Posts by maynard

11

My Personal Beliefs

by UnDisfellowshipped in

i just thought i would post a thread and let everyone know what my own personal beliefs are.. you can post any comments you want to.. also, you can post your own personal beliefs if you would like to.. here are my beliefs (based on what i have read in the bible):.

i believe in god almighty, my creator (the father, jesus christ, and the holy spirit -- all 3 are separate persons in unity as one god -- all 3 are co-equal, co-eternal, co-omnipotent, co-omniscient).. i believe that jesus christ, the eternal son of god, came to earth and was born as a human (while keeping his full deity), gave christians 3 laws to follow (love god, love your neighbor, and treat others how you want to be treated), died for the world's sins, in order that everyone who believes in jesus christ may be saved and receive eternal life with the jesus, and jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the father.. all of this is by the grace, love, mercy, and justice of god.. that is the gospel of salvation.. i believe that everyone who truly believes in the true jesus christ of the bible, will be saved, and will be taken to heaven when they die to be with the lord jesus christ for eternity.. i believe that when they die, everyone who rejects jesus christ will end up spending eternity separated from jesus christ in hell (whether hell is a fiery place of torment or not, i'm not sure, but i know i don't want to be there no matter what it is).. i believe that jesus christ is the only judge of a person's heart and mind.

humans should not condemn one another, in regards to where they are going to go (heaven or hell).. jesus christ will judge everyone who never got to hear the gospel.. i believe that all children who died before they were old enough to know what is right or wrong, will be saved.. i believe that jesus christ is coming again, whether in our life time or not, i do not know.. i believe that everyone on earth should follow these 3 commandments of christ:.

maynard

1 Corinthians 1:-

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." [3]
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

4

ezekiel 30,1-19

by BIBLE BASHER in

any one got an angle on this weeks bible reading iam strugling

maynard

The key to this passage is in verse 10;

10 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

" 'I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt
by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

Exekiel is prophizing the destruction of Egypt at the Hands of Babylon.

Blessings to you

Maynard

33

The Bible Does Not Condemn Witchcraft

by Sirona in

the jws are against anything remotely pagan and they're certainly against witchcraft.

they say the bible condemns it.

scriptures such as exodus 22:v18 "you must not preserve a sorceress alive" (nwt) or as the king james version says "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live".

maynard

Woops! Sirona the post on intolerance was not specifically direct at you. It was a general reference to people labeling Christians, or any one for that matter as intolerant because someone is challenging someones beliefs. There seem to be some of this sentiment earlier in this thread.

If I label someone as intolerant for challenging my beliefs, this is nothing more then name-calling and a lack of knowledge of my own beliefs.

You Sirona have been more then gracious in your writing and I apologize if you took this wrong.

Rather than judging me (telling me my belief is not right) why don't you practice loving acceptance?

As a man of the Word Sirona I dont judge you. I preach and teach the Word of God. It is the Word of God that judges you and all people. And yes as a Christian I am to practice loving acceptance. But in that love I would not want to leave you or anyone else is a state of separation from God.

A person may be sincere in there faith, but if they are wrong that would still leave them separated from God eternally.

I accept you and others (as well as myself) as a sinner in need of redemption. To this I labor to spread the good news of what God has done through His Son Jesus Christ, that He paid the price for our sin and offers it to us as a free gift.

May God bless you with all true wisdom and knowledge.

Maynard

Edited by - maynard on 16 June 2002 0:25:33

Edited by - maynard on 16 June 2002 0:33:6

33

The Bible Does Not Condemn Witchcraft

by Sirona in

the jws are against anything remotely pagan and they're certainly against witchcraft.

they say the bible condemns it.

scriptures such as exodus 22:v18 "you must not preserve a sorceress alive" (nwt) or as the king james version says "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live".

maynard

Regarding intolerance;

Is the truth intolerant? What If you were inside a burning building and I came and knocked on your door and alerted you to this fact. If you responded by telling me no it is not, I just cant believe that, and refused to leave, your belief will not change the truth. And as such you would suffer the consequences for disregarding the truth.

Who has the real problem here? Im I intolerant for telling you. Im I narrow minded for not accepting that your belief is right. Of course not! That would be absurd!

But why when we turn to religion do people automatically label someone as intolerant when they challenge a religious belief?

It is probably because your religious foundation is so weak that it can not stand up to challenges so you have to resort to name calling (your so intolerant).

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I believe this statement to be true and I know there is more then enough historical, manuscript, statistical, and archeological evidence to validate its truth. So does that make me intolerant for telling you that you are on the wrong path? Do you have a better foundation for what you believe? Can you know your belief is true?

If I am intolerant for telling you Jesus is the way, and the only way to God, and that all other paths lead to eternal separation, then so be it.

However, neither I nor anyone else has the right to heap words of hate, call someone names, or show discontent toward you just because you will not accept my belief. Even though I believe I am defending the Truth of God, that does not give me the right to lord it over someone else. Use logic not name calling

Blessings to all

Maynard

33

The Bible Does Not Condemn Witchcraft

by Sirona in

the jws are against anything remotely pagan and they're certainly against witchcraft.

they say the bible condemns it.

scriptures such as exodus 22:v18 "you must not preserve a sorceress alive" (nwt) or as the king james version says "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live".

maynard

Sirona; it seems to me your definition of witchcraft is different from that of the bible. The biblical definition involves spiritism, contacting the dead, worship of pagan deities, casting spells to harm others, and other things along this line.

You say you are not practicing these things, great. As long as you are not violating biblical principles you are fine.

With regard to Divination...the bible contradicts itself:….. there are instances in scripture of divination being carried out with Gods approval.

This is not true. First in Genesis 44, this is a historical narrative, not a passage on law or teaching. Further more God does not give approve of Joseph’s actions in this passage, to the contrary God disapproved these actions in Deuteronomy 18:10. This passage only shows Joseph was a sinful man in need of redemption just like the rest of us.

Num 27:21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD.

1 Sam 28:6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

Now notice in these two passages that the person is inquiring, or addressing the LORD, not the “Urim”. The Urim was more then likely a symbol of God and his power. A modern day example would be going to the alter to pray to God. There is no power or divine substance to the alter, but only in God whom you would petition at this location.

Sirona in what way does your practice of “witchcraft” (using your definition) glorify God and bring you closer to Him?

Blessings to you
Maynard

33

The Bible Does Not Condemn Witchcraft

by Sirona in

the jws are against anything remotely pagan and they're certainly against witchcraft.

they say the bible condemns it.

scriptures such as exodus 22:v18 "you must not preserve a sorceress alive" (nwt) or as the king james version says "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live".

maynard

If any JWs or bible believers would like to give a counter argument, please do.

I’m not interested in arguing. If you are interested in what the bible has to say about witchcraft, here it is.

Deuteronomy 18 :9 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [1] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.

2 Chronicles 33: 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord , he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his sons in [1] the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord , provoking him to anger.

Micah 5: 10 "In that day," declares the Lord ,…. 12 I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.

Nahum 3: 4 all because of the wanton lust of a harlot,
alluring, the mistress of sorceries,
who enslaved nations by her prostitution
and peoples by her witchcraft. 5 "I am against you," declares the Lord Almighty.

Galatians 5: 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

As you can see the bible does in fact condemn witchcraft.

The bible characteristically says it is only women who practice this

Not true, note four of the five above passages are not gender specific.

Moreover, it condemns magic used to HARM people, not magic in general.

I would say you are correct that magic in general is not condemned, as long as it does not violate any biblical principles.

Are you equating witchcraft and magic as the same?

Blessings to you
Maynard

29

muslims like osama bin laden

by yumyum in

we always hear the muslims such as osama bin laden, prayed for september 11, and always say more destruction will come to america and jews "god willing" but god is not willing, so besides for the devil, why does their prayers come true for them?

maynard

but do you really think its right to ask for destruction of those who worship false religion, or should we pray that they will come to god as we have?

I think God speaks well for himself on this issue.

1 Tim 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Blessings to you
Maynard

16

Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?

by lv4fer in

i was talking to my dad last night and i told him that there is no "organization" that jehovah uses directly.

he quoted this scripture and said "well then who is this talking about" i read the scripture and i have to say i am a bit puzzled.

if it doesn't say what the jw's say (not that i'm saying they are it) then what does this scripture refer to?

maynard

How do we know that the JW are the "temple organization"? I don’t recall that they have ever been the “faithful slave” in there entire existence.

Could the Mormons be the "temple organization"? Or maybe even the Catholics since they have been around the longest and have some “faithfulness” in their history.

Blessings
Maynard

18

Skeptics Bible for JW`s, many great questions!

by Beans in

ok here are a few links any apostate will enjoy!

some things will really make any believer wonder.. http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/jw_list.html.

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/.

maynard

Quotes; I already posted my answer about Genocide on the new thread, see it at
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=28441&site=3

but note carefully: they were a specific race of giants

My mistake, you are right the Nephilim were a specific race of people. However the word Nephilim still means giant. ( From Strong’s Concordance; bully or tyrant:--giant. #H5303/H5307.)

More then likely they were given or took the name Nephilim because they were big people in relation to all the other peoples around them.

We know this first race/people were wiped out in the flood; Gen 7:21 Every living thing that moved on the earth perished--birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind.

We also know from Num 13 that after the flood there were another race/people called Nephilim. The only explanation is that the Nephilim developed from Noah’s line, that Noah had the genetics within him to product a large people.

For Noah to have carried the the specific Nephilim genetic code would mean that his lineage was from Nephilim. -- Re read the Genesis account of the Nephilim, you will find their "evilness" incompatible with Noah's "holiness".

Do you really believe that a person’s genetic make up determines weather they will be evil or good? I don’t and I don’t find any scripture that would support that teaching. Genetics don’t make a person evil or holy; the way a person conducts there life makes them evil or holy.

I think another problem with this equation is that you have the mistaken belief that fallen angels took on human form and fathered children. This is not taught in the bible that I know of. If it is please give me the scripture references so I can learn. However from Genesis 6:2 there is no mention of fallen angles. More then likely the “sons of God” refer to the decedents of Seth, Adam’s obedient son, while “daughters of man” refer to the decedents of Cain, Adam’s murderous son.

Finally Quotes, I want to thank you for your attitude. While you and I don’t agree, you have been more then gracious and considerate.

Blessings to you
Maynard.

9

women in the bible

by blindfool in

the latest debate at bdf's home seems to be about a womans place in a church.

can some ex-jws, or current jw's, give me the scriptures used by the wtbts to keep women from serving as leaders in the congragations?

how about some examples of women used by god to spread his message.. thanks everyone!

maynard

Where can I get the long version? E-mail it to me if you don't mind.
Blessings
maynard