Four Points Need to be Understood!
All WT quotes are in black. The Watchtower Gospel
Points can be found in the Watchtower, February15, 1983, pgs 12-13. My
comments are in BLUE.
POINT #1. “This means everlasting life, their
taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent
forth, Jesus Christ.”
So you must study and take in knowledge of
God and of Jesus Christ. This means one needs to be involved in WT Bible studies. How do you
study the 'WT Way
“Heavy research is not necessary. The Watch Tower
POINT #2. "One must obey God’s laws.
You must live a clean, moral life as set out in the Bible."
Nothing wrong with a clean, moral life.
However, the WT, just like the Pharisees, elevates their many rules, most of
which have no Biblical bases, to a command of God. The JW’s eternal destiny
then depends on following all WT rules. Albert Schroeder, a member of the
Governing Body stated in a speech given on May 29, 1980:
“We serve not only Jehovah God but we
are under our 'mother' (the organization). Our 'mother' has the right to make
rules and regulations for us... This book, entitled Branch Organization
Procedure, contains 28 subjects; and its sub-sections involve regulations and
administration. In it there are 1,177 policies and regulations...this is an
improved, fine-tuned organization, and we are expected to follow its policies.
If there are some who feel that they cannot subject themselves to the rules and
regulations now in operation, such ones ought to be leaving and not be involved
here in the further progressive work.”
POINT #3. "A person needs to be associated
with God’s channel." In plain English; you need to be a JW in good
standing.
Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses
requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible,
including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses. What
do such beliefs include?
1) The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are
the sole interpreters of the Bible.
2) 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and
the establishment of the Kingdom of God
3) Only 144,000 will go to heaven.
4) Armageddon is near, followed by the Paradise earth, where the rest of the Witnesses will
live. Watchtower April 1, 1986, pages 30-31.
In addition, you need to follow the 1,177 rules and regulations
mentioned in Point #2.
POINT #4. "You must be a
publisher." 1.e. Actively going door-to-door. How many hours to be a “publisher?” I have read
4 hours or as much as 10 hours. However, the answer I see the most often is,
“it depends on your circumstances.” Plenty of wiggle room for the Elders to
pressure you to do more.
It seems that the WT Gospel has overlooked a few key
Bible verses.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT
AS A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Doing good works will not save you but once saved by faith
(being born again) that new life will be characterized by good works.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
The GOSPEL IS that Christ died as our
substitute—providing the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation between
God and Us, the lawbreakers. He is the only one who can solve this dilemma.
(see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
THIS IS THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE GOSPEL. The debt of death that
we owe was paid for by Christ who died in our place. He made it possible to
offer us the greatest gift in the world. He will give us His
righteousness, forgiveness, and life in exchange for our sins, guilt, and death
sentence.
Four Points Need to be Understood!
All WT quotes are in black. The Watchtower Gospel
Points can be found in the Watchtower, February15, 1983, pgs 12-13. My
comments are in BLUE.
So you must study and take in knowledge of
God and of Jesus Christ. This means one needs to be involved in WT Bible studies. How do you
study the 'WT Way
“Heavy research is not necessary. TheWatch Tower
“Heavy research is not necessary. The
Nothing wrong with a clean, moral life. However, the WT, just like the Pharisees, elevates their many rules, most of which have no Biblical bases, to a command of God. The JW’s eternal destiny then depends on following all WT rules. Albert Schroeder, a member of the Governing Body stated in a speech given on May 29, 1980:
“We serve not only Jehovah God but we
are under our 'mother' (the organization). Our 'mother' has the right to make
rules and regulations for us... This book, entitled Branch Organization
Procedure, contains 28 subjects; and its sub-sections involve regulations and
administration. In it there are 1,177 policies and regulations...this is an
improved, fine-tuned organization, and we are expected to follow its policies.
If there are some who feel that they cannot subject themselves to the rules and
regulations now in operation, such ones ought to be leaving and not be involved
here in the further progressive work.”
POINT #3. "A person needs to be associated
with God’s channel." In plain English; you need to be a JW in good
standing.
Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses
requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible,
including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses. What
do such beliefs include?
1) The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are
the sole interpreters of the Bible.
2) 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and
the establishment of the Kingdom of God
3) Only 144,000 will go to heaven.
4) Armageddon is near, followed by the Paradise earth, where the rest of the Witnesses will
live. Watchtower April 1, 1986, pages 30-31.
In addition, you need to follow the 1,177 rules and regulations
mentioned in Point #2.
POINT #4. "You must be a
publisher." 1.e. Actively going door-to-door. How many hours to be a “publisher?” I have read
4 hours or as much as 10 hours. However, the answer I see the most often is,
“it depends on your circumstances.” Plenty of wiggle room for the Elders to
pressure you to do more.
It seems that the WT Gospel has overlooked a few key
Bible verses.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT
AS A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Doing good works will not save you but once saved by faith
(being born again) that new life will be characterized by good works.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
The GOSPEL IS that Christ died as our substitute—providing the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation between God and Us, the lawbreakers. He is the only one who can solve this dilemma. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
THIS IS THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE GOSPEL. The debt of death that
we owe was paid for by Christ who died in our place. He made it possible to
offer us the greatest gift in the world. He will give us His
righteousness, forgiveness, and life in exchange for our sins, guilt, and death
sentence.
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