Comments You Will Not Hear at the May 1, 2005 WT Study (March 15, 2005 issue date) Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes from todays WT
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueYOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE"
You were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God.
1 CORINTHIANS 6:20.
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body
1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
I thought I would just review something to notice about how the WTS uses scriptures. They are most citations (not quoted) or snippets (partially quoted). Rarely is a whole scripture used quoted in the paragraph. Since many JWs dont read the article beforehand, let alone look up these scriptures, what is being studied, the Bible or the WT?
Also, try to use other Bible translations and see what a different angle you will get. Todays, in 1 Corinthians, reads much the same in all the other translations, honor God with your body. Why does the NWT read so differently?
Slaves of God
Slaves of Christ
Slaves of men (WTS)
Who bought us, God or Christ? (or the WTS?) With what?
START OF ARTICLE
SLAVERY was prevalent and widely accepted in the ancient world
," states the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. It adds: "The economy of Egypt, Greece, and Rome was based on slave labor. In the first Christian century, one out of three persons in Italy and one out of five elsewhere was a slave."Last week when the WTS quoted from a non-JW source, they did not give an attribution. Why this time? Perhaps because this source, is not a non-JW woman psychologist, something to be concealed from people who are told not to seek out non-JW psychologists for advice, let alone a woman psychologist.
Paragraph 2
2 Although slavery also existed in ancient Israel, the Mosaic Law ensured that Hebrew slaves received protection. For instance, the Law required that an Israelite could serve as a slave for no more than six years. In the seventh year, he was to "go out as one set free without charge." But the regulations concerning the treatment of slaves were so fair and humane that the Law of Moses made the following provision: "If the slave should insistently say, I really love my master, my wife and my sons; I do not want to go out as one set free, then his master must bring him near to the true God and must bring him up against the door or the doorpost; and his master must pierce his ear through with an awl, and he must be his slave to time indefinite."-Exodus 21:2-6; Leviticus 25:42, 43; Deuteronomy 15:12-18.
So the article starts out with an OT example. When I took the BeliefNet Quiz regarding what religion I was, I consistently came up Orthodox Jew. I wonder why?
How many Israelites do you think chose to become permanent slaves and not go back to their hereditary land holdings? Is being a slave to another human, an equal, to be compared to being a slave of Christ? Is the price paid for a human slave to be compared to the life of Christ?
Blurb page 16: The provision of voluntary slavery in Israel was a foregleam of Christian servitude
Paragraph 3
3 The provision of voluntary servitude provided a foregleam of the type of slavery that true Christians are under. For example, the Bible writers Paul, James, Peter, and Jude identified themselves as slaves of God and of Christ. (Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1) Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians that they had "turned to God from [their] idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9) What moved those Christians to become willing slaves of God? Well, what was the motivating force in the case of the Israelite slave who renounced his personal freedom? Was it not love for his master? Christian slavery is based on love for God. When we come to know and love the true and living God, we are moved to serve him "with all [our] heart and all [our] soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12,13) What, though, does becoming slaves of God and of Christ involve? How does this affect our daily lives?
Slaves of God and of Christ (2)
Slaves of God (1)
Foregleam
.?WTS uniquely used buzzword, similar to overcomers and happifyingTrue Christians
.--Only JWsLove for his master, love for God
Isnt Jesus the master?
w02
3/15 p. 14 Christ Leads His CongregationJesus said: "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings." (Matthew 24:45-47) The "master" is our Leader, Jesus Christ, and he has appointed "the faithful and discreet slave"?the body of anointed Christians on earth?over all his earthly interests.
"Do All Things for Gods Glory"
Paragraph 4
4 A slave has been defined as "a person who is the legal property of another or others and is bound to absolute obedience." We become Jehovahs legal property when we dedicate our lives to him and get baptized. "You do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price," explains the apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) That price, of course, is Jesus Christs ransom sacrifice, since on that basis God accepts us as his servants, whether we are anointed Christians or we are their companions with an earthly hope. (Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Revelation 5:9) Thus, from the time of our baptism, "we belong to Jehovah." (Romans 14:8) Since we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we also become his slaves and are under obligation to keep his commandments.?1 Peter 1:18, 19.
Bound to absolute obedience
g92
11/8 p. 14 The Jesuits?"All Things to All Men"?A true friend and disciple of Jesus owes absolute obedience to God and to Christ, and to no one else. (Acts 5:29) Obeying men rather than God inevitably leads to abuses and to a politicization of Christs message.
Doesnt this include obeying God and Christ first in the congregation?
And why was it necessary to be careful?
Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world
. 1 JOHN 4:1Gods legal property (or property of Christ?)
among which [nations] YOU also are those called to belong to Jesus Christ?
ROMANS 1:6in turn YOU belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God. 1 CORINTHIANS
3:23But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence
. . . 1 CORINTHIANS 15:23But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God
. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21Dedicate our lives to him and get baptized
w02
4/1 p. 13 Why Be Baptized? ***When we dedicate ourselves to God through Christ
Anointed Christians or we are their companions
Notice how these companions arent identified as Christians
Romans 14:8
Did Jehovah appear here in the original Greek manuscript?
Paragraph 5
5 Slaves must obey their master. Our servitude is voluntary and stems from our love for the Master. "This is what the love of God means," states 1 John 5:3, "that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome." For us, then, our obedience is proof of our love as well as our submission. It is evident in everything we do. "Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else," said Paul, "do all things for Gods glory." (1 Corinthians 10: 31) In everyday life, even in small ways, we want to show that we "slave for Jehovah." -Romans 12:11.
Blurb page 17: We become Gods slaves when we get baptized; Christians put Gods will first
Who is the master? God or Christ?
YOU slaves, be obedient to those who are [YOUR] masters in a fleshly sense, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of YOUR hearts, as to the Christ, 6
not by way of eye-service as men pleasers, but as Christs slaves, doing the will of God whole-souled. 7 Be slaves with good inclinations, as to Jehovah, and not to men, 8 for YOU know that each one, whatever good he may do, will receive this back from Jehovah, whether he be slave or freeman. 9 Also, YOU masters, keep doing the same things to them, letting up on the threatening, for YOU know that the Master of both them and YOU is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with him. EPHESIANS 6:5-9SLAVE for the Master, Christ
. COLOSSIANS 3:24Obedience and submission proof of love?
w02
10/1 p. 19 Cultivate Obedience as the End Draws Near ***By submitting to the slave class, Gods people also show their subjection to the Master, Jesus Christ.
Was Jehovah in the original Greek manuscript at Romans 12:11?
Paragraph 6
6 When making decisions, for example, we want to be careful to take into account the will of our heavenly Master, Jehovah. (Malachi 1:6) Difficult decisions may test our obedience to God. Will we then heed his counsel rather than follow the inclinations of our "treacherous" and "desperate" heart? (Jeremiah 17:9) Melisa, a single Christian, had been baptized for only a short time when a young man began to take an interest in her. He seemed to be a nice person, and he was already studying the Bible with Jehovahs Witnesses. Nevertheless, an elder spoke to Melisa about the wisdom of following Jehovahs command to marry "only in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14) "It was not easy for me to follow this advice," Melisa admits. "But I decided that since I had made a dedication to God to do his will, I would obey his clear instructions." Reflecting on what transpired, she says: "I am so glad that I followed the advice. The man soon stopped studying. If I had pursued that relationship, I would now be married to an unbeliever."
When making decisions, will of our heavenly Master, Jehovah
Obedience to God, heed his counsel
Christian means only JWs
Notice this example is regarding a young woman marrying outside the organization (all the examples in last weeks and this weeks article are women).
Do his will, clear instructions
From whom, from an elder and this time the scriptures are from the NT; but why were the Israelites allowed to marry non-Israelites? (Deuteronomy 21:10-14) How clear is that?
Unbeliever, anyone who is not an JW is an unbeliever, is not a Christian.
Paragraph 77 As slaves of God, we must not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23) True, none of us like to be unpopular, but we must bear in mind that Christians have standards that are different from those in the world. Paul asked: "Am I seeking to please men?" His conclusion was: "If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christs slave." (Galatians 1:10) We simply cannot give in to peer pressure and become men pleasers. What, then, can we do when confronted with pressures to conform?Blurb page 18: Moses was reluctant to accept his assignment Slaves of God or slaves of men? (slaves of Christ?) Slaves of men in the organization? Christians, only JWs are Christians Standards that are different from those in the world Notice they leave out what those standards area, a mental fill-in the blank. Peer pressure and become men pleasers Do JWs seek to please God or the elders? Who do they run to when they have a question, the Bible or the elders? Paragraph 88 Consider the example of Elena, a young Christian in Spain. She had several classmates who were blood donors. They knew that Elena, one of Jehovahs Witnesses, would not donate blood or accept blood transfusions. When an opportunity arose to explain her position to the whole class, Elena volunteered to give a presentation. "Frankly, I felt very nervous about doing this," Elena explains. "But I prepared well, and the results were surprising. I won the respect of many of my fellow students, and the teacher told me that he admired the work I was doing. Above all, I felt satisfied that I had defended the name of Jehovah and had been able to explain clearly the reasons for my Scriptural stand." (Genesis 9:3, 4; Acts 15:28, 29) Yes, as slaves of God and of Christ, we stand out as different. However, we may well win peoples respect if we are prepared to defend our beliefs respectfully.? 1 Peter 3:15. Elena, another female example Christian, only JWs are Christians Would not donate blood Changing WTS position on using bloodhttp://www.ajwrb.org/index.shtml
Slaves of God or Christ? Respectfully, a future WT article deals extensively with this concept of preaching. Paragraph 99 Remembering that we are slaves of God can also help to keep us humble. On one occasion, the apostle John felt so impressed by a magnificent vision of heavenly Jerusalem that he fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had served as Gods spokesman. "Be careful!" the angel told him. "Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who are prophets and of those who are observing the words of this scroll. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8, 9) What a fine example the angel set for all of Gods slaves! Certain Christians may be in positions of special responsibility in the congregation. Nevertheless, Jesus said: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave." (Matthew 20:26, 27) As Jesus followers, all of us are slaves. Slaves of God, Gods slaves Christians, only JWs are Christians Positions of special responsibility, only male JWs All of us are slavesDo you think the elders feel the are the slaves (property) of the rank and file?
"What We Have Done Is What We Ought to Have Done" Paragraph 1010 Doing Gods will is not always easy for imperfect humans. The prophet Moses was reluctant to obey when Jehovah asked him to go and bring the sons of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 3:10,11; 4:1, 10) Upon receiving an assignment to proclaim a judgment message to the people of Nineveh, Jonah "proceeded to get up and run away to Tarshish from before Jehovah." (Jonah 1:2, 3) Baruch, the scribal secretary of the prophet Jeremiah, complained of growing weary. (Jeremiah 45:2,3) How should we respond when our personal desire or preference conflicts with the doing of Gods will? An illustration that Jesus gave provides the answer. Gods will or the WTS will?
Obey God = obey WTS
Moses, Jonah, Baruch, 3 OT examples how to be a Christian??? Paragraph 1111 Jesus spoke of a slave who had been caring for his masters flock all day in the field. When the slave arrived home, weary from some 12 hours of hard work, his master did not invite him to sit down and enjoy a good supper. Instead, the master said: "Get something ready for me to have my evening meal, and put on an apron and minister to me until I am through eating and drinking, and afterward you can eat and drink." The slave could attend to his own needs only after he had served his master. Jesus concluded the illustration by saying: "So you, also, when you have done all the things assigned to you, say, We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done."-Luke 17:7-10. Who is the master? Applications of Luke 17:10 w01 2/1 p. 17 Are You Living Up to Your Dedication? *** There is no need for us to make comparisons with others in regard to our time in Gods service, our placements of Bible literature, or the number of Bible studies we conduct. (Galatians 6:3, 4) Regardless of what we accomplish in the Christian ministry, all of us have to remember Jesus humbling words: "So you, also, when you have done all the things assigned to you, say, We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done." (Luke 17:10) Then why turn in time slips? Why do MS and elders have to make the national average? w95 7/15 pp. 19-20 Christian Women Deserve Honor and Respect *** Today, too, when most of Gods people have an earthly hope, it would be a serious mistake for any Christian man to feel that because of the privileges he may have in the congregation, he has more value in Gods eyes than women do. (Compare Luke 17:10.)Hahahahahaha!
Paragraph 1212 Jesus did not give this illustration to show that Jehovah does not appreciate what we do in his service. The Bible clearly states: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." (Hebrews 6:10) Rather, the point of Jesus parable is that a slave cannot please himself or concentrate on his own comforts. When we dedicated ourselves to God and chose to be his slaves, we agreed to put his will ahead of our own. We must subject our own will to the will of God. Slave cannot please himself or concentrate on his own comfortsThe rank and file are not pleasing the WTS and spending too much money on their own comforts and not donating to the WTS.
Gods slaves (what happened to Christ) His will (WTS will) ahead of our own Subject our own will to the will of God (or the WTS?) Paragraph 1313 Regularly studying Gods Word and the publications of "the faithful and discreet slave" may require great effort on our part. (Matthew 24:45) This may be the case especially if reading has always been difficult for us or if a publication is discussing "the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:10) Should we not, though, make time for personal study? We may have to discipline ourselves to sit down and spend time with the study material. Yet, without doing so, how would we acquire a taste for "solid food [that] belongs to mature people"??Hebrews 5:14. Gods Word and Publications of the FDSWhat happened to Bible-based? Note that according to the WTS, the Bible cannot be understood without WTS publications.
Great effort, reading difficult, publication deepSo the rank and file and are lazy slobs that cant read well, lack discipline and are unable to grasp the convoluted, ever-changing explanations of the WTS.
Study material , note that the WTS material is more important than the Bible. Paragraph 1414 What about the times when we come home tired after a long days work? We might have to push ourselves to attend Christian meetings. Or preaching to strangers may go against our natural inclination. Paul himself recognized that there could be times when we declare the good news against our will. (1 Corinthians 9:17) However, we do these things because Jehovah ?our heavenly Master, whom we love?tells us that we should. And do we not invariably feel satisfied and refreshed after we have put forth the effort to study, to attend meetings, and to preach??Psalm 1:1, 2; 122:1; 145:10-13. Push ourselves to attend Christian meetingsIf you knew you were going to a concert of your favorite band, game of your favorite team, out to eat at your favorite restaurant with good friends, do you think you would have to push yourself?
Instead you only have Kingdom songs, games with the elders, and spiritual food that has not been seasoned or cooked to be eaten with people whom you cannot trust with your secrets or depend on in a pinch.
Satisfied and refreshed are not the words that come to mind. Who is the master? Jehovah or Jesus? Do Not Look at "the Things Behind" Paragraph 1515 Jesus Christ demonstrated his submission to his heavenly Father in a superlative way. "I have come down from heaven to do, not my will, but the will of him that sent me," Jesus told his disciples. (John 6:38) When in anguish in the garden of Gethsem-ane, he prayed: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will."?Matthew 26:39. Submission to God, Jesus, or the WTS. Gods will as interpreted by the WTS? Paragraph 1616 Jesus Christ wants us to keep faithful to our decision to be slaves of God. He said: "No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) Dwelling on what we have left behind is definitely not the right thing to do when slaving for God. Instead, we should treasure what we have gained by choosing to be Gods slaves. To the Philippians, Paul wrote: "I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ.--Philippians 3:8. Slaves of God (or Christ?) Dwelling on what we have left behind is definitely the right thing to do when slaving for God.Is this the materialism card being played? Not enough money given to the WTS?
Gain God or gain Christ? Paragraph 1717 Think of all that Paul considered a lot of refuse and abandoned in favor of the spiritual rewards as a slave of God. He left behind not only the comforts of the world but also the possibility of becoming a future leader of Judaism. If Paul had continued to practice Judaism, he may well have risen to a position similar to that of Simeon, the son of Pauls educator, Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3; Gala-tians 1:14) Simeon became a leader of the Pharisees and played a prominent role?despite some reservations?in the Jewish rebellion against Rome in 66-70 C.E. He died in that conflagration, at the hands of either Jewish extremists or the Roman army. Slave of God (Christ?) Comforts of the world, becoming a future leaderMany elders have been able to become a leader and still have the comforts of the world.
Paragraph 1818 Many of Jehovahs Witnesses have followed Pauls example. "Within a few years after leaving school, I got a job as an executive secretary for a prominent London solicitor," says Jean. "I enjoyed my work and earned good money, but in my heart I knew that I could do more to serve Jehovah. Finally, I handed in my resignation and started pioneering. I am so thankful that I took that step nearly 20 years ago! My full-time service has enriched my life more than any secretarial job ever could have. Nothing gives greater satisfaction than seeing how Jehovahs Word can change a persons life. To have a part in that process is wonderful. What we give to Jehovah is nothing compared with what we receive." This is the 3 rd life example in this article, all women, plus the woman in last weeks article. Where are the men? And this experience is one from 20 years ago.Hmmm
BTW, arent all Christians full-time servants of God? Is there such a thing as a part-time servant of God? Paragraph 1919 Our circumstances may change with time. However, our dedication to God remains the same. We are still Jehovahs slaves, and he leaves it up to us to decide how we can best use our time, energy, talents, and other assets. Hence, the decisions we make in this regard can reflect our love for God. They also show the extent to which we are willing to make personal sacrifices. (Matthew 6:33) Regardless of our circumstances, should we not be determined to give Jehovah our best? Paul wrote: "If the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have."?2 Corinthians 8:12. Jehovahs slaves (or Christs) He leaves it up to us to decideOr do the elders, parents, other JWs make that judgment for you?
Personal sacrifices, our bestBased on last weeks article shouldnt every JW follow the advice Jesus gave the young ruler, give away all their belongings and follow Christ; or does the organization administration decide who does that?
"You Are Having Your Fruit" Paragraph 20 20 Being slaves of God is not oppressive. On the contrary, it provides an escape from a pernicious form of slavery that robs us of happiness. "Because you were set free from sin but became slaves to God," wrote Paul, "you are having your fruit in the way of holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:22) Our slaving for God bears fruit in the way of holiness in that we reap the benefits of holy, or morally clean, conduct. Moreover, it leads to everlasting life in the future. Slaves of God (or Christ ), did you notice how Christ is mentioned less and less as the article goes on? CARROT: Leads to everlasting life in the future. Paragraph 2121 Jehovah is generous to his slaves. When we do our best in his service, he opens to us "the floodgates of the heavens" and pours out upon us "a blessing until there is no more want." (Malachi 3:10) What a delight it will be to continue to serve as Jehovahs slaves for all eternity!
Jehovahs slaves (2) So Christ doesnt even make the conclusion.
CARROT2: FOR ALL ETERNITY Concluding Comments So did the early Christians think of themselves as slaves of Christ or God primarily? Who is the master, Jesus or God? Whose examples are we to follow, Moses, Jonah, Baruch, all OT men? Why are only examples of women given in this article? Whose will did the early Christians follow, Gods or the men in Jerusalem? Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world . 1 JOHN 4:1 Unless it is the WTS, w81 2/15 p. 18 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this "faithful and discreet slave"? Should it be viewed critically?Oh, well, it might be true but then again it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically? Some apparently have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: "Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the "faithful and discreet slave," with a view to finding fault? Not at all! Wonderful comments last week! Love, Blondie Questions 1, 2. (a) According to the Mosaic Law, how were Israelite slaves to be treated? (b) What choice did the slave who loved his master have? 3. (a) What type of slavery did first-century Christians accept? (b) What moves us to serve God? 4. How do we become slaves of God and of Christ? 5. As slaves of Jehovah, what primary obligation do we have, and how can we fulfill it? 6. How does being slaves of God affect the decisions we make in life? Illustrate this with an example. 7, 8. (a) Why should we not be overly concerned about pleasing men? (b) Illustrate how fear of man can be overcome. 9. What do we learn from an angel who appeared to the apostle John? 10. Give Scriptural examples to show that faithful servants of God did not always find it easy to do his will. 11. 12. (a) Briefly relate Jesus illustration recorded at Luke 17:7-10. (b) What lesson do we derive from Jesus illustration? 13, 14. (a) In what circumstances may we have to override our own inclinations? (b) Why should we let Gods will prevail? 15. How did Jesus set an example of submission to God? 16. 17. (a) How should we view the things we have left behind? (b) Show how Paul was realistic in assessing his worldly prospects as "a lot of refuse." 18. Give an example to show how spiritual achievements bring rewards. 19. What should be our resolve, and why? 20, 21. (a) What fruitage is produced by slaves of God? (b) How does Jehovah reward those who give him their best? Do You Recall?Why do we become slaves of God? How do we demonstrate our submission to the will of God?
Why should we be prepared to put Jehovahs will ahead of our own?
Why should we not look at the things behind?