Posted by practicus [practicus] on November 30, 1999 at 04:19:07 {JEfy6n1mcI0qEQSQWE66XLrxSb9K/Q}:
In Reply to: **To Practicus, Friend, JWs posted by Zeke on November 29, 1999 at 21:41:48:
Zeke,
I appreciate your well-reasoned points. But when we speak of a covenant, that implies keeping an agreement. Are those who no longer keep the agreement still legitimately a part of the covenant? The spirit-begotten members of the New Covenant are collectively the "body of Christ," which cannot be joined to a "harlot," spiritually speaking. Such ones must follow Christ faithfully until death.
Ultimately, only Jehovah knows who were His during the long stretch from the original Christian apostasy until now. But it is not likely that any members of the New Covenant were holding fast to doctrines and traditions which are inconsistent with,or in opposition to, the true teachings of Christ.
Nor is it likely that Christendom, with its bloody hands and immoral deeds, could be viewed as a New Covenant-keeping body. Since a covenant is a compact or agreement with terms encumbent on the parties involved, it would appear logical that only those holding to the terms actually remain part of that covenant.
I think the doctrines and deeds of Christendom over the past 1500+ years indicate that it has not held to either the teachings or example of its professed Lord.
However, I will give the matter of the specifics of Jesus' "Wheat and Weeds" parable more detailed thought and consideration. I do not profess to know it all, or to know everything. I want to learn, too.