I commented Sunday on paragraph 15 of Sunday's Watchtower. It reads as follows:
"While the Bible book of James highlights mercy among believers, this does not means that acts of mercy are limited to those within the Christian congregation. "Jehovah is good to all," says Psalm 145:9, "and his mercies are over all his works." We are exhorted to "become imitators of God" and "to work what is good toward all." (Ephesians 5:1; Galatians 6:10) While we do not love "either the world or the things in the world,' we are not insensitive to the needs of those in the world.--1 John 2:15."
I commented, as best as I can remember, the following: I researched the early Christian congregation, and their history of giving. They were so well known for their acts of charity that satirist made fun of them for it. If someone such as a satirist were to make fun of us, no doubt he would make fun of the preaching work, because that is what we are know for. But they were known for their charitable works.
Lucian, a 1st Century satirist, made fun of the Christians because he felt them naive and too eager to give. Additionally, Justinian, an emperor actually bemoaned the fact that the "Galileans" were so active in charitable giving that they had taken care of both their poor "and our own"
I concluded with the thought that "the preaching work is fine, but it does not take the place of practical acts of charity."
In his concluding prayer, the PO prayed for those who are researching, that they may realize that what we recieve from the FDS is the most important and to help them rip any doubts they may have from their hearts. :confused::huh:
Justicia
Yikes! Sounds like you hit a nerve, Justicia.
Fantastic comment by the way.
love, Naomi :thumbsup:
Wow Justicia! You dared used your own brain, did some research and made some application! What heresy! :thumbsup:
The reason that there was so much competition between the varying Christian groups is because they forgot Christ's simple message of love for God and love for their fellow man. All the preaching in the world is never a substitute for showing love to our fellow man. Such preaching will not clothe, feed, sustain and nourish those persons that are doing without.
When I was young I would accompany an elder to make shepherding visits to the elderly and infirm. There was no preaching there. Just a deep and abiding concern. A strong love for those persons that are suffering. Of course, these persons were Witnesses, but I learned a very important lesson. I found far more joy trying to encourage the elderly and infirm than I ever did preaching the good news. This elder died recently. I especially remember him, not because he was a Witness elder, but because he always demonstrated a deep love and concern for everyone.
Love,
Paul
well Justicia :thumbup: what a wonderful comment and so well said :thumbsup:..I so agree and feel that is something so good for everyone to remember. I have known far far too many that are actually restricted to the preaching work regarding good works and acts of Christian kindness to the point of neglecting those in need. Of course I also know many fine, wonderful, kind, giving witnesses but feel it comes from their own heart's abundance and not something that is cultivated from within the congregation....interesting to see your 'research' singled out as a problem :thinking: I hope that is the end of it :friends:
I almost had a similar experience. In my comment, the WT conductor could tell I was introducing outside info, and a panic came over his face.,!! :shocked: He was noticeablely relieved when I finished! :thumbsup:
In my comment, the WT conductor could tell I was introducing outside info, and a panic came over his face.,!! :shocked:
I forgot to mention, our Watchtower conductor IS our PO! You should have seen his face as I was answering!!! You would think I was promoting Satanic rituals!!
On the other hand, there were several in the cong. who came up and thanked me for the coment and voiced their appreciation.
This would have been my repsponse to the PO...
And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 9But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
In my comment, the WT conductor could tell I was introducing outside info, and a panic came over his face.,!! :shocked:
I forgot to mention, our Watchtower conductor IS our PO! You should have seen his face as I was answering!!! You would think I was promoting Satanic rituals!!
On the other hand, there were several in the cong. who came up and thanked me for the coment and voiced their appreciation.
Wow. How did that guy get to be an elder...much less the PO?
Prayer is no place for politicizing. What is that guy thinking? My goodness. I thought older men were to be mature.
If any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. 2 The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, 3 not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, 4 a 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 God’s congregation?) 6 not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil. 7 Moreover, 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. (1Tim 3, NWT)
Looks like somebody forgot to read their job description that morning.
gus
I'm sure we can all agree that if I commented at a WT study birds would drop dead from trees and the world as we know it would come to an end. (comic relief).
You people who have the nerve to research and think will be in my prayers.
Jeez! I'm flabbergasted. (Is that a word)
Well I should share what happened to us during the previous week's WT study, “Your Father Is Merciful.†Paragraph 13 seemed to be an implant overriding the original intent of writing committee. It said: “While Jehovah’s mercy does not violate his standard of justice, does it in some way affect his justice? Does mercy lessen the impact of divine justice by tempering it? No it does not.â€
Paragraph 14 even went on to conclude: “God’s justice is perfect, as is his mercy. Neither is superior to the other, nor does one need the other to temper its effect. Rather, both qualities work in perfect harmony with each other.â€
This made all that was said up until then for nothing, leading one poor sister to contradict her own comment by saying that God’s mercy does temper justice. Seeing that this would invariably lead to greater confusion I added that if mercy was not able to temper justice how then was it that David, who we already discussed in paragraphs 8 through 11, was mercifully given a judgement less than that demanded by God’s perfect law?
Well guess what? The PO just had to put up his hand to say that the 4 faces on God’s cherubs in Ezekiel and Revelation are proof that his 4 cardinal qualities of love, justice, wisdom and power are always in perfect balance and don’t temper each other.
What a crock! I immediately thought of 1 John 4:8, “He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love!†but I bit my tongue until paragraph 19 when I re-emphasized James 2:13, “For the one that does not practice mercy will have [his] judgment without mercy. Mercy exults triumphantly over judgment.†In other words, mercy tempers the judgement upon those who are merciful! How much clearer can that be? Talk about the Bible contradicting itself—we just help the contradictions by interpretations like this! (I didn’t actually say all that—although I was tempted.)
I have to say this though—the brother handling the mike got a big bang out of my huge circle around the paragraph with bold letters that read “I don’t agree!†I am also happy to report that I commended the sister for being so bold as to contradict the paragraph. She thanked me for reassuring her that she wasn’t crazy.
Love,
sw
Good work Justicia!:ok:You should have topped your comment by quoting Jesus words regarding the Good Samaritan! He finished that with the words 'go and be doing the same'. :read: Luke 10:29-37You can't get much clearer than that. If that's not what we are doing then we are not following the words of our Master.:thinking:The Good Samaritan is a vital teaching in helping us understand that, no matter who is in need of help, whatever their religious affiliation, we are to do our utmost in helping them. This man not only stopped to help, he attended to his physical needs, went out of his way to get him help, took him to a safe place and aided him financially and without reserve.:hug:The witnesses (not all, I know) just don't take this as something taking more priority over the preaching work.:( Yet Jesus' words state that we should be doing this.
Verses 36-37
Who of these three seems to you to have made himself neighbour to the man who fell among robbers? 37 He said: 'The one who acted mercifully toward him'. Jesus then said to him: 'Go your way and be doing the same yourself '.
If we look at the verses 25- 28 we can see clearly what the reasoning of the man versed in the law of God, was. He already thought he was doing enough! But he wasn't! Verse 29 says, he wanted to prove himself righteous!He already thought he was doing these things, but Jesus had to teach him by way of example, that when we help our neighbour, we must empty ourselves and do whatever it takes to satisfy their needs, not our own!:read:Going from door to door doesn't help our neighbours as most of the time, they aren't even at home!:dontknow:We, unfortunately are not known for our kindness and mercy in dealing with others, regardless of how many hours we put in.That, in itself, speaks volumes, doesn't it?:(
Agape to all,
Sis Grateful :giverose:
Praise the selfless love of the first century Christians & your reprimanded for doing bible research!?
The Greek word translated ministry is diakonos which essentially refers to servitude, waiting on others, running errands etc.
For some reason many Christian denominations including the WTS, tend to very specifically apply diakonos to preaching/evangelism, leaving out the more humanitarian associations of the word.
Sad huh? :cry:
Someone straighten me out if I've got my koine facts wrong please! :ok:
Agape Johnny :heartbeat:
Nope your Koine is Korrect. dia-konos, through dust. (dia=through, like diameter, the line through the middle of a circle).
And this servitude applied to women as well as men.
The watchtower and churches have turned this one word into a title.
Ministerial servant, or Deacon.
vicky
This made all that was said up until then for nothing, leading one poor sister to contradict her own comment by saying that God’s mercy does temper justice. Seeing that this would invariably lead to greater confusion I added that if mercy was not able to temper justice how then was it that David, who we already discussed in paragraphs 8 through 11, was mercifully given a judgement less than that demanded by God’s perfect law?
Good point, Wick! I haven't developed to the point where I can read hearts, but some people just open their mouth and the heart's abundance is forcefully regurgitated. Hey...we all tend to justify our needs. If we "need" to judge others (God knows why), we'll love the God of judgment more than the God of mercy...and judgment will be our end. If we've recognized our own need for mercy, we will love the God of mercy...and that judgment will be our end. Doesn't matter a heck of a lot what other's do. Ain't it great?
Jehovah is essentially allowing us to "name our courtroom".
gus
tut tut, you rebel you.......:thumbsup:
careful, researching is up there with fornication and apostacy. After all, what could you possibly learn that the fds hadn't already told you......:D
i bet you make things interesting anyway....