Posts by BroMac

yes the james v peter one is indeed a conundrum. was there no prayer for james? did the 1st century christians not like james? must be a warning to all elders. be nice to the flock

also what about stephen?

14

JWs discussed by Stephen Fry and the QI Gang

by laverite in

enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca95xr-xdx0.

.

BroMac

He mentions the purple triangle in one of his novels Making History:

" pits a senior history professor against a doctoral student. The professor asks him if he knows which group of concentration camp inmates bore a purple triangle on their uniform. The student does not, and starts guessing. Was it Communists, Slavs, lesbians, Cossacks or anarchists? he asks. Then he gives up."

more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_History_(novel)

13

"This Speech Is Shocking"

by BroMac in

*** w06 7/15 p. 22 focus on the goodness of jehovahs organization ***.

this speech is shocking.

13 whereas some in the first century murmured against appointed servants, others were murmurers against jesus teachings.

BroMac

*** w06 7/15 p. 22 Focus on the Goodness of Jehovah’s Organization ***

“This Speech Is Shocking”

13 Whereas some in the first century murmured against appointed servants, others were murmurers against Jesus’ teachings. As recorded at John 6:48-69, Jesus stated: “He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life.” Upon hearing these words, “many of his disciples . . . said: ‘This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?’” Jesus was aware that “his disciples were murmuring about this.” Moreover, “owing to this many of [them] went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him.” But not every disciple murmured. Note what happened when Jesus asked the 12 apostles: “You do not want to go also, do you?” The apostle Peter answered: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

14 In modern times, a very small numberamong God’s people have become disgruntled with some aspect of Christian teaching and have murmured against the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization. Why does this happen? Such murmuring is often caused by a lack of understanding of God’s way of doing things. The Creator progressively reveals the truth to his people. Hence, our understanding of the Scriptures is bound to be refined from time to time. The vast majority of Jehovah’s people rejoice over such refinements. A few become “righteous overmuch” and resent the changes. (Ecclesiastes 7:16) Pride may play a role, and some fall into the trap of independent thinking. Whatever the reason, such murmuring is hazardous, since it can draw us back into the world and its ways.

15 Emanuel, for instance, was a Witness who found fault with some things he read in publications of “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45) He stopped reading our Christian literature and eventually told the elders of the local congregation that he no longer wished to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Within a short time, however, Emanuel came to realize that the teachings of Jehovah’s organization were correct after all. He contacted the Witnesses, admitted his mistake, and was reinstated as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a result, he again became a happy man.

16 What if we are tempted to murmur because of having doubts about certain teachings that Jehovah’s people hold in common? Then let us not be impatient. The ‘faithful slave’ may eventually publish something that answers our questions and clears up our doubts. It is wise to seek the help of Christian elders. (Jude 22, 23) Prayer, personal study, and association with spiritually-minded fellow believers can also help to remove doubts and can deepen our appreciation for the faith-strengthening Bible truths we have learned through Jehovah’s channel of communication.

19

JW Speak - The Latest

by Slidin Fast in

jw
friends

ok - we have "direction".

delete the word society we don't talk about the society any more.

we talk about the organization.

BroMac

i wonder if this comes from the 2wks elders school

33

Judge Rutherford's Air Conditioning at Bethel

by VM44 in

i recall reading long ago (so long ago i don't recall where) that someone asked judge rutherford why his office at bethel, brooklyn had an air conditioning unit while the workers in the printing factory below had to work in the heat.. rutherford's answer was that the air conditioning unit was a gift!.

does anyone also recall reading this?.

wouldn't rutherford feel a little guilty about enjoying cool air while the people downstairs were working all day under hot and humid conditions?.

BroMac

Judge Rutherford , the second Watchtower president, was very excited about his " numerous Christmas presents ." Watchtower--January 15, 1919, page 31.

i must see this in the WT. the link here is no longer working

16

My Wedding Anniversary

by TOTH in

jw
friends

i am happy to announce that today marks 22 years of married bliss to the most beautiful girl on earth.

my lovely wife was always being harassed by the local overlords for wearing too much makeup, having her hair too wild, and for not being submissive to them.

when we began dating the overlords pressured me to get her to change.

BroMac

Top Bloke!

happy anniversary

33

My Experience

by wezz in

good day to everyone.

after reading and benefiting from the numerous experiences posted here, i thought it would be proper for me to share my story too.

i was born and brought up as an anglican church member.

BroMac

It took my wife about 24 hours to report me to the elders. It took her another 6 to decide to leave me

This is what i am afraid of. my heart goes out to you Wezz

Luke 7:1-10 & Matt 8:5-13 The Same Army Officer As Acts 10?

by BroMac in

and he comes, and to my slave, do this!

18 and they called out and inquired whether simon who was surnamed peter was being entertained there.

BroMac

I find it interesting in these verses what Jesus says about the Army Officer/Centurion "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found so great a faith".

Luke 7:1-10

7 When he had completed all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered into Ca·per′na·um. 2 Now a certain army officer’s slave, who was dear to him, was ailing and was about to pass away. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent forth older men of the Jews to him to ask him to come and bring his slave safely through. 4 Then those that came up to Jesus began to entreat him earnestly, saying: “He is worthy of your conferring this upon him, 5 for he loves our nation and he himself built the synagogue for us.” 6 So Jesus started off with them. But when he was not far from the house, the army officer had already sent friends to say to him: “Sir, do not bother, for I am not fit to have you come in under my roof. 7 For that reason I did not consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Be on your way!’ and he is on his way, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 9 Well, when Jesus heard these things he marveled at him, and he turned to the crowd following him and said: “I tell YOU, Not even in Israel have I found so great a faith.” 10 And those that had been sent, on getting back to the house, found the slave in good health.

(Matthew 8:5-13)

5 When he entered into Ca·per′na·um, an army officer came to him, entreating him 6 and saying: “Sir, my manservant is laid up in the house with paralysis, being terribly tormented.” 7 He said to him: “When I get there I will cure him.” 8 In reply the army officer said: “Sir, I am not a fit man for you to enter under my roof, but just say the word and my manservant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Be on your way!’ and he is on his way, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Hearing that, Jesus became amazed and said to those following him: “I tell YOU the truth, With no one in Israel have I found so great a faith.11 But I tell YOU that many from eastern parts and western parts will come and recline at the table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens; 12 whereas the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the darkness outside. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be.” 13 Then Jesus said to the army officer: “Go. Just as it has been your faith, so let it come to pass for you.” And the manservant was healed in that hour.

And in the account of Acts 10 Cornelius the Centurion becomes the first Gentile Christian.

(Acts 10:1-48)

10 Now in Caes·a·re′a there was a certain man named Cornelius, an army officer of the Italian band, as it was called, 2 a devout man and one fearing God together with all his household, and he made many gifts of mercy to the people and made supplication to God continually. 3 Just about the ninth hour of the day he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say to him: “Cornelius!” 4 The man gazed at him and, becoming frightened, said: “What is it, Lord?” He said to him: “Your prayers and gifts of mercy have ascended as a remembrance before God. 5 So now send men to Jop′pa and summon a certain Simon who is surnamed Peter. 6 This man is being entertained by a certain Simon, a tanner, who has a house by the sea.” 7 As soon as the angel that spoke to him had left, he called two of his house servants and a devout soldier from among those who were in constant attendance upon him, 8 and he related everything to them and dispatched them to Jop′pa. 9 The next day as they were pursuing their journey and were approaching the city, Peter went up to the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became very hungry and wanted to eat. While they were preparing, he fell into a trance 11 and beheld heaven opened and some sort of vessel descending like a great linen sheet being let down by its four extremities upon the earth; 12 and in it there were all sorts of four-footed creatures and creeping things of the earth and birds of heaven. 13 And a voice came to him: “Rise, Peter, slaughter and eat!” 14 But Peter said: “Not at all, Lord, because never have I eaten anything defiled and unclean.” 15 And the voice [spoke] again to him, the second time: “You stop calling defiled the things God has cleansed.” 16 This occurred a third time, and immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven. 17 Now while Peter was in great perplexity inwardly over what the vision he had seen might mean, look! the men dispatched by Cornelius had made inquiries for Simon’s house and stood there at the gate. 18 And they called out and inquired whether Simon who was surnamed Peter was being entertained there. 19 As Peter was going over in his mind about the vision, the spirit said: “Look! Three men are seeking you. 20 However, rise, go downstairs and be on your way with them, not doubting at all, because I have dispatched them.” 21 So Peter went downstairs to the men and said: “Look! I am the one YOU are seeking. What is the cause for which YOU are present?” 22 They said: “Cornelius, an army officer, a man righteous and fearing God and well reported by the whole nation of the Jews, was given divine instructions by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear the things you have to say.” 23 Therefore he invited them in and entertained them. The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the brothers that were from Jop′pa went with him. 24 On the day after that he entered into Caes·a·re′a. Cornelius, of course, was expecting them and had called together his relatives and intimate friends. 25 As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet and did obeisance to him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying: “Rise; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he conversed with him he went in and found many people assembled, 28 and he said to them: “YOU well know how unlawful it is for a Jew to join himself to or approach a man of another race; and yet God has shown me I should call no man defiled or unclean. 29 Hence I came, really without objection, when I was sent for. Therefore I inquire the reason that YOU have sent for me.” 30 Accordingly Cornelius said: “Four days ago counting from this hour I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, when, look! a man in bright raiment stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been favorably heard and your gifts of mercy have been remembered before God. 32 Send, therefore, to Jop′pa and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter. This man is being entertained in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I at once sent to you, and you did well in coming here. And so at this time we are all present before God to hear all the things you have been commanded by Jehovah to say.” 34 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 He sent out the word to the sons of Israel to declare to them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ: this One is Lord of all [others]. 37 YOU know the subject that was talked about throughout the whole of Ju·de′a, starting from Gal′i·lee after the baptism that John preached, 38 namely, Jesus who was from Naz′a·reth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; but they also did away with him by hanging him on a stake. 40 God raised this One up on the third day and granted him to become manifest, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses appointed beforehand by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after his rising from the dead. 42 Also, he ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness that this is the One decreed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone putting faith in him gets forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was yet speaking about these matters the holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. 45 And the faithful ones that had come with Peter who were of those circumcised were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also upon people of the nations. 46 For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: 47 “Can anyone forbid water so that these might not be baptized who have received the holy spirit even as we have?” 48 With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days.

Could it be that Jesus had remembered the faith of Cornelius while he was in Capernaum, and now just a few years later in the Roman city of Caeserea where Cornelius was now stationed, became the first Gentile (Other Sheep) Christian?

43

Menlo Park Kingdom Hall 3

by Juan Viejo2 in

for those of you that have been following the ongoing story of the forced take over of the menlo park, california kingdom hall, please go to:.

http://ex-jw.com/fear-and-loathing-in-menlo-park.

i'm sorry, the article is still a little rough and still needs a lot of editing, but i wanted to get it up by today at the latest.

BroMac

this is the first i knew about the case being terminated. dissapointing.