Defend Jehovah's Witnesses

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Click on any of the following links to view:

How is the Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses Funded? (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)

How is the work of Jehovah's Witnesses financed? (Search For Bible Truths)

How Is It All Financed? - Not Serving for Personal Gain (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers; Excerpt from the Proclaimers Book - jv chap. 21 pp. 350-351 How Is It All Financed?)
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Monday, November 23, 2009

Has The Watchtower Society Ever Claimed to be Infallible?

From the beginning, the Watchtower has said:

"We have not the gift of prophecy." - January 1883, page 425.

"Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible." - December 15, 1896, page 306.

"[the fact that some have Jehovah's spirit] does not mean those now serving as Jehovah's witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine, The Watchtower, are inspired and infallible and without mistakes." - May 15, 1947, page 157.

"The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic." - August 15, 1950, page 263.

"The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)" - February 15, 1981, page 19.

No, as the preface to every Watchtower magazine for the year 1972 (including, of course, the April 1, 1972 issue which had the article, "They Shall Know That a Prophet Was Among Them") says:

No, `The Watchtower' is NO INSPIRED PROPHET, but it follows and explains a Book of prophecy ....— Which Book? The Sacred Bible of the Holy Scriptures, written by inspiration in the name of the creator of heaven and earth, the only living and true God.
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Where And How Do Jehovah's Witnesses Meet?

Click on any of the following links to view:

Our Ministry - Gathering Together
Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

Jehovah's Witnesses Building Kingdom Halls Around the World
Video From The Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

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Why have there been changes over the years in the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses?

Since the beginning, the Watchtower Society has NEVER claimed to be an inspired prophet of God:

"We have not the gift of prophecy." - Watchtower, January 1883, page 425

Nor to be infallible:

"Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible." - Watchtower, December 15, 1896, page 306

Even the prophets who were divinely inspired to write portions of the Bible did not understand the meaning of everything that they wrote. (Dan. 12:8, 9; 1 Pet. 1:10-12) Even the apostles of Jesus Christ realized that there was much they did not understand in their time. (Acts 1:6, 7; 1 Cor. 13:9-12)

The Bible has shown that Jehovah enables his servants to understand his purpose in a progressive manner. (Prov. 4:18; John 16:12) The Bible shows that there would be a great increase in knowledge of the truth during "the time of the end." (Dan. 12:4) Increased knowledge often requires adjustments in one's thinking. Jehovah's Witnesses are humbly willing to make such adjustments.
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Why are Jehovah's Witnesses persecuted and spoken against?

Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible.

Unfortunately, many people have some serious misunderstandings concerning Jehovah's Witnesses. Some people hate Jehovah's Witnesses and make up lies about them because of some misunderstandings. OR some may have had a bad personal experience with someone who claimed to be a Jehovah's Witness, and then unfairly associated this with the entire religion.

But probably the main reason Jehovah's Witnesses are so despised is because they have returned to what the Bible actually teaches and threw out all the trappings and borrowings from philosophies and pagan religions accumulated by most of Christendom over the last 1700 years or so. Since religion is such a personal and emotional thing, most people resent anyone who seems to threaten their long-held religious beliefs.

Whatever the case may be, this "hatred" is actually an identifier of true Christians. (John 15:19; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; 1 Peter 4:4)

Unfortunately, too many of the general public do not have enough accurate information to make an educated decision about Jehovah's Witnesses. The best way to find out more about them is through the pages of their official website:

Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?

Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

Questions Often Asked by Interested People
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How is the Work of Jehovah's Witnesses Financed?

Some opposers of Jehovah's Witnesses falsely claim that the Watchtower organization gets rich off of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet this can easily be proved false.

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a legal religious corporation that is used by Jehovah's Witnesses, was incorporated in 1884 in accordance with the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. This means that, BY LAW IT CANNOT BE and it is NOT, A PROFIT-MAKING ENTERPRISE, nor do individuals make a profit through this Society. The Society's charter states: "It [the Society] does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidentally or otherwise, to its members, directors or officers."'

The work of Jehovah's Witnesses is primarily financed through voluntary contributions, as was true with the early Christians. (2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7)

True Christians heed Jesus' instruction to his apostles:

“YOU received free, give free.” (Matthew 10:8)

So no tithing or collections are ever taken at meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses; they do not beg for money from the public. Any donations from interested persons are used to further the worldwide work of Bible education conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Jehovah's Witnesses are not paid to go from house to house or to offer Bible literature on the streets. Love for God and for neighbor motivates them to talk about God's loving provisions for mankind.

For much more, see:

How Is Your Work Financed? (JW.ORG)

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Practice Tithing? (JW.ORG)

How Jehovah's Witnesses Are Organized / How are you funded? (Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Media Web Site)

Religion - How Should It Be Financed? Giving That Brings Joy (w02 12/1 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)

How Is It All Financed? - Not Serving for Personal Gain (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers; Excerpt from the Proclaimers Book - jv chap. 21 pp. 350-351 How Is It All Financed?)
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Disfellowshipping and Jehovah's Witnesses - Links to Information

Click on any of the following links to view:

DISFELLOWSHIPPING - Links to Information (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)

EXPELLING (Insight-1 pp. 787-788; Watchtower Online Library)

Always Accept Jehovah’s Discipline - Why Are Some Disfellowshipped? (THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) 2006-11-15; JW.ORG)

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Shun Former Members of Your Religion? (JW.ORG)

How to Treat a Disfellowshipped Person (lv pp. 207-209; Watchtower Online Library)

Would it be appropriate for Christian parents to sit with a disfellowshipped child at congregation meetings? (WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) AUGUST 2013 QUESTIONS FROM READERS; JW.ORG)

Can a person be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation for engaging in uncleanness as he can be for fornication or loose conduct? (w06 7/15 pp. 29-31; Questions From Readers;Watchtower Online Library)

What is expelling (disfellowshiping) and why is/was it used in the Christian congregation? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

Is Excommunication, or Disfellowshipping, a Teaching Found in the Bible? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

Is the practice of disfellowshipping (expelling) found in the Bible? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

To what extent should Christians avoid fellowship with disfellowshipped ones? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

What About Christians Living In The Same Household With a Disfellowshipped Family Member? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Completely Ignore Those Who Have Been Disfellowshipped? (Defending Jehovah's Witnesses)

"Disfellowshipping is not done out of spite or hatred for that individual. Rather, it may have the effect of having that person demonstrate their sincere repentance." (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

Child discipline illustration (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

What about Christians living in the same household with a disfellowshipped family member and family Bible study? (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

Can someone be reinstated back to the congregation after being Disfellowshipped / Expelled? (Search For Bible Truths)

If a situation occurs which requires the assistance of law enforcement, should a Christian consult the police or the elders? (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

Is someone to be disfellowshipped for marrying an unbeliever? (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers, #3 in list)

Are repentant wrongdoers "placed" or "put on" public or private reproof as if placed on probation? (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

What About Christians Living In The Same Household With a Disfellowshipped Family Member?

In The Immediate Household

"Does this mean that Christians living in the same household with a disfellowshipped family member are to avoid talking to, eating with, and associating with that one as they go about their daily activities?"

The Watchtower of April 15, 1991, in the footnote on page 22, states:

"'If in a Christian's household there is a disfellowshipped relative, that one would still be part of the normal, day-to-day household dealings and activities.'"

"Thus, it would be left up to members of the family to decide on the extent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred." - Our Kingdom Ministry, 8/02, pp.6 Heading: "Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped."
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To what extent should Christians avoid fellowship with disfellowshipped ones?

The Bible commands Christians not to keep company or fellowship with a person who has been expelled from the congregation:

"Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." (1Cor. 5:11,13)

Jesus also said concerning this:

"Let [the expelled one] be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." (Mt. 18:17) Because those listening to Jesus knew well that the Jew of that day had no fraternization with Gentiles and that they shunned tax collectors as outcasts, they realized that Jesus was instructing his followers not to associate with expelled ones. (See the Watchtower of Sept 15, 1981, pages 18-20.)

This shows that loyal Christians do not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from the congregation. Not only that, but the Bible says that we should "not even eat with such a man." (1 Cor. 5:11) Clearly, even social fellowship with an expelled person should be avoided. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or a trip to the mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant.

Does this include even speaking with a disfellowshipped person? The Bible doesn't cover every possible situation, but 2 John 10 helps us to get Jehovah's view of matters: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him."

Commenting on this, The Watchtower of September 15, 1981, page 25, says:

"A simple 'hello' to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshipped person?" (Also see Our Kingdom Ministry, 8/02, pp. 2-4, Heading: "Display Christian Loyalty When A Relative is Disfellowshipped).
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What is expelling (disfellowshiping) and why is/was it used in the Christian congregation?

Expelling (disfellowshiping) is the judicial excommunication of delinquents from membership and association in a community or organization.

"With religious societies, it is a principle and a right inherent in them and is analogous to the powers of capital punishment, banishment, and exclusion from membership that are exercised by political and municipal bodies. In the congregation of God it is exercised to maintain the purity of the organization doctrinally and morally. The exercise of this power is necessary to the continued existence of the organization and particularly so the Christian congregation. The congregation must remain clean and maintain God's favor in order to be used by him and to represent him. Otherwise, God would expel or cut off the entire congregation. (Rev. 2:5; 1 Cor. 5:5, 6)" -Insight Book, Vol. 1, "Expelling"
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Is the practice of disfellowshipping (expelling) found in the Bible?

Disfellowshipping/Expulsion IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES. In order to maintain God's favor and to be used by Him and to represent Him, the congregation must remain clean. Otherwise, God would expel or cut off the entire congregation. (Re 2:5; 1Co 5:5, 6.)

Examples and precedents have been set by the apostle Paul when he ordered the expulsion of an incestuous fornicator who had taken his father's wife. (1 Cor. 5:5, 11, 13) He also exercised disfellowshipping authority against Hymenaeus and Alexander. (1 Tim. 1:19, 20)

The Christian congregation is ADMONISHED BY SCRIPTURE to stop socializing with those who are disorderly and not walking correctly but who are not deemed deserving of complete expulsion. Paul wrote: "Stop associating with him, that he may be ashamed. And yet do not be considering him an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother." (2 Thess. 3:6, 11, 13-15).

The Bible mentions some of the offenses that could merit disfellowshipping from the Christian congregation: fornication, adultery, homosexuality, greed, extortion, thievery, lying, drunkenness, reviling, spiritism, murder, idiolatry, apostasy, and the causing of divisions in the congregation. (1Cor. 5:9-13; 6:9,10; Tit. 3:10,11; Rev. 21:8) As a protection to the congregation, preventing it from becoming harsh and unforgiving, the principle enunciated in the law applies that that two or three witnesses must establish evidence against the accused one; and also for those who have been expelled, they may be received back into the congregation if they demonstrate sincere repentance. (2 Co 2:5-8; (1 Tim. 5:19)
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

J. F. Rutherford and "Beth - Sarim"

"Beth-Sarim"

Opposers of Jehovah's Witnesses have occasionally made references (most of the details being incorrect) to J. F. Rutherford and "Beth - Sarim" in an attempt to discredit the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. A look at the context and actual records would be beneficial:

The 1975 Year Book tells us that

"Brother Rutherford had a severe case of pneumonia after his release from unjust imprisonment during 1918-1919 because of his faithfulness to Jehovah. Thereafter he had only one good lung. It was virtually impossible for him to remain in Brooklyn, New York, during the winter and still carry out his duties as the Society's president. In the 1920's he went to San Diego under a doctor's treatment. The climate there was exceptionally good and the doctor urged him to spend as much time as possible in San Diego. That is what Rutherford did ultimately.

"In time, a direct contribution was made for the purpose of constructing a house in San Diego for Brother Rutherford's use. It was not built at the expense of the Watch Tower Society. Concerning this property, the 1939 book Salvation stated: `At San Diego, California, there is a small piece of land, on which, in the year 1929, there was built a house, which is called and known as Beth-Sarim.'" - p. 194.

By November of 1941 Brother Rutherford's condition compelled him to return to Beth-Sarim for his final illness. He died there January 8, 1942.
However, the Salvation book (written by Brother Rutherford) quoted above goes on to say:

"The Hebrew words `Beth Sarim' mean `House of the Princes'; and the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house was that there might be some tangible proof that there are those on earth today who fully believe God and Christ Jesus and in His kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs of earth. The title to Beth-Sarim is vested in the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in trust, to be used by the president of the Society and his assistants for the present, and thereafter to be for ever at the disposal of the aforementioned princes on the earth. .... and if and when the princes do return and some of them occupy the property, such will be a confirmation of the faith and hope that induced the building of Beth-Sarim." - p.311.

Apparently Brother Rutherford had earlier written that he expected the return of these princes in the year 1925. I don't have a copy of that, but I see no reason to doubt it. Note, however, that Beth-Sarim wasn't built until 1929.

Money had been contributed for the specific purpose of "constructing a house in San Diego for Brother Rutherford's use" during his illnesses. The money, of course, could not be legally (or morally) used for any other purpose.

It's not surprising that in his book Brother Rutherford didn't care to detail these conditions which would have necessarily put his physical illnesses on public display. His decision to also dedicate this ground and building to those princes whom he truly expected to soon return is certainly understandable.

The fact that the princes did not return as soon as he expected was obvious even before Beth-Sarim was even built and certainly does not make Brother Rutherford a False Prophet.

Related Article:

Beth-Sarim (1929 - 1947) (Pastor Russell)
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