Very often the Watchtower Society along with convinced supportive Elders, Ministerial Servants, Pioneers, and even the ‘average’ publisher cites Hebrews 10:24, 25 for reason as to why members of the organization need to be at the Watchtower Society’s weekly arranged meetings. Quoting from that scripture – direct from The New World Translation – it states:
"And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near."
The verses are extremely familiar to many Jehovah’s Witnesses. What may not be as familiar is the actual meaning and intent.
If one was to do the research, including understanding the context of the verses, it has nothing to do with formal meetings of worship.
What the verses are relaying is Paul’s encouragement to Jewish Christians who were still very zealous for and still felt the need to follow the Old Covenant. They consequently were withdrawing socially from other Christians who came to the realization that they were not under such Law. Paul is simply admonishing adherers of the Old Covenant not to avoid such social gatherings because doing so would result in “forsaking the gathering of ourselves together”.
Conclusively then, the verses are absolutely void of any proof text to support attending and being a part of the Watchtower Society's formal organized sessions of instruction and indoctrination, including their weekly meetings, along with conventions and assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses.
If anything, the verses are indirectly suggesting something Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught through the Watchtower to be strongly against and avoid; that is to fellowship with Christians who do not believe the same as they do.
Showing posts with label instructions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label instructions. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Friday, March 25, 2011
Trust And Beyond
It is written in the Bible at Psalms 143:6:
"Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs."
However, the February 15, 2009, Watchtower on page 27, in paragraph 11, it admonishes:
"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same? After all, the slave has shown itself to be faithful in doing its assigned work."
Do Jehovah God and Jesus Christ "completely trust", "the sons of earthling man", or is the Watchtower Society both lying and providing directives that go against the scriptures?
Additionally, the Bible provides the following instructions in 1 Corinthians 4:6:
"Now, brothers, these things I have transferred so as to apply to myself and Apol′los for YOUR good, that in our case YOU may learn the [rule]: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” in order that YOU may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other."
What application are Jehovah's Witnesses provided in harmony with the above verse? The April 15, 2008, Watchtower on page 7 states the following:
"When it comes to valueless words, elders too learn an important lesson. Whenever they are called upon to give counsel, they bear in mind their limitations and do not presume to offer counsel solely from their own personal store of knowledge. They should always point to what the Bible says. A sound rule is found in the words of the apostle Paul: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” (1 Cor. 4:6) Elders do not go beyond the things that are written in the Bible. And by extension, they do not go beyond the Bible-based counsel written in the publications of the faithful and discreet slave."
Essentially, the instruction from the organization are for Elders to not go beyond what is written in the Bible, but the faithful and discreet slave can and does go beyond what is written. Elders should follow what the Bible states and through the Watchtower's interpretation of a so-called "extension" follow what their faithful and discreet slave direct.
Again, the Bible is clear in its statement, but the Watchtower Society brandishes its unique spin on the matter which is in fact going contrary to the Bible; indeed, going "beyond the things that are written".
The motivation and reasoning for both points is obvious. The Watchtower Society wants Jehovah Witnesses to feel, think, and believe that they are the ones with a so-called 'truth' which needs to be followed. This is despite their indoctrination going against what the Bible plainly provides should be avoided and not performed. It includes following and applying everything in their publications, especially the Watchtower magazine.
A primary way the organization wields its power and control over its members effectively is by having the person's trust and the ability for them to obey and carry-out whatever instructions the leaders provide. The Bible highlights the wrong, but the organization does it anyway, twisting scripture while reinforcing loyalty and allegiance to them.
Nothing supersedes the Watchtower Society and its directives; not friends, not family, not love, and not the Bible. The organization always comes first.
"Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs."
However, the February 15, 2009, Watchtower on page 27, in paragraph 11, it admonishes:
"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same? After all, the slave has shown itself to be faithful in doing its assigned work."
Do Jehovah God and Jesus Christ "completely trust", "the sons of earthling man", or is the Watchtower Society both lying and providing directives that go against the scriptures?
Additionally, the Bible provides the following instructions in 1 Corinthians 4:6:
"Now, brothers, these things I have transferred so as to apply to myself and Apol′los for YOUR good, that in our case YOU may learn the [rule]: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” in order that YOU may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other."
What application are Jehovah's Witnesses provided in harmony with the above verse? The April 15, 2008, Watchtower on page 7 states the following:
"When it comes to valueless words, elders too learn an important lesson. Whenever they are called upon to give counsel, they bear in mind their limitations and do not presume to offer counsel solely from their own personal store of knowledge. They should always point to what the Bible says. A sound rule is found in the words of the apostle Paul: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” (1 Cor. 4:6) Elders do not go beyond the things that are written in the Bible. And by extension, they do not go beyond the Bible-based counsel written in the publications of the faithful and discreet slave."
Essentially, the instruction from the organization are for Elders to not go beyond what is written in the Bible, but the faithful and discreet slave can and does go beyond what is written. Elders should follow what the Bible states and through the Watchtower's interpretation of a so-called "extension" follow what their faithful and discreet slave direct.
Again, the Bible is clear in its statement, but the Watchtower Society brandishes its unique spin on the matter which is in fact going contrary to the Bible; indeed, going "beyond the things that are written".
The motivation and reasoning for both points is obvious. The Watchtower Society wants Jehovah Witnesses to feel, think, and believe that they are the ones with a so-called 'truth' which needs to be followed. This is despite their indoctrination going against what the Bible plainly provides should be avoided and not performed. It includes following and applying everything in their publications, especially the Watchtower magazine.
A primary way the organization wields its power and control over its members effectively is by having the person's trust and the ability for them to obey and carry-out whatever instructions the leaders provide. The Bible highlights the wrong, but the organization does it anyway, twisting scripture while reinforcing loyalty and allegiance to them.
Nothing supersedes the Watchtower Society and its directives; not friends, not family, not love, and not the Bible. The organization always comes first.
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