain in me he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers

Jesus IF you love me you will obay what I command-

These are a few illustations that seem similar to the love shown at the kingdom hall.

37

"IF"

by acolytes in

most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.. but gods promises are very conditional and the word "if" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.. the bible is an "iffy" book and the promises of god very conditional.. i would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-.

acolytes.

acolytes

Most christians assume that the gift of salvation is free.

But Gods promises are very conditional and the word "IF" is used nearly 1600times in the bible.

The bible is an "Iffy" book and the promises of God very conditional.

I would be interested in a christian perspective as to why they think salvation is a free gift-

Acolytes

59

The Two Creepy Commandments

by Farkel in

there are a few bible verses i'm going to discuss that probably don't bother anyone but me.

in fact, most people, including ex-dubs think they are wonderful verses.

i think they are really, really creepy verses.

acolytes

Hi Farkel I always thought commandment meant what was expected of us.

Heres another one Jesus"you are my friends if you do what I command...."

Acolytes

43

Maybe being a Witness wasnt so bad?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

before i became a witness i was a shallow egotistcal happy go lucky married man.

i owned 2 houses which were rented out.i lived rent free in london working for a rich arab-.

due to being a witness i quit a job and a lifestyle i will never have again.. i now live in sweden with the same wife and have a kid- i can think critically.my good friends are those i met on the ministry (but never converted)-i have good friends from my congregation in england.

acolytes

I think I titled this post incorrectly.

But the positives that came from my witness exsperience.

A. I now treat everyday as very persiouse. (Iam now very unsure of an afterlife)

B. I still have good friends thst I made through the door to door work.

C I have many ex-witnesses as friends

D I have helped people in their recovery from Jehovers Witnesses -

E I learnt critical thinking (All be it as a result of questioning the organisation as opposed to what I learnt as a member)

F I am more tolerent of other people and their beliefe system

G I discoverd how many people who really loved me. Accepting me as I was before during and after my witness exsperience. (I feal ashamed of having judged them as a witness)

H I gave up smoking (Stupidly started again after leaving)

I I learnt to stand up for myself against bullying elders-

J I didnt loose my wife because of being a witness. It actually made our love stronger.

K I have learnt many interesting exsperiences and knowledge from people who have been through the exsperience of leaving.

Yes being a witness was bad. But I have always triead in life to be positive. Life doesnt have to be perfect to be wonderful. A sick person in hospital can be very inspiring depending on how they cope with their sickness. I regard myself as having been sick during my time as a witness.But I also want to try and take positives from that time.'

Acolytes-

43

Maybe being a Witness wasnt so bad?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

before i became a witness i was a shallow egotistcal happy go lucky married man.

i owned 2 houses which were rented out.i lived rent free in london working for a rich arab-.

due to being a witness i quit a job and a lifestyle i will never have again.. i now live in sweden with the same wife and have a kid- i can think critically.my good friends are those i met on the ministry (but never converted)-i have good friends from my congregation in england.

acolytes

Iam aware of all the negativity.

Suicides and child abuse ect ect .(It all happened in the congregation) I cant change this. But I have left that all behind.

My point is I learnt critical thinking. Iam less likely to be conned again. My kid (Who I love dearly) was conceived because it was his time. If it wasnt for being a Witness the circumstances would have been a differnt time and different sperm.(Not Orlando)-

Maybe this makes no sence . Iam still angry with those that conned me but refuse to admit it.

43

Maybe being a Witness wasnt so bad?

by acolytes in

jw
friends

before i became a witness i was a shallow egotistcal happy go lucky married man.

i owned 2 houses which were rented out.i lived rent free in london working for a rich arab-.

due to being a witness i quit a job and a lifestyle i will never have again.. i now live in sweden with the same wife and have a kid- i can think critically.my good friends are those i met on the ministry (but never converted)-i have good friends from my congregation in england.

acolytes

Thanks for the replys.

As to the comment I love learning and did not get an education. Out of the negative is the positive I see education as lifes lessons. Ironically and painfully a great education for me was being a witness.

That makes me angry but not insane.

Acolytes

24

Was the Apostle Paul the Rutherford of his day?

by nugget in

i was doing reseaerch on early days of the society and remembered a radio programme about the apostle paul from earlier in the year.

the gist of the programme was that paul had remodeled the early christians in his image and that many of the restrictions and edicts from that time had little to do with jesus earlier teaching.

for example the vilification of homosexuals and the denegration of women.. this made me think about how rutherford changed the early bible students and added restrictions to them as well trying to remodel the organisation into something he could control.. jesus spent time teaching about the kingdom, preaching the need for love, forgiveness and acceptance.

acolytes

Hi Wobble

If we agree that Paul never meant to start a High Control group.

Have his teachings indirectly led to that?

Was what was written about Jesus not enough?

Acolytes