Bibletopics.Blog—JWitnesses Non-Official By ideacreamanuela

WHAT were two of the characteristics of Jesus’ ministry? First, Jesus sought to change individual hearts, not political institutions. For instance, note what Jesus stressed in his Sermon on the Mount. Just before he spoke about the need to be like salt and light, he told his audience that true happiness belongs to those who are “concious of their spiritual need.” He added: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, . . . the pure in heart, . . . the peaceable.” (Matthew 5:1-11)

Second, when Jesus saw human suffering, his compassion for his fellow men moved him to alleviate their misery. However, he did not make it his goal to eliminate all suffering. (Matthew 20:30-34)

Changing Hearts and Alleviating Suffering

Why did Jesus focus on changing hearts and alleviating suffering but not on changing institutions or eliminating distress? Jesus knew that God had purposed to use His Kingdom at a future time to put an end to all human governments and erase the causes of all suffering. (Luke 4:43; 8:1) Therefore, when the disciples once urged Jesus to spend more time on curing the sick, Jesus said to them: “Let us go somewhere else, into the village towns nearby, that I may preach there also, for it is for this purpose I have gone out.” (Mark 1:32-38) Jesus alleviated the physical suffering of many, but he gave priority to preaching and teaching God’s word.

In their preaching work today, Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to imitate Jesus. They believe that God’s Kingdom will erase the causes of all suffering. (Matthew 6:10) Like Jesus, they endeavor to change hearts but not political institutions. That approach is realistic because man’s main problems are, not political, but moral.

Responsible Citizens

At the same time, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that it is their Christian responsibility to be good citizens. Hence, they honor and respect governmental authority. Through their publications and their witnessing work they encourage their neighbors to be lawabiding. However, when a government demands what is in direct conflict with what God commands, the Witnesses do not comply. They “obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7.

Jehovah’s Witnesses visit all those in their community to offer Bible education free of charge. As a result of thise education, millions of hearts have been changed. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are helped to overcome such damaging practices as smoking, drunkenness, misuse of drugs, gambling, and sexual promiscuity. They have become morally resposible citizens because they have learned to apply Bible principles in their lives.

In addition, Bible education helps family members to deepen their respect for one another and to improve communication—between spouses as well as parents and children and among the children themselves. These are factors that strengthen family bonds. Stronger families, in turn, result in stronger communities.



THE WATCHTOWER, MAY 1, 2012 p. 10

See also the articles: Religion and Politics, Should They Mix?; What Should Christians Do Today?; How Do Christian Teachings Affect Communities?

Photo Credit: Inmagine-tt3900350, fan4226201319, dp06746812

How is the Christian message like salt?

HOW can Christians show that they are interested in improving the communities in which they live? One way is by following Jesus’ command: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”—(Matthew 5:13, 14)

Christ’s Message—Preserving and Enlightening

Salt is a preservative; it can prevent decay. Similarly, the message that Jesus instructed his followers to carry to people in all nations has a preserving influence. Those who accept and apply Jesus’ teachings protect themselves from the moral decay so prevalent today. For example they learn how to avoid practices that are harmful to health, such as smoking, and they develop such qualities as love, peace, long-suffering, kindness, and goodness. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Those qualities make them an asset to society. Christians who are share this preserving message with their neighbors make a valuable contribution to their community.

What about the metaphor of light? Just as the moon reflects the light from the sun, so Christ’s followers reflect the “light” from Jehovah God. They serve as reflectors by means of the enlightening message they preach and the good works they do.—1 Peter 2:12. Similarly, the preaching activities and other fine works that true Christians perform should be clearly visible to those living around them. Jesus said that those who see the fine works will give glory, not to the Christians, but to God.—Matthew 5:14-16.

A Collective Responsibility

When Jesus said, You are the light of the world” and “let your light shine,” he was addressing all his disciples. Jesus’ commission cannot be accomplished by a few individuals scattered in different religions. Instead, all believers are “the light.” Seven million Jehovah’s Witnesses, who live in more than 235 lands, believe that it is their collective responsibility to visit their neighbors to share the message that Christ wants his followers to proclaim.

What is the theme of the message of Jehovah’s Witnesses? When Jesus gave his preaching commission, he foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24:14) Thus, in obedience to Jesus’ instructions, true Christians today continue to speak to their neighbors about God’s Kingdom—the only government capable of bringing an end to Satan’s wicked system and ushering in a righteous new world.


How is Christ’s message like a lamp in a dark place?

THE WATCHTOWER, MAY 1, 2012 p. 8

See also the articles: Religion and Politics, Should They Mix?; What Should Christians Do Today?; Sincere Believer and Responsible Citizen, How to Be Both

Photo Credit: Inmagine-paa025000013, ispc035061, fan42265188871, bld122008, rds082008; Estudo; Steelman; Joel-P.Engardio and Tom Shepard; Hoyasmeg

Jehovah’s Witnesses actively promote God’s Kingdom, not political reform

“Governments are composed of human beings; therefore they are fallible and their prospects are uncertain. They exercise a certain power, but only a limited one.” —The Question of Government, by historian David Fromkin.

TRUE Christians today do not participate in politics. Why not? Because they follow Jesus’ example. He said about himself: “I am no part of the world.” What about his followers? Jesus stated: “You are no part of the world.” (John 15:19; 17:14) Why not?

1. Human ability is limited. The Bible states that humans have neither the ability nor the right to govern themselves. (Jeremiah 10:23)
Just as humans were not created to fly successfully on their own strength, so they were not created to rule successfully by themselves. (See block quotation above) No wonder the Bible warns us not to put our trust in man!—Psalm 146:3.

2. Wicked spirit forces currently have an influence. When Satan offered Jesus world rulership, Jesus did not deny that the Devil had the power to offer him all the kingdoms of the world. In fact, on a later occasion, Jesus called Satan “the ruler of the world”. (John 14:30; 2Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12) Behind the scenes, wicked spirit forces are the real rulers of this world. How should that fact influence our view of politics?
Think of this comparison: Just as small boats are swept along by powerful currents, human political systems are pulled along by powerful, wicked spirit forces. And just as the sailors in those boats can do little to change those powerful currents, politicians can do little to change the influence of those powerful spirit forces. Those forces are bent on corrupting humans beyond reform and causing “woe for the earth.” (Revelation 12:12) Therefore, real change can be brought only by a person who is more powerful than Satan and his demons. That Person is Jehovah God himself.—Psalm 83:18; Jeremiah 10:7, 10.

Just as small boats are swept along by powerful currents, human political systems are pulled along by powerful, wicked spirit forces.

3. True Christians give allegiance only to God’s Kingdom. God established a government in heaven to rule over the entire earth. The Bible calls this government God’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ has been appoited as its King. (Revelation 11:15) Since God’s Kingdom affects all humans, Jesus made “the good news of the kingdom of God” the main subject of his teachings and taught his disciples to pray: “Let your kingdom come.” Under that Kingdom, God’s will is sure to be done in heaven and on earth. (Mathew 6:9, 10; Luke 4:43) The governments “of the entire inhabited earth” will be destroyed. If an individual truly believes that God’s Kingdom is about to remove all man-made political systems, he logically would refrain from supporting those political systems. After all, if he tried to prop up doomed, man-made governments, he would, in effect, be taking a stand against God. (Revelation 16:14; 19:19-21)

THE WATCHTOWER, MAY 1, 2012 p. 6

See also the articles: Religion and Politics, Should They Mix?; How Do Christian Teachings Affect Communities?; Sincere Believer and Responsible Citizen, How to Be Both

Photo Credit: Steelman; Premias; Inmagine-pl007195, ptg02027307, ptg01430972, ptg013444493, ptg01180698, ptg010881841; ideacreamanuela (digital images)

Capitol Building Washington DC and Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City-Rome, Italy

WHAT DO you personally think of religion’s role in politics? Should those powerful forces work hand-in-hand?
In his renowned Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave guidelines that help his followers to discern what role they should play in their communities.

Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed to God in behalf of his followers: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:15, 16)

How Did Jesus View Politics?

The Gospel writers describe several events in Jesus’ ministry that brought him face-to-face with politics. For instance, shortly after Jesus’ baptism at about the age of 30, the Devil offered him the position of world ruler. Later in his ministry, a crowd wanted to make him their king. Still later, people tried to turn him into a political activist. How did Jesus react?

World ruler. The Gospel state that the Devil offered Jesus rulership over ”al the kingdoms of the world.” But Jesus refused it.—Matthew 4:8-11.

King. Many of Jesus’ contemporaries were desperate for a ruler who could solve their economic and political problems. Knowing Jesus’ abilities, the people ”were about to come and seize him to make him king”. What was his reaction? ”[Jesus] withdrew again into the mountain all alone.” (John 6:10-15) Clearly, Jesus refused to become involved in politics.

Political activist. Disciples of the Pharisees, who favored independence from the Roman Empire, wanted to force Jesus to take a political position. They asked if the Jews should pay taxes to Rome. Jesus said to them: “Why do you put me to the test? Bring me a denarius to look at.’ They brought one. And he said to them: ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to him: ‘Caesar’s.’ Jesus then said: ‘Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’” (Mark 12:13-17)

Problems such as poverty, corruption, and injustice did not leave Christ unmoved. In fact, the Bible shows that he was deeply touched by the pitiful state of the people around him. (Mark 6:33, 34)
Clearly, as these examples show, Jesus refused to get involved in political affairs. But what about Christians today? What should they do?

THE WATCHTOWER, MAY 1, 2012 p. 3

See also the articles: What Should Christians Do Today?; How Do Christian Teachings Affect Communities?; Sincere Believer and Responsible Citizen, How to Be Both

Photo Credit: Inmagine-rbvs0220408, imb0741190, wse417050; ideacreamanuela (digital imaging)

WE LIVE in a highly scientific age. Scientists have produced many impressive inventions and have performed spectacular feats, even sending men to the moon.
Because of such accomplishments, many people accept the conclusions that scientists reach regarding other matters. For example, when they claim that humans evolved from beasts, it is widely believed. When they assert that life came into existence by itself in some primeval sea, many believe it.
As a result of such teachings, when some scientists say that there is no God, this too is often accepted. Also, since we cannot see God, there are those who conclude that he must not exist. So, atheism and agnosticism increase. Belief in an invisible and purposeful Creator diminishes.
However, are there sound reasons for not believing in God because we cannot see him?

If there is no unseen Creator who has a purpose for us, then it would seem to make sense to “eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.”—1 Cor. 15:32.

BELIEVING THE UNSEEN

Can we believe in a God we cannot see? Well, do we believe in only what we see? No, we very much believe in things we do not see.
In fact, our very lives depend directly upon something we cannot see! What is that? The air we breathe. Without it, we would die in a few minutes. We cannot see the air, but we certainly know that it exists. If you were to hold your breath for sixty seconds, you would appreciate very quickly the air that you cannot see.
Can we see gravity? No, but without it, everything not firmly attached to the earth, including people, would tend to float off into space.

Thus, we believe in many things we cannot see, because we observe the evidence, the results they produce. In the same way, we know an unseen Creator exists because we observe the evidence, the results of his handiwork. The Bible says: “For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.”—Rom. 1:20.

CREATOR’S HANDIWORK

If you saw a code of laws, such as those in a nation’s constitution, what would that indicate? If you saw even a simple sign at a street corner saying, “Stop,” what would it show? Laws indicate the existence of lawmakers.
The universe has far more impressive laws. Why, the moon landings by astronauts would have been impossible without taking into consideration, and depending upon, the precise and reliable laws of gravity, motion, acceleration, as well as the laws that govern the orbiting of the earth and the moon. Those superior laws indicate the existence of a superior Lawgiver, the invisible Creator.

Hence, it is not difficult to understand why the Bible says of those who ignore or deny the abundant evidence of a Creator: “They are inexcusable.”—Rom. 1:20.

THE WATCHTOWER, JULY 15, 1977 p. 419

Photo Credit: Inmagine-tt0139944; ideacreamanuela (image rendering)

“Who are the crowds saying that I am?”— LUKE 9:18.

JESUS asked his disciples that question because he knew that people had varying opinions about him.
Jesus was not a recluse, operating behind a cloak of secrecy. Rather, he openly mingled with people in their villages and cities. So why that confusion, may some ask.
Jesus preached and taught publicly because he wanted people to know the truth about him. (Luke 8:1) The truth about him can be discerned in his words and actions, which are recorded in the four Biblical Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. That inspired record is the basis for answering our questions about Jesus.—John 17:17.

QUESTION:
Whas Jesus really a historical person?

ANSWER: Yes, Secular historians, inclusing Josephus and Tacitus of the first century, mention Jesus as a historical figure. More important, the Gospels convincingly show that Jesus was a real person. For example, Gospel writer Luke mentions seven ruling officials—whose names have been corroborated by secular historians—in order to establish the year Jesus began his ministry.—(Luke 3:1, 2, 23).

QUESTION:
Is Jesus actually God?

ANSWER: No. Jesus never considered himself equal to God. On the contrary, Jesus repeatedly showed that he was subordinate to Jehovah, the personal name of God in the Bible.
For example, Jesus referred to Jehovah as “my God” and “the only true God.” (Matthew 27:46; John 17:3) Only a subordinate would use such expressions in referring to another.
Jesus also showed that he was seperate from God. Jesus said to his opposers: “In your own Law it is written, ‘The witness of two men is true’. I am one that bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” (John 8:17, 18) Jesus and Jehovah are viewed as two witnesses, two separate persons.

QUESTION:
Was Jesus just a good man?

ANSWER: No. He was far more than that. Jesus filled a number of important roles in carrying out God’s will:

“Only-begotten Son of God”. (John 3:18) Jesus’ life began long before his birth on earth. (John 6:38) Jesus was God’s first creation of all other things. As the only one directly created by God, Jesus could rightly be called ”the only-begotten Son of God.”—John 1:3, 14; Colossians 1:15, 16.
“Son of man.” (Matthew 8:20) Jesus many times referred to himself as ”the Son of man”, using an expression that occurs about 80 times in the Gospels. This expression indicates that he was fully human and not God incarnate. (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; John 8:46).
“Teacher.” (John 13:13) Jesus made it clear that his God-given work was “teaching . . . and preaching the good news” about God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:43)
“The Word.” (John 1:1) Jesus served as God’s Spokesman—the means by which God conveyed information and instruction to others. Jehovah used Jesus to deliver His message to humans on earth.—John 7:16, 17.

QUESTION:
Was Jesus the promised Messiah?

ANSWER: Yes. Bible prophecies foretold the coming of the Messiah, or Christ, meaning “Anointed One.” This Promised One would play a key role in fulfilling Jehovah’s purpose. On one occasion, a certain Samaritan woman told Jesus: “I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ.” Jesus then told her plainly: “I who am speaking to you am he.”—John 4:25, 26.
His lineage. The Bible foretold that the Messiah would descend from Abraham through the family line of David. (Genesis 22:18; Psalm 132:11, 12) Jesus was a descendant of both.—Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38.
Fulfilled prophecies. The Hebrew Scriptures contain dozens of prophecies about the Messiah’s life on earth, including details about his birth and death. (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-11; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15; Psalm 34:20; John 19:33, 36) There is simply no way that Jesus could have maneuvered his life to fit the factors needed to fulfill all the Messianic prophecies.
God’s own testimony. (Luke 2:10-14) On several occasions during Jesus’ ministry, God himself spoke from heaven, expressing his approval of Jesus. (Matthew 3:16, 17; 17:1-5) Jehovah enabled Jesus to perform powerful miracles, providing further proof that Jesus was the Messiah.—Acts 10:38.

QUESTION:
Why did Jesus have to suffer and die?

ANSWER: As a sinless man, Jesus did not deserve to suffer. Neither did he deserve to be nailed to a stake as a common criminal and be left there to die a shameful death. Still, Jesus expected such mistreatment and willingly submitted to it.—Matthew 20:17-19; 1Peter 2:21-23.
Messianic prophecies foretold that the Messiah would have to suffer and die to cover the sin of others. (Isaiah 53:5; Daniel 9:24, 26) Jesus himself said that he came “to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Those putting faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death have the prospect of being rescued from sin and death and living forever in Paradise on earth.—John 3:16; 1John 4:9, 10.

QUESTION:
Can we really believe that Jesus was resurrected from dead?

ANSWER: Yes. Jesus fully expected to be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21) The Bible says: “God resurrected him by loosing the pangs of death.”(Acts 2:24) If we accept that there is a God and that he is the Creator of all things, then we have every reason to believe that he could raise his Son from the dead.—Hebrews 3:4.
Eyewitness testimony. About 22 years after Jesus died, the apostle Paul wrote that there had been upwards of 500 eyewitnesses who saw the resurrected Jesus and that most of them were still alive when Paul was writing. (1Corinthians 15:6) One or two witnesses might be easy to dismiss, but who could refute the testimony of 500 eyewitnesses?
Credible witnesses. Jesus’ early disciples—who were in a unique position to know what really happened—boldly proclaimed that Jesus was resurrected. (Acts 2:29-32; 3:13-15)What is more, they viewed belief in his resurreciton as essential to the Christian faith. (1Corinthians 15:12-19) For this reason they were willing to die rather than renounce their faith in Jesus. (Acts 7:51-60; 12:1, 2;) Is there anyone who would knowingly and willingly die for a lie?

THE WATCHTOWER, APRIL 1, 2012 4

Photo Credit: Sermon-On-The-Mount, Carl Heinrich Bloch 19th.

“THIS GOOD news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come”.—MATTHEW 24:14

What It Means: The Gospel writer Luke reported that Jesus ”went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) Jesus himself said: ”I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” (Luke 4:43) He sent his disciples to preach the good news in the towns and villages and later commanded them: ”You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.”— Acts 1:8; Luke 10:1. (The Watchtower, march 1, 2012 p.8)

How Early Christians Measured Up: Jesus’ disciples wasted no time in doing what Jesus told them. ”Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news obout the Christ.” (Acts 5:42) In his book The Early Centuries of the Church, Jean Bernardi wrote: ”[Christians] were to go out and speak everywhere and to everyone. On the highways and in the cities, on the public squares and in the homes. Welcome or unwelcome. . . . To the ends of the earth.”

Who Fit the Pattern Today? ”The church’s failure to take preaching and teaching seriously is one reason for the general spiritual malaise of today”, writes Anglican priest David Watson.

”Mention the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and most people immediately think of preachers visiting our homes at inconvenient hours. For the Jehovah’s Witnesses, proselytizing door-to-door is not simply to advance their faith but the very article of faith.” (Cato Supreme Court Review, 2001-2002, by Jonathan Turley)

THE WATCHTOWER, MARCH 1, 2012 9

See also the articles: Are All ”Christians” Christian?; “Remain in MY WORD” ; “No Part of the World”; ”Have Love Among Yourselves”; “I Have Made Your Name Known”;

Photo Credit: Lube-Lux-Vide-Rai-Fiction

“I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. . . . I have made your name known to them and will make it known.”—JOHN 17:6, 26.

What It Means: Jesus made known God’s name by using it in his ministry. When Jesus read from the Scriptures, as he often did, he would have pronounced God’s personal name. (Luke 4:16-21) He taught his followers to pray: ”Father, let your name be sanctified.”—Luke 11:2. (The Watchtower, march 1, 2012 p. 7)

How Early Christians Measured Up: The apostle Peter related to the older men at Jerusalem that God had taken out of the nations ”a people for his name”. (Acts 15:14) The apostles and others preached that ”everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13) They also used the divine name in their own writings. ”The books of the Evangelists and the books of the minim [thought to be Jewish Christians] , . . . they and the references to the Divine Name which are in them”, says The Tosefta, a collection of Jewish laws completed by about 300 C.E.

Who Fit the Pattern Today? Who today use and make known God’s personal name? It is known that God’s name is identified as Jehovah. Interestingly, under the entry ”Jehovah God”, Webster’s Third New Internationel Dictionary gives the definition ”a supreme deity recognized and the only deity worshiped by Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

THE WATCHTOWER, MARCH 1, 2012 7

See also the articles: Are All ”Christians” Christian?; “Remain in MY WORD” ; “No Part of the World”; ”Have Love Among Yourselves”; “This Good News of the Kingdom Will Be Preached”

Photo Credit: Inmagine-dp1780856

”I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”—JOHN 13:34, 35.

What It Means: Christ told his followers to love one another the way that he loved them. How did Jesus love them? His love transcended the national and gender bias prevalent in his day. (John 4:7-10) Love moved Jesus to sacrifice his time, energy, and personal comfort in order to help others. (Mark 6:30-34) Finally, Christ showed love in the greatest way possible. ”I am the fine shepherd,” he said. ”The fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep”.—John 10:11.

How Early Christians Meassured Up: In the first century, Christians called each other ”brother” or ”sister”. (Philemon 1,2) People of all nations were welcomed into the Christian congregation, for they believed that ”there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord over all.” (Romans 10:11, 12) Less than 200 after the death of the apostles, Tertullian quoted what others said of Christians: ”How they love one another . . . and how they are ready even to die for one another.”

Who Fit the Pattern Today? ”In 2004, after Florida was hit by a string of four hurricanes in two months, the chairman of Florida’s Emergency Operations Committee checked to ensure that their supplies were being used properly. He said that no other group was as well organized as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and he offered to provide any supplies needed by the Witnesses.” “Earlier, in 1997, a relief team of Jehovah’s Witnesses with medicine, food, and clothing traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist their Christian brothers and others in need. Fellow Witnesses in Europe had donated supplies totaling a million dollars (U.S.).” (The Watchtower, march 1, 2012 p. 6)

THE WATCHTOWER, MARCH 1, 2012 6

See also the articles: Are All ”Christians” Christian?; “Remain in MY WORD” ; “No Part of the World”; “I Have Made Your Name Known”; “This Good News of the Kingdom Will Be Preached”

Photo Credit: Inmagine-culs103883