Posts by Alligator Wisdom

21

Articles "a" "an" "the"

by Inquisitor in

can anyone tell me whether the usage of such articles can be found in the original hebrew or greek writing of the scriptures?.

in this week's book study, the society attempts to distinguish jesus "the first and the last" (rev 1:18) from jehovah "i am the first and i am the last" (isaiah 44:6).

the basis for such a distinction, according to the society is that isaiah quote lacks definite articles before the words "first" and "last".

Alligator Wisdom

Can anyone tell me whether the usage of such articles can be found in the original Hebrew or Greek writing of the Scriptures?

Yes, I would like to know the scholarly answer to this one too. At the book study this week, the answer was read verbatim from the footnote:

***

rechap.6p.27UnlockingaSacredSecret***

*In the original Hebrew at Isaiah 44:6, there is no definite article with the words "first" and "last," whereas in Jesus’ description of himself in the original Greek at Revelation 1:17, the definite article is found. So, grammatically, Revelation 1:17 indicates a title, whereas Isaiah 44:6 describes Jehovah’s Godship.

Once the answer was given, one sister raised her hand and commented that she still didn't grasp the meaning and wanted a clearer explanation of this. (She is a first generation JW, as she left the Baptist faith as an adult). The book study conductor, who supposedly is qualified to teach, didn't expound on this at all. He just said that the footnote was a wonderful way to describe and reveal the true meaning of this scripture.

HUH?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

41

ONE !!!!!!! 1 ONESIE! Baptism this weekend!

by MinisterAmos in

jw
friends

a child about eight y/o got dunked this circuit convention and that was it!.

about 850 in attendance.. .

Alligator Wisdom

At my last SAD (Special Assembly Day), nobody was baptized.

The speaker knew of this in advance and directed the outline baptismal talk to the audience as to "remember" our dedication.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

8

What's the scam?

by Jewel in

ok-so here's the situation in brief--note: i was a member of this congregation for all of my teen years, but haven't been to a meeting in years.... this takes place in a smallish city in iowa.

there are two congregations-north and south units.

both have nice, paid-for king.

Alligator Wisdom

I know that in some developed countries the WTS is doing extensive remodeling and renovations to KHs that are still in very good condition. The chairs and lighting fixtures are modest and functional. Some of these KHs are only 20 years old. Why? Shoddy workmanship? Not appealing to the eye?

I can understand the need for things to be renewed because of wear and tear, such as the carpet or wallpaper. By why put in new doors?

Probably to keep up the value of the property/building.

In my opinion, the money can go to countries where there aren't ANY KHs.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously be WTS standards)

66

Active JW's on this forum

by winnie in

jw
friends

having read posts over the last few months, i have come to the conclusion that there must be alot of 'active' jw's who still regularly attend meetings/field service etc.. don't you feel that by posting your many and varied topics, usually complaining/disagreeing with the wbts, that you are being hypocritical?

when you post your information, obtained sometimes in an questionable manner, doesn't it make you question your own underhanded actions?.

you converse with many on this forum who are disfellowshipped/dissasociated, yet if you knew who these ones were, face to face, you would not give them the time of day!

Alligator Wisdom

So to all you active jw's, don't winge about how awful it is to be a jw.

Winne, think of it this way. There are those who hate their jobs and complain about it, yet still go. There may be several reasons for this.

As mentioned from other posters, this is basically what some JW's do while still being "active". Their ties may be family, reform, trying to help their brothers/sisters in the light of what the Bible says...etc.

I'm still an active JW. I choose to filter out what the WTS teaches if it is not in line with what the Bible says in my limited perception of scripture. I don't know everything about the Bible, but I'm still learning and trying to do my best to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. Not the WTS.

Do you believe everything in the newspaper? Do you read everything in the newspaper? I don't. And that is what I do when reading the publications of the WTS.

By the way winnie, we appreciate that you here and what you are feeling. This applies to all posters, whether "active" JW's or not.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

40

For Lurkers: Is the cover of the March 15th Watchtower deceptive?

by seek2find in

the cover of this issue pictures a group of modern day people standing looking up as if looking to the sky and the title says something like "christ comming what does it mean to you?

" i think it's deceptive because witnesses teach that jesus already came in 1914. the article is talking about his comming to exucute the wicked and does not even mention 1914, but the photo and title on the cover would lead people to beleive that his comming is still in the future.

isn't this deceptive?

Alligator Wisdom

If you have the copy of this issue, notice the expression of the young black boy in the upper right hand corner.

It looks as if he isn't ready and is very scared of Christ's coming.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

54

Ridiculous teenager counselled at Assembly.

by Duncan in

jw
friends

the ridiculous teenager is me.

this story takes me back to 1969, when i was 15 years old.

we were attending the international assembly at wembley stadium, near london, the only time, i think, that wembley was ever used for an assembly.. if youve ever read any of the stories i posted on jwd over the years, youll know that i was never one of those kids growing up in the truth who always had doubts about it or was unhappy and miserable with the religion, just waiting for the chance to get out.

Alligator Wisdom

Speaking of clapping...

My brothers (siblings) and I would have this challenge with each other at assemblies and conventions. We were not yet teenagers. We would see who would be the last one to "clap" once the majority in the audience had already finished. Imagine sporatic one clap beats after the thunderous applause. Like water dripping from a faucet.

Not only did we get dirty looks from the others sitting near-by, but it got our mother angry enough to pinch a hole through our skin with her long fingernails.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

5

Groomed to become a CO

by Alligator Wisdom in

i sometimes hear the term "groomed to be a circuit overseer".

what does that entail?

how do elders "reach out" for such work?

Alligator Wisdom

Thanks LittleToe for your quick reply.

So I assume it must be like "being tested as to fitness first". Can I guess correctly and say that not many elders wish to be a CO?

I know that elders would encourage and give a workload to ministerial servants to see if they are capable enough to qualify eventually for eldership. Of course, a MS who eyes the position of elder would take all tasks and voluntarily do extra in order to attain such a status. I suppose that is what a CO does to various elders too in order to find someone willing. Then a willing elder would try and make his light shine when given the opportunity.

I'm speculating at this point. However, I notice that a certain elder in my congregation is itching for something higher.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

5

Groomed to become a CO

by Alligator Wisdom in

i sometimes hear the term "groomed to be a circuit overseer".

what does that entail?

how do elders "reach out" for such work?

Alligator Wisdom

I sometimes hear the term "groomed to be a Circuit Overseer".

What does that entail? How do elders "reach out" for such work? [I'm assuming it's political brown nosing]

Do certain elders pursue such a course or are they given recommendations by their peer elders to the Branch/DO/CO?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

8

Assembly Time

by Sasha in

hope this has not already been covered: any one know what the gist of the jw assemblies this season?.

titles, subjects, etc.. i heard one was that false relegion was going to collapse at any moment.

but, of course, that's been being said for quite a while.

Alligator Wisdom

The DC's theme is "Follow The Christ!"

Spot on SirNose586!

Christ means "Annointed". Thus the the theme, "Follow THE Christ".

I'm sure there will be plenty of consideration at the DC of the FDS (Governing Body) as whom we should give our utmost allegience.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)

26

Elder lost privilages due to 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Why?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

jw
friends

1 timothy 3:1-7 reads:.

if any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work.2the overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach,3not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money,4a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness;5(if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of gods congregation?

)6not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon the devil.7moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.. .

Alligator Wisdom

So does that mean a jw with an unbelieving family can never attain the coveted elder position?

No. They still can become an elder. In my former congregation, one brother was appointed an elder even though his wife is still a Catholic. His wife was never opposed to the JW's (as far as I know) and was always hospitable and kind to the members in the congregation. She never studied nor even thought of even becoming a JW, although she would occasionally attend meetings, such as the Memorial or when the CO came for his visits. Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously by WTS standards)