Responses to questions from pages 3.
Jgnat- Independent as in, you know, studying on your own.
Well, I usually do study on my own. Occassionally we might invite someone over for Family Worship Night, but for the most part I study privately. Whether that be with the Insight Books, or using the CD Rom, See the Great Land, etc., you get it. I'm really looking forward to utilizing the JW Library app as the brothers add new editions to it.
Donny- JW's are basically just like Catholics except their College of Cardinals (Governing Body) claims that their teachings are solely based on the Bible. JW's don't really follow the Bible. They follow what the GB says the Bible says which, strangely, many Witnesses refuse to admit.
That's ridiculous, and you know it. Don't be a dope. There's a reason why we continue to refer to ourselves as Bible students although the original use of that phrase as a title has been discarded. There is no other collective organization of people who's lives and beliefs are as centered upon the Bible's teachings as Jehovah's Witnesses. Others may claim to follow the Bible's instructions, but their false teachings(trinity, hellfire, etc.) and their lifestyles prove contrary to that claim. I want to refer you to some excerpts found within the second page of each public edition of the Watchtower. "This magazine has been published continuously since 1879 and is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as it's authority." "Would you welcome more information or a free home Bible study?" "This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by volutary donations." Again, Jehovah's Witnesses adhere to what's found in the Bible. When we speak to the public at large, we make sure to let them see that our message comes not from our own tongues, but from the Bible.
Responses to page 1 of this thread
Poindexter Lionel- Are you counting your time while preaching to us on this website?
No I am not. Until the Branch comes out and states that it's acceptable to count time via online message boards, I will continue to omit the time spent here on my time sheet.
Wizzstick- But does god always have an organisation to use? In, for example, the 14th Century, what was God's organisation on earth?
Why do Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus started reigning as King in 1914? They beleive that 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times that ran for 2,520 years from 537BCE to 1914CE. And that 537BCE comes from a 70 year period from 607BCE to 537BCE.
While it's true that we don't know who Jehovah was using during the 14th century, it's also true that we don't know whether Job the greatest of the Orientals of his time had any contemporaries. So who and where was God's Organization during certain periods of time is really not an important question. What is important is recognizing who His visible organization is now. As far as those with discernment can tell, it's Jehovah's Witnesses.-John 13:35, John 4:24
I'll save the date of Jerusalem's destruction being 607(fact) vs. 587(pseudo self serving history) for another thread. I thought Rulf Furuli research debunked Carl Jonnson's theories completely, but some have a hard time accepting that for some reason. Another day I'll touch on that.
Fernando- SFPW how do you see the GB as faithful when they instruct elders to disfellowship any "publisher of the Good News" that dares to declare the "Good News" according to Paul?
Is it true that more than half the NWT's references to "Good News" are by Paul?
Why is the "Good News" according to Paul not in your heart and not on your lips?
Under these circumstances how can you claim to "Stand for Pure Worship"?
Your first question makes no sense, as we do preach the good news as Paul declared and that which he declared was in harmony with what the Christ had taught. As to your second question, can you prove that to be the case? If so, I'm not sure it would even matter as we believe the whole Bible contains God's instruction whether it be letters from Paul, or Peter, or the Gospels. Your last question, how can I claim stand for pure worship, I do so by refuting the false teachings prevelant here on JWN.-Titus 1:10-16
If I missed anyone, I apologize.