# **To Practicus, Friend, JWs

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Posted by Zeke [Zeke4Truth] on November 29, 1999 at 21:41:48 {DGglKT6Uj20hi4VK0MIQVQ7kkCoKq6}:

In Reply to: *To Practicus, Friend, JWs posted by practicus on November 29, 1999 at 15:24:23:

Hi Practicus:

: Some time ago I made a decision. Since my time is limited, I could either spend time "defending" my beliefs, or I could spend time living them. I chose the latter.

I can appreciate your position on this matter. And I certainly want to take this opportunity to thank you publicly for commenting on this thread, at my request. Many Thanks.

I'm sure you would agree with me in saying that none of us really have any time to "waste" per say. Our time is quite valuable. But I think, spending time discussing such matters of "serious concern" can be beneficial. And these are matters of "serious concern," that need concerning, worthy of our conversation. Paul said such like things are really worthy of our time in giving serious consideration to. -- See Phil. 4:8.

Also, just as Proverbs 27:17 says:

"By iron, iron itself is sharpened. So, one man sharpens the face of another."

So one "sharpens" another's face, and so on, by discussions such as these. Perhaps, this can be best accomplished if we all remember to show proper respect and mildness in all of our answers and responses to one another.

: 1 Peter 3:15 says to be "always *ready* to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so *together* with a *mild temper* and *deep respect*." The verse does not say to always make a defense any time one is demanded. It says to be "ready" to make the defense, when it can be done on the basis of "a mild temper and deep respect," "together," that is, by both parties involved. In my opinion, this rules out contentious debates with anyone. Unfortunately, such contentious debates appear to be the staple and bane of this board.

I agree.

One of my favorite scriptures concerning this matter is Col. 4:6 which says:

"Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one."

Fine counsel indeed for all christians to remember.

: But as for sincere people in Christendom, they could not individually apostatize from the true Faith, because they do not have it in the first place.

Perhaps, you and I can think back to what we teach the separation of the "Wheat & Weeds" is in actuality and how this was accomplished, since the time of Jesus, as taught by the WTS.

WHEAT & WEEDS DRAMA: Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43.

First, Jesus sowed the "fine seed," the "wheat," the "sons of the kingdom." "Anointed sons." Then, later, the Devil sows the "weeds." The "reapers" become alarmed at seeing the "weeds" springing up among the "wheat." But the "reapers" are told by the "Sower" of the "fine seed," Jesus, that he would allow the "wheat", the "sons of the kingdom" [baptized, anointed christians] and the "weeds" [wicked christians] to grow together in the SAME "field," that is the "world." And, at "Harvest" time, the "conclusion of the system of things," he would do the "separating."

We recall, that "Harvest" time, hence the "conclusion of the system of things," for the WTS has been and is currently taught to be around the year of 1914. (C.T. Russell believed it ran from 1874 till 1914. A 40 year differential.) That's when the "separation" was to have started, or shortly thereafter.

So, Jesus, allowed the "Wheat" and the "Weeds" to exist, together, IN CHRISTENDOM, until it was time to separate them. The "separation" and subsequent "gathering" of the "wheat" into Jehovah's "storehouse," actually came then, much later, some time after Pastor Russell, according to the WTS.

So, if the "wheat" are "anointed" christians, "sons of the kingdom," who existed and grew right among the "weeds," right in the churches of Christendom, then how can we, as Jehovah's Witnesses, say that the churches of Christendom was not considered a bonified, recognized party of the New Covenant, in the eyes of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ?

These "Wheat/Weeds" conditions, as taught by the WTS, existed from the middle of the 4th century down to Pastor Russell, and even beyond.

The "Wheat", we are taught, are baptized, "anointed" christians, "sons of the kingdom," that existed long before the WTS was started as an entity. This is what the WTS teaches. So, These "sons of the kingdom," were all, unavoidably baptized in the churches of Christendom, and served God right among the "weeds," for hundreds of years, for Jesus said, "let them grow together, until I separate them." [gist]

Therefore, how can we say that Christendom is not in the New Covenant, but only "claims" to be in such. And yet, she became the "mother" of many of the "anointed", the earthly mother, the home, the spiritual resting place, for countless professed "anointed" "wheat," "sons of the kingdom," down through the years, until the WTS was started. How can we teach such a thing?

And there is that scripture to be considered too, at Daniel 11:30. The WTS' explanation of this particular scripture is quite interesting. I'll develop this in a later post.

Zeke

Follow Ups:

- ***To Practicus, Friend, JWs practicus 04:19:07 11/30/99 (1)
  - ****To Practicus, Friend, JWs Tantalus 17:19:13 11/30/99 (0)

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