Hello again Deeje,
If you interpret scripture with Christendom's spin, then you have a lens that is different to mine.
What do you mean by Christendom Spin? We read from the same book so there's a good chance I'm gonna have views in common with Christendom. That doesn't make it spin or a lens, well not in the context that you first used that word.
You see a completely different picture to me. We cannot be Christians in isolation for the simple reason that none of the first Christians just relied on themselves to determine the meaning of scripture.
Are you sure about that? Coz I see evidence to the contrary:
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
Christians were a body of believers who all held to the same beliefs. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
You should have kept reading coz the very next verse says:
"For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name." 1 Corinthians 1:11-15
They were encouraged to meet together and not to neglect it. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
I agree.
They did not attend a Christian meeting and disagree with much of what was being taught. Their unity of belief as a global brotherhood with one set of beliefs and one united message for all in every language singles out true Christians from the disunited and fragmented counterfeits sown by the devil centuries ago.
Please see above coz your lens seems to be clouding your view of the New Testament. Even the Apostles chosen by the Lord Himself had their issues:
"But when Cephas (aka Peter)
came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" Galatians 2:11-14
The apostasy foretold by Christ and his apostles was not a recent event.
I'm sorry Deeje, but this sounds awfully convenient. The Mormons can and do say the same thing, as do the Seventh Day Adventists. Same tactics different denominations.
I am bemused by the fact that you see our GB as 'mediators'. They are nothing of the kind. They are slaves serving the master by 'feeding' his household their 'food at the proper time' just as Jesus instructed them. They are our shepherds, not our masters.
And herein lies the problem. The Hirelings were fired a long long long time ago:
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and ONE SHEPHERD." John 10:16
"But he that is an hireling,
and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them,
and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
John 10:12-14
And for good measure read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 34 because it was fulfilled by OUR one and only Lord and Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
Tell me what you think they mean.....
"What does it mean when it says, "he is a new creation"? In what way were these human beings a "new creation"? What does it mean to be "in Christ" or "in union with Christ"? How is Christ in union with his Father?"
These are the verses that come to mind:
"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from CHRIST, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the TWO into ONE NEW MAN, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:11-22
All I can tell you is that you misunderstand.
Who is the "faithful and wise slave" of Matthew 24:45? This is who we believe our governing body is.
I'm sorry Deeje but that doesn't make it true. Recall what Our Lord said while praying for His Apostles:
""Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for THOSE ALSO who believe in ME through THEIR WORD; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:17-21
We are not told to "feed" ourselves.
If you only knew how many denominations of Christendom and Jewry teach this I think you'd be shocked. I'm sorry but I can smell leaven.
We are also told that there are only two tables at which to feed. (1 Corinthians 10:20-21) We choose which one.
Are you aware of circular reasoning coz you use it a lot?
That was seen when the apostasy took place centuries ago. Christendom and her teachings are the result of that apostasy. The weeds were not sown recently. It was only at the "harvest time" that the difference would become glaringly obvious.(Matthew 13:36-43) Look how many have drawn disciples away after themselves in all the thousands of sects of Christendom. Why single us out?
I'm sorry if it feels like I'm singling (is that a word?) the JWs out. I might get heat for saying this but I see the same tactic used in the Governing Bodies of Jewry, Catholicism, Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses and that is that is the lie that the average Christian or Jew can not read and understand the Scriptures. They must rely on "an anointed or appointed" Rabbi, Priest or Elder to interpret it for them. The same interpreters who translate it to say, "You have to listen to us because we are chosen, anointed and appointed and if you don't you are of the devil!" Sorry but I ain't wearing it and I ain't intimidated by it!
The governing body have no authority.....it is Christ who appointed them who has the authority, and it is his direction that we accept through them. If you look at the history of God's worshippers down through the ages, you will see that there have always been men appointed to take the lead. We are told to submit to them. (Hebrews 13:17) To whom do you submit JB? Who is 'keeping watch over your soul'?
If you knew how many people and governing bodies I have submitted to in my life time, seeking healing and someone to keep watch over my soul you would probably be shocked. And I have found that Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been the only faithful Overseer of my soul. If you'd like to know more just read my signature.
If they were to start teaching us things that were not in the Bible, we would reject them. We are told to be like those in ancient Be·roeʹa. (Acts 17:11) Do you really think we are that gullible?
Can you see how you contradict yourself here. One minute you're saying we shouldn't feed ourselves and then you're saying we are told to be Bereans. I know very well what a Berean is coz my life has literally depended on me being one. I know by experience that I can depend on the Scriptures with my life. I think you are being gullible by trusting a Governing Body that has motive for changing the Scriptures to support their doctrine their Governing.
And this is exactly how the GB present themselves to the brotherhood....as humble servants. They serve Christ and they serve us...we do not serve them. Do you understand this?
Anyone can present when they have motive for doing so. But just you try to share a revelation from Scripture that's contrary to their doctrine and see how humble the GB are then. They'll kick you out in the name of Unity. And please know, if that ever happens to you Deeje, people like me will be here to embrace you with open arms. You are never alone!
