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Quite Personally, and I hope no one takes offense at this, but I believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.
I was wondering what other people thought.
New Catholic Encyclopedia states:
“The primitive Christian community, although considered at first but another sect within the Jewish milieu, proved unique in its theological teaching, and more particularly in the zeal of its members, who served as witnesses to Christ ‘in all Judea and Samaria and even to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1.8).”—Volume 3, page 694.
Notice the expressions “considered . . . but another sect,” “unique in its . . . teaching,” “zeal . . . as witnesses.”
And now observe how that same encyclopedia describes Jehovah’s Witnesses:
“A sect . . . Witnesses are deeply convinced that the end of the world will come within a very few years. This vivid belief appears to be the strongest driving force behind their indefatigable zeal. . . . The fundamental obligation of each member of the sect is to give witness to Jehovah by announcing His approaching Kingdom. . . . They regard the Bible as their only source of belief and rule of conduct . . . To be a true Witness one must preach effectively in one way or another.”—Volume 7, pages 864-5.The Encyclopedia Canadiana (Under Jehovah’s Witnesses), second paragraph:
“The work of Jehovah's Witnesses is the revival and re-establishment of the primitive Christianity practiced by Jesus and his disciples during the first and second centuries of our era. Their services are kept simple. They have no ornate buildings or clerical vestments, no divisions of members into clergy and laity. All are brothers, and every one baptized is under obligation to be a minister.”
(Toronto : Grolier of Canada, c1957-80. Vol 6)If a “Christian” is someone who follows Christ, as a group, Jehovah's Witnesses base their life, their rule of conduct, their beliefs, and most everything else on the Bible and Jesus' teachings. As the Catholic encyclopedia above says: “They regard the Bible as their only source of belief and rule of conduct.” (I quote this encyclopedia because the Catholics as a group are not fond of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet, the encyclopedia acknowledges this.)
As I've said a Christian is someone who follows Christ.
Christ, when about to leave, said:
MATTHEW 28:19-20
“GO therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES OF PEOPLE OF ALL THE NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THE THINGS I COMMANDED YOU.”And, he also made this statement about the conclusion of the system of things, which had it's initial fulfillment with Jerusalem, but which is having it's major fulfillment now:
MATTHEW 24:14
“And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”Only JW’s are unitedly preaching the “good news of the kingdom” in 236 lands. Or main publication is “the Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom” and it is the most widespread religious journal on the earth, in fact, being printed in more languages than any other periodical, religious or otherwise. (Mat 24:14)
While many don’t even grasp what God’s kingdom is or what it will accomplish, JW’s are the only ones who are preaching the good news as Jesus foretold. (Mr 13:10)
Jesus taught his followers that kingdom interests should take priority in their lives. (Mt 6:33) Jesus’ parting words to his disciples before he ascended to heaven made clear what they were to do. He said: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Mat 28:19)
The kingdom was the theme of Jesus teachings. (luke 4:43)Political Neutrality–God’s kingdom is “no part of this world.” (John 18:36) Jesus disciple are “no part of the world.”
Jesus didn’t become sidetracked by involving himself in political affairs or humanitarian efforts to better the community. Nor did he allow any other well intentioned pursuits to distract him or overshadow his primary work. (Luke 8:1; Mark 1:38) He focused on the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom as the only permanent solution to mankind’s problems.
This, JW's do.Jehovah Quoting Amos, Acts 15:14-17
Malachi 3:16-18
Honest observers should not find it hard to distinguish between one serving Jehovah and one who isn’t. Most today don’t even know God has a name, or think his name is Jesus.Love–John 13:34,35
Do not hate or kill others–don’t take up arms, like the earliest Christians. United in the bond of love, no divisions.
Its because of this love that they share the good news of the kingdom with their neighbors, indeed everyone.A GREAT LINE OF WITNESSES
According to the Bible, the line of witnesses of Jehovah reaches back to faithful Abel. Hebrews 11:4–12:1 says: “By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain . . . By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear . . . By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed in going out into a place he was destined to receive as an inheritance . . . By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin . . . So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”“JESUS CHRIST, THE FAITHFUL WITNESS”
With reference to Jesus Christ, the Bible states: “These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God.” Of whom was he a witness? He himself said that he made his Father’s name manifest. He was the foremost witness of Jehovah.—Rev. 3:14; John 17:6. (Compare Rev 1:5; 1 Timothy 6:13)“JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES”–OUR NAME
At first they were known only as Bible Students, but in 1931 they adopted the Scriptural name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isa. 43:10-12) Their beliefs and practices are not new but are a restoration of first-century Christianity, and you will find that when comparing their beliefs and their actions to the first century Christians, they are oddly similar.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after. . . . I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange `god' among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.”—Isaiah 43:10, 12, American Standard Version.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have accepted their name in fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise to his covenant people at Isaiah 43:10. This does not mean, however, that they no longer follow Jesus Christ. Jesus is their Leader, the one whose pattern they follow. He himself is the leading witness of Jehovah.A NEW TEACHING ?
Interestingly, some of the Jews asked whether the activity of Jesus Christ represented “a new teaching.” (Mark 1:27) Later, some Greeks thought the apostle Paul was introducing a “new teaching.” (Acts 17:19, 20) It was new to the ears of those who were hearing it, but the important thing was that it was the truth, in full harmony with God’s Word.RESTORATION OF TRUE WORSHIP IN THE FINAL PART OF THE DAYS
In an illustration about wheat and weeds, Jesus foretold that true religion would be virtually obscured for a time. (Mat 13:24-30, 36-43)
Very soon after the death of Jesus’ apostles a perverted, counterfeit Christianity appeared on the world stage. It was dominated by what the Bible calls “the lawless one”—a corrupt clergy class that was itself steeped in “every unrighteous deception.” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-10) Jesus foretold that this situation would change “in the conclusion of the system of things.” (Mat 13:39) It would
have to change, for Jesus foretold that during the “conclusion of the system of things” a global preaching work would be done by his followers. (Mat 24:3, 24)
Both Isaiah’s and Micah’s prophecies foretell a re-gathering of true worshipers “in the final part of the days.” Isaiah says: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. And many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’” (Isaiah 2:2,3; Micah 4:1-3) A clear-eyed look at the facts shows that Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled in our time. (Compare Mat 24:14)
The modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses began with the forming of a group for Bible study in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in the early 1870’s.
The location of their world headquarters there has helped to make it possible to print and ship Bible literature to most parts of the world. But the Witnesses do not favor one nation over another; they are found in almost every nation, and they have offices in many parts of the earth to supervise their activity in those areas.
(Consider: Jesus as a Jew was born in Palestine, but Christianity is not a Palestinian religion, is it? What Jesus taught originated with his Father, Jehovah God, who deals impartially with people of all nations.—John 14:10; Acts 10:34, 35.)
So how was “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” to become firmly established in the “final part of the days”? Who are the ones, the “many people” saying: ”Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah”?PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS–EVERYWHERE.
Jesus foretold for our day this work: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”–Mat. 24:14
He also instructed his followers: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations.”—Mat. 28:19
The message that the Witnesses proclaim involves the lives of people. (Zeph 2:2,3) Therefore they actively “search out” those who wish to hear of this good news, by going to the homes of people, in accordance with Jesus words: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ . . . .“Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until you leave. When you are entering into the house, greet the household; and if the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you. Wherever anyone does not take you in or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off your feet.”–Mat. 10:7,11-14
The apostle Paul said regarding his ministry: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”—Acts 20:20, 21
Notice how Christians of that time reached people with the good news: “And every day in the temple and from house to house* they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.”–Acts 5:42
(*Lit., “according to house.” Gr., kat’ oíkon. Here ka·tá is used with the accusative sing. in the distributive sense. R. C. H. Lenski, in his work The Interpretation of The Acts of the Apostles, Minneapolis (1961), made the following comment on Ac 5:42: “Never for a moment did the apostles cease their blessed work. ‘Every day’ they continued, and this openly ‘in the Temple’ where the Sanhedrin and the Temple police could see and hear them, and, of course, also κατ’ οικον, which is distributive, ‘from house to house,’ and not merely adverbial, ‘at home.’ ”)
Jesus “designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come.” These were not just to preach in public places but were also to contact people at their homes. Jesus instructed them: “Wherever you enter into a house say first, ‘May this house have peace.’”—Lu 10:1-7.
Their calls are motivated by love—first for God, also for their neighbor.
A conference of religious leaders in Spain noted this: “Perhaps [the churches] are excessively neglectful about that which precisely constitutes the greatest preoccupation of the Witnesses—the home visit, which comes within the apostolic methodology of the primitive church. While the churches, on not a few occasions, limit themselves to constructing their temples, ringing their bells to attract the people and to preaching inside their places of worship, [the Witnesses] follow the apostolic tactic of going from house to house and of taking advantage of every occasion to witness.”—El Catolicismo, Bogotá, Colombia, September 14, 1975, p. 14.
Of course, we also do “informal witnessing” or “street witnessing” or “telephone witnessing” or letter writing, or whatever may work. But the method set out by Jesus works best.CHANGES OVER THE YEARS
The Bible shows that Jehovah enables his servants to understand his purpose in a progressive manner. (Prov. 4:18; John 16:12) Thus, the prophets who were divinely inspired to write portions of the Bible did not understand the meaning of everything that they wrote. (Dan. 12:8, 9; 1 Pet. 1:10-12) The apostles of Jesus Christ realized that there was much they did not understand in their time. (Acts 1:6, 7; 1 Cor. 13:9-12) The Bible shows that there would be a great increase in knowledge of the truth during “the time of the end.” (Dan. 12:4) Increased knowledge often requires adjustments in one’s thinking. Jehovah’s Witnesses are willing humbly to make such adjustments.HOW IS THE WORK OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FINANCED?
By voluntary contributions, as was true with the early Christians. (2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7) No collections are ever taken at their meetings; they do not beg for money from the public. Any donations from interested persons are used to further the worldwide work of Bible education conducted by the Witnesses.
Witnesses are not paid to go from house to house or to offer Bible literature on the streets. Love for God and for neighbor motivates them to talk about God’s loving provisions for mankind.
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a legal religious corporation that is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, was incorporated in 1884 in accordance with the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Thus, by law it cannot be, and it is not, a profit-making enterprise, nor do individuals make a profit through this Society. The Society’s charter states: “It [the Society] does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidentally or otherwise, to its members, directors or officers.”TRUE WORSHIPThe Bible does not agree with the modern view that there are many acceptable ways to worship God. Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one Lord, one faith.” Jesus stated: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it. . . . Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”—Matt. 7:13, 14, 21; see also 1 Corinthians 1:10.
Repeatedly the Scriptures refer to the body of true Christian teachings as “the truth,” and Christianity is spoken of as “the way of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15; 2 John 1; 2 Pet. 2:2) Because Jehovah’s Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible, their faith in the Bible itself as God’s Word gives them the conviction that what they have is indeed the truth. So their position is
not egotistical but demonstrates their confidence that the Bible is the right standard against which to measure one’s religion. They are not self-centered but are eager to share their beliefs with others.Many groups use the Bible to some extent. But do they really teach and practice what it contains? Consider:
(1) From most of their Bible translations they have removed the name of the true God thousands of times.
(2) The Trinity doctrine, their concept of God himself, is borrowed from pagan sources and was developed in its present form centuries after Bible writing was completed.
(3) Their belief in immortality of the human soul as the basis for continued life is not taken from the Bible; it has roots in ancient Babylon.
(4) The theme of Jesus’ preaching was the Kingdom of God, and he sent his disciples out to talk personally to others about it; but the churches today seldom mention that Kingdom and their members are not doing the work of preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 24:14)
(5) Jesus said that his true followers could be readily identified by their self-sacrificing love for one another. Is that true of the religions of Christendom when the nations go to war? History shows that the early Christians refused to serve in the Roman army, in both the legions and auxilia, considering such service as wholly incompatible with the teachings of Christianity.
(6) The Bible says that Christ’s disciples would be no part of the world, and it warns that whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God; but the churches of Christendom and their members are deeply involved in the political affairs of the nations. (Jas. 4:4) History shows that the early Christians did not get involved in politics but looked to God’s kingdom as the solution for man’s problems.WHY ARE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES PERSECUTED AND SPOKEN AGAINST?
““The principal victims of religious persecution in the United States in the twentieth century were the Jehovah’s Witnesses,” says the book The Court and the Constitution, by Archibald Cox (1987). “Jehovah’s Witnesses . . . have been harassed and persecuted by governments the world over,” states Tony Hodges. “In Nazi Germany they were rounded up and sent to concentration camps. During the Second World War, the [Watch Tower] Society was banned in Australia and Canada. . . . Now [in the 1970’s] the Jehovah’s Witnesses are being hounded in Africa.”—Jehovah’s Witnesses in Africa, 1985 Edition.”–Proclaimers book, p. 10
“Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, their history, their beliefs, doctrines and practices have met controversy and opposition from the local governments, communities, or religious groups. “–Wickipedia, Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses (see: http://www.answers.com/topic/persecution-of-jehovah-s-witnesses)
Jesus said: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” (John 15:18, 19; see also 1 Peter 4:3, 4.) The Bible shows that the whole world lies under Satan’s control; he is the principal instigator of the persecution.—1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:17.
Jesus also told his disciples: “You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name.” (Mark 13:13) The word “name” here means what Jesus officially is, the Messianic King. Persecution comes because Jehovah’s Witnesses put his commands ahead of those of any earthly ruler.
One of the reasons we have encountered persecution is because we refuse to go to war and kill. As an example, “Detlef Garbe Historian and director at the Neuengamme (Hamburg) Memorial stated in Social Disinterest, Governmental Disinformation, Renewed Persecution, and Now Manipulation of History?: “Taking everything into consideration, it has been established that no other religious movement resisted the pressure to conform to National Socialism with comparable unanimity and steadfastness.” He later went on to say that at “no point did they support Nazi rule. Rather, the stand taken by Jehovah's Witnesses would have, according to Klaus Drobisch, “been befitting” for the majority of the population” The Nazis incarcerated some 12,0000 Witnesses and about 2,000 died in the concentration camps and prisons. [20]
During the same time period Jehovah's Witnesses were also persecuted in the United States and many other countries for similar reasons, mainly because they refused to serve in the military or help with war efforts. In Canada during that time, Jehovah's Witnesses were interned in camps along with political dissidents and people of Japanese and Chinese descent. In the United States, the Supreme Court issued a series of landmark First Amendment rulings that confirmed the Jehovah's Witnesses right to be excused from military service and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.” –Wickipedia, Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses have done a great deal in the way of “defending and legally establishing of the good news.” (Phil 1:7) For “Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses,” see: http://www.answers.com/topic….tnessesWell the name Jehovah's Witness comes from Isaiah 43:10-NWT-
“For you are my witnesses” is the utterance of Jehovah…Also
There is no where in the Bible that says there is an immortal Soul.
AND, There is no where in the Bible that mentions the Trinity. Specifically the word Trinity is not used.Jesus was Crucified, yes. But not on a Cross, as is popular belief.
The original Greek texts use the word Xy'lon or an upright stake.Sevena
Hi Sevena. Yes, “xylon” means “timber” and “stauros” primary meaning is “stake” or upright pale.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after. . . . I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange `god' among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.”
—Isaiah 43:10, 12, American Standard Version.See above post.
All that you mention is in the above post and I agree with everything you've said. (Of course, as you must know, I am in a position to say such things.)
david
Quote Jesus said: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” (John 15:18, 19; see also 1 Peter 4:3, 4.) The Bible shows that the whole world lies under Satan’s control; he is the principal instigator of the persecution.—1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:17. Something I should include.
“THE ENEMY” RULES THE WORLD
Even though the Bible says: “The earth belongs to Jehovah,” it also says: “Earth itself has been given into the hand of the wicked one.” (Ex 9:29; Job 9:24) The apostle John stated something similar saying: “We originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”–1 John 5:19
Shortly after his baptism, Jesus was “tempted by the Devil.” Citing one of the temptations, the Bible says: “The Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” (Matthew 4:1,8) Satan then told Jesus: “I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.””–Luke 4:6,7
Satan “tempted” Jesus by offering him “all the kingdoms of the world.” Yet, would Satan’s offer have been a real temptation if Satan was not actually the ruler of these kingdoms? And note, Jesus di d not deny tat all these wordly governments were Satan’s, which he would have done if Satan did not have power over them.–Matthew 4:1,8-10
In fact, on another occasion Jesus confirmed that Satan truly is the ruler of the kingdoms of this world. He said: “the ruler of this world will be cast out.” And he added: “the ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me.” And, “the ruler of this world has been judged.”–John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11
Satan is not alone in his rulership. “Stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.”–Ephesians 6:11,12
So from these scriptures, it is clear that someone has been controlling both men and nations. And the Bible clearly identifies him when it speaks of: “The one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth”–Revelation 12:9 (Also see Rev. 13:2 where Satan is depicted as a dragon that gives to the world’s political system “it’s power and its throne and great authority.”)
The Bible even calls Satan “the god of this system of things”2 CORINTHIANS 4:4
“among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.”The ruler of the world, the very “god of this system of things” who is “misleading the entire inhabited earth” (rev 12:9) would like to stamp out the spread of the good news of the kingdom. He will use anything at his disposal. He will use the the very world, of which he is ruler.
Just something I think you should keep in mind.
I agree with you in some aspect of your post. It is just I am in the process of studying religion as a personal project. However, I accept many religions may be leading us in many different directions. I have learned that
“and just a little while longer and the wicked one will be no more. and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be found. But the meek themselves will possess the earth. and they will find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:10,11 NWT
The Jehovah's Witnesses say that we will live together with Christ on earth “To time indefinite.”
Satan is the ruler of this system of things.Sevena
P.s. No offense meant.
JWs are god-heads with no compassion for their fellow humans. I base this prejudice entirely on the numbers of them that die for want a simple, safe blood transfusion.
What pig-headed brutality.
Stuart
Acts 21:25 NWT- “As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols, as well as from BLOOD, and what is strangled, and from fornication”
Sevena
Quote (Sevena @ Jan. 25 2008,17:14) Also, a JW saved my life
Presumably not by denying you blood.Stuart
Quote (Sevena @ Jan. 25 2008,00:13) Acts 21:25 NWT- “As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols, as well as from BLOOD, and what is strangled, and from fornication” Sevena
Pardon me, but this is a very poor interpretation by the JWs. This is what James was talking about- Lev 3:17 'It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood.'”
Lev 7:26 'You are not to eat any blood, either of bird or animal, in any of your dwellings.
Lev 17:12 “Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'No person among you may eat blood, nor may any alien who sojourns among you eat blood.'
Lev 17:14 “For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.'
The concept of blood transfusions did not exist back then. In any case, the command is to abstain from eating blood, not receiving a transfusion to save a life.
Quote (kejonn @ Jan. 26 2008,00:04) Quote (Sevena @ Jan. 25 2008,00:13) Acts 21:25 NWT- “As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols, as well as from BLOOD, and what is strangled, and from fornication” Sevena
Pardon me, but this is a very poor interpretation by the JWs. This is what James was talking about- Lev 3:17 'It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood.'”
Lev 7:26 'You are not to eat any blood, either of bird or animal, in any of your dwellings.
Lev 17:12 “Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'No person among you may eat blood, nor may any alien who sojourns among you eat blood.'
Lev 17:14 “For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.'
The concept of blood transfusions did not exist back then. In any case, the command is to abstain from eating blood, not receiving a transfusion to save a life.
I have heard a JW say that they know that but:“If a doctor told you not to DRINK alchohol for health reasons would it be ok to have alchohol given through you blood stream since you aren't technically drinking it?”
The obvious answer is no and thus they think they have prooved their point.
I look at it differently. As Jesus demonstrated by healing on the sabbath.
Is it wrong to DO GOOD on the sabbath if doing good infringes on a sabbath rule?
Jesus says no it is always RIGHT to do good.
I see the same thing with blood. Is it right to DO GOOD by using a blood transfusion even with the abstain from blood eating rule.
I would believe the answer is yes.
James had no concept of the idea of saving a life through a blood transfusion when he gave that rule.
Pardon me, but have either of you considered WHY blood is held of special account in the Bible–how God views blood?
Why did God make these commands at all? Please consider all the scriptures that deal with blood.
Quote (david @ Jan. 26 2008,07:10) Pardon me, but have either of you considered WHY blood is held of special account in the Bible–how God views blood? Why did God make these commands at all? Please consider all the scriptures that deal with blood.
Do you think any of those reasons justify doing something bad?example: letting your child die when a blood transfusion would save her.
Quote “If a doctor told you not to DRINK alchohol for health reasons would it be ok to have alchohol given through you blood stream since you aren't technically drinking it?” The obvious answer is no and thus they think they have prooved their point.
But you could apply the same argument to alcohol as you do to blood. If it is true that if alcohol in small amounts has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system as is supposed, then why get scriptural about alcohol?
Those things may not be appropriate for alcoholics or vampires though. Perhaps those who are fundamentalist in their religion fear they might easily become fundamentalist in their drinking too.
Stuart
Quote (Stu @ Jan. 26 2008,08:14) Quote “If a doctor told you not to DRINK alchohol for health reasons would it be ok to have alchohol given through you blood stream since you aren't technically drinking it?” The obvious answer is no and thus they think they have prooved their point.
But you could apply the same argument to alcohol as you do to blood. If it is true that if alcohol in small amounts has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system as is supposed, then why get scriptural about alcohol?
Those things may not be appropriate for alcoholics or vampires though. Perhaps those who are fundamentalist in their religion fear they might easily become fundamentalist in their drinking too.
Stuart
Huh?Sorry I am not understanding you.
Hi s,
The JWs are proud of their witnessing efforts.
However like all sects faithfulness to their creeds and to their leaders takes precedence over following Christ and the bible.Despite the obvious folly of teachings such as that 'Christ is Michael the archangel' and 'all are saved at death' they hold to all their beliefs in the hope that they may find themselves among the 144,000 JWs they think go to heaven-another nonsense hope.
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Jan. 26 2008,08:34) Hi s,
The JWs are proud of their witnessing efforts.
However like all sects faithfulness to their creeds and to their learers takes precedence over following Christ and the bible.
Desptite the obvious folly of teachings such as that 'Christ is Michael the archangel' and 'all are saved at death' they hold to their beliefs in the hope that they may find themselves among the 144,000 JWs they think go to heaven-another nonsense hope.
On what nonsense do they base those nonsense hopes, Nick?Stuart
Nick, you are often wrong when discussing JW, despite constant correction. Maybe it would be better if you just stopped.
Quote On what nonsense do they base those nonsense hopes, Nick? –stu
As already quoted in second post, “They regard the Bible as their only source of belief and rule of conduct”—Volume 7, pages 864-5. (Catholic encyclopdia)
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