Posted by Gary [GLamotta] on April 01, 1999 at 23:34:05 {feW1wc1uNQMRXA6xmpscboLUiPtahc}:
In Reply to: ****WTS/Freemansonry/Crowley Links posted by Hi Gary. Jaypeeto on April 01, 1999 at 20:31:18:
Hello Jay,
You are really into this! This is great.
First of all, let me get out of the middle here!
I tried to say that the Witness organization itself apostasized very early. That is, the weeds were placed into this organization before the blades of wheat started to show up, that is, before the major growth of the organization or when it began to be known as an organization.
So I can't get between their false teachings and the teachings of the Bible. I'll go through my beliefs below.
As far as your apostasy argument, though, it is groundless based upon scripture. That's because nobody said the church wouldn't have apostasized suffciently by the 2nd century. Obviously if Christianity was teaching some fundamental "truths" which are out of harmony with the Bible by the second century then they had already apostasized.
Our RULE for determining apostasy, however, are the scriptures! That's the rule. And the apostasy had already begun even while the apostles were alive! So just because things haven't changed since the early 2nd century means absolutely nothing as far as the apostasy is concerned beyond the historical fact that it took quick hold onto this movement.
Yet in still, the Bible itself I think remained rather sacred among the Christians and Christianity has had some positive influence in the world and it has spread throughout the world to provide a "sea" into which to fish for fine fish by the "dragnet" organization who is preaching the good news.
Now here are my variances from the WTS. I don't defend them AT ALL! Some of what they say is accurate and some not.
Here are my personal beliefs on the following:
a) Jesus is the ARCHANGEL Michael.
That's right, Jesus is definitely Michal, the Archangel. There is only one "chief angel" and he is Jesus, aka Michael. AGREE
b) You MUST NOT pray to JESUS.
??? JWs pray "through"
Jesus, by saying in all their prayers, "in Jesus' name", etc. Furthermore Jesus says, "anything you ask, in my name..." So this is an off point I don't have too much of an opinion on, one way or the other. Some have prayed directly to
Jesus so I don't think it's wrong. He is the designated mediator and, in fact, we are told to call on his name. So I guess I'm on your side on this. True, they diminish the significance of Jesus.
c) Communion must be observed
ONLY
once a YEAR.
Sorry, this is correct. Passover was celebrated once a year and the New Covenant was instituted in relation to Passover. That's a very bold implication of an annual observance...
d) You MUST use the Tetragrammaton
when praying and sermonizing.
No comment. This is a non-doctinal issue for me.
e) Jesus died on a SINGLE UPRIGHT POLE.
This is a historical issue and interpretation of Biblical terms. I'll go with the latest information.
I believe it could have been a T-shaped or cross-shaped torture stake. It seems more logical than just an upright pole. Do count me out on this one. DISAGREE.
f) There is NO HELL.
JWs believe in "hell". They just define it
differently. The symbolic place of eternal firea and torment is specifically the symbolic "Gehenna" which is the "second death." As far as there being a place where God tortures the dead forever manned by Satan....sorry, I'm going to
have to agree with them there is no such place. AGREE.
g) Man does not "have" a soul.
Jehovah's witnesses have the correct viewpoint of "soul" with which I agree with them. AGREE. But "soul" is used in different ways in scripture.
Living man can be said to BE and soul, as well as HAVE a soul. So I AGREE on their fundamental beliefs about the soul, in contrast with what I'm presuming you're making some distinction about.
Thanks for your discussing these points! I'm enjoying this!
Take care,
Gary