by JEMIMAH 8 Replies latest jw friends
On the SD course I have just finished it is interesting what elders are specifically required to look at before sitting on a Judicial Committee,
1. chapters 5a, 5b, 5c in the ks91
2. article on repentance insight book
3. Wt articles on weakness or wickedness
4. any relevant Society letter
However no mention of the bible!!!!
Of course The wrongdoer is not asked to look at anything
Makes you think?
Since there is no format for a judicial committee in the Bible, there would be nothing there for them to look at.
Joel but there is.........
Jhn 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Jhn 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Jhn 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Jhn 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].
Jhn 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Jhn 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Jhn 8:9 And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Jhn 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Jhn 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
and it was condemned!
How about 'The Occurrence at Owl Creek River,' since you're condemned to die anyway!
Stephen,
excellent post. I mean really excellent.
What do you think Jesus means when he says, Go and sin no more, since he knows this is an impossible request.
hugs
Joel
Stephen,
This account is one of my favourites, but JWs discount it as not being part of the Bible. I'm not sure exactly on what their position is as to whether the account may or may not have happened. From what i recall, I don't think they accept it. It certainly fits Jesus' style and personality, but not John's style of writing.
If anyone knows what the WT position is regarding this account, please share.
Path
then please rip out 2 tim 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
and
Jhn 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
Joel,
this may help
"Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more"
. Consider this,
(a.) As her discharge from the temporal punishment: "If they do not condemn thee to be stoned to death, neither do I.’’ Not that Christ came to disarm the magistrate of his sword of justice, nor that it is his will that capital punishments should not be inflicted on malefactors; so far from this, the administration of public justice is established by the gospel, and made subservient to Christ’s kingdom: By me kings reign. But Christ would not condemn this woman, (a.) Because it was none of his business; he was no judge nor divider, and therefore would not intermeddle in secular affairs. His kingdom was not of this world. Tractent fabrilia fabri—Let every one act in his own province. (b.) Because she was prosecuted by those that were more guilty than she and could not for shame insist upon their demand of justice against her. The law appointed the hands of the witnesses to be first upon the criminal, and afterwards the hands of all the people, so that if they fly off, and do not condemn her, the prosecution drops. The justice of God, in inflicting temporal judgments, sometimes takes notice of a comparative righteousness, and spares those who are otherwise obnoxious when the punishing of them would gratify those that are worse than they, Deu. 32:26, 27. But, when Christ dismissed her, it was with this caution, Go, and sin no more. Impunity emboldens malefactors, and therefore those who are guilty, and yet have found means to escape the edge of the law, need to double their watch, lest Satan get advantage; for the fairer the escape was, the fairer the warning was to go and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a criminal should, as Christ here, help to save the soul with this caution.
(b.) As her discharge from the eternal punishment. For Christ to say, I do not condemn thee is, in effect, to say, I do forgive thee; and the Son of man had power on earth to forgive sins, and could upon good grounds give this absolution; for as he knew the hardness and impenitent hearts of the prosecutors, and therefore said that which would confound them, so he knew the tenderness and sincere repentance of the prisoner, and therefore said that which would comfort her, as he did to that woman who was a sinner, such a sinner as this, who was likewise looked upon with disdain by a Pharisee (Lu. 7:48, 50): Thy sins are forgiven thee, go in peace. So here, Neither do I condemn thee. Note, (a.) Those are truly happy whom Christ doth not condemn, for his discharge is a sufficient answer to all other challenges; they are all coram non judice—before an unauthorized judge. (b.) Christ will not condemn those who, though they have sinned, will go and sin no more, Ps. 85:8; Isa. 55:7. he will not take the advantage he has against us for our former rebellions, if we will but lay down our arms and return to our allegiance. (c.) Christ’s favour to us in the remission of the sins that are past should be a prevailing argument with us to go and sin no more, Rom. 6:1, 2. Will not Christ condemn thee? Go then and sin no more.
this is the commentary by Matthw Henry on the whole event.....
link below
jesus tells the dead to live and thay do.
he tells the lame to walk and thay do.
jesus tells a sinner to sin no more.
but it is this is an impossible request?
the ideas and opinions expressed in this post do not necessiarly represent those of the WTB&TS inc. or any of it's subsidiary corporations.
