after reading blondie's thread of the baptisms at the district convention, i couldn't help but identify with the 11 year old that said she was so happy to be baptized and has wanted to be baptized for years now.
i was 9 when i got baptized but really wanted to take the plunge at around 7. after my mother talked to the congregation servant about my desire, he said that she should not hold me back.
my daughter was 14 when she got baptized.
To get Baptized,one would have to UNDERSTAND what it MEANS to be Baptized in the NAME of the FATHER,SON,and HOLY SPIRIT.
Till this very day there is much CONFUSION as to the meaning of all of this,from INFANT Baptism to getting Baptized at an OLD age.
Do children really understand what Scholars have been debating about the Doctrine of Baptism over the centuries. I think not !
Blueblades
i've known for years that if i was visited at my home by jehovah's witnesses, i would have become a do not call.
i would have firmly but politely told the witnesses to never come back to my door and bother me again.
since i was raised "in the truth", i learned the religion from infancy.
The little green book,Things in which it is impossible for God to Lie!
The litte blue book,The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life.
Babylon the Great has Fallen,God's Kingdom Rules!
Then is Finished the Mystery of God.
The Approaching Peace of a Thousand Years! etc. at that time,1969.
Then I became "RIP VAN WINKLE". Some 30 years later I WOKE UP! (another story )
Blueblades
http://www.rrstar.com/localnews/your_community/rockford/20030525-5467.shtml
baptism questions.
6/1/85 wt page 30 on the basis of the sacrifice of jesus christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to jehovah to do his will?do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of jehovahs witnesses in association with gods spirit-directed organization?.
THANKS BLONDIE ! Vernon Rhoades who gave the Baptismal talk said:"By being Baptized,you become the property of Jehovah,what a privilege!"
NOT SO! See the Feb.15,2003 issue of the wt.It teaches that non-Anointed means non-Christian.Posted the article on may 24,14:27,NON-ANOINTED means NON-CHRISTIAN.
All those who get Baptized at these district conventions are of no account according to the wt.Society.Even the Bible was not written for them,only for the Anointed. So,how is it that Vernon could say that they are now the property of Jehovah?
Also,Matthew 28:19,includes Father,Son,and Holy Spirit not just the Father,in the Baptism.
Blueblades
reading the book of acts and the letters of paul do not bear out the dogma that all the early christians preached.
there are no "service meetings" in the new testament that prepare the average christian for a public ministry.
reading accounts from contemporary first and second century christians indicates that it was the example of christians, not the preaching by all, that primarily drew nonbelievers to christianity.. it is significant that the instructions to preach that are in the new testament are addressed to "elders" and "overseers" like timothy.
In his book ,"IN SEARCH OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM ",RAY FRANZ gives a clear,concise answer to the question you posted.Chapter 7,"From House to House".
the emphasis of the organization's talks and "encouragement" is to continue believing everything that the "slave" has said because it comes from the "slave" and therefore comes through god.
if you have a doubt, know that it comes from satan.
if you don't understand the watchtower's interpetation of bible prophecy, wait on jehovah and just continue doing what we tell you to do.
Exactly,you nailed it right on the head.This is " THE MANUSCRIPT "parroted throughout the organization.
in another thread islandwoman said:my point is, should we now believe that all the "good" ones are out and there is no possibility that others may still exist?
to me it does not make sense to believe that.
personally, i know that there are still fine brothers there but that is my personal experience not worth much on a discussion board so reason must be applied, imo.. .
How about naming some who you were associated with.what do you know about them today?
Dean Songer, Jerry Decker, Charles Jackson,Dwanye Lee,Dan Kallistead,etc.Where are they now ,in or out?Are they considered good people?
1- i can only please one person per day.
today is not your day.
tomorrow is not looking good either.
And so my fellow board members, Ask not what SIMON can do for YOU,ask ,what YOU can for SIMON !
Blueblades, frost and kennedy !
.
what do you think makes the organization so powerful in the lives of people??
?
Among the rank and file many things combine to keep them in the organization,even when they become uneasily conscious that there is a dawning,and even a yawning gap between organization and idea.
First there is the force of inertia.It is easier not to resign than resign.Drift is easier than decision.Next there is the factor of sentiment.then some project onto the organization the virtue we would like it to have and remain blind to its defects.
And then some are gregarious and dislike falling out of the ranks away from years of friendships.
So,yes,there is power in the organization,but,many things combine to keep the rank and file in it.
Blueblades
no...no this can't be real,.
jesus came to me.. he did not let me in but said,.
lord, where will i go?.
If you believe it, Christ's death was,is,sufficient,as much as is needed.So,why does anyone have to try and do anything else,as if Jesus needed us to add to the sacrifice?The doctrine of Hell is incompatible with GOD'S lOVE !
Fear of Hell is not the basis for entrance into Jesus's home.I'm tired of all this fear tactics.
then he said, "if you were in africa and had people chasing you with a machete, then you'd be stressed.
otherwise, you're really not stressed.
"
It reminds me of the new C.O. starting his first visit with us ,he says,to the congregation," NO PRESSURE FROM ME WILL BE HEAVY UPON YOU."Job:33:7
Then when he meets with the Body of Elders,ahh! different story! As far as the cong.is concerned ,isn't he a nice C.O.better than the last one! Yep! No pressure from him! PRESSURE from the B.O.E'S.
So,sister pioneer works in the service with the newbie c.o. and complains that elder so and so is putting pressure on her.Oh don't worry about it sister pioneer I'll have a talk with him,just keep doing what your doing.BTW, how are things going in the cong???Feeling so good that newbie c.o. is not pressuring her she begins to YAKETY YAK, YAKETY YAK,about every thing she wants to get off her chest.
Next meeting with the Elder Body, be careful what you say around sister pioneer she got a loose lip and so on,and so on.She is complaing about you guys pressuring her,keep up the good work.
Blueblades
