w89 8/15 pp. 30-31 - Is Jesus the Mediator only for spirit-anointed Christians or for all mankind, since 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 speaks of him as the “mediator” who “gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”? The Bible contains both basic teachings and deep truths, which are solid food for study. One such study involves Jesus Christ’s role as Mediator. The apostle Paul wrote: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times.”—1 Timothy 2:5, 6. To grasp what Paul is saying, we must first appreciate that the Bible sets out two destinies for faithful humans: (1) perfect life on a restored earthly paradise and (2) life in heaven for Christ’s “little flock,” numbering 144,000. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 5:10; 14:1-3) Christendom teaches that all good people go to heaven, which unscriptural position has colored the general view, so that Jesus is considered a go-between for all such people. What, though, does the Bible indicate? The Greek word me·siʹtes, used for “mediator,” means ‘one who finds himself between two bodies or parties.’ It was a ‘many-sided technical term of Hellenistic legal language.’ Professor Albrecht Oepke (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) says that me·siʹtes was “one of the most varied technical terms in the vocabulary of Hellen[istic] law.” But why does the Bible use a legal term for Jesus’ mediatory role? As background, consider what Paul wrote about God’s Law given to Israel assembled before Mount Sinai: “It was transmitted through angels by the hand of a mediator.” (Galatians 3:19, 20) That mediator was Moses. He was the intermediary agent between Jehovah and the fleshly nation of Israel. An agent for what? For establishing a covenant, or legal contract, between God and the nation. Does this mean that there is a specific legal sense involved in Jesus’ role as Mediator? Yes. Note Paul’s comment at Hebrews 8:6. After speaking about the tabernacle and other typical representations under the Law covenant, he wrote: “Jesus has obtained a more excellent public service, so that he is also the mediator of a correspondingly better covenant, which has been legally established upon better promises.” The “better covenant” was the new covenant, which replaced the covenant mediated by Moses. (Hebrews 8:7-13) The new covenant was “legally established.” It laid the basis for some of Christ’s followers, beginning with the apostles, to gain “entry into the holy place,” heaven itself.—Hebrews 9:24; 10:16-19. There are other indications too of the legal nature of Jesus’ role as Mediator of the “new covenant.” Commenting on God’s promise at Psalm 110:4, Paul wrote: “To that extent also Jesus has become the one given in pledge [enʹgy·os] of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22) This is the only Biblical use of the word enʹgy·os. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology says: “The engyos guaranteed that a legal obligation would be carried out.” So Jesus as Mediator of the new covenant serves as a legal pledge that “a better hope” would be realized.—Hebrews 7:19. Elsewhere Paul uses yet another word having a legal sense, ar·ra·bonʹ, translated “token.” The same dictionary says: “The Gk. word arrabōn . . . is a legal concept from the language of business and trade.” Note how Paul used this legal term: “He who has anointed us is God. He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) Both other occurrences of ar·ra·bonʹ also deal with God’s anointing of Christians with spirit, bringing them an ‘everlasting reward or inheritance in the heavens’ as spirit sons of God.—2 Corinthians 5:1, 5; Ephesians 1:13, 14; see Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures. Clearly, then, the new covenant is not a loose arrangement open to all mankind. It is a carefully arranged legal provision involving God and anointed Christians. This should help us to understand 1 Timothy 2:5, 6. Here the reference to “mediator” was made after the five other occurrences of the word in letters written earlier. Hence, Timothy would have understood Jesus’ mediatorship to be His legal role connected with the new covenant. The Pastoral Epistles, by Dibelius and Conzelmann, acknowledges that at 1 Timothy 2:5 ‘the term “mediator” has a legal significance,’ and “although in this passage, in contrast to Heb 8:6, the [covenant] is not mentioned, one must nevertheless presuppose the meaning ‘mediator of the covenant,’ as the context shows.” Professor Oepke observes that 1 Timothy 2:5 presents Jesus as “the attorney and negotiator.” A modern-day illustration may help to clarify this, especially if you are not a spirit-anointed Christian. Think of a legal case in which an attorney is involved. His role may be not so much that of a lawyer arguing for justice as that of one who is mediating or bringing about a legal contract acceptable to and beneficial to two parties. Of course, you are not in that legal case, so in that sense he is not serving as your attorney. Yet he may be your very close friend who in other ways gives you valuable help. Sometimes an attorney’s work produces results that benefit many others. So it is with Jesus’ legal accomplishments as Mediator of the new covenant. It produces what the Law covenant did not, a heavenly “kingdom of priests.” (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9) Thereafter anointed Christians in the Kingdom will work with Jesus from heaven to bring a blessing to “all nations of the earth.”—Genesis 22:18. The people of all nations who have the hope of everlasting life on earth benefit even now from Jesus’ services. Though he is not their legal Mediator, for they are not in the new covenant, he is their means of approaching Jehovah. Christ said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) All who will gain life on earth must direct their prayers to Jehovah through Jesus. (John 14:13, 23, 24) Jesus also serves as a compassionate High Priest who is able to apply in their behalf the benefits of his sacrifice, allowing them to gain forgiveness and eventual salvation.—Acts 4:12; Hebrews 4:15. Consequently, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 is not using “mediator” in the broad sense common in many languages. It is not saying that Jesus is a mediator between God and all mankind. Rather, it refers to Christ as legal Mediator (or, “attorney”) of the new covenant, this being the restricted way in which the Bible uses the term. Jesus is also a corresponding ransom for all in that covenant, both Jews and Gentiles, who will receive immortal life in heaven. The apostle John referred to these at 1 John 2:2. But he indicated that others too will receive the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice: “He is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.” Those of ‘the whole world’ are all who will gain eternal life in a restored earthly paradise. Millions of such approved servants of God now have that earthly hope. They view Jesus as their High Priest and King through whom they can daily gain approach to Jehovah. They rely on Jesus’ ransom, which is available to them, just as it will be to men such as Abraham, David, and John the Baptizer when these are resurrected. (Matthew 20:28) Thus, Christ’s sacrifice will lead to everlasting life for all obedient mankind.
The Fall Guy
JoinedPosts by The Fall Guy
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101
Who is the mediator for jehovahs witnesses?
by atomant inlm getting conflicting advice.ls it the 144000 or jesus.l was always under the impression it was jesus.lf its the 144000 then when they pray the jw;s should be praying through the remnant not in jesus christs name but in the 144000;s name..
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The Fall Guy
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101
Who is the mediator for jehovahs witnesses?
by atomant inlm getting conflicting advice.ls it the 144000 or jesus.l was always under the impression it was jesus.lf its the 144000 then when they pray the jw;s should be praying through the remnant not in jesus christs name but in the 144000;s name..
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The Fall Guy
This statement from the current G.B. confirms the org's dogma of 1st & 2nd class Christians:
w08 12/15 p. 14 par. 13 - "Jehovah applies the value of Jesus’ blood to those being brought into the new covenant...As their Mediator, Jesus assists them in maintaining a clean standing before God."
The very long and convoluted reply given in this QFR, is compelling evidence of the "faithful slave-master's" belief that the minions will swallow anything!
w89 8/15 p. 30 - Questions From Readers - "Is Jesus the Mediator only for spirit-anointed Christians or for all mankind..."
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Great tribulation
by dothemath inyou've likely heard all this before, but i had to laugh (silently) at the public talk today.. he focused on how close we are to the end.
we're not only in the last days, but we're in "the final part" of the last days.. also, we are nearing "the end of the final part of the last days".
he didn't read any scriptures backing up how the last days are broken up like this.. i went today since relatives es were visiting, but it was more entertaining than usual.. as well, the gb isn't warning us about armageddon, rather they're mainly warning about the great tribulation, which is "very, very, close!
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The Fall Guy
Did the speaker say it was the GT of Matthew 24, or the one which is ignored by the org at Revelation 2:22?
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It baffles me why they would even say this
by Tameria2001 inback in 2001, i left the jws rather abruptly.
i had discovered things about the watchtower that really made me quite angry, angry because i had been lied to, and it took me just to darn long to figure it out.
before i had left, my husband and i wrote 3 letters, one to the elders at our congregation, and two to our parents.
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The Fall Guy
Tameria - it's their loss, not yours or your children's. Not having a relationship with them is much better than having a toxic, conditional relationship.
One word of caution I'd give is this - never put anything in writing to any JW's, especially elders. If they pervert what the Bible writers said, they'll pervert what you say.
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Can someone help me figure out something, dealing with paganism?
by Tameria2001 inthe watchtower and quite a few other religious groups don't do certain things because of pagan origins.
they go on about the different holidays, certain traditions, and say they don't do those things because of pagan origins.
yet they turn right around and do other stuff, which does have pagan origins.
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The Fall Guy
(Romans 14:5) One man judges one day as above another; another judges one day the same as all others; let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.
(Colossians 2:16) Therefore, do not let anyone judge you about what you eat and drink or about the observance of a festival or of the new moon or of a sabbath.
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France's niqab ban violates human rights, UN panel says
by Richard_I inhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/world/france-ban-islamic-veil-niqab-human-rights-united-nations-1.4874465.
“the un human rights committee said tuesday that france's ban on the niqab was a violation of human rights, and it called on the government to review the legislation.. france had failed to make the case for its ban, the committee said, giving paris 180 days to report back to say what actions it had taken.
the panel's findings are not legally binding but could influence french courts.. .
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The Fall Guy
What would a western government's response be if an association of males got together and membership required wearing one of these when out in a public place, as an "indicator" of their association?
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Serious Issue ....... that MUST be Addressed !!!!!
by Simon inthis is such an important issue, more and more people are succumbing to what must be some viral outbreak wreaking havoc in the world.. i'm talking about unnecessary punctuation.. it's easy to become infected.
you want to write something and add some emphasis so you add an exclamation mark to make it "important!
" but dang, it's not important enough is it??
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The Fall Guy
I always liked spelling at school and find it interesting that so many people struggle when asked to spell out everyday words like ecstasy, woollen, sheriff, queue, paraffin, & manoeuvre. Two common errors are a) the wrong application of the words there, their, & they're, and b) using the word lead instead of led. Lead is a metal.
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For ACTIVE JW's: Are you watching/waiting/preaching that Armageddon is near?
by The Fall Guy inif so, exactly who told you to live in expectation of this event?
"test the inspired expressions" you've been fed, by reading what your "silver sword" says on the subject.. (matthew 24:36) “concerning that day and hour nobody knows,....only the father.
(matthew 24:42) keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your lord is coming.
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The Fall Guy
If so, exactly who told you to live in expectation of this event?
"Test the inspired expressions" you've been fed, by reading what your "silver sword" says on the subject.
(Matthew 24:36) “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows,....only the Father.
(Matthew 24:42) Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
(Matthew 24:44) .....the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.
(Matthew 25:13) “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour. ,
(Mark 13:35) Keep on the watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming.
(Acts 1:7) He said to them: “It does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction.
(1 Thessalonians 5:2) For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night.
(2 Peter 3:10) But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief,
(Revelation 16:15) “Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one who stays awake and keeps his outer garments,
nwtsty Mark Study Notes—Chapter 14 - keep on the watch: Lit., “stay awake.” Jesus had emphasized the need for his disciples to stay awake spiritually [not to try and guess or predict when the end would come] because of not knowing the day and hour of his coming............showing that spiritual alertness (not looking/waiting for Armageddon) is vital for true Christians.
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Things you will never hear a good Jehovah’s Witness say (to another Jehovah’s Witness)
by hoser ini’ll start it off.
boy did we get drunk last night.
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The Fall Guy
Aren't all elders' wives such good role models!!
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Jehovah's Witnesses and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
by JW Answers inthe bodily resurrection of the lord jesus is pivotal for the christian faith, yet the jehovah's witnesses do not believe that the lord jesus christ rose again in a body.
the watchtower have taught their followers that the lord jesus christ rose again as a spirit creature, and that his body was disposed, disintegrated and dissolved by god the father.
in this video, i explain the differences to what the jehovah's witnesses teach and what god's word teaches, showing without any dispute that the watchtower organisation is false, and that we can always rely on god's word.
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The Fall Guy
JW ANSWERS - Are you aware that this is not a forum for active JW's?
The people here already know the WTBTS/CCoJW is "false", to use your term.
Then again, out of the countless thousands of Protestant denominations who undoubtedly dispute each other's beliefs, which one is "true" in your opinion?
The astounding fact is that this list is not complete!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations