Posts by Bleep

10

Sex Church Crisis

by Bleep in

a little bit off the subject not being from the watchtower but should a change come to be soon or will it stay the same?

will the bishops do something?

Bleep

I guess no one watches the news on tv.

10

Sex Church Crisis

by Bleep in

a little bit off the subject not being from the watchtower but should a change come to be soon or will it stay the same?

will the bishops do something?

Bleep

A little bit off the subject not being from the watchtower but should a change come to be soon or will it stay the same? Will the bishops do something?

77

Did the Resurrection really happen?

by thinker in

was written next and makes a brief mention of the resurrection and ascension; which includes a conspiracy theory about the body being stolen (matt.

where did jesus first appear?

where else did jesus appear?

Bleep

But according to Jehovah we could have everlasting life.

104

WHY THE PRESENT CRISIS IS UNIQUE

by You Know in

thanx for your perspective yk.

often i've tried to explain the last days....but i'm not very good at self-expression.. i have a great fear for mankind.

we are so cruel to each other.

Bleep

It led them to sin. Not the reading itself.

104

WHY THE PRESENT CRISIS IS UNIQUE

by You Know in

thanx for your perspective yk.

often i've tried to explain the last days....but i'm not very good at self-expression.. i have a great fear for mankind.

we are so cruel to each other.

Bleep

Thanks for the site but this was no reason for disfellowship it was a great warning and should be read. There are dangers in all we do.

November 1999: Kingdom Ministry: Internet Use

USE OF THE INTERNET - BE ALERT TO THE DANGERS

Jehovah's people enjoy wholesome association with one another. They enjoy sharing experiences from the field ministry and appreciate hearing about events that occur in connection with Jehovah's Witnesses and the Kingdom work around the globe. They like to be informed about anything outstanding that may happen to our brothers, such as a crisis or a natural disaster, and they want to know if there is something they can do to help. Such interest shows the unity of the brotherhood, proving that we do indeed love one another. -John 13: 34,35;
Today, we hear about world events quickly. Radio and television broadcasts give live coverage of events in full detail to audiences all over the globe. The telephone also makes it possible to communicate immediately with people around the world. In communications a recent phenomenon that is taking the world by storm is the Internet. -See Awake! July 22, 1997.
The invention of the telephone opened the way to fast personal communication world- wide. Although the telephone is very useful, caution is needed in the way it is employed, as it can be a tool for improper association or activities, and overuse of the telephone can be expensive. Television and radio have potential in the field of education. Sadly, though, much of the programming is morally corrupt, and attention to it is a waste of time. Wisdom dictates that we be very selective in the use of television and radio.
The Internet enables one to communicate inexpensively with millions of others throughout the world, and it opens the door to vast amounts of information. (Awake! Jan 8, 1998) The indiscriminate use of the Internet, however, can expose a person to great spiritual danger and moral dangers. How is this so?
Many are concerned about readily available information that shows how to build weapons, including bombs. Industry complains about the amount of time workers waste using the internet. Much has been stated in our publications about the obvious spiritual dangers encountered on the Internet. Numerous Web Sites present violent and pornographic material that is entirely unsuitable for Christians. (Ps 119: 37) In addition to these dangers, there is a more insidious danger that Jehovah's Witnesses in particular need to be on guard against. What is this danger?
Would you invite a stranger into your home without first finding out who he is? What if there was no way to find out? Would you allow such a stranger to be alone with your children? This is an indisputable possibility on the Internet.
Electronic mail can be sent to and received from people you do not know. The same is true when you converse electronically in a forum or in a chat room. Participants may at times claim to be Jehovah's Witnesses, but often they are not. Someone may claim to a youth when he or she is not. Or a person may even falsely claim to be of a certain gender.
Information passed on to you may come in the form of experiences or comments about our beliefs. This information is passed on to others who, in turn pass it on to still others. The information is generally not verifiable and may be untrue. The comments may be a cover for spreading apostate reasoning. -2 Thess 2: 1-3;
With this danger in mind, if you use the Internet, ask yourself: 'What do I use it for? Is there a possibility that I could be harmed spiritually by how I am using it? Could I be contributing to the spiritual injury of others?
WEB SITES OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES: Consider, for example, some Internet sites set up by individuals who claim to be Jehovah's Witnesses. They invite you to visit their web sites to read experiences posted by others who claim to be Witnesses. You are encouraged to share you thoughts and views about the Society's literature. Some give recommendations about presentations that could be used in the field ministry. These site offer chat rooms for individuals to connect to, allowing live communication with others, similar to talking on the telephone. They often point you to other sites where you can have online association with Jehovah's Witnesses around the world. But can you tell for certain that these contacts have not been planted by apostates?
Having association via the Internet may not be consistent with the recommendation found at Eph 5: 15-17. The apostle Paul wrote: Keep strict watch that how YOU walk is not as unwise but as wise [persons], buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked. On this account cease becoming unreasonable, but go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is."
The Christian congregation is the theocratic means through which we are fed spiritually by "the faithful and discreet slave" (Matt 24: 45-47) Within God's organization, we find direction and protection to keep us separate from the world as well as motivation to keep busy in the work of the Lord. (1 Cor 15: 58) The Psalmist indicated that he experienced joy and a feeling of security among God's congregated people. (Ps 27: 4,5; Ps 55: 14; Ps 122:1) The congregation also provides spiritual support and assistance for those associated with it. Therein, you can find a group of loving, concerned, and caring friends - people you personally know they are ready and willing to help and comfort others in time of distress. (2 Cor 7: 5-7) Congregation members are protected by the Scriptural provision for disfellowshipping those who sin unrepentantly or who promote apostate thinking. ( 1 Cor 5: 9-13; Titus 3: 10,11) Can we expect to find these same loving arrangements when associating with others via the Internet?
It has become apparent that the opposite is true. Some Web sites are clearly vehicles for apostate propaganda. (Ahem, H20) Such Web sites may claim otherwise, and those who sponsor a site may give a detailed explanation to affirm that they truly are Jehovah's Witnesses. They may even request information from you in order to verify 'you' are one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jehovah wants you to exercise discernment. Why? Because he knows that it will safeguard you from various dangers. Pr 2: 10-19 opens by saying: "When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you from what? From such things as "the bad way" those leaving upright paths, and people who are immoral and devious in their general course.
When we go to the Kingdom Hall, there is no question that we are with our brothers. We know them. No one requires authentication of this because the brotherly love manifested make it obvious. We are not personally required to provide credentials to prove that we are one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is here that we find true interchange of encouragement that Paul spoke about at Heb 10: 24,25; Web sites that encourage on-line association cannot be depended on to provide this. Having in mind the words of Ps 26: 4,5; can alert us to dangers that could easily be encountered when using Web sites on the Internet.
There are no limits or checks on the kind of information that is maintained by and accessible to Internet users. Often, children and teenagers are easy targets of crime and exploitation in this environment. Children are trusting, curious, and anxious to explore the relatively new world of cyberspace. Parents therefore need to supervise their children and give them sound Scriptural guidance about using the Internet, just as they would guide them in their choice of music or movies. 1 Cor 15: 33.
Sadly, some who were once our brothers and sisters have had to be disfellowshipped because of association that started be meeting worldly individuals in chat rooms on the Internet and eventually led to immorality. In shocked disbelief, elders have written that some actually left their husbands or wives to pursue a relationship that began on the Internet. (2 Tim 3: 6) Other individual have disowned the truth because of believing information provided by apostates. (1 Tim 4: 1,2;) Given these very serious dangers, does it not seem reasonable to be cautious about becoming involved in chat sessions on the Internet? Certainly, exercising the wisdom, knowledge, thinking ability, and discernment spoken of at Pr 2: 10-10 should safeguard us in this.
Noticeably, there have been a number of individuals who have created Web sites ostensibly to preach the good news. Many of these sites are sponsored by indiscrete brothers. Other sites may be sponsored by apostates who wish to lure unsuspecting ones. (2 John 9-11) Commenting on whether there is a need for our brothers to creates such Web sites, "Our Kingdom Ministry" November 1997, page 3, stated: "There is no need for any individual to prepare Internet pages about Jehovah's Witnesses, our activities, or our beliefs. Our official site (www.watchtower.org) presents accurate information for any who want it"
STUDY AIDS via the INTERNET? Some have felt they are rendering a service to the brothers by posting researched information in connection with various theocratic activities. For example, a person may do research based on a public talk outline and then post this, thinking that such information will benefit those who need to prepare the same outline. Others will post all the Scriptures for an upcoming Watchtower study or provide source material for the Theocratic Ministry School or the Congregation Book study. Some may offer suggestions for field ministry presentations. Are such really helpful?
The publications provided by Jehovah's organization stimulate our minds with up- building thoughts and train us "to distinguish both right and wrong" (Heb 5: 14) Can we say that this is achieved if others do our research for us?
The Beroeans were spoken of as "more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica" Why? Because "they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things where so" (Acts 17: 11) Although Paul and Silas preached to them, they could not make the truth their own without becoming personally involved.
Using another person's research for a talk or for other meeting preparation really defeats the purpose of personal study. Is it not your desire to build up your own personal faith in God's Word? Based on personal conviction, you can then make public expression of your faith-in your talks, in comments at the meetings, and in the field ministry. (Rom 10: 10) Using another person's research does not fit the description given at Pr 2: 4,5; to personally "keep seeking and searching for the very knowledge of God as for his treasures".
For example, when looking up scriptures in your own copy of the Bible, you can briefly review the context of each scripture. You can "trace all things with accuracy" as did Luke when he wrote his Gospel. (Luke 1: 3) The extra effort will also help you to be skillful in looking up scriptures in the ministry and when giving talks. Many have stated that they are impressed with Jehovah's Witnesses because they know how to use their Bibles. The only way that this can apply to us is if we make it a practice personally to look up scriptures in our own Bibles.
USING OUR TIME WISELY: Another consideration in this regard has to do with the amount of time spent creating, reading, and responding to information posted on the Internet. Ps 90: 12, encourages us to pray: "Show us just how to count our days in such a way that we may bring a heart of wisdom in" Paul stated: "The time left is reduced" (1 Cor 7: 29) And further: "Really, then, as long as we have time favourable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith" Gal 6: 10;
Such counsel highlights the need for us to be judicious in the use of our time. How much more profitable it is to spend time reading God's Word! (Ps 1: 1,2;) That is the best association we can have. (2 Tim 3: 16,17) Parents, are you teaching your children the value of using their time wisely in Kingdom pursuits? (Ecc 12: 1) Time spent in personal and family Bible study, meeting attendance, and field ministry far outweighs time spent browsing the Internet, expecting to gain benefits.
In this regard, it is the course of wisdom to focus our attention on spiritual matters and on those things relevant and essential to our lives as Christians. This calls for the making of well- considered choices respecting the information that merits our time and thoughts. As Christians, that which is relevant to our lives is summed up by Christ, who said: "Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to YOU." (Matt 6: 33) Are you not happiest when your life is filled with Kingdom pursuits rather than any other activity?
INTERNET E-MAIL: Although sharing personal experiences or thoughts among family members or friends who live far apart is appropriate, is it really loving to pass these on to others who may not know your family or friends? Or should these be posted on a Web page for just anyone to read? Are these personal messages to be copied and sent indiscriminately to people whom you may or may not know? Likewise, if you receive from others that were clearly not intended for you, is it loving to pass them on to still to others?
What if the experience you pass on is not accurate? Would this not be sharing in perpetuating an untruth? (Pr 12: 19; Pr 21: 28; Pr 30: 8; Col 3: 9) Certainly, keeping strict watch that how[we] walk is not as unwise but as wise persons" would move us to consider this. (Eph 5: 15) How happy we are that the 'Yearbook' the Watchtower' and Awake! are filled with verifiable experiences that encourage us and motivate us to keep walking in "the way"! Isa 30: 20,21;
There is also another danger: The apostle Paul said concerning some: "They also learn to be unoccupied, gadding about to the houses; yes, not only unoccupied, but also gossipers and meddlers in other people affairs talking of things they ought not" (1 Tim 5: 13) This agues against spending time and effort passing on frivolous information to our brothers.
Think, too, of the amount of time that it takes to keep up with a large quantity of E- Mail. Interestingly, the book Data Smog stated: "As one spends more and more time online, e-mail quickly changes from being a stimulating novelty to a time-consuming burden with dozens of messages to read and answer every day from colleagues, friends, family, ... and unsolicited sales pitches" Further, it states: "Many electronic glutizens have picked up the very bad habit of forwarding every entertaining nugget they receive jokes, urban myths, electronic chain letters, and more - to everyone on their electronic address book".
This has been evident in the E-mail circulated among many of the brothers - such items as jokes or humorous stories on our beliefs; illustrations from various talks heard at assemblies, conventions, or at the Kingdom Hall; experiences from the field ministry; and so forth - things that seem innocent enough. Most routinely forward such E-mail without checking the source, making it difficult to know who really is the originator, which ought to make one wonder if the information is really true. Pr 22: 20,21;
Such often - frivolous messages are not the kind of healthful words that Paul had in mind when he wrote to Timothy, saying: "Keep holding 'the pattern of healthful words' that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in connection with Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 1: 13) The "pure language" of Scriptural truth has "the pattern of healthful words" based mainly on the Bible's theme of the vindication of Jehovah's Sovereignty by means of the Kingdom. (Zeph 3: 9) We should make every effort to devote all our available time and energy to support this vindication of Jehovah's Sovereignty.
Since we are deep in the time of the end of this system of things, this is not time to let our guard down. The Bible warns us "Keep YOUR senses, be watchful. YOUR adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour [someone]". (1 Pet 5: 8) It further states: "Put on the complete suit of armor from God that YOU may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; (Eph 6 11
If misused, the Internet can be a means by which Satan overreaches those who are seduced by its power. Although it may have limited usefulness, there is danger if it is not viewed with caution. Parents especially need to be concerned about their children's use of the Internet.
Keeping a balanced view of the Internet is a protection. We appreciate the timely reminder by Paul: Let .. those making use of the world [be] as those not using it to the full; for the scene of the world is changing" (1 Cor 7: 29-31) Having these things in mind will help keep us and our families from becoming distracted by all the world has to offer, including what is available on the Internet.
It is imperative that we stay close to our brothers in the congregation and use the remaining time wisely, thus making ourselves available for the advancing Kingdom interests. As this system nears its finish, let us "no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds" but let us "go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is" Eph 4: 17; Eph 5: 17;

6

HECTOR3000!

by SYN in

this guy makes me laugh.

i'm quoting directly from his site...my comments are in red...17. why did j. rutherford declare that heaven was closed for j.w.s and everyone else after 1935?

how did he arrive at this date?

Bleep

good post and points taken

25

What is our major life decision?

by Bleep in

in modern times, the term "proselytism" has been used to mean forcible conversion of one kind or another.

the bible does not support such a practice.

rather, it teaches that men were created as free moral agents with the privilege and responsibility to choose how they will live their lives.

Bleep

I am sure that a God of order would want to give information to his people at the proper time. And it should go along with the Bible.

25

What is our major life decision?

by Bleep in

in modern times, the term "proselytism" has been used to mean forcible conversion of one kind or another.

the bible does not support such a practice.

rather, it teaches that men were created as free moral agents with the privilege and responsibility to choose how they will live their lives.

Bleep

Wow here it is! We are Borg!
The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body

"Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?"-MATTHEW 24:45.

JEHOVAH is a God of order. He is also the Source of all legitimate authority. Confident in the loyalty of his faithful creatures, Jehovah is willing to delegate authority. The one to whom he has delegated the most authority is his Son, Jesus Christ. Indeed, God "subjected all things under his feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation."-Ephesians 1:22.

2 The apostle Paul calls the Christian congregation "God's household" and says that Jehovah's faithful Son, Jesus Christ, was placed over this household. (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:6) In turn, Christ delegates authority to the members of God's household. We can see this from Jesus' words recorded at Matthew 24:45-47. He 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."

The First-Century House Manager

3 From our careful study of the Scriptures, we know that the spirit-anointed members of God's household at any given time collectively make up "the faithful and discreet slave," "steward," or "house manager." Individually, the members of Jehovah's household are termed "domestics" or "body of attendants."-Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:42; Reference Bible, footnote.

4 Some months before his death, Jesus raised this question, recorded at Luke 12:42: "Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?" Then, a few days before he died, Jesus likened himself to a man about to travel abroad, who summoned his slaves and committed his belongings to them.-Matthew 25:14.

5 When did Jesus assign others to look after his belongings? This occurred after his resurrection. In his familiar words found at Matthew 28:19, 20, Christ first gave those who would become part of his composite house manager an extended assignment to teach and make disciples. By individually witnessing "to the most distant part of the earth," the attendants would expand the missionary field that Jesus had begun to cultivate during his earthly ministry. (Acts 1:8) This involved their acting as "ambassadors substituting for Christ." As "stewards of sacred secrets of God," they would make disciples and would dispense spiritual food to them.-2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2.

The Household's Governing Body

6 Collectively, spirit-anointed Christians were to be the master's steward, or house manager, assigned to dispense timely spiritual food to the individual members of the household of God. Between the years 41 C.E. and 98 C.E., members of the first-century steward class were divinely inspired to write 5 historical accounts, 21 letters, and the book of Revelation for the benefit of their brothers. These inspired writings contain fine spiritual food for the domestics, that is, individual anointed ones of God's household.

7 While all anointed Christians collectively form God's household, there is abundant evidence that Christ chose a small number of men out of the slave class to serve as a visible governing body. The early history of the congregation shows that the 12 apostles, including Matthias, were the foundation of the first-century governing body. Acts 1:20-26 provides us with an indication of this. In connection with a replacement for Judas Iscariot, reference is there made to "his office of oversight" and to "this ministry and apostleship."

8 Such office of oversight included the responsibility of the apostles to appoint suitable men to positions of service and to organize the ministry. But it meant more. It also involved teaching and clarifying points of doctrine. Fulfilling Jesus' promise recorded at John 16:13, "the spirit of the truth" was to guide the Christian congregation progressively into all the truth. Right from the start, those who embraced the word and became baptized, anointed Christians continued devoting themselves to "the teaching of the apostles." In fact, the reason why seven recommended men were appointed to the necessary business of distributing material food was so that "the twelve" could remain free to 'devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'-Acts 2:42; 6:1-6.

9 It seems that at first the governing body was composed exclusively of Jesus' apostles. But would it remain that way? About the year 44 C.E., the apostle James, the brother of John, was executed by Herod Agrippa I. (Acts 12:1, 2) Apparently no effort was made to replace him as an apostle, as was done in the case of Judas. Why not? No doubt this was because James died faithful, the first of the 12 apostles to die. On the other hand, Judas was a wicked defector and had to be replaced in order to bring back to 12 the number of the foundation stones of spiritual Israel.-Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14.

10 The original members of the first-century governing body were apostles, men who had walked with Jesus and had been witnesses of his death and resurrection. (Acts 1:21, 22) But this situation was to change. As the years went by, other Christian men gained spiritual stature and were appointed as elders in the Jerusalem congregation. By the year 49 C.E. at the latest, the governing body had been expanded to include not only the remaining apostles but also a number of other older men in Jerusalem. (Acts 15:2) So the makeup of the governing body was not rigidly fixed, but God evidently guided things so that it changed to fit the circumstances of his people. Christ, the active Head of the congregation, used this enlarged governing body to settle the important doctrinal matter of non-Jewish Christians' being circumcised and submitting to the Law of Moses. The governing body wrote a letter explaining its decision and issued decrees for observance.-Acts 15:23-29.

A Time of Accounting for the House Manager

11 Individually and as congregations, the early Christians appreciated this strong lead given by the governing body. After the congregation in Syrian Antioch read the letter from the governing body, they rejoiced over the encouragement. As other congregations received the information and observed the decrees, they "continued to be made firm in the faith and to increase in number from day to day." (Acts 16:5) Manifestly, God blessed this arrangement.-Acts 15:30, 31.

12 But let us look at another aspect of this significant matter. In his illustration of the minas, Jesus likened himself to a man of noble birth who traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power for himself and then returned. (Luke 19:11, 12) As a result of his resurrection in 33 C.E., Jesus Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, where he was to sit until his enemies would be placed as a stool for his feet.-Acts 2:33-35.

13 In a parallel illustration, the parable of the talents, Jesus stated that after a long time, the master came to settle accounts with his slaves. To the slaves who proved faithful, the master said: "You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master." But regarding the unfaithful slave, he declared: "Even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness outside."-Matthew 25:21-23, 29, 30.

14 After a long time-nearly 19 centuries-Christ was vested with kingly power in 1914, at the end of "the appointed times of the nations." (Luke 21:24) Shortly thereafter, he "came and settled accounts" with his slaves, spirit-anointed Christians. (Matthew 25:19) What did Jesus expect of them individually and collectively? The steward's assignment continued as it had been since the first century. Christ had entrusted talents to individuals-"to each one according to his own ability." Hence, Jesus expected proportionate results. (Matthew 25:15) Applicable here is the rule at 1 Corinthians 4:2, which states: "What is looked for in stewards is for a man to be found faithful." Putting the talents to work meant faithfully acting as ambassadors of God, making disciples and dispensing spiritual truths to them.-2 Corinthians 5:20.

The "Slave" and Its Governing Body as the Time of the End Drew Near

15 Jesus expected anointed Christians collectively to be acting as a faithful steward, giving his body of attendants "their measure of food supplies at the proper time." (Luke 12:42) According to Luke 12:43, Christ said: "Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so!" This indicates that for some time before Christ arrived to settle accounts with his spirit-anointed slaves, they would have been dispensing spiritual food to members of the Christian congregation, God's household. Whom did Christ find doing so when he returned with kingly power in 1914 and proceeded to inspect the house of God in 1918?-Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 19:12; 1 Peter 4:17.

16 As the long period of Jesus' waiting at Jehovah's right hand drew to a close, it gradually became apparent who was giving spiritual food supplies to Christ's domestics even in the time prior to 1914. Do you think it was Christendom's churches? Certainly not, for they were deeply involved in politics. They had been willing tools of colonial expansion and had tried to outdo one another to prove their patriotism, thus encouraging nationalism. This soon brought heavy bloodguilt upon them, that is, when they gave their active support to political governments involved in the first world war. Spiritually, their faith had been weakened by Modernism. A spiritual crisis was brought about because many of their clergy became easy prey to higher criticism and evolution. No spiritual nourishment could be expected from Christendom's clergy!

17 Similarly, no nourishing spiritual food was forthcoming from those anointed Christians who were more concerned with their personal salvation than with putting the Master's talent to work. They turned out to be "sluggish," unfit to take care of the Master's belongings. Hence, they were thrown "into the darkness outside," where the churches of Christendom still are.-Matthew 25:24-30.

18 On arriving to inspect his slaves in 1918, therefore, whom did the Master, Jesus Christ, find giving to his body of attendants their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Well, by then, who had given sincere truth-seekers the correct understanding of the ransom sacrifice, the divine name, the invisibility of Christ's presence, and the significance of 1914? Who had exposed the falsehood of the Trinity, immortality of the human soul, and hellfire? And who had warned of the dangers of evolution and spiritism? The facts show that it was the group of anointed Christians associated with the publishers of the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, now called The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom.

19 In its issue of November 1, 1944, The Watchtower stated: "In 1878, forty years before the Lord's coming to the temple in 1918, there was a class of sincere consecrated Christians that had broken away from the hierarchic and clergy organizations and who sought to practice Christianity . . . The following year, namely, in July, 1879, that the truths which God through Christ provided as 'food in due season' might be regularly distributed to all his household of consecrated children, this magazine, The Watchtower, began to be published."

20 Supplying information on the development of the modern-day Governing Body, the December 15, 1971, issue of The Watchtower explained: "Five years later [in 1884] Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was incorporated and served as an 'agency' to minister spiritual food to thousands of sincere persons seeking to know God and to understand his Word . . . Dedicated, baptized, anointed Christians became associated with that Society at headquarters in Pennsylvania. Whether on the Board of Directors or not, they rendered themselves available for special work of the 'faithful and discreet slave' class. They aided in the feeding and directing of the slave class, and thus a governing body made its appearance. This was evidently under the guidance of Jehovah's invisible active force or holy spirit. Also, under the direction of the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ."

21 In 1918, when Jesus Christ inspected those claiming to be his slaves, he found an international group of Christians publishing Bible truths for use both inside the congregation and outside in the preaching work. In 1919 it truly turned out to be as Christ had foretold: "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 24:46, 47) These true Christians entered into the joy of their Master. Having shown themselves "faithful over a few things," they were appointed by the Master to be "over many things." (Matthew 25:21) The faithful slave and its Governing Body were in place, ready for a widened assignment. How glad we should be that this was so, for loyal Christians are richly benefiting from the devoted work of the faithful slave and its Governing Body!

25

What is our major life decision?

by Bleep in

in modern times, the term "proselytism" has been used to mean forcible conversion of one kind or another.

the bible does not support such a practice.

rather, it teaches that men were created as free moral agents with the privilege and responsibility to choose how they will live their lives.

Bleep

Yea the answere should come from the scriptures.

6

HECTOR3000!

by SYN in

this guy makes me laugh.

i'm quoting directly from his site...my comments are in red...17. why did j. rutherford declare that heaven was closed for j.w.s and everyone else after 1935?

how did he arrive at this date?

Bleep

The problem with this thred is you can not base your decision on one guys responce to many of your questions. It should be based on knowledge and study of the Bible and it many Scriptures that should be examined daily.