Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 09-26-10 WT Study (DEEP THINGS)

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    blondie

    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 09-26-10 WT Study (JULY 15, 2010, pages 20-24)(DEEP THINGS)

    Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS

    WT material from today's WT will be in black

    Quotes from other sources will headed by QUOTES

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    jv = Proclaimers book

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    “ T HE S PIRIT

    S EARCHES I NTO . . .

    THE D EEP T HINGS OF G OD”

    “The spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God.”—1 COR. 2:10.

    OPENING COMMENTS

    How many jws really know how the holy spirit works according to the WTS?

    It doesn’t protect individuals physically—some jws died in the camps, some did not.

    How many jws think that the anointed get more holy spirit than the other sheep?

    How many jws think that Jesus is their mediator, not just the 144,000?

    How many jws think that they were healed by holy spirit although the WTS teaches it does not work that way today?

    How is it possible for a body of elders to appoint a man an elder in the congregation when at that time he was an adulterer, smoking, or a pedophile; didn’t the holy spirit tell them that he was not meeting the “spiritual requirements”?

    Can you think of some so-called scriptural WTS doctrines/policies that started out in status 1, changed to status 2, then changed back to status 1? Was the holy spirit at fault?

    http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/directed-by-holy-spirit.php

    http://www.jwfacts.com/

    START OF ARTICLE

    1. What role of the holy spirit is highlighted by

    Paul at 1 Corinthians 2:10, and what questions

    arise?

    HOW grateful we can be for the operation of

    Jehovah’s holy spirit! The Scriptures

    speak of the spirit as a helper, a gift, a

    witness bearer, and one that pleads for us.

    (John 14:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:16, 26, 27)

    The apostle Paul highlighted another vital

    role that the holy spirit plays: “The spirit

    searches into all things, even the deep things

    of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10) Indeed, Jehovah uses

    his holy spirit to reveal deep spiritual truths.

    Without this help, where would we be in

    our understanding of Jehovah’s purposes?

    (Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-12.) However,

    several questions arise: How does ‘the spirit

    search into the deep things of God’?

    Through whom did Jehovah reveal these

    things in the first century C.E.? How and

    through whom does the spirit search into

    these deep things in our day?

    COMMENTS

    The WTS organization teaches that it takes more than the holy spirit to understand…people need the guidance of the WTS, the bible is not enough.

    *** w67 10/1 p. 587 par. 9 Finding Freedom with Jehovah’s Visible Organization***

    Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind.

    2. In what twofold way would the spirit operate?

    2 Jesus indicated a twofold way in which

    the spirit would operate. Shortly before his

    death, he told his apostles: “The helper, the

    holy spirit, which the Father will send in my

    name, that one will teach you all things and

    bring back to your minds all the things

    I told you.” (John 14:26) The holy spirit

    would thus act as a teacher and as a remembrancer.

    As a teacher, it would help Christians grasp things

    not previously understood. As a remembrancer,

    it would help them recall and apply correctly what had

    been explained.

    COMMENTS

    If it would help them recall and apply correctly, how was it that they did not understand that circumcision was not necessary although Peter had 3 visions and heard God say that the Gentiles were clean and saw holy spirit come down on the unbaptized Cornelius? Even after that it was necessary to go to Jerusalem to “remember” this doctrine. And later when visiting a congregation, Peter shunned the Gentile Christians….where was the holy spirit?

    In the First Century

    3. What words of Jesus indicated that “the deep

    things of God” would be revealed progressively?

    3 Jesus himself taught his disciples many

    truths that were new to them. They still had

    much to learn, however. Jesus told the apostles:

    “I have many things yet to say to you,

    but you are not able to bear them at present.

    However, when that one arrives, the spirit of

    the truth, he will guide you into all the

    truth.” (John 16:12, 13) Jesus thus indicated

    that by means of holy spirit, deep

    spiritual things would be progressively revealed.

    COMMENTS

    Did it take 131 years (1879 AD to 2010 AD) for the first century Christians to understand? Did Jesus say that the holy spirit would err in the predicted times of 1914, 1925, 1975? Who did the early Christians believe were the “superior authorities”; the secular governments or God and Jesus? What about those who were and are part of the WTS? Did they have problems remembering properly?

    4. On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., how did the

    holy spirit act as a teacher and as a remembrancer?

    4 On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., “the

    spirit of the truth” arrived, being poured

    out on about 120 Christians gathered together

    in Jerusalem. There were visible and

    audible evidences of this. (Acts 1:4, 5, 15; 2:

    1-4) The disciples spoke in a variety of

    tongues “about the magnificent things of

    God.” (Acts 2:5-11) It was now time for

    something new to be revealed. The prophet

    Joel had foretold this outpouring of holy

    spirit. (Joel 2:28-32) Onlookers were witnessing

    the fulfillment in a way none of

    them had expected, and the apostle Peter

    took the lead in explaining this development.

    (Read Acts 2:14-18.) The holy spirit

    thus acted as a teacher in making clear to Peter

    that what the disciples had experienced

    was in fulfillment of that ancient prophecy.

    The spirit also acted as a remembrancer, for

    Peter quoted not only Joel but two psalms of

    David as well. (Ps. 16:8-11; 110:1; Acts 2:

    25-28, 34, 35) What all those assembled

    saw and heard were truly deep things of

    God.

    COMMENTS

    About 120 Christians—why not 121 or 123 in the constipated way the WTS does statistics?

    Was Christ’s presence in 1874 or 1914 per the WTS? Both. Why were there no reliable visible and audible evidences of this?

    So if the holy spirit had made it clear to Peter that the Gentile Christians were clean and would receive holy spirit, why was it necessary to have it clarified in Jerusalem and why did Peter forget when visiting a congregation later where he shunned the Gentile Christians?

    5, 6. (a) After Pentecost 33 C.E., what important

    questions regarding the new covenant needed to

    be answered? (b) Through whom were these issues

    raised, and how were decisions made?

    5 Many matters still needed clarification

    for the first-century Christians. For example,

    there were questions about the new covenant

    that had gone into effect on that day

    of Pentecost. Was the new covenant limited

    to Jews and Jewish proselytes? Could Gentiles

    also be accepted into it and be anointed

    with holy spirit? (Acts 10:45) Would Gentile

    males first need to be circumcised and

    to submit to the Mosaic Law? (Acts 15:

    1, 5) These were momentous questions.

    Jehovah’s spirit was needed to search into

    these deep things. Through whom, though,

    would it operate?

    COMMENTS

    Notice that it seems that Peter had not made it clear to other Christians about God revealing to him in a vision that Gentiles were clean and acceptable as Christians, with God pouring out holy spirit on Cornelius and his family, Gentiles in the uncircumcised state.

    (Acts 10:44-48) 44 While Peter was yet speaking about these matters the holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. 45 And the faithful ones that had come with Peter who were of those circumcised were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also upon people of the nations. 46 For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: 47Can anyone forbid water so that these might not be baptized who have received the holy spirit even as we have?”48 With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days.

    *** w08 12/15 p. 16 par. 1 Determined to BearThorough Witness***

    Peter’s witness bore abundant fruit. Uncircumcised Gentiles received God’s spirit, were baptized, and came in line to be kings in heaven with Jesus. What an outcome of Peter’s bearing thorough witness!—Acts 10:22, 34-48.

    6 It was through responsible brothers that

    each issue was raised for consideration. Peter,

    Paul, and Barnabas were at that meeting

    of the governing body and recounted how

    Jehovah had been dealing with uncircumcised

    Gentiles. (Acts 15:7-12) After considering

    this evidence in the light of indications

    in the Hebrew Scriptures and with the help

    of holy spirit, the governing body made a

    decision. Then they informed the congregations

    in writing about that decision.—Read

    Acts 15:25-30; 16:4, 5; Eph. 3:5, 6.

    COMMENTS

    So had Paul and Barnabas run ahead of the so-called governing body (word not in the bible including the New World Translation) by preaching to and baptizing uncircumcised Gentiles before this decree? (search the NWT and there will be no search hits for “governing body”)

    Notice that “governing body” is in lower caps when referring to the 1 st century. When referring to our time before 1971 today’s so-called WT GB is capitalized, Governing Body.

    *** w09 6/15 p. 22 par. 9 The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body***

    Their appointment was confirmed by the governing body in Jerusalem. (Gal. 2:7-10)

    *** w09 10/15 p.32 Have You Set Aside Time for Bible Study?***

    LAST year, the Governing Body announced an adjustment to the congregation meeting schedule that allows more time for Bible study and discussion as a family.

    7. By what means were deep truths revealed?

    7 Many other matters were clarified

    through the inspired writings of John, Peter,

    James, and Paul. But at some point after the

    Christian Scriptures were completed, gifts

    of prophesying and miraculously revealed

    knowledge ceased. (1 Cor. 13:8) Would the

    spirit continue to act as a teacher and a

    remembrancer? Would it continue to help

    Christians to search into the deep things of

    God? Prophecy indicated that it would.

    COMMENTS

    It sometime after the end of the first century, “miraculously revealed knowledge” ceased, how did the anointed who lived between 100 A.D. and 1879 A.D. feed the sheep? Did the holy spirit help them?

    *** w08 1/15 p. 22 par. 13 Counted Worthy to Receive a Kingdom***

    Not all 144,000 anointed Christians were selected in the first century. Their calling continued throughout the apostolic period and then apparently slowed down. However, it did continue throughout the succeeding centuries into modern times. (Matt. 28:20)

    *** re chap. 6 p. 31 par. 17 Unlocking a Sacred Secret***

    In his parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus foretold the time of darkness that would exist while Christendom reigned supreme. Nevertheless, through all the centuries of apostasy, there would exist individual wheatlike Christians, genuine anointed ones. (Matthew 13:24-29, 36-43)

    *** re chap. 11 p. 57 par.11 Is Your Name in the Book of Life?***

    Likewise, when professed Christians were absorbed into Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, during the long centuries of the great apostasy, there must always have been a few individuals who tried, against great odds, to do Jehovah’s will. These were righteous like wheat hidden amid a profusion of sectarian weeds.—Revelation 17:3-6; Matthew 13:24-29.

    During the Time of the End

    8, 9. Who would “shine” with spiritual insight

    during the time of the end?

    8 Speaking about the time of the end, an

    angel foretold: “The ones having insight

    will shine like the brightness of the expanse;

    and those who are bringing the many to

    righteousness, like the stars to time

    indefinite, even forever. . . . And the true

    knowledge will become abundant.” (Dan.

    12:3, 4) Who would be the ones having insight

    and who would shine? Jesus provided

    a clue in his illustration of the wheat and

    the weeds. Speaking about the “conclusion

    of a system of things,” he stated: “At that

    time the righteous ones will shine as brightly

    as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

    (Matt. 13:39, 43) In his explanation,

    Jesus identified “the righteous ones” as “the

    sons of the kingdom,” anointed Christians.

    —Matt.13:38.

    COMMENTS

    Of course, according to the WTS definition only anointed jws are righteous ones, sons of the kingdom (nonanointed jws are only “friends” and will not be sons until the end of the 1,000 year reign), anointed Christians.

    9 Would all anointed Christians “shine”?

    In a sense, yes, for all Christians would participate

    in preaching, in disciple making,

    and in building one another up at meetings.

    Anointed ones would set the example.

    (Zech. 8:23) In addition to this, however,

    deep things were to be revealed during the

    time of the end. The very prophecy Daniel

    recorded was “sealed up” until that time.

    (Dan. 12:9) How and through whom would

    the spirit search into these deep things?

    COMMENTS

    But will all anointed jws “shine” means will they have insight? Not interpreting or predicting but only in “preaching” which is another WTS definition for prophesying.

    http://www.jwfiles.com/scans/WT4-1-72p197.htm

    10. (a) Through whom does the spirit reveal deep

    truths during the last days? (b) Explain how truths

    regarding Jehovah’s great spiritual temple were clarified.

    10 When the time comes to clarify a spiritual

    matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible

    representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave”

    at world headquarters to discern deep truths

    that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45;

    1 Cor. 2:13) The Governing Body as a whole considers

    adjusted explanations. (Acts 15:6) What they

    learn, they publish for the benefit of all.

    (Matt.10:27) As time goes on, further clarifications

    may be needed, and these too are

    honestly explained.—See the box “How the

    Spirit Revealed the Meaning of the Spiritual

    Temple.”

    COMMENTS

    Yes, only the GB…yet Paul wrote 14 letters/books of the bible and he was not a member of the so-called GB of his time.

    If the holy spirit gave the correct explanation to these men initially, why did they have to be adjusted? How many jws know that an explanation/clarification/adjustment is passed by only a 2/3 vote of the GB? According to Acts 15 it was unanimous.

    Did Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel have to adjust their prophecies?

    How the Spirit Revealed the Meaning of the Spiritual Temple

    Among “the deep things of God” revealed

    during the first century was that the tabernacle

    and later the temples foreshadowed a

    much greater spiritual reality. Paul called that

    reality “the true tent, which Jehovah put up,

    and not man.” (Heb. 8:2) This was a

    great spiritual temple, an arrangement for

    approach to God made possible by the sacrifice

    and priesthood of Jesus Christ.

    “The true tent” came into existence in

    29 C.E. when Jesus was baptized and Jehovah

    accepted him as the one to become a perfect

    sacrifice. (Heb. 10:5-10) After his death and

    resurrection, Jesus entered the Most Holy of

    the spiritual temple and presented the value

    of his sacrifice “before the person of God.”

    —Heb. 9:11,12, 24.

    Elsewhere, the apostle Paul wrote of

    anointed Christians as “growing into a

    holy temple for Jehovah.” (Eph. 2:20-22) Was

    this temple to be the same as “the true tent”

    that he later described in his letter to the

    Hebrews? For decades, Jehovah’s servants

    thought that it was. It seemed that anointed

    Christians were being fitted on earth to become

    “stones” in the heavenly temple of Jehovah.—

    1 Pet. 2:5.

    Toward the year 1971, however, responsible

    members of the slave class began to

    discern that the temple spoken of by Paul in

    Ephesians could not be Jehovah’s great spiritual

    temple. If “the true tent” were composed

    of resurrected anointed Christians, it would

    first come into existence after their resurrection

    began during “the presence of the Lord.”

    (1 Thess. 4:15-17) But referring to the tabernacle,

    Paul wrote: “This very tent is an illustration

    for the appointed time that is now here .”

    —Heb. 9:9.

    By carefully comparing these and other

    scriptures, it became clear that the spiritual

    temple is not in the process of being built

    and that anointed Christians are not “stones”

    being fashioned on earth for inclusion in it.

    Rather, anointed Christians are serving in

    the courtyard and in the Holy of the spiritual

    temple, daily offering to God “a sacrifice of

    praise.”—Heb.13:15.

    COMMENTS

    So how important is this point? Did it lead to deaths when it was not allowed to have organ transplants between 1967 and 1980?

    Did it lead to men spending many years in prison and deaths because they could not choose alternative service in place of military service?

    http://www.jwfiles.com/

    Benefiting From the Spirit’s Role Today

    11. How do all Christians today benefit from the

    holy spirit’s role in revealing the deep things of

    God?

    11 All faithful Christians benefit from the

    holy spirit’s role in revealing the deep

    things of God. Like the first-century Christians,

    we today study and later recall and apply

    information that the holy spirit helps us

    to understand. (Luke 12:11, 12) We do not

    need extensive formal education in order to

    comprehend deep spiritual truths that have

    been published. (Acts 4:13) How might we

    go about improving our understanding of

    the deep things of God? Consider a few suggestions.

    COMMENTS

    Faithful Christians—only jws

    Study (what, a WTS publication or the bible); can a jw study the bible without a WT publication?

    Later recall? How many jws have to run home and to find the simple answer to a question posted by a non-jw? How many have to run to an elder for the answer even though they have been a jw for 30 years?

    The deep spiritual truths—in the bible or a WTS publication? How might we go about improving—perhaps by reading the bible?!

    12. When should we pray for holy spirit?

    12 Pray for holy spirit. When we are about

    to consider Scriptural material, we should

    first ask in prayer for holy spirit to guide us.

    This is true even if we are alone or the time

    we have available is short. Such humble petitions

    will surely warm our heavenly Father’s

    heart. As Jesus indicated, Jehovah will

    provide his holy spirit freely at our sincere

    request.—Luke 11:13.

    COMMENTS

    Pray for holy spirit—while jws pray before meals only to be seen, there is no advantage to praying alone.

    13, 14. What role does preparing for meetings play

    in understanding the deep things of God?

    13 Prepare for meetings. We receive “food at

    the proper time” through the slave class.

    The “slave” fulfills its assignment by supplying

    Scriptural material and by arranging

    programs for study and meetings. There are

    well-thought-out reasons for asking “the

    whole association of brothers” to consider

    certain information. (1 Pet. 2:17; Col. 4:16;

    Jude 3) We cooperate with the holy spirit

    when we do our best to follow the

    recommendations provided.—Rev. 2:29.

    COMMENTS

    Prepare for meetings—does not mean highlighting or randomly underlining your WT publication so the brothers doing mikes and the elders wandering around the KH during the meeting, can see it.

    Does the food really come through “the slave class” or the GB, the “responsible men” at the WT headquarters?

    Why “well-thought out reasons”? Are the rank and file jws questioning the value of their “food”?

    Are jws “cooperating with the holy spirit” or the GB? Are these “recommendations” or requirements?

    How can we improve

    our understanding

    of “the deep things

    of God”?

    14 When preparing for Christian meetings,

    we do well to look up the cited Scriptures

    and to try to discern how each applies

    to the subject at hand. This practice will

    gradually deepen our understanding of the

    Bible. (Acts 17:11, 12) Looking them up

    makes a mental impression that the holy

    spirit can help us recall. Additionally, if we

    see the text on the page in the Bible, this will

    leave a visual impression that can help us

    find the passage when we need to.

    COMMENTS

    Christian meetings—only found at jw KHs

    Look up cited Scriptures—but don’t think you will be able to give a comment on them at the KH where it will be surprising if you comment on the quoted scriptures; but then maybe you can there are so few of them. BTW a snippet scripture counts as a cited scripture.

    Do jws want to recall what the Bible says or what the WTS says the Bible says?

    15. Why should we keep up-to-date with published

    material, and how do you accomplish this?

    15 Keep up-to-date. Some published material

    is not reviewed at our meetings, but it

    is prepared for our benefit. Even issues of

    our journals that are offered to the public

    are prepared with us in mind. In this complicated

    world, we often have to wait for

    someone or something. If we carry with us a

    publication that we have not read or have

    only partially read, we may be able to use

    these opportunities to read a portion. Some

    keep up-to-date by listening to audio recordings

    of our publications while walking

    or while riding in a vehicle. Carefully

    researched but written for enjoyment by

    average readers, all this material deepens

    our appreciation for spiritual things.—Hab.

    2:2.

    COMMENTS

    Keep-up-to-date—is that why many jws think Jesus is their mediator, that their still a 1914 generation, that the generation is anyone other than the anointed?

    Of course, some older jws are wondering why the Mankind’s Search for God was never studied at an official meeting; and don’t read the articles in the WT for jws only, let alone the 1 st of the month WTs.

    Yes, listen to audio recordings of the publications rather than nasty, worldly music; or read the publications rather than gossiping with the sisters in the car. But no mention of reading the Bible…how many jws can honestly say they have read the Bible through and showing up at the meetings for the Bible highlights does not count.

    16. What benefit is there in noting and pursuing

    questions that come to mind?

    16 Meditate. When you read the Bible or

    publications based on it, take time to think.

    As you carefully follow the line of thought,

    questions may occur to you. You might

    make a note of such questions and follow up

    on them later. It is often when we pursue

    matters that intrigue us that we delve the

    deepest. The understanding we acquire becomes

    part of the personal treasure we can

    draw from as we need to.—Matt.13:52.

    COMMENTS

    Think? Jws are taught not to think but to let the WTS do their thinking for them, or the CO, or the elders.

    Make a note of questions; questions lead to trouble per the WTS. BTW would most jws know that God does not punish people who commit suicide?

    17. What program do you follow for family or personal

    study?

    17 Schedule a time for family worship. The

    Governing Body has encouraged all of us to

    set aside an evening or other period each

    week for personal or family study. Our adjusted

    meeting schedule opens the way for

    us to apply this counsel. What do you

    consider during Family Worship evenings?

    Some read the Bible, researching verses that

    raise questions in their mind and making

    brief explanatory notes in their Bible. Many

    families take time to make family application

    of the material studied. Certain family

    heads select material that they feel the family

    needs to consider or that deals with subjects

    or questions the family has asked to

    consider. You will no doubt think of other

    subjects to consider as time goes on.

    * See also Our Kingdom Ministry of October 2008,

    page 8.

    COMMENTS

    So if you are a single person, is there family worship?

    If you are a married couple, is there family worship?

    Is Family Worship anything knew? Read the articles on “family study” and “family worship” and the “suggestions” are almost identical.

    How many remember when the WTS changed the name of the meetings for field service at the book studies to “rendezvous”? Even if you were an adult then, it might have zoomed by you.

    *** km 1/70 p. 7 Announcements ***

    Each congregation may make its own arrangements for the Watchtower study, possibly on the book study night at the rendezvous or on Saturday at the Kingdom Hall.

    *** km 2/71 p. 8 par. 5 Presenting the Good News—Starting Bible Studies with Subscribers ***

    When waiting for others at rendezvous for field service, as a family, with a pioneer partner and on other informal occasions, one publisher could take the position of a typical householder in the territory and the other could use this or other approaches for starting a Bible study.

    And then it disappeared. Imagine a sister with a non-jw husband telling him she was off to a rendezvous? New term, SOS.

    18. Why should we not shrink back from studying

    the deeper truths of God’s Word?

    18 Jesus said that the spirit would act as a

    helper. So we should not shrink back from

    studying the deeper truths of God’s Word.

    Such truths are part of the precious “knowledge

    of God,” and we are invited to search

    into them. (Read Proverbs 2:1-5.) They reveal

    much about “the things that God has prepared

    for those who love him.” As we make

    the effort to learn more about Jehovah’s

    Word, holy spirit will help us, for “the spirit

    searches into all things, even the deep

    things of God.”—1 Cor. 2:9,10.

    COMMENTS

    How does the WTS rank the sources of help?

    1. WTS

    2. Bible

    3. Spirit

    The only really source of holy spirit is the WTS, in their opinion.

    *** w61 11/15 p. 692 par. 14 Publishing the“Word of Life” in a Dying World***

    God gave the Bible, not to an individual, but to a nation, first the Hebrew nation, and then to what Peter calls God’s “holy nation,” which is the “Israel of God,” whose circumcision is not in the flesh but in the heart. It is thus an organization Book. It can be understood only in company with God’s true visible organization, the one filled with his holy spirit.—1 Pet. 2:9; Gal. 6:12-16.

    How Would You Answer?

    In what twofold way does the spirit

    help us to search into “the deep

    things of God”?

    Through whom did the holy spirit

    reveal deep truths in the first

    century?

    ? How does the holy spirit operate to

    clarify matters in our day?

    ? What can you do to benefit from the

    spirit’s role?

    CONCLUDING COMMENTS

    Not so deep, just remember that only the GB gets the news from on high and they distribute it in their publications. You cannot understand the bible with just holy spirit. If it is not in their publications, it is not from God.

    Looks like many of the rank and file are not even reading the publications, let alone underlining, and worse answering at the meetings. At my old congregation, it is still the same 2 sisters who answer and an occasional elder. The conductor is frustrated. I once told him and his buddy, that if all 6 elders and their wives (12), every MS and his wife (2), and all the regular pioneers (5) answered once, that would be 12+2+5 = 19 answers which would cover the average WT.

    Next week, “HOW JESUS MAGNIFIES GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS”

    Love, Blondie

    ***km 10/08 p. 8 Personal and Family Bible Study Are Vital! ***

    1 As in the first century, the Governing Body has deep concern for the welfare of Jehovah’s people. (Acts 15:6, 28) As the dark clouds of the great tribulation draw closer, it is vital that every Kingdom publisher have a solid relationship with Jehovah. How will you use the time previously allocated to the Congregation Book Study? All are encouraged to use this time for family worship. Wise use of this time will permit us to dig deeper into God’s inspired Word and draw from its life-giving waters.—Ps. 1:1-3; Rom. 11:33, 34.

    2 Family Worship Evening: Family heads are encouraged to shoulder their responsibility before Jehovah to ensure that a meaningful, regular program of family Bible study is followed. (Deut. 6:6, 7) Single brothers and sisters with no family responsibilities will be able to use this time for personal Bible study and research. It is vital for all of us to ‘buy out the opportune time’ for study and meditation in order to maintain the spiritual strength needed in the face of ‘wicked days.’—Eph. 5:15, 16.

    3 What to Consider: The WatchTowerPublicationsIndex or WatchtowerLibraryon CD-ROM can help you locate information that will make your Bible study periods a delight. Families may consider articles from TheWatchtower, such as the regular features “Keys to Family Happiness,” “Teach Your Children,” and “For Our Young People.” Also, Awake! contains the “Young People Ask” series and fascinating articles about the wonders of creation.

    4 Unhurried Bible reading can impress godly principles and lessons on the minds and hearts of all in the family. (Heb. 4:12) On other occasions, you might watch and discuss one of the videos produced by the organization. There is ample opportunity for ingenuity and creativity. Why not ask your family members what they would enjoy?

    5 Why Important Now: Strengthening our spirituality will prepare us to “stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah.” (Ex. 14:13) Parents need divine guidance for raising children “in among a crooked and twisted generation.” (Phil. 2:15) Children need help to deal with the deteriorating moral climate in schools today. (Prov. 22:3, 6) Couples do well to strengthen their “threefold cord” with Jehovah. (Eccl. 4:12) Let us, then, make wise use of the time remaining to build ourselves up on our “most holy faith”!—Jude 20.

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    Wow, Blondie...

    Thanks again for going to all this effort.

    I always enjoy your Sunday Watchtower study posts, and your comments and analysis.

    I was struck by their frequent encouragement to "read the Bible" - yet, if a Jehovah's Witness WERE to read not only the special 'quoted' scriptures, but also the CONTEXT, they would likely be frowned upon by the elders...

    I liked your comment:

    "BTW a snippet scripture counts as a cited scripture. ..."

    It still boggles my mind that the Watchtower Society makes superficial noises that supposedly 'encourage' Witnesses to 'read' their bibles while subtly discouraging them from actually doing so, without Watchtower 'interpretation' - [manipulation and control...] That sign on one of the "Bethel" buildings - "Read Your Bible Daily" - what a smoke screen!!

    Zid

  • recovering
    recovering

    zid that sign is no longer there, however the read the watchtower sign still is!!!!!

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    Aouw!!! Recovering, you're KIDDING!??

    Really????

    I hafta look that up... I guess they took it down 'cause they sold the building???

    Zid

  • pirata
    pirata

    Excellent Analysis

    Just wanted to add to one of the very good points raised:

    How is it possible for a body of elders to appoint a man an elder in the congregation when at that time he was an adulterer, smoking, or a pedophile; didn’t the holy spirit tell them that he was not meeting the “spiritual requirements"?

    An interesting article a while back attempts to work around this problem, basically saying that holy spirit is involved, but suggesting that it does not directly make the appointment.

    *** w92 2/1 p. 16 ‘In the Name of the Holy Spirit’ ***
    Appointed by Holy Spirit
    11 Paul, when addressing the elders of Ephesus, introduced another activity of holy spirit when he said: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28) Yes, congregation overseers, or elders, are appointed by holy spirit. In what way? In that appointed elders must meet the qualifications outlined in the inspired Bible. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) They can develop those qualifications only with the help of holy spirit. Further, the body of elders that recommends a new elder prays for the guidance of holy spirit to discern whether he meets the qualifications or not. And the actual appointment is made under the supervision of the spirit-anointed faithful and discreet slave.

  • Crisis of Conscience
    Crisis of Conscience

    The conductor at the congregation I attend mentioned at least twice how humble and candid the GB is because - get this - they are willing to make adjustments as necessary!!

    That holy spirit sure has a bad habit of fouling things up for the GB, and regularly because they have to keep making changes. And the only thing that becomes "clear" after an adjustment, is how confused they are!

    I can usually deal with the BS being spit out from people's mouths at the meeting. But this really mad me sick and completely annoyed me. The blind folks at the hall just chuckled in agreement with the conductor, probably thinking about how right he was and how appreciative they are. But me - AGAIN - !!

    Oh yeah, thanks Blondie for a great review!!

    CoC

  • jehovahsheep
    jehovahsheep

    thanks blonde-it seems the gb is getting a lot of print time these days.the wts does not have exclusive rights to the distribution of holy spirit.also the gb in the 1st century was just a spontaneous meeting to decide some issues.they disassembled afterward and went back to their everyday duties.

  • bobld
    bobld

    Thanks Blondie

    Q10.They(GB) famous for wait on them to clarify things.And if you don't understand something just wait.

    Now why should a wait for 30 years for the GB to clarify their stupid teaching.When they said the generation that saw 1914 would not pass away before the end,I said, you GB are full of shit because the end will not come because the BIBLE says so.Why wait for the GB when they do not know what they are talking about.

    Their holy spirit is more like holy shit.

    B

  • searcher
    searcher

    It was now time for

    something new to be revealed

    Jehovah's spirit was needed to search into

    these deep things

    The ones having insight

    will shine like the brightness of the expanse

    "the faithful and discreet slave"

    at world headquarters to discern deep truths

    the

    holy spirit's role in revealing the deep

    things of God.

    We do not

    need extensive formal education in order to

    comprehend deep spiritual truths that have

    been published.

    The understanding we acquire becomes

    part of the personal treasure we can

    draw from as we need to

    They sound like Gnostics don't they?

  • factfinder
    factfinder

    thank you Blondie!

    The signs:" Read God's Word the Holy Bible Daily" and " Read The Watchtower and Awake!" are on the 117 Adams Street building ( Bldg 1) facing Sands Street.

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