John 3:16 was highlighted for several minutes by the speaker.
- The New World Translation: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.
- New Jerusalem Bible "Yes, God loved the world so much, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him, may not die but have eternal life."
The obvious difference is that the speaker used John 3:16 as a “guilt trip” for those to do more…. “exercise faith” when the real meaning of the scripture seems much different.
The speaker noted several times that while Paul did not attend the original memorial celebration with Jesus, we typically follow his outline of the celebration in 1 Corinthians. Too bad someone didn’t have a chance to write down the real thing shortly after it happened :)
The speaker also mentioned how simple the celebration was and commented and apologized for how long it took to pass the emblems – two congregations met together. He is right that it is simple and takes too long. No doubt the original version was much more emotional and intimate, if it happened at all. It seems a shame that what should be a very powerful experience for believers is reduced to something devoid of emotion and meaning.
Passing the emblems took maybe a full 10 minutes. The speaker said nothing. I think the outline tells the speaker to say nothing, but good grief, can he tell some cool Jesus stories or something.
As others have noted, the songs are just awful. Someone took every last drop of fun and encouragement out of the songs and now everyone mumbles along… even worse than before.
We didn’t get love-bombed because a few friends cornered us and we caught up on old times and didn’t really talk about anything witness related.
Overall, it was less painful that I expected. I doubt we go next year. I feel tremendous pain for people that I care about who are stuck on the treadmill of the WTS. For a handful of folks that I really like, I want to grab their hand and help them run as far from the WTS as possible, but it is their life they live not mine.
All the best,
zarco