Christian Neutrals in the Last Days - Study Dec 22

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  jgnat

  December 22 WT Study Christian Neutrals in the Last Days from WT November 1, 2002 Why should I Apologize ?

  A Balanced View of the World

  Who is in charge of it - Satan or Jehovah? Colossians 1:16-17 Acts 14:15-17

  Does Jesus send believers in to the world or out of the world? John 17:18

  Did Jesus himself associate with sinners? Matthew 9:10-13

  What is a True Christian?

  The term True Christian was coined in modern times by the WTS. Such a distinction cannot be found in the scriptures. For there to be true Christians, there must be false Christians. Can such a doctrine be supported by the scriptures? How does the bible describe a plain Christian?

  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 ASV

  From my study, plain Christians are those who follow Christ.

  In this article, true Christians:

  p. 2 are ... no part of the world

  p. 4 does not devote his life to some secular cause.

  p. 11 are at peace with God and with one another

  (Isaiah 54:13).

  If it is

  inconceivable for them to take up arms against fellow Christians - or anyone else - what of these men of faith? Were they true Christians? Or plain men of faith? Why would the author commend these men?

  I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Hebrews 11:32-34 ASV

  For what cause would a Christian be willing to give his life?

  p. 14-15 Daniel and his compatriots risked their life for their faith. They would not bow down to any one but God.

  p. 16-17 The Apostles risked their lives sharing the good news that Christ had died for all to be freed from their sin. (Mark 8:35)

  A cause worth dying for gives life to others. Jesus gave his life so that many could gain it. He asks us to continue on with that worthy cause.

  This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you. John 15:12-15

  For what worthy cause does the WTS ask its sheep to lay down their lives?

  • Draft cards?
  • UN membership?
  • Blood transfusions?
  • Christmas wreaths?

  Perhaps a WTS veteran can help me understand something that has puzzled me about Witness neutrality. The draft typically has provisions for accommodating pacifists. Such ones can be assigned non-combatant roles for the duration of the conflict. Why doesnt the WTS allow its members to cooperate with Caesar in this way? Why must a faithful sheep risk jail or worse for refusing the draft, even a non-combatant role?

  Note: text in red is directly quoted from WT materials.

  I use Quotes for bible references.

  There are also links to other useful sites, i.e. http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/