“When religion rather than the person of Christ becomes central in our lives, we substitute Pharisaism for Christianity. Religion is central when that to which we are passionately committed is our manner of worship, our theological belief system, our form of piety or our particular religious experience. We then proselytize rather than evangelize. To proselytize means to convert people to our religion, to conform them to our ideas and opinions, and to make them disciples after our own likeness. To evangelize means to proclaim the gospel, to introduce people to the living Christ whether they join our religion or not.” ~The Christian Verdict, Vol. 5, No.2, 1982.

Are JWs evangelists or proselytizers? The word evangelist comes from the word evangel which means:

e·van·gel

1 [ih-van-juhl]

–noun 

1. 

the good tidings of the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ; the gospel.
2. 

( usually initial capital letter ) any of the four Gospels.
3. 

doctrine taken as a guide or regarded as of primeimportance.
4. 

good news or tidings.

pros·e·lyt·ize

[pros-uh-li-tahyz]

–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -ized, -iz·ing. 

to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte;  recruit.

 

The question would be, do JWs focus their preaching work on Jesus? Do they principally try to inform others about the redemptive work of Jesus? or Do JWs principally focus on finding recruits? Do they point people to a person, Jesus? or Do they point people to an organization?

Although without a doubt the ministry of JWs does include information about the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, if we are honest we must admit that the publishers are trained to point people to the organization, not so much to Jesus. In fact most JWs believe that if a person doesn’t follow the organization it is impossible to follow Jesus. One must admit that there exists a difference between the prominence that the first century Christians gave Jesus and the prominence that the organization gives him. That was one of the things that struck me when I began to read the bible without help from the publications. The first century Christians certainly didn’t ignore Jesus’ Father. They recognized Him as the Almighty God, but the emphasis was on Jesus. Does this somehow take glory away from God? Does this emphasis on Jesus displease Him? Not at all, it is God’s will that we give glory to Jesus. It has pleased the Father to put Jesus in the role of Savior.  Acts 4:12 -“Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (see also John 17:1-8; Philippians 2:9-11)

John 5:21-23 -“21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

The first century Christians were witnesses of Jesus. In view of these things it is a serious matter if an organization downplays Jesus’ role in the congregation. In the first century the primary question was: Is Jesus the Messiah? For JWs today the question has become: Are the JWs God’s organization?

There has been a shift away from Jesus and a corresponding increase in the emphasis on the organization. During some meetings Jesus is rarely mentioned. Also more often than not Jesus is mentioned in prayer only at the end when we say “in Jesus’ name, Amen”. It is God’s will that Jesus be the central figure in the christian congregation, not a figure head that stays in the background.

The question remains are JWs evangelists or proselytizers?

Whatever the answer it must be admitted that the leadership of the JWs isn’t particularly interested in reaching the most people possible with their message. The door to door ministry is largely a waste of time and valuable resources. Most people are not home or willing to discuss the bible with JWs. If a householder happens to be home and willing to listen, the presentation of the publisher mostly consists of quickly reading a bible text then leaving a magazine or book. The vast majority of the literature placed probably goes straight to the landfill without ever being read. Most non-JWs don’t have a clue what the message of the JWs is. For instance, how long have the JWs preached in your city? 50 yrs? a hundred? And still most people don’t even know what the message is about! How many years of JW style preaching would it take for every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth to have enough information to make an informed decision on the message of the JWs? If the “FDS” were truly interested in reaching the maximum amount of people in the minimum amount of time they would use television, radio, internet, billboards etc.  Why do they not use these more effective means of preaching?

To say that the entire world will have their eternal life judged by if they accept the obscure message of an insignificant religious group or not, is to heap reproach on God’s name. It would be the height of injustice for God to judge everyone’s eternal life on the basis of a message they have scarcely heard or even knew existed. Certainly Jehovah’s Witnesses are not uniquely fulfilling Matt. 24:14.

It could very well be that this verse was fulfilled uniquely in the first century before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Notice the following scriptures that show the gospel was preached in the known world before the end of the Jewish system of things.

Col. 1:5,6 (HCSB)- “You have already heard about [this hope] in the message of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and recognized God’s grace in the truth.”

Col 1:23 – “[This gospel] has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a minister of it.”

Acts 2:5 – “There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.”

Acts 13:47 – “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 10:18 – “But I ask, “Did they not hear?” Yes, they did: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world.”

Romans 1:8 – “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.”

Matt. 24:14 was without doubt fulfilled in the first century. But does it have a second fulfillment? Possibly, but to say that the JWs uniquely fulfill this scripture because of their chosen method of preaching (door to door) is not supported by the evidence. About 2 billion people today claim to be Christian. How did they hear about Christ and the Bible? Did not someone have to tell them? Is this not considered evangelization?

There is no evidence that the first century Christians went door to door preaching. It would appear that most of their preaching was in public places and synagogues. Acts 20:20 and 5:42 are easily understood if you compare these verses with Acts 2:46. It is clear that the Gr. word translated house to house means in private homes. Or in other words the first century Christians taught publicly and to further educate meek ones they taught in their private homes.

Preaching from door to door as the JWs do certainly is not wrong, but it is not a sign or mark that uniquely identifies the witnesses as fulfilling Matt. 24:14.

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30 Comments on Evangelists or Proselytizers?

  1. LonelySheep says:

    Hi Andrew, some of the points you raised here are similar to those that I raised as a topic in the e-watchman forum; in particular concerning the extent of our so called worldwide preaching work.

    I have lifted the thoughts from that thread and pasted them below.

    The thread in question was called ‘Happy the end has not yet come’. It was called such because this is the closing thought in the forward for the 2011 Yearbook. Anycase, here is what I wrote:

    This comment reveals that the WT has taken this work out of Gods hand and placed their trust that their printing machines and organisational unity will accomplish what only Gods spirit can , namely the witnessing to the ends of the earth.

    If you believe that the work can only be accomplished by your own efforts, then you need more time to finish the work, especially when you have a billion Indians to preach to and another billion Chineese to preach to. Why, India alone has more Christians (20 million and counting) than there are JW’s in the whole world!!

    So despite what the Society likes to trumpet, about the Kingdom message being reached in all four corners of the earth, the reality is very different. Okay, you could argue that we have a presence (o no, that word again ) in all four corners of the earth, but reaching all 7 billion? Not a chance.

    The stupidity of that statement also shows that they don’t even trust their own intepretation of scripture. You see if you talk to the average Joe (take my son for example, Ministerial Servant) and ask them this question; how God is going to judge those that don’t get preached to? I bet the response will be as my son said, along the lines that Jah will read their hearts and make a decision. That is certainly what I used to believe myself. But with that reasoning, therein lies the conundrum. If God is going to read peoples heart before destroying them, then he is not reliant on our preaching work and therefore the end can come at any time. Therefore, why would you not want this system to come to an end?

    The only answer that fits, is if you felt your Master was reliant upon you completing your ‘end of the bargin’ in order to bring in Armageddon; so the Societies interpretation of Mth 28:19,20 is Preach, Preach and Preach some more and then the master can bring in the end. So in effect they believe when we have reached X% of the population, Jesus will take care of the last few percent by reading their hearts. So whilst there is an imperative to follow Jesus’ command to preach, should we think that Jehovah’s timetable is dependent upon us? I would say the Society clearly thinks so and hence their comment that they are grateful the end has not come as yet. You see in their minds, they have ‘bought’ some more time to complete the assignment.

    They are of course forgetting, that it is not by military force (Zech 4:6 – today read as printing presses and pioneers) but by my spirit, that the work will be accomplished. Don’t get me wrong it is commendabe for any to want to serve the master in a fuller way, but it shouldn’t be because we feel that the timing of Armageddon was down to our personal efforts. But in the hearts of the Society, Armageddon is not going to come unless WE preach until our feet drop off. Hence the socities efforts in beating brothers to do more, more, more and even more. Jesus has become a hard task master.

    Now if we consider things in the true light of scripture, we see that yes, we are to preach and yes we are to do our best. However we will also realise that Jesus has already stated that the work cannot be completed without his direct intervention (Mth 10:23). And this makes sense, because there is no way, no matter how many pioneers and printing presses we have, that the Asian and Middle Eastern territories (just to mention a few) will be reached fully, even with the new absurd teaching of overlapping generations that gives them another fifty or so more years grace.

    So to the Governing Body I say, shame on you, that of ALL the people on this planet, that YOU would be happy that this miserable world drags on for a single more second. Your comments show a lack of faith in Jehovah and a poor understanding of the scriptures. The apostles were never recorded as being happy that a despotic and deranged angel continues to rule the world. Shame on all those that purport to be the Faithful Slave. You should be wanting your master to return, not happy that he has not retuned. Repent whilst you have time and trust in Jehovah and not in your lawyers and printing presses. Ask yourselves, which type of slave would be happy that his master had not returned. A good faithful slave, or a wicked good for nothing, hypocritical slave?

    Rather than being happy that end has not yet come, I echo the sentiments of John:

    The one who has spoken these things says, “I am coming soon!” So, Lord Jesus, please come soon! (CEV)

    Concerning whether we are evangelist or proselytizers are they mutually exclusive? Can the Christian ministry have one, without the other, when one considers Jesus’ words at Matth 28, 19,20 to baptise and teach? Surely that would involve both telling of the Good News (ie Evangelise) and helping people to change their lives(proselytize) in order to follow his footsteps closely?

    Finally, I agree with you, that we don’t have the balance right concerning Jesus being central in our lives and preaching. Somehow we have relegated him out of the picture in order to give the Father the full honour. But as you point out, Jehovah has chosen to take a ‘back seat’ so his son can be honoured. Why, if you think about it, for the thousand years Jehovah totally steps out of the picture as far as humanity is concerned and Jesus in a way becomes ‘Jehovah’ if you see what I mean?

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  2. JJ says:

    It’s the difference between the preaching work and the harvest work…I know publishers that place dozens of Teach books every month, but they just hand them out saying “it’s free, take it”. That’s not making known the Kingdom. Thanks for pointing this out Andrew.

    And don’t even get me started about the wasted time knocking on empty houses and driving around doing errands and taking coffee breaks…that’s 75% of the 1.6 billion hours right there.

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  3. greybeard says:

    Good job Andrew!

    Jesus appointed the FDS in 1918 and put them in charge of everything. The 2 billion people on Earth that claim to be Christians are blind to this. They trust in God’s Holy Spirit to lead them and not the FDS. They are still waiting on Christ to return as well. They also believe they can read the Bible and understand it with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. The JW’s spend all those hours trying to save them by getting them to look to the FDS for salvation and understanding. The reason they go door to door and not preach on TV and radio is they are looking for people that just fell off the turnip truck.

    Back on the turnip truck,
    Greybeard

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    • greybeard says:

      And….
      There hope is to find people that do not have a TV, radio or internet that don’t know the year is 2011. This is because of all there false end dates. There are such people, few here in the USA but they knew this would happen so they have a special school where they train JW’s to go deep into the Amazon Jungle, to the African ancient tribes and out back in Australia just to name a few remote places left. The really like the ones that can’t read because they can teach them and they become the best proselytize. Soon the internet, TV and radio will be reasons to DF the JW or they won’t survive.

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      • greybeard says:

        One last comment…

        One thing you will never see in this world is an Indian reading a Watchtower in his Tee Pee because they know the Great Spirit exists.

        Weirdbeard out

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  4. bruceguth says:

    Of course the “faithful and discrete slave” is merely to be applied to any servant in any of Christendom’s realm, no matter how tightly associated to any church group that Christian may or may not be. The term “house to house” was the method, specifically, in the first century for study of scripture among the small house churches (congregations). The huge tree of Jesus’ illustration grew immense later. Even Paul, when he went early to Jerusalem went to see those there who “…appeared to be somebody”, were in a sense atypical for the time. It was a larger congregation. The blood and things strangled abstinance decision was specifically due to the conscience consideration on behalf of the Jews who were having trouble getting past the food prohibitions of the old Law. Paul reasons on this in 1st Cor. 10. At those early times, Christians with strong conscience were not condemning themselves if they would injest such things. Also, remember there were the Judaisers who would stir up trouble for innocent brothers on their issues. This is the way it was. Recall that Jesus had already said that what goes into a man’s mouth does not defile a man, but what comes out may. The blood of Jesus our Lord was a “shocking” thought to consider drinking, to the weak who went away from his illustration. Blood would soon become a prohabition of the past, for those with understanding in Christ.
    And then the abstaining of fornication, (from pornea). The word pornea was contextual also to the time. It was taken from the word which meant “brick house”, which was a usually small, in-the-basement house of prostitution. It meant specifically the act of laying with a prostitute. It was not until the Council of Nicea in 325 that any church had thought fornication to mean pre-marital sex. The scriptures do not give any specific application to pre-marital sex with the word fornication, pornea, or it’s derivitives. The Catholic Church though, as you will recall, was a power monger over the people. Just more pharisee-like controling of the people, stripping them of Christian conscience and the like. Surprising that the Society hadn’t adjusted the pornea idea away from mainstream religion along with the Christmas participation, as the subject of fornication was well studied and published back then. Other sexual practices though, are specifically addressed in the bible. Oral sex is not. I have know some disfellowshipped for many unscriptural reasons, and I believe, myself included.
    Well this may seem like quite a rambling on. Many more to come… dw

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  5. Dennis says:

    Brothers, just want to let you know I appreciate all the great articles you’ve been posting. This site is spiritually rich!

    In Christian Love,
    Dennis

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  6. andrew says:

    JJ, regarding your comment on wasted time in service:
    I remember a number of years ago when I was serving as a reg. pioneer the PO of our cong. was also a pioneer and he had to have been the biggest waster of time I ever remember. We would do one RV on one side of the territory and then do another RV on the other side of the territory and maybe do 3 or 4 houses in a morning while having 4 or 5 pioneers in the car group.

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  7. JJ says:

    Yeah. Primarily talking and visiting while driving around all over the hill and dale. It’s fun…but barely sacred service. If the WT really wanted to get the word out we would be running billboards, buying blocks of air time and playing the videos, full page ads in magazines and newspapers, radio programs, podcasts, etc. THAT would be a way to reach the most people. Then the interested ones would be called on at their homes. But it’s cheaper/easier/safer to just send millions of us to trudge through the snow endlessly. It also keeps up occupied and busy, racking up the “accomplishments” and billions of hours.

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  8. bruceguth says:

    Ahhh, that’s cute JJ!

    Well listen. You, or some of you, may have been born into a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Maybe you were coerced along into the group. Not so with me.

    I am the young man who had prayed to God, not knowing His name, though He heard my prayer and answered it!

    I dedicated my life to God some 2 years before I knew anything about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I gave Him “carte blanc” regarding all of the fiber of me in a prayer.

    Then, as I began reading His words more later on, I asked again for His direction. Well, within 2 weeks time, I heard a knock at my door and consequently responded, and to the hand bill, on the meetings, just 3 blocks away.

    So as the years went by, going from door-to-door, and covering all assigned territories, I’m the guy who was really put off by you folks who were “Primarily talking and visiting while driving around all over the hill and dale”!

    A little friendly humor, if this is permissible.

    Here is what I think on this question over whether or not Jehovah’s Witnesses are much, in the way of “evangelists”. This would be, evangelists for the Kingdom of God; as proclaimers. Well, I know the word “kingdom”, and maybe the expression “kingdow of God”, is something that most people on Earth have now heard, and sizeably with JW help. But there is still a lot of uncertainty about the meaning of these things. And especially since you guys were “Primarily talking and visiting while driving around all over the hill and dale”!

    And then the sisters of course, had to talk about that new Avon stuff, and drop by the laundromat with the mags before the real bonified bible study at 11:15.

    You know, I always found it a challenge to explain the kingdom and it’s blessings to householders during magazine Saturdays, when the urging was to just canvas a territory. I would break the rules anyway! Make time, as I could. Were we announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, or just going to be “cramped within our own tender compassions”, (for donuts and such). The problem was though, that the people in their homes couldn’t and wouldn’t understand that the kingdom was already in rule, but kinda sorta not just yet. It must have had something to do with the “ring of truth” upon the ears of honest-hearted people in our neighborhood. No. It did not ring true. How could it? We didn’t know. We were as David who needed forgiveness for sinning “by mistake”. Ps 119:67 Our sin though was in just so much speculation in theories that “since this is so, then it stands to reason that that is so and now it must be truth! ‘Cause we are the truth!” …That’s right. False, but that’s right.

    Our “inspired clock” was broken.

    So since 1992, I realize that just as Yehowah had taken me by hand into an “organization”, He has taken me forward, as a graduate. Yep.

    “No one ever graduates from the Theocratic Ministry School”. Hah!

    You know I had noticed; the TMS Guidebook was really a very well thought out literary book for college level public speaking. I was in college previously, and all of the basics were later seen in that little book. I loved instructing the TMS! The only regrets I have is over anything that I supported that was false with the “material” presented.

    Now, I get to associate with fellow Christians in other ways. There is this site. And my hopes are up for it too. I even get a word of encouragement or 2 from here during this past week. And I see my regular aquaintances around town. I talked the Kingdom to one older man this morning over coffee. I wrote to a recent X-fiance before this chat with you, over a daily text we used to share each day. It so happens that this was on the Kingdom subject, (Lu.12:32). I know she is thinking over the nutrality issue I had warned her over. I like this. I get to stand on my own 2 feet; nobody there hovering over me imposing what I should or shouldn’t say, with fear over organizational doctrine, policy, and other manure.

    Here is what I look forward to each day. Finding another friend in Christ!

    One friend told me when we were discussing our problems, that he looks forward to the time when he can snuggle up to our Big Brother on his throne, and if he might just be able to get that close, and lay his head down on his lap when he gets there, for approval. Now there’s my brother! Do we have love among ourselves? YES! …From among all nations… peoples… tongues… tribes… YES! We are around.

    Don’t you worry one little bit, jwstrugglers. Get outa her whenever you’re ready. You don’t have to wait for the final call; but you may do so if you think you need to. Just don’t share with her in her sins! They’ve piled WAY up there!

    Be as salt on the earth; a little ant; a grasshopper. Speak quietly a sacred secret into fine soil, that the Word of God may spread! And evangelize! Tell the truth about the Kingdom of God. It will be declared from the mountaintops! If the rocks have to cry out! Do not pretend to know anything before we have it from the Word of God.

    Religion of this world is Babel. Confusion.

    Faith in God around this world is significant.

    Our tribulation ahead in this world is great.

    Look to the reward. Luke 6:22,23

    And Praise Jah!

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  9. rus virgil says:

    It seems people like those who spoke/commented above here would understand what Jesus said in Matt.13:47-50
    The wts has done the “net” work
    “all sort” of “fish” were caught in : good and bad
    Today is in course the second “phase” of the Kingdom ;
    the separation / it is done according to our attitude versus God and His word
    we have here the inspired advice
    James 1:
    21. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

    It is indispensable to use “meekness” in receiving the “implanted (already) word”
    how implanted (already) ?
    Because we have learned it previously , when we were “caught by net”
    but by receiving the Word (God’s commandments) with meekness it may cause to us to achieve God’s “righteousness” which is necessary in order to enter in the Kingdom of God
    Read Psalm 24 (all)
    5 He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah, And righteousness (a “state” according to Jehovah’s will) from the God of his salvation.

    By doing so we will really do what Jesus said:
    “seek first Kod’s Kingdom and its righteousness ”
    this “righteousness” is strictly related to God’s kingdom

    In order to understand better the time we are living now I will link again two “researches” on Bible
    http://reslight.net/forum/inde.....862.0.html

    http://reslight.net/forum/inde.....207.0.html

    The Great Tribulation is almost over (finished) !
    the next year the “70 years of Babylon” will end , and Jehovah’s “good promises” will be accomplished
    Jeremiah 29:10-14.

    Be glad you people , because …
    43. Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people:
    … For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will make expiation for his land, for his people.
    Deuteronomy 32.

    in Christ,
    rus virgil

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  10. Amos says:

    Hi Brother David,

    Just letting you know that I too appreciate your comments, & am happy to call you a friend & brother.
    I also agree with your last post above, I can relate to it very well indeed.

    Your Brother,
    Amos

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  11. Amos says:

    This would be as good a place as any to relate an experience I’ve just had the priviledge of being used by our Father in helping a friend who lost his wife to cancer 6 months ago.

    My friend was raised Anglican, in name only, but has always had a respect for God. He stayed at my new home both Sunday & tuesday evenings. As usual he started asking many questions, this time relating to death, afterlife, the kingdom, etc.
    On both occasions (totalling 6 hours or so), he said that he was so very thankful & glad that we had these conversations, & that I had set his mind at rest on several issues, by the bible verses that I shared with him.
    For some years now, we have had open conversation on biblical topics, with him always expressing thanks for the time that we spend together(unfortunately much less these days due to a distance of 300 miles that now separate us).
    All we can do is spread the word as the opportunity arises, & work along with the Holy Spirit in planting & watering the seed, then allow YHWH to cultivate the growth, how He sees fit.

    Amos

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    • Dennis says:

      Amos,

      Having lost my first wife to cancer in 1998 I can understand how much your conversation must have meant to your friend! I am sure you were a huge help to him. Feels so good to be used by the Lord doesn’t it.

      God Bless,
      Dennis

      PS: Don’t forget to turn in your time at the end of the month. LOL!!!

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  12. Dennis says:

    Hi all,

    Since Amos shared an experience I will too. I’m so excited I have to share it with someone (told GreyBeard yesterday). I just formed a little bible study group and we met for the first time last night at my house. Doing something like this has been on my heart for sometime. Just 6 people right now counting my wife an I. It was really not as hard as I thought. Just sent out an invite for Pizza and some bible study and it happened. We are studying the last week of the Lords life (making use of my Chronological Study Bible). Anyway, I felt so blessed that I just thought I’d share.

    Your Brother,

    Dennis

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  13. bruceguth says:

    That is encouraging Dennis. Gives me some thoughts for when I begin mine at home soon. Only guidance I need here is, would Pepperoni be best, or Canadian Bacon with Pineapple? :)

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  14. JJ says:

    Dennis- good job brother. I’d love to come over sometime, esp when you have sausage and jalapeño lol!

    “In showing honor to one another take the lead” as the scripture says.

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  15. bruceguth says:

    Uh, Dennis…???

    Was that definitely,
    or what did you say above???

    :)

    I think I will have snacks sometimes with my group as well. Done this with others, but just so that it’a not the main attraction. For me that is. All of this excess policy stuff that I used to have to live with is enough to regurgitate the best of pizza!

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    • Amos says:

      Hi Dennis,

      Thank’s for your comments, & yes it makes me feel very humbled & priviledged to be used by the Lord in this way. This was truely a special priviledge for me…& tears were also shed by both of us.

      Your brother,
      Amos.

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      • bruceguth says:

        Hi Amos. That is what we find with others who point hearts toward our Wonderful Maker! Similarly, I too have enjoyed good fellowship beyond the past associations I have had which we discuss here.

        A small group of us were meeting at a brother’s rural home in WA state in the late 90s. We were 7 to 10 in number, and it was everything that I had hoped that the ol’ Congregation Book Studies could be. About half of us were former (or leaving) Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the other half were disappointed Bible Students. We didn’t have any rifts, and very little disagreement. It was positive and encouraging, and the brother holding the study in his home was getting disfellowshipped and handling things well.

        This is what I look for here, more or less, with my upcoming little sheepfold. Such a group is needed anywhere. -Just simply presentation of God’s Word on things, and sharing with brothers and sisters. I intend to leave the invitation open for scripturally qualified brothers to present subjects to me as they may like, for consideration of their own lead with discussion. I just have to see about how well it will be supported.

        I know some in the community who I would like to invite, though none are of the same background so much. But I am familiar with theirs. I hope to see some who are more related to our past “religous” community. Maybe I will drop in locally on the 17th event this April. Who knows. I’ll leave things in Jehovah’s care and see what may happen.

        Anyway Amos, are you considering any songs for the meetings you will have? Some who come may like some in particular.

        Philia,
        Daniel

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  16. Amos says:

    A comment to all;

    It has also been my desire for about 18 months to form a small “house church”, & perhaps also help some exJW’s. In moving to where I have, I have initially been meeting with a small HC with about 8-12 attending each week. I have found these ones to be extremely loving, displaying Christ like qualities, yet not wanting to get too deep into bible discussions, but rather encouraging one another to do so privately. Initially, I thought this to be a bit odd, but after attending for a few weeks, can see the wisdom in this, as it negates any illfeelings due to differences of views.

    I am also talking with two other brothers nearby, & it looks as though we will be starting our own separate little group shortly.

    Keep up the good work folks,
    Your brother in the Lord,
    Amos

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  17. Amos says:

    Hi Daniel,

    Thank’s for your reply. The little group that I’m meeting with are trying to remain as far as possible from any organized structure, so songs are not on the agenda at present. If I am able to get my own group going in the future, I would leave that a distinct possibility.

    An important thing that I now see as essential, is that we must obey the leadings of the Holy Spirit, & have room within our structure for informal questions or concerns to be discussed, & not to have rigid or set study, without some room to allow the HS’s guidance, otherwise we may as well return to some church of our choice. “The Judge” said that, “religion is a snare & a racket” & this is one of the things he said that was true.

    It is my belief that if we “have religion”, we’ve lost the plot. What we do need is spirituality based on the scriptures, & a love for the truth that transcends anything that man can devise.

    Is there anyone that you can share the 17th with?

    Your brother,
    Amos

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  18. Amos says:

    I should also add that an alloted time should be roughly adhered to for a formal, relaxed study of the chosen bible verses agreed on, then the remaining time to be used as the HS leads each ones thoughts. I believe that this is how we can benefit most.

    Just another thought that is very important, is that refreshments should also be enjoyed together, either in a light meal, or coffee & cake. What this does is it relaxes everyone & sets a “family type atmosphere”, that had it’s origins in the first century.
    Remember that the first century brethren attended the synagog’s to preach to non christians, then later met together in private homes for their actual meetings, which included a meal/refreshments together. I have found that this sets a relaxed basis for a family type setting.

    Amos

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  19. bruceguth says:

    I have the exact same thoughts on these group studies as you express here. Very good, thank you. Years ago I contacted Ray Franz and friends, and our thoughts here are so similar. Also your suggestions are what I have experienced at a brother’s home in WA State, 1998.

    As for the Memorial night, I have no one close by this year. Last year I did, but with one individual who didn’t have much understanding, and was tired, and actually fell asleep. I would like to make some contact with witnesses before my May study begins, and am considering dropping in at the nearby KH that night. But if I follow through on that, I will celebrate at home in a more meaningful unfettered way afterwards.

    The local P.O. does not like me at all, so I need to be discreet about talking to others there.

    Brotherly Love,
    Daniel

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  20. David Paul says:

    Dear brothers and friends

    A simple test to expose the heretical Watchtower’s badly depleted or “truncated gospel”, is to ask a JW to explain what the gospel (or “good news”) is in one word, then one phrase/sentence/paragraph. Preferably in their own writing!

    More than half the references to the gospel (or “good news”) in the Bible are by Paul. The gospel of a Watchtower follower ignores virtually every single one of these. Not to speak of ignoring also the gospel according to Moses, the Psalmist, Isaiah and many others.

    Even their “Kingdom” is also badly depleted. They generally only recognise the physical and future aspect/s of the Kingdom namely the future restoration of paradise on earth. Compare this with the definition by Greg Gilbert in his 2010 book “What is the Gospel?”. Greg defines the Kingdom as: “God’s redemptive rule, reign, and authority over those redeemed by Christ”. Obviously the real Kingdom has been reigning spiritually in the hearts of believers from at least Pentecost 30 or 33 AD – not only from 1914!

    Ironically (if you search long and hard enough) the full and true gospel can be found in their publications, just not in their hearts, and not on their lips.

    In one of the biggest surreptitious back-flips ever the spiritually “miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked” ruling religious Watchtower clergy class has now suddenly included the gospel according to the book of Romans in their gospel! Too bad for all those they surreptitiously disfellowshipped and labelled as apostates, for faith in the gospel according to Paul!

    See how they insidiously blame the dumb “sheeple” (laity class) for omitting the gospel according to Paul, in paragraphs 1-3 on page 7 of the 15 June 2011 Watchtower below.

    http://download.jw.org/files/m.....110615.pdf

    No, the Watchtower is a proselytising outfit (Matt 23:15). They do not evangelise. They lead people to the Watchtower, not to Jesus (John 14:6). They do not teach the full, real, and true gospel, about Jesus, or about the Kingdom.

    As commented by others before, see what happens if you confess losing faith in Jesus to the elders. Compare this with what happens if you confess having lost faith in the “FDS” and GB, but not in Jesus!

    Greetings and blessings

    ©2011, David Paul
    Everlasting Good News Ministries™

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