Someone wrote me, concerned about how the elders are arranging and merging their Congregations, all of which speak different languages. The writer asked for advice.
My Reply:
The best guidance comes from the Bible. Unfortunately, the elders and C.O. will determine how your congregations are managed...not you, me, or the scriptures. I don't know what benefit it will be to you, to know my scriptural thoughts, but I will pass them on to you.
You are likely aware, that the apostles and other anointed never forced different languages to form a Congregation. These formed themselves, based upon location and language. These groups met in the homes of their fellow local members (Rom.16:3,5; 1Cor.1:11; 16:19; Col.4:15; Philemon 1:2).
Instead of imposing an uncomfortable mix of languages, Paul would travel and teach each group separately (Acts 20:20).
You may notice that in the original Greek of Acts 20:20 it literally reads, "according to private houses". although the Organization uses this verse to command present "service arrangements", you will note that this verse does not say "door to door".
Although the Organization interprets this as meaning a public door-to-door witnessing to strangers, the context of Acts20:20 (as well as the scriptures I already gave you) proves otherwise. Those whom Paul is speaking to (about teaching them "house to house"), are the same ones he is speaking to in Acts20:18,19,20,28,34,36,37,38 and are those whom Paul knew well.
The "houses" where Paul went to teach, were Christian meeting places...Congregations...not the doorsteps of the public. They did not have church buildings or "Kingdom Halls" in the first Century. Congregations met in private homes.
For those who were not yet associated with one of these groups, they could choose to listen when Paul and others taught "publicly" in market places, synagogues, etc.
OR
others would be directed to the "Living Stones" of the Holy Priesthood/God's Temple (Eph2:20,21,22; 1Pet.2:5,9) directly by Holy Spirit (Acts10:47,48) or the anointed would be sent by spirit to those of complete heart (2Chron.16:9; Acts8:26,29; Acts9:6,10,11).
We get insight into *God's feelings* on your situation, when we turn to Acts2:1-6, which reads:
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language."
It was God's will that all hear the message of Truth in their own language, even providing a miracle of Holy Spirit in order to accomplish this. From this we learn that our heavenly Father is a gracious and merciful God, who does not make the gaining of Truth and Life more difficult than necessary (Matt.11:29,30), giving each and every individual what they personally need (Matt.18:12; 10:29-31).
The only scriptures which come to mind, in which many differing languages were thrown together...is the account of Babylon (Gen.11:1-9). God intentionally gave them differing tongues, in order to cause *confusion and to sabotage their work (*which is what "Babylon" means).
So, if the elders decide to put three or more languages into one congregation in order to ease their workload....it is scripturally reasonable to deduce, that confusion and frustration will be the result to the flock.
[NOTE: Our meetings of former "Jehovah's Witnesses" with anointed, include people from around the globe who speak various languages. We use translators and our meetings are smooth and everyone has access to the information that is discussed.]
My Reply:
The best guidance comes from the Bible. Unfortunately, the elders and C.O. will determine how your congregations are managed...not you, me, or the scriptures. I don't know what benefit it will be to you, to know my scriptural thoughts, but I will pass them on to you.
You are likely aware, that the apostles and other anointed never forced different languages to form a Congregation. These formed themselves, based upon location and language. These groups met in the homes of their fellow local members (Rom.16:3,5; 1Cor.1:11; 16:19; Col.4:15; Philemon 1:2).
Instead of imposing an uncomfortable mix of languages, Paul would travel and teach each group separately (Acts 20:20).
You may notice that in the original Greek of Acts 20:20 it literally reads, "according to private houses". although the Organization uses this verse to command present "service arrangements", you will note that this verse does not say "door to door".
Although the Organization interprets this as meaning a public door-to-door witnessing to strangers, the context of Acts20:20 (as well as the scriptures I already gave you) proves otherwise. Those whom Paul is speaking to (about teaching them "house to house"), are the same ones he is speaking to in Acts20:18,19,20,28,34,36,37,38 and are those whom Paul knew well.
The "houses" where Paul went to teach, were Christian meeting places...Congregations...not the doorsteps of the public. They did not have church buildings or "Kingdom Halls" in the first Century. Congregations met in private homes.
For those who were not yet associated with one of these groups, they could choose to listen when Paul and others taught "publicly" in market places, synagogues, etc.
OR
others would be directed to the "Living Stones" of the Holy Priesthood/God's Temple (Eph2:20,21,22; 1Pet.2:5,9) directly by Holy Spirit (Acts10:47,48) or the anointed would be sent by spirit to those of complete heart (2Chron.16:9; Acts8:26,29; Acts9:6,10,11).
We get insight into *God's feelings* on your situation, when we turn to Acts2:1-6, which reads:
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language."
It was God's will that all hear the message of Truth in their own language, even providing a miracle of Holy Spirit in order to accomplish this. From this we learn that our heavenly Father is a gracious and merciful God, who does not make the gaining of Truth and Life more difficult than necessary (Matt.11:29,30), giving each and every individual what they personally need (Matt.18:12; 10:29-31).
The only scriptures which come to mind, in which many differing languages were thrown together...is the account of Babylon (Gen.11:1-9). God intentionally gave them differing tongues, in order to cause *confusion and to sabotage their work (*which is what "Babylon" means).
So, if the elders decide to put three or more languages into one congregation in order to ease their workload....it is scripturally reasonable to deduce, that confusion and frustration will be the result to the flock.
[NOTE: Our meetings of former "Jehovah's Witnesses" with anointed, include people from around the globe who speak various languages. We use translators and our meetings are smooth and everyone has access to the information that is discussed.]
Now that I have forwarded to you the relevant scriptures that come to my mind,
I must tell you that no matter how your congregation becomes arranged,
all Congregations of "Jehovah's Witnesses" belong to the same Organization.
That organization, and all who are associated with it, are the target of God's wrath in the end soon to come.
Prophecy is clear, that God's named people in the time of the end, are headed into the winepress of his wrath (Rev.14:18,19). The Organization, is the "Wild Beast" of Revelation chapter 13. All inside it are marked as slaves on their forehead or hand by that Beast (Rev.13:16).
This means that all inside the Organization, allow their thinking and power to be directed by this Organization, rather than God. The Organization has become an idol, replacing God and Christ (Rev.13:8,5). The elders have replaced God's chosen priests (2Chron.13:9; Gal.4:8); and as such, are the "disgusting thing standing in a Holy Place". (Eze.44:6,7,8,9)
Jesus said that when we discern this "Gentile" presence dominating and "trampling" the anointed "Temple" (1Cor.3:16,17; Rev.11:1,2; Rom.2:29), we are to flee (Matt.24:15,16; Mark13:14).
I am among many anointed who are being expelled by non-anointed elders for our loyalty to God and Christ, rather than men (Acts5:29; Gal.1:10)....and loyalty to scriptural Truth rather than the doctrine of a wicked steward (Matt.15:9; 24:48-49; John15:20).
Prophecy also reveals that most will not discern the reality of what is happening to Christ's final faithful brothers, due to the "powerful lying signs and portents" which are backed by Satan (2Thess.2:3,4,9,10). As in the days of Noah, only a few will be saved (Luke13:23,24; Matt.7:14; 24:37; 1Pet.3:20). I hope you yourself will be spared. For all the scriptures which prove these things, here are the related articles:
pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com
pearl-winepress.blogspot.com
pearl-666.blogspot.com
Mark of Beast
thebeast-obadiah.blogspot.com
Thank you for considering me for your question.
I truly hope my reply will help you.
Love in Christ,
Pearl
Dear Pearl,
ReplyDeleteI am one of the regular readers of your blog. sorry i had to post this on here but i have a different topic in mind now. actually, its been over a month since i have been hearing about this ''New Light'' that the governing body announced during their annual meeting, on many forums online. Then just a week ago, i have confirmed the same information because it's now posted on the official site.
So what do you think about this new light? WOuld you mind posting an article about this? A lot of jw bros and sisters i talk with think that the new light is not a 100% new light, because over the years it's understandable that the GB is the faithful and discreet slave class and not the entire anointed remnants...
i hope to read something from you about this. this is actually a hot topic all over the internet since it got leaked and now published on the jw.org site
I have provided a response as a post...at http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/11/due-to-new-doctrines-presently-being.html.
ReplyDeleteIt is on the main page, posted on 11/26/12.
Thank you for your question.
Love,
Pearl