Watchtower Governing Body: Are They The Exclusive Channel For God??

[JayJayDee]

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The gospel is the good news that Jesus died, was buried and raised to life, and now you also can live forever if you believe Jesus is the Son of God, you repent of your sins, you are baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and you live a faithful life.

Acts 16:23-33, Acts 2:36-47

Since KMG has me on ignore, I would just like to ask...where is the kingdom in this statement? It is the good news of the kingdom that is to be preached.....so what is it?

 

[james2ko]

The "full" gospel actually encompasses elements of both JD and KMG's assertions. Christ highlighted the kingdom. Paul preached about the kingdom (Act 20:25), but he also emphasized other aspects of the gospel ie.., salvation, grace (1 Co 15:1-4; Eph 1:13; Rom 1:1-5,16; and many more). Philip also preached the full gospel:

Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ [which includes His salvation and grace], both men and women were baptized.​

 

[katiemygirl]

Peter and Paul were establishing Christianity back then. They had to prove to the jews that Jesus was the Messiah so the resurrection was an important topic. But once the christian church was established, they didnt need to keep focusing on something everyone already believed. Everyone had accepted the death and resurrection of the Christ... now we focus on what his death was for. We dont need to convince people that Christ died and was resurrected....they know that.

What they need to learn now is how that death and resurrection benefits them. What was its purpose? Thats what people want to know and that is what we focus on when we tell people the 'good news of the Kingdom' The kingdom is the reason why Christ died and was resurrected and he is now enthroned as the king of that kingdom. Dont you think that its important for people to see Jesus as that Mighty King who sits at Gods right hand rather then a dying man on a stake???

I preach the same gospel Peter and Paul preached.

Acts 16:16:34 & Acts 2:22-47 are examples.

Peter & Paul both preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. They preached that in order to be saved (have eternal life), they must believe, repent, and be baptized.

In Acts 2, those who accepted the message believed and were baptized. The Lord added them to His ekklesia (congregation). His ekklesia is His kingdom, and He is ruling NOW from heaven.

Now, if you think Peter and Paul's gospel is no longer relevant, and it's not the gospel you preach, then you preach another gospel, for which Paul says you are accursed.

 

[katiemygirl]

The "full" gospel actually encompasses elements of both JD and KMG's assertions. Christ highlighted the kingdom. Paul preached about the kingdom (Act 20:25), but he also emphasized other aspects of the gospel ie.., salvation, grace (1 Co 15:1-4; Eph 1:13; Rom 1:1-5,16; and many more). Philip also preached the full gospel:

Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ [which includes His salvation and grace], both men and women were baptized.​

Where we differ is that the kingdom is here now. It arrived on Pentecost. It is the Lord's church.

The JW's gospel is not the gospel Peter and Paul preached. They preach that Jesus came in 1914. Where's that in the Scriptures?

 

[Pegg]

I preach the same gospel Peter and Paul preached.

Acts 16:16:34 & Acts 2:22-47 are examples.

Peter & Paul both preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. They preached that in order to be saved (have eternal life), they must believe, repent, and be baptized.

In Acts 2, those who accepted the message believed and were baptized. The Lord added them to His ekklesia (congregation). His ekklesia is His kingdom, and He is ruling NOW from heaven.

Now, if you think Peter and Paul's gospel is no longer relevant, and it's not the gospel you preach, then you preach another gospel, for which Paul says you are accursed.

ok

 

[katiemygirl]

ok

You preach that Jesus came in 1914. That is a false gospel.

This is the gospel JW's preach:

The kingdom of God was invisibly established in the year 1914. By believing in Christ and by taking refuge in Jehovah's organization, men can now hope to survive the coming great tribulation and enter directly into the earthly realm of the Kingdom.

This is a false gospel!

 

[katiemygirl]

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

The gospel is primarily the good news of our redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ, which comes by faith.

The gospel preached by the apostle Paul was primarily "Christ crucified."

The gospel preached by Jehovah's Witnesses is very different from that which was preached by the apostle Paul and by Christians throughout the centuries.

The message and the messengers of the gospel preached by Jehovah's Witnesses are to be accursed.

 

[Pegg]

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

The gospel is primarily the good news of our redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ, which redemption is to be appropriated by faith.

The gospel preached by the apostle Paul was primarily "Christ crucified."

The gospel preached by Jehovah's Witnesses is very different from that which was preached by the apostle Paul and by Christians throughout the centuries.

The message and the messengers of the gospel preached by Jehovah's Witnesses are to be accursed.

Jesus didn't preach his death and resurrection...

“I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” Luke 4:43

does that sound like 'im being crucified and resurrected" to you?

So Katie, tell me... What is the good news of the Kingdom , what is the kingdom, what is its purpose, how are we benefited by it??? Please provide scriptures so I can follow along with your reasoning.

 

[katiemygirl]

Jesus didn't preach his death and resurrection...

“I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” Luke 4:43

does that sound like 'im being crucified and resurrected" to you?

So Katie, tell me... What is the good news of the Kingdom , what is the kingdom, what is its purpose, how are we benefited by it??? Please provide scriptures so I can follow along with your reasoning.

I've already given you two examples of both Peter and Paul preaching the gospel of the kingdom from Acts 2 and 16.

Now, how about you providing Scriptures that the gospel is what you claim:

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind.That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

 

[Pegg]

I've already given you two examples of both Peter and Paul preaching the gospel of the kingdom from Acts 2 and 16.

Now, how about you providing Scriptures that the gospel is what you claim:

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind.That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

No, you are the one claiming you are preaching the gospel. I showed you the verse where Jesus said he came to preach 'the good news of the kingdom'

So by all means inform me what that preaching of the kingdom entailed.... im all ears. Maybe you can give me your view of when the Kingdom came to birth?

 

[Mountain_Climber]

I've already given you two examples of both Peter and Paul preaching the gospel of the kingdom from Acts 2 and 16.

Now, how about you providing Scriptures that the gospel is what you claim:

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind.That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

Are you sure you really want to go there?

How many times have we sat in on conversations where atheists were freely permitted to taunt us concerning the history of modern religion? It is not at all a pretty picture.

It is more like a dead man's bones lifted up and made to walk wearing a polyester suit which melts when subjected to a bit of flame.

 

[katiemygirl]

No, you are the one claiming you are preaching the gospel. I showed you the verse where Jesus said he came to preach 'the good news of the kingdom'

So by all means inform me what that preaching of the kingdom entailed.... im all ears.

Jesus, in His model prayer, prayed for the kingdom to come. He preached from that perspective. He spoke of His coming death, burial and resurrection. Many of His parables were comparisons to His kingdom.

The apostles preached from a different perspective, that being the kingdom was established on Pentecost.

Jesus and His apostles preached the same good news of the kingdom. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Jesus and His apostles all preached the necessity of faith, repentance and baptism to be saved.

I preach the same gospel of the kingdom Jesus and His apostles preached. Believe, tepent and be baptized. Jesus said you must be born of water and the spirit to enter the kingdom. I preach the same. Both Peter and Paul preached belief, repentance and baptism to be saved. I preach the same.

You, however, preach a different gospel.

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah's Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah's Witnesses is really "gospel" or "good news," as of God's heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914." (Watchtower, May 1, 1981, p. 17)

I do not see your gospel in the Scriptures.

 

[james2ko]

Where we differ is that the kingdom is here now. It arrived on Pentecost. It is the Lord's church. The JW's gospel is not the gospel Peter and Paul preached. They preach that Jesus came in 1914. Where's that in the Scriptures?

Was trying to find common ground and establish a path to truce (sigh). Since they believe no one but them has the truth, they cannot and will not see past their own teachings. Especially those that have been established for a while. I lost count how many times I've silenced JW's with a barrage of scriptures and simple logic, especially when it comes to aspects of the kingdom (Right, Pegg? ).

 

[katiemygirl]

Are you sure you really want to go there?

How many times have we sat in on conversations where atheists were freely permitted to taunt us concerning the history of modern religion? It is not at all a pretty picture.

It is more like a dead man's bones lifted up and made to walk wearing a polyester suit which melts when subjected to a bit of flame.

I know what you're saying, and I hear you.

 

[katiemygirl]

Was trying to find common ground and establish a path to truce (sigh). Since they believe no one but them has the truth, they cannot and will not see past their own teachings. Especially those that have been established for a while. I lost count how many times I've silenced JW's with a barrage of scriptures and simple logic, especially when it comes to aspects of the kingdom (Right, Pegg? ).

I'd welcome you silencing them again.

There is no common ground between the gospel of Christ and that of JW's. As for JD, I put her on ignore for good reason. I don't see her posts, so there is no need for a truce as there is no debate.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

It is not we who judge anyone as worthy or unworthy....it is God.

So God judged me and told you about it? Did He tell you not to tell me the good news?

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

What does the word, "gospel", mean to you?

Do you have a gospel to share with anyone? A gospel of a kingdom?

Are there 2 gospels? Did the apostles teach a different gospel than what Jesus taught them to teach? Did the apostles ever teach about paradise earth?

1Co 15:1-4 (ESVST) 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

This is the gospel (good news) Paul preached, which they received, in which they stand and by which they are being saved. He delivered this gospel as of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" which Paul himself received from Jesus, which was not paradise earth or God's new kingdom. This is the good news by which we are saved, not paradise earth or that armaggedon is at the door. If paradise earth or God's new kingdom was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" wouldn't that have been the message Paul preached to them? What did Paul say he preached as "FIRST IMPORTANCE", by which they were being saved?
This is the good news! If one of you JW's came upon someone that was dying and only had 2 minutes to live, what would you tell them? That God has a plan for a new kingdom, that His personal name is Jehovah and that when you die you'll get another chance "DURING" judgment day so don't worry about dying it's no big deal?

Act 16:29-31 (ESVST) 30 Then he brought them out and said, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Did they say, use Jehovah's personal name and believe that you will live on paradise earth? Did they say, be part of God's organization and you will be saved? Did they say, believe that God has a new kingdom coming? What did they say? What did Paul say was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" that he delivered to them, which he also received?

This is what the gospel (good news) is to me. Now, please show me any verse that says we must believe in a paradise earth, or God's new kingdom, or use the word Jehovah, or be a part of an organization to be saved.

 

[katiemygirl]

No, you are the one claiming you are preaching the gospel. I showed you the verse where Jesus said he came to preach 'the good news of the kingdom'

So by all means inform me what that preaching of the kingdom entailed.... im all ears. Maybe you can give me your view of when the Kingdom came to birth?

I answered the first part of your post in my other post to you.

You asked when the kingdom came to birth. I'm putting considerable time into this post, and I would appreciate you addressing every single point. Either refute them, or agree with them. I will number each one. Please take the time to read the Scripture references I've given. I took the time to look each one up. I would expect you to do the same.

1. In a sense, the kingdom of God has always existed. It is wherever the REIGN or DOMINION of God is manifested. Ps 47:2; 103:19

2. However the rule or reign of God was to be manifested with the coming of Christ.
Mt. 3:1-3, Mt. 4:17, Mk. 1:14-15

3. It is in the Person of Jesus Christ that the "reign of God" is being manifest today. 1Co 15:23-26; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22; Re 1:5

4. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He sat down on the throne of David as both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:29-36; cf. Lk 1:31-33

He began His kingly reign that exceeds far beyond that of David Dan 7:13-14; Ac 1:9-11 David ruled over the nation of Israel. Jesus rules over all things, including His church - Ep 1:20-22

While His reign (kingdom) was prefigured even during His earthly ministry, it was fully established when He ascended to heaven and sat God's right hand

5. The kingdom, or reign of God would not be found in the form of a physical kingdom - Jn 18:36. It would manifest itself in spiritual ways - Ro 14:17

6. The kingdom is manifested today (in spiritual ways) in the Lord's church/congregation. The terms church" and kingdom can be used interchangably. They were used by Jesus in such a manner. Mt 16:18

7. The kingdom of God/heaven is spoken of in past, present and future in the Scriptures. I already gave you examples of past in the earlier part of this post.

Present- Comments made to those who were in the church - Col 1:13; 1Th 2:12, and
the description of those in the churches of Asia - Re 1:4, 6,9

Its future aspect is spoken of by:
Jesus in Mt 25:34
Paul in 1Co 15:50; 2Ti 4:18
Peter in 2 Pe 1:10-11

The kingdom is eternal. It has always been, and it will always be. Whether the kingdom will continue on a restored earth, or a new heaven and new earth makes no difference to those of us who have been born again.

 

[katiemygirl]

Are there 2 gospels? Did the apostles teach a different gospel than what Jesus taught them to teach? Did the apostles ever teach about paradise earth?

1Co 15:1-4 (ESVST) 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

This is the gospel (good news) Paul preached, which they received, in which they stand and by which they are being saved. He delivered this gospel as of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" which Paul himself received from Jesus, which was not paradise earth or God's new kingdom. This is the good news by which we are saved, not paradise earth or that armaggedon is at the door. If paradise earth or God's new kingdom was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" wouldn't that have been the message Paul preached to them? What did Paul say he preached as "FIRST IMPORTANCE", by which they were being saved?
This is the good news! If one of you JW's came upon someone that was dying and only had 2 minutes to live, what would you tell them? That God has a plan for a new kingdom, that His personal name is Jehovah and that when you die you'll get another chance "DURING" judgment day so don't worry about dying it's no big deal?

Act 16:29-31 (ESVST) 30 Then he brought them out and said, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Did they say, use Jehovah's personal name and believe that you will live on paradise earth? Did they say, be part of God's organization and you will be saved? Did they say, believe that God has a new kingdom coming? What did they say? What did Paul say was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" that he delivered to them, which he also received?

This is what the gospel (good news) is to me. Now, please show me any verse that says we must believe in a paradise earth, or God's new kingdom, or use the word Jehovah, or be a part of an organization to be saved.

Pegg says there is no longer a need to preach the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus because everyone already knows that.

 

[Mountain_Climber]

Are there 2 gospels? Did the apostles teach a different gospel than what Jesus taught them to teach? Did the apostles ever teach about paradise earth?

1Co 15:1-4 (ESVST) 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

This is the gospel (good news) Paul preached, which they received, in which they stand and by which they are being saved. He delivered this gospel as of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" which Paul himself received from Jesus, which was not paradise earth or God's new kingdom. This is the good news by which we are saved, not paradise earth or that armaggedon is at the door. If paradise earth or God's new kingdom was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" wouldn't that have been the message Paul preached to them? What did Paul say he preached as "FIRST IMPORTANCE", by which they were being saved?
This is the good news! If one of you JW's came upon someone that was dying and only had 2 minutes to live, what would you tell them? That God has a plan for a new kingdom, that His personal name is Jehovah and that when you die you'll get another chance "DURING" judgment day so don't worry about dying it's no big deal?

Act 16:29-31 (ESVST) 30 Then he brought them out and said, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Did they say, use Jehovah's personal name and believe that you will live on paradise earth? Did they say, be part of God's organization and you will be saved? Did they say, believe that God has a new kingdom coming? What did they say? What did Paul say was of "FIRST IMPORTANCE" that he delivered to them, which he also received?

This is what the gospel (good news) is to me. Now, please show me any verse that says we must believe in a paradise earth, or God's new kingdom, or use the word Jehovah, or be a part of an organization to be saved.

You may as well stop right there, for one thing they for certain did not teach was this idea of going to live in heaven. And both you and the JW's teach that false idea. They merely teach it in part and you all together.