Posts by Christ Alone

49

Is the Jehovah's Witness religion Christian?

by Zagor Almanah in

is the jehovah's witness religion christian?the answer to the question is, "no.

it is not christian.

" like all non-christian cults, the jehovah's witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of christianity.

Christ Alone

Trinity teachers where a result of what apostle Paul said: I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.-Acts 20:29

Another loaded WT statement that is absolutely 100% false. I've seen you try to defend the WT's anti Trinity stand, Kosonen, and it just can't stand up. The Bible calls Jesus "God" all over the place. In fact it calls Jesus "THE God" many times. Try looking up some commentaries, biblical dictionaries, and lexicons instead of the HORRIBLE New World Translation. Trying to pull scriptures out of context and say that they don't mean what they say does not alter the fact that the early church knew very well that Jesus was of the same substance of God. Just SAYING that this doctrine was a result of what Paul said about false teachers does not make it so.

In fact, the councils were a response to these false teachers. Interestingly some of these false teachers were teaching almost exactly what the WT is teaching. I encourage you to research Arianism. Those doctrines are very close to what the WT has historically taught.

49

Is the Jehovah's Witness religion Christian?

by Zagor Almanah in

is the jehovah's witness religion christian?the answer to the question is, "no.

it is not christian.

" like all non-christian cults, the jehovah's witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of christianity.

Christ Alone

All churches are in essence the same as JW.

No. And here is a major fallacy that the WT uses. Lump in all churches. There are essentially 3 groups to JWs. There is the WT society. All other Christian religions that they call "Christendom", and all other "false" religion.

But if we are only going to work within those 3 categories, then fine. Are all other churches in essence the same as JWs? No. As was already brought out Christians are to worship Jesus Christ. JWs do not. They do not proskyneo Jesus, as countless others did in early Christianity. They view him as an angelic model to follow. Here's a list to compare JWs to "All Churches"

1. Refuse to proskyneo Jesus

2. Refuse to acknowledge Jesus' deity

3. Are witnesses of Jehovah and NOT Jesus

4. Holy Spirit is an impersonal force and not a real person as Christianity (and the Bible) affirms

5. Reject the gift of communion with Jesus Christ and forbid all those but a few thousand from partaking

6. Salvation is based on baptism and works. It is not a free gift that is given to all that accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

7. Restrict Biblical meaning to all but a select few. They made the comment: "Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation (The anointed Watchtower) as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."

As was brought out, believing in Jesus does not make you a Christian. The Devil believes that Jesus exists as well, but he is not a Christian. He does not proskyneo Jesus.

I draw a logic conclusion between the confusion in the second and the third centry among christians that lead to the Nicean Creed and what the apostles and even Jesus forewarned about.

This is one of the biggest loads of garbage that's come out of the WT. The creeds and councils were a response to heresies, not a developement of new doctrine. The WT tries to imply that the Trinity doctrine was unknown to the early church and that Constantine helped "create" the doctrine during this counsil. All it takes is to research the early church and read the writings of the earliest of the church fathers to see what Christians believed at the time. It is commonly spouted off (without knowledge) that the doctrine wasn't taught until much later.

Ignatius, on 14 occasions calls Jesus God, and on 8 of these actually refers to him as ho theos (the God). When did Ignatius of Antioch live? He lived from C30 to C107. So the claim that Jesus was not considered "God" until the council of Nicea is 100% false.

27

Yahoo News gives JWs a mention

by Splash in

under the topic of failed end of the world predictions, jws 1914 date gets outed:.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/mayan-apocalypse-2012--five-doomsdays-that-never-happened-143929918.html.

splash.

Christ Alone

"Mr" Russel was only wrong about setting the date for Armageddon, kjw53?

"The seventh trumpet sounds from Aug. 1840, until "the time of trouble," or day of wrath is ended. Hence, it doubtless ends with the times of the Gentiles, and this forty years of conquest; and therefore, sounds until A. D. 1914; at the end of which, Babylon the great, will have fallen, and the "dragon" be bound: that is, the nations will be subdued, and "the prince of this world cast out."" Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World (1877) p.143

"A.D. 33, to A.D. 70 was 36 ½ years; and so from A.D. 1878 to the end of A.D. 1914 is 36 ½ years. And, with the end of A.D. 1914, what God calls Babylon, and what men call Christendom, will have passed away, as already shown in prophecy." Studies In the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come (1891) p.153

"October, 1914, will witness the full end of Babylon, "as a great millstone cast into the sea," utterly destroyed as a system." Watch Tower 1911 June 15 p.190

"HARVEST" is a term which gives a general idea as to what work should be expected to transpire between the dates 1874 and 1914." Studies In the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come p.135

"These, already examined, show that the close of 1874 marked the beginning, as the close of 1914 will mark the end, of this 40 years of harvest; while all the minutiae of the order and work of this harvest were portrayed in that of the Jewish age, its type." Studies In the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come pp.149-150

"And yet "Jerusalem must be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled;" hence, trodden down until A. D. 1914, when the day of wrath will be passed, and the resurrection and return of the "whole house of Israel" due." Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World (1877) p.166

"The beginning of the earthly phase of the Kingdom in the end of A.D. 1914 will, we understand, consist wholly of the resurrected holy ones of olden time-from John the Baptizer back to Abel-"Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the holy prophets." Studies In the Scriptures Series IV - The Day of Vengeance p.625

"That the deliverance of the saints must take place some time before 1914 is manifest, since the deliverance of fleshly Israel, as we shall see, is appointed to take place at that time... Just how long before 1914 the last living members of the body of Christ will be glorified, was are not directly informed;..." Studies In the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come (1908 ed.) p.228

And then did the WT say they were wrong? Of course not! They changed history and LIED:

"From the mid-1870's, Jehovah's people had been anticipating that catastrophic events would start in 1914 and would mark the end of the Gentile Times." Revelation - Its Grand Climax at Hand! (1988) p.105

27

Yahoo News gives JWs a mention

by Splash in

under the topic of failed end of the world predictions, jws 1914 date gets outed:.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/mayan-apocalypse-2012--five-doomsdays-that-never-happened-143929918.html.

splash.

Christ Alone

Mr Russell said peace would be taken from the earth in 1914--he was correct--- He saw the first ride of the white horse( rev 6) by Jesus who recieved his crown( 1914) he erred by putting a date on harmageddon, but was absolutly correct on the other two events. The rapture is a false teaching that is not found in Gods written word.

Sounds like kjw53 does not know his history. "Mr" Russell (or shouldn't you say Pastor?) did not prophecy that 1914 would see peace taken from the earth. 1914 was always to be the END, not the beginning of peace being removed.

"But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble . Zion's Watch Tower 1894 Jul 15 p.226

"Mr" Russel viewed 1914 as a minor date in comparrsion to all the other dates he prophesied about.

"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878, A.D." Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621

"Mr" Russel believed that Armageddon was already in progress and would END in 1914:

"… the battle of the great day of God Almighty … The date of the close of that "battle" is definitely marked in Scripture as October 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874." Zion's Watch Tower 1892 January 15 p.23

For kjw53 and Reslight to claim that Russel was right about ANYTHING, is to be avoiding the facts. Russel was wrong in every single one of his predictions, including 1914.

By the way, the early Bible Students DID believe in the Rapture, and believed that Jesus would be taking his church home before 1914.

32

Is believing in Jesus the only requirement for salvation?

by FingersCrossed in

Christ Alone

There is some discussion going around called "Lordship Salvation". Basically it states that yes, believing in Jesus is what saves you. But there should be outward evidence of your salvation. Jesus is your Lord AND savior. Your life should show that you are being led by the spirit, which it will if you have accepted the gift of salvation.

Many argue that this turns salvation into a works oriented salvation, but really this is not the case. It merely asks that if your life is not showing evidence of a change, then can you really claim to have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord over your life?

Salvation is a gift. And that cannot be earned through works. It all narrows down to that. But you can't think that the guidelines of the bible no longer apply to you. If we want to live the best way of life, we will follow the Word and be obedient. But this obedience does not earn us salvation. It is just evidence that we already HAVE been saved.

So to fully answer the question: Is believing in Jesus the only requirement for salvation? Yes. But if you do truly believe in Jesus, your life will show it.

83

Final prayer after fieldservice today.

by El_Guapo in

hi guys,.

i was asked to give final prayer today after the field service meeting.

i asked for jah to bless and comfort the families of the newtown, ct massacre.

Christ Alone

Face the Facts, the WT constantly tells us how to and how not to pray. Here are just a few quotes:

99 WT 1/15

5 When praying publicly we should remember that we are not addressing humans. Rather, we are sinful creatures petitioning the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. (Psalm 8:3-5, 9; 73:28) We should therefore manifest reverential fear of displeasing him by what we say and how we express it. (Proverbs 1:7) The psalmist David sang: “As for me, in the abundance of your loving-kindness I shall come into your house, I shall bow down toward your holy temple in fear of you.” (Psalm 5:7) If we have that attitude, how will we express ourselves when asked to pray publicly at a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses? Well, if we were speaking to a human king, we would do so respectfully and with dignity. Should not our prayers be even more dignified and respectful, since we are praying to Jehovah, the “King of eternity”? (Revelation 15:3) So when praying we would avoid such statements as, “Good morning, Jehovah,” “We send you our love,” or, “Have a nice day.” The Scriptures show that God’s only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, never addressed his heavenly Father in that way.

6 Paul said: “Let us . . . approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness.” (Hebrews 4:16) We can approach Jehovah with “freeness of speech” in spite of our sinful state because of our faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:42, 43; 20:20, 21) Yet, such “freeness of speech” does not mean that we are chatting with God; nor should we say disrespectful things to him. If our public prayers are to please Jehovah, they must be offered with proper respect and dignity, and it would be inappropriate to use them to make announcements, counsel individuals, or lecture an audience.

WT 86 7/15

John next speaks of prayer and two types of sin. (Read 1 John 5:16, 17.) “A sin that does not incur death” is not willful, and it would not be wrong to pray that the repentant wrongdoer be forgiven. (Acts 2:36-38; 3:19; James 5:13-18) But it would be wrong to pray concerning “a sin that does incur death” because this is willful sin against the holy spirit, for which forgiveness is impossible

WT 52 8/1 But we will not pray for those Jehovah has condemned, those he has passed final judgment against. To do so would be a violation of Jehovah’s commands. (Jer. 7:16; 11:14) To love those who are confirmed enemies of Jehovah would displease God: “Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah.” (2 Chron. 19:2, AS

49

Is the Jehovah's Witness religion Christian?

by Zagor Almanah in

is the jehovah's witness religion christian?the answer to the question is, "no.

it is not christian.

" like all non-christian cults, the jehovah's witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of christianity.

Christ Alone

To my way of thinking, a Christian is a "follower of Christ". Jehovah's Witnesses are "followers of Jehovah".

Valid point...

49

Is the Jehovah's Witness religion Christian?

by Zagor Almanah in

is the jehovah's witness religion christian?the answer to the question is, "no.

it is not christian.

" like all non-christian cults, the jehovah's witness organization distorts the essential doctrines of christianity.

Christ Alone

I struggle with this question. Do they believe in Jesus? Yes. Do they believe he is the son of God? Yes. Do they believe that the Bible is God's word and inerrant? Yes.

But the flip side: Do they believe in the diety of Jesus? No. Do they believe in salvation by faith alone? No. Do they believe Jesus died for their personal sins? No.

So WHAT is Christianity? Do you HAVE to believe exactly as orthodox Christianity believes to be considered Christian? What is the criteria? I know that Paul warned about following another gospel and another Jesus. And I suppose this is what the WT has done.

Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.

But was understanding the truth of these things what Jesus required? Wouldn't enforcing a specific belief be akin to saying that works saves you? They DO believe that Jesus is the Christ. And as far as 1John 5:1 says, this was all that was necessary to be saved.

I go back and forth on this. I'm not defending their doctrine in any way. But who are we to say that because they don't understand who Jesus is that they will not be saved?

21

Link for the Bethel Dwelling Manual

by greenhornet in

jw
friends

i guess this is what the new system will be like.

enjoy the link every one.

and buy the way it is my birthday today.

Christ Alone

The Watchtower study is followed by the Theocratic Ministry School. All who are members of the family are enrolled and all should take part in this meeting too. We are sure you realize that everything Jehovah provides through his organization is important and necessary. So come to both meetings; make comments. Feel at home.

This is no longer true. There is a single monday night WT study. There is no Theo School for bethelites.

21

Link for the Bethel Dwelling Manual

by greenhornet in

jw
friends

i guess this is what the new system will be like.

enjoy the link every one.

and buy the way it is my birthday today.

Christ Alone

Just so everyone knows, the dwelling book has been updated many times after this version. I was reading over this link and didn't remember much of what it was saying. I looked at the bottom and it appears that this dwelling book was updated in 1974. It's been revised several times since then.

What struck me as odd, and caused me to question it was the almost "baby talk" sound of the writing. It reads like it was written to a 6 year old. Plus, some of the condescending comments seemed out of place. This one in particular is definitely not in the newer revisions: " You're like a baby here. You're new in our family and we all love you and we want to get acquainted with you. We know that you want to get acquainted and accustomed to us too. We want you to love Bethel as we do. So let's get acquainted right away."

Does anyone have any of the more recent revisions of this publication? This one will not give a totally accurate picture of what bethel is like now.