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Watchtower Governing Body: Are They The Exclusive Channel For God??

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Who is the 'them' mentioned here? Jesus is just one. If, as you say, he himself is the kingdom of God, then who are the 'them' ???
1 Cor 12: 27 Now you are Christ’s body,+ and each of you individually is a member.+28 And God has assigned the respective ones in the congregation: first, apostles;+ second, prophets;+ third, teachers;+ then powerful works;+ then gifts of healings;+helpful services; abilities to direct;+ different tongues.+29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform powerful works, do they?30 Not all have gifts of healings, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they?+ Not all are interpreters,* are they?+31 But keep striving for* the greater gifts.+ And yet I will show you a surpassing way.+

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours

1 Corinthians 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

1 Corinthians 10:17
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

1 Corinthians 12:12
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Ephesians 5:30
for we are members of his body.

Colossians 2:19
They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
 
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Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
I completely agree with you that NOTHING can remove the fate of man, which is physical death, not even Jesus' shed His blood. We are all appointed once to die, then comes judgement (Hebrews 9:27). They say there are two things in life we can be sure of, death and taxes. :)

But you said above that "forgiveness by God does not remove sin." Do you mean forgiveness did not remove sin for worshipers in the OT, or do you mean for worshipers now? I want to be sure of what you are saying.

Do you believe in Jesus words about 'everlasting life' ??? Do you think its possible for God to allow mankind to live forever and not die?

The scriptures tell us that sin will be removed and so will death. If death is to be removed, what should that promise lead us to conclude about life?

Revelation 21:4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes,+ and death will be no more...',

If death is to be removed, what will that mean?

We agree that ALL are sinful (Romans 6:23).

You said, "Nowhere in the christian scriptures will you read that the christians were now perfect and sinless."

Again, we agree that no one is sinless, and all continue to sin.

But what does Hebrews 10:11 say?

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Is the author not saying "he has made perfect" forever those are being made holy?

You said it is the "anointed" that are holy. Are you saying the "anointed" were made perfect by Jesus' sacrifice, but no one else was?

Jesus 'will' make the anointed ones perfect, but not until after their death. The very apostle who wrote those words also wrote about his own sinfulness. So obviously he wasnt saying that the holy ones were already perfect at that time. They will be made perfect by means of Christs sacrifice at the appropriate time.
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Who is the 'them' mentioned here? Jesus is just one. If, as you say, he himself is the kingdom of God, then who are the 'them' ???
James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

yep, and who are the firstfruits?
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Jesus 'will' make the anointed ones perfect, but not until after their death. The very apostle who wrote those words also wrote about his own sinfulness. So obviously he wasnt saying that the holy ones were already perfect at that time. They will be made perfect by means of Christs sacrifice at the appropriate time.
You always do so good, up to a point. And then you see only the particular scriptures which fit what you desire to be true.

Try harmonizing your views to the entirety of the scriptures:

Deuteronomy 18:13 "Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."

1 Kings 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Matthew 19:21 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

Proverbs 2:21 "For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it."

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Compare Luke 6:39-49)

Isaiah 38:3 "And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore."

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:.."

Isaiah 35:8 "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein."

Romans 6:19 "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."

Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Ephesians 4:24 " And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

1 Thessalonians 2:10 "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.."

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

Do you not realize that to teach anything which undermines that, is a great offense against God and God's truth?

Bring you opinions into line with the whole scripture, and not with just pet parts that you can twist to support your desired belief.
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
yep, and who are the firstfruits?
When you go to a home with many who are willing to learn, who do you choose to focus on maturing to the truth first? Surely not the infants in the household.

You know that by first helping the ones who can mature more quickly, you prepare them into a position where they are able to help teach the others in the household.
 

djhwoodwerks

Well-Known Member
*** w83 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers

■ Why, in recent years, has The Watchtower not made use of the translation by the former Catholic priest, Johannes Greber?

This translation was used occasionally in support of renderings of Matthew 27:52, 53 and John 1:1, as given in the New World Translation and other authoritative Bible versions. But as indicated in a foreword to the 1980 edition of The New Testament by Johannes Greber, this translator relied on “God’s Spirit World” to clarify for him how he should translate difficult passages. It is stated: “His wife, a medium of God’s Spirit world was often instrumental in conveying the correct answers from God’s Messengers to Pastor Greber.” The Watchtower has deemed it improper to make use of a translation that has such a close rapport with spiritism. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The scholarship that forms the basis for the rendering of the above-cited texts in the New World Translation is sound and for this reason does not depend at all on Greber’s translation for authority. Nothing is lost, therefore, by ceasing to use his New Testament.


Any JW thoughts or comments on this?
 
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Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
You always do so good, up to a point. And then you see only the particular scriptures which fit what you desire to be true.

Try harmonizing your views to the entirety of the scriptures:

Deuteronomy 18:13 "Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."

1 Kings 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Matthew 19:21 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

Proverbs 2:21 "For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it."

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Compare Luke 6:39-49)

Isaiah 38:3 "And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore."

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:.."

Isaiah 35:8 "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein."

Romans 6:19 "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."

Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Ephesians 4:24 " And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

1 Thessalonians 2:10 "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.."

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

Do you not realize that to teach anything which undermines that, is a great offense against God and God's truth?

Bring you opinions into line with the whole scripture, and not with just pet parts that you can twist to support your desired belief.


Its a common mistake to think that everything called “perfect” in the scriptures is perfect in an absolute sense. Only God himself is perfect in the absolute sense. Everything else called 'perfect' is only relatively so as Psalm 119:96 says 'I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commandment has no limit'
The bible gives us a perfect message from God, but the writing is not perfect.
We can serve God perfectly by being obedient, but that doesnt mean we are perfect or will always remain obedient. And even if we were perfect, it doesnt mean we can't sin either
1John 2:1
My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper* with the Father, Jesus Christ,+ a righteous one

Adam was created perfect.... yet he fell away from that perfection. So perfection is relative.

 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
*** w83 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers

■ Why, in recent years, has The Watchtower not made use of the translation by the former Catholic priest, Johannes Greber?

This translation was used occasionally in support of renderings of Matthew 27:52, 53 and John 1:1, as given in the New World Translation and other authoritative Bible versions. But as indicated in a foreword to the 1980 edition of The New Testament by Johannes Greber, this translator relied on “God’s Spirit World” to clarify for him how he should translate difficult passages. It is stated: “His wife, a medium of God’s Spirit world was often instrumental in conveying the correct answers from God’s Messengers to Pastor Greber.” The Watchtower has deemed it improper to make use of a translation that has such a close rapport with spiritism. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The scholarship that forms the basis for the rendering of the above-cited texts in the New World Translation is sound and for this reason does not depend at all on Greber’s translation for authority. Nothing is lost, therefore, by ceasing to use his New Testament.


Any JW thoughts or comments on this?

My only thought is how odd that a pastor would use a spirit medium to help him translate Gods Word. Doesnt Gods Word itself tell us to reject all forms of spiritism??
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
When you go to a home with many who are willing to learn, who do you choose to focus on maturing to the truth first? Surely not the infants in the household.

You know that by first helping the ones who can mature more quickly, you prepare them into a position where they are able to help teach the others in the household.

Where do the firstfruits go home to?
 

JayJayDee

Avid JW Bible Student
Any half way mature Jehovah's Wittiness should have their mind click by what I have here shared, for they know what Paul meant at Galatians 1:15.

Yes we do know what he meant.

Taken in context it is clear.....

Galatians 1:11-17...."For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus." (ESV)

The twisting of his religious thinking was his spiritual inheritance, just as the twisted teachings of Christendom are their inheritance.....corrupted long before they were born. But like Paul, it is a matter of the heart, not just the mindset. The Pharisees as a group were corrupt to the core...proud and arrogant like their forefathers who murdered the prophets sent by God to correct them....they were irreformable, incorrigibly wicked. It led them to murder their own Messiah, rather than to humbly accept his counsel.

Saul was a Pharisee, taught at the feet of Gamaliel but he was not like them.....he was reformable...he was not incorrigible....he humbly accepted the correction and Jesus personally trained him as an apostle, just as he had trained the other 12.

Now all they need do is stop being afraid to think a little on their own.

Can I ask you who your spiritual shepherds are Mountain Climber? Who is "the faithful and discreet slave" who is feeding you your "food at the proper time"? (Matt 24:45-47)

With whom do you worship? Who are those that Jesus told us never to neglect meeting with to share spiritual encouragement, especially since the end times are upon us? (Heb 10:24, 25)

What global body of Christians are you preaching with, so as to fulfill the commission that Jesus gave to all his disciples? (Matt 28:19, 20; 24:14)

You seem to see yourself as some kind of prophet......are we to listen to you and not to the slave appointed by Jesus?
Where is the proof that what you say is true?
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Its a common mistake to think that everything called “perfect” in the scriptures is perfect in an absolute sense. Only God himself is perfect in the absolute sense. Everything else called 'perfect' is only relatively so as Psalm 119:96 says 'I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commandment has no limit'
The bible gives us a perfect message from God, but the writing is not perfect.
We can serve God perfectly by being obedient, but that doesnt mean we are perfect or will always remain obedient. And even if we were perfect, it doesnt mean we can't sin either
1John 2:1
My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper* with the Father, Jesus Christ,+ a righteous one

Adam was created perfect.... yet he fell away from that perfection. So perfection is relative.
That is the typical ignorance.

It is a typical ignorance by failing to consider that, "my little children", does not refer to all, but refers to those babes not yet firmly rooted in Christ, whom John desired, "also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

Trusting one knows gets one into much error.
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Where do the firstfruits go home to?
They go home to the place where earth was before it was plunged into the futility of sin on the basis of hope. There, in a perfect earth as one of the honorable abodes of heaven they no longer will have anything separating them from God or from the Son.
 

Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Yes we do know what he meant.

Taken in context it is clear.....

Galatians 1:11-17...."For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus." (ESV)

The twisting of his religious thinking was his spiritual inheritance, just as the twisted teachings of Christendom are their inheritance.....corrupted long before they were born. But like Paul, it is a matter of the heart, not just the mindset. The Pharisees as a group were corrupt to the core...proud and arrogant like their forefathers who murdered the prophets sent by God to correct them....they were irreformable, incorrigibly wicked. It led them to murder their own Messiah, rather than to humbly accept his counsel.

Saul was a Pharisee, taught at the feet of Gamaliel but he was not like them.....he was reformable...he was not incorrigible....he humbly accepted the correction and Jesus personally trained him as an apostle, just as he had trained the other 12.



Can I ask you who your spiritual shepherds are Mountain Climber? Who is "the faithful and discreet slave" who is feeding you your "food at the proper time"? (Matt 24:45-47)

With whom do you worship? Who are those that Jesus told us never to neglect meeting with to share spiritual encouragement, especially since the end times are upon us? (Heb 10:24, 25)

What global body of Christians are you preaching with, so as to fulfill the commission that Jesus gave to all his disciples? (Matt 28:19, 20; 24:14)

You seem to see yourself as some kind of prophet......are we to listen to you and not to the slave appointed by Jesus?
Where is the proof that what you say is true?
I find it interesting to see a Jehovah's Witness resort to the E.S.V., which is a highly paraphrased Bible version. That proves you are unable to refute what I shared to you as it was actually written in the Greek.

It is also clear that you did not even really consider what i explained to you as you evidently have prematurely decided you want no part of it, if it is the way I explained.

And that is further proven in that you now are using the typical, "If you cannot out reason your opponent, turn the attention to attacking him or her" approach.

But I will play along and just tell you that Christ died to tear down the wall of separation rather than to build it stronger as many religious groups unwittingly do. And so my fellowship is with all who prove to be genuine workers of God in his world-wide field of harvest. And I gather with them all the time both on the Internet and off as I go about working in the field alongside them.

When i was a babe not yet firmly rooted in Christ, many were my human spiritual leaders, including even some Jehovah's Witnesses. There can be nothing more humble than one who humbly is willing to learn from all as I have done in my past and yet do when I yet need to.

The Father is my spiritual leader. And he leads my spirit by means of his spirit, which I joyfully walk vigorously after.

I preach with the global spiritual body of Christ. The one spiritual body of Christ you yet seek to divide with a wall in disrespect for Christ having torn that wall down, except when it is convenient for you to borrow a quote from one of them to use against their brothers or against the little ones to whom they are commissioned of God to speak .

You asked and so I answered. But you asked in effort to search out fault, just as the pharisees did to Jesus and all of his. I answered you honestly with truth, just as Jesus answered them. And i even sought to keep my words yet gentle.

If my words drive you into a spiritual place of the weeping and gnashing of teeth, just remember that your torment speaks not of me, but of you. And humbly allow God to get through to you to help you.
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
They go home to the place where earth was before it was plunged into the futility of sin on the basis of hope. There, in a perfect earth as one of the honorable abodes of heaven they no longer will have anything separating them from God or from the Son.

So now it seems you are agreeing that some are going to heaven.... these are the 'firstfruits' and they enter heaven to be with Jehovah and is Son.

Its interesting though that you dont accept that these 'firstfruits' who have been 'brought from the earth' only number 144,000. Why is that???

Revelation 14:And I saw, and, look! the Lamb+ standing upon the Mount Zion,+ and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand+ having his name and the name of his Father+ written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound out of heaven asthe sound of many* waters+ and as the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was as of singers who accompany themselves on the harp+ playing on their harps. 3 And they are singing+ as if a new song+ before the throne and before the four living creatures+ and the elders;*+ and no one was able to master* that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand,+ who have beenbought+ from the earth. 4 These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women;+ in fact, they are virgins.+ These are the ones that keep followingthe Lamb no matter where he goes.+ These were bought+ from among mankind as firstfruits+ to God and to the Lamb,


My next question to you is 'when' do they go to Gods throne as 'firstfruits'?


 
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JayJayDee

Avid JW Bible Student
I find it interesting to see a Jehovah's Witness resort to the E.S.V., which is a highly paraphrased Bible version. That proves you are unable to refute what I shared to you as it was actually written in the Greek.

"Jehovah's Witneses" do not "resort" to using the ESV much at all as a rule....I use translations from BibleGateway at random, just so that I am not accused of only using our "own Bible". The ESV is as good as any other in the scheme of things.
What is your preferred translation Mountain Climber?

It is also clear that you did not even really consider what i explained to you as you evidently have prematurely decided you want no part of it, if it is the way I explained.

Do you believe that the way "you" explained it, is the way all must accept? What makes your interpretation on things of a Biblical nature more accurate than my own shepherds?

And that is further proven in that you now are using the typical, "If you cannot out reason your opponent, turn the attention to attacking him or her" approach.

My "opponent" demonstrates a lack of understanding of the scripture he quotes IMO. Why is asking questions considered by you to be an attack? They were not difficult questions and ones I would personally be happy to answer. Why do they make you uncomfortable?

But I will play along and just tell you that Christ died to tear down the wall of separation rather than to build it stronger as many religious groups unwittingly do. And so my fellowship is with all who prove to be genuine workers of God in his world-wide field of harvest. And I gather with them all the time both on the Internet and off as I go about working in the field alongside them.

In other words, you don't really have anyone with whom you physically share in worship? Paul's words (Heb 10:24, 25) then have no meaning for you, except figuratively? Do you know any of your fellow worshippers personally?
What did Christians do before the Internet? How are Christians in poorer nations to witness when they cannot afford computers? Can it be a haphazard thing or a chance meeting...or was it to be organized? How did the apostles preach? (Acts 20:20) Didn't this method show that they didn't want to miss anyone?

Who is the "them" that you work alongside?

When i was a babe not yet firmly rooted in Christ, many were my human spiritual leaders, including even some Jehovah's Witnesses. There can be nothing more humble than one who humbly is willing to learn from all as I have done in my past and yet do when I yet need to.

The Father is my spiritual leader. And he leads my spirit by means of his spirit, which I joyfully walk vigorously after.
Nicely said....but what does it really mean? Am I to assume that you have no spiritual shepherds who physically guide and direct you in person...."keeping watch over your soul" and rendering an account to God for their efforts? (Heb 13:7, 17)

I preach with the global spiritual body of Christ. The one spiritual body of Christ you yet seek to divide with a wall in disrespect for Christ having torn that wall down, except when it is convenient for you to borrow a quote from one of them to use against their brothers or against the little ones to whom they are commissioned of God to speak .

Who are they? Are they known throughout the world for their preaching? Have they come to my door at any time to offer me the "good news of the kingdom"? No! Is there a reason why have they never called on me?
Those who were the early followers of Jesus were said to belong to "The Way" because it was the way Jesus taught them to worship God. Jesus told his disciples to preach...not just in an incidental manner, but to actively search for "worthy ones" and teach them. (Matt 10:11-15)

Dividing is what Jesus came to do.

"Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and whoever has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me." (Matt 10:34-38)

Jesus separates the "sheep" from the "goats"....that is dividing. The "wheat" are separated from the "weeds"....so dividing mankind is what Christ is doing right now. Calling yourself a Christian doesn't account for much with Jehovah or his son if we are not doing all that is required of us. Come the judgment, "many" of those who consider themselves to be disciples of the Lord are in for a big shock. (Matt 7:21-23) So it is obvious that we are not the best judges when it comes to assessing our own standing with God and his Christ.

You asked and so I answered. But you asked in effort to search out fault, just as the pharisees did to Jesus and all of his. I answered you honestly with truth, just as Jesus answered them. And i even sought to keep my words yet gentle.

When people demonstrate the level of condescension that you have shown towards Jehovah's Witnesses, I always like to probe a little deeper to see where they are coming from. Invariably, I discover that they are often loners who have no one else but themselves to feed their superior attitude. Often they claim that God communicates with them personally. Enough said.

If my words drive you into a spiritual place of the weeping and gnashing of teeth, just remember that your torment speaks not of me, but of you. And humbly allow God to get through to you to help you.

I think you are sincere enough, but sadly, very misled. You may feel the same about me. Your words do not drive anyone into "a spiritual place of weeping and gnashing of teeth" because your words are just your words. Quoting scripture out of context to support your personal beliefs doesn't really mean much at all I'm afraid.
I would quote your last sentence back to you. :(

All we can express here is our personal beliefs. We cannot demand that people accept what we say as gospel. Jesus didn't preach that way and neither should we. He put it out there and allowed people to make their own minds up about things. He spoke the truth but he didn't force feed people or demand belief.
 
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katiemygirl

CHRISTIAN
="Pegg, post: 4321201, member: 23994"]Do you believe in Jesus words about 'everlasting life' ??? Do you think its possible for God to allow mankind to live forever and not die?
Yes to your first question.
Here is the answer to your second question. Not only is it possible, eternal life is promised to those who believe in Jesus.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
The scriptures tell us that sin will be removed and so will death. If death is to be removed, what should that promise lead us to conclude about life?
My conclusion is in the verse I posted above, John 3:16.

If death is to be removed, what will that mean?
no more death.

Jesus 'will' make the anointed ones perfect, but not until after their death. The very apostle who wrote those words also wrote about his own sinfulness. So obviously he wasnt saying that the holy ones were already perfect at that time. They will be made perfect by means of Christs sacrifice at the appropriate time.
Read again from NWT. Does the verse say "has made perfect," or will be made perfect?
Hebrews 10:14
For it is by one sacrificial offering that he has made those who are being sanctified perfect+ for all time.

Whatever you think "has made perfect" means, you cannot deny that it is past tense. The verse does not say he will be made perfect.

Yes, ALL christians sin. But doesn't the blood of Jesus purify us from all sin if we confess our sins? Doesn't the blood of Jesus make us perfect in the sight of Jehovah?

1 John 1
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
 
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Mountain_Climber

Active Member
Jehovah's Witneses" do not "resort" to using the ESV much at all as a rule....I use translations from BibleGateway at random, just so that I am not accused of only using our "own Bible". The ESV is as good as any other in the scheme of things.
What is your preferred translation Mountain Climber?

I prefer the direct word for word Biblical languages for personal study. And for public presentation I will use any whose exegesis holds consistent to the Biblical languages. That generally requires using one English translation for certain verses and other English translations for yet other verse, as none of them exegesis all of them properly . But they fortunately fudge the exegesis on different verses so that if one English translation has a verse wrong, another has it right.

Do you believe that the way "you" explained it, is the way all must accept? What makes your interpretation on things of a Biblical nature more accurate than my own shepherds?

I don't just believe it is, I know it is.

Galatians 1:15-16 "WHEN BUT THOUGHT WELL THE GOD THE (ONE) HAVING DEFINE OFF ME OUT OF CAVITY OF MOTHER OF ME AND HAVING CALLED THROUGH THE UNDESERVED KINDNESS OF HIM TO REVEAL THE SON OF HIM IN ME IN ORDER THAT I MAY DECLARE AS GOOD NEWS HIM IN THE NATIONS, IMMEDIATELY NOT I PUT SELF UP TOWARD TO FLESH AND TO BLOOD,"

You can go on denying all the surrounding evidence in your ignorance of the Old Testament if that is what you prefer to do. You do not need my permission to do so.

My "opponent" demonstrates a lack of understanding of the scripture he quotes IMO. Why is asking questions considered by you to be an attack? They were not difficult questions and ones I would personally be happy to answer. Why do they make you uncomfortable?

Playing innocent is always used as in such cases. But you diverted the subject to something which had nothing to do with the point at concerning Galatians 1:15, and so at the very least you demonstrated avoidance of the subject by diversion as attempt to take the conversation in an unrelated direction. You will get away with that with some.

In other words, you don't really have anyone with whom you physically share in worship? Paul's words (Heb 10:24, 25) then have no meaning for you, except figuratively? Do you know any of your fellow worshippers personally?
What did Christians do before the Internet? How are Christians in poorer nations to witness when they cannot afford computers? Can it be a haphazard thing or a chance meeting...or was it to be organized? How did the apostles preach? (Acts 20:20) Didn't this method show that they didn't want to miss anyone?

You are entitled to your opinion, whether your opinion is true or not.

Who is the "them" that you work alongside?

They are the true slaves of God who do not lord it over his sheep.

Nicely said....but what does it really mean? Am I to assume that you have no spiritual shepherds who physically guide and direct you in person...."keeping watch over your soul" and rendering an account to God for their efforts? (Heb 13:7, 17)

We all do that keeping watch as to how we treat one another in their having been chosen of God and as to how what we do might labor one another's faith when we disrespect the authority of God's word which comes through them. And we all render an accounting to God for how we failed to appreciate their efforts.

Who are they? Are they known throughout the world for their preaching? Have they come to my door at any time to offer me the "good news of the kingdom"? No! Is there a reason why have they never called on me?
Those who were the early followers of Jesus were said to belong to "The Way" because it was the way Jesus taught them to worship God. Jesus told his disciples to preach...not just in an incidental manner, but to actively search for "worthy ones" and teach them. (Matt 10:11-15)

Dividing is what Jesus came to do.

Not in the manner you do it. For you cause the division. Jesus did not cause the division. Those who opposed him did.

And that is enough of your diversion to entertain for one post.
 
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