If i'm disfellowshiped already, do I need to confess something about another DF person, who took part in my wrongful act? Its been bothering me for awhile I don't know what to do. Please answer.
2007-10-26 03:40:03 · 7 answers · asked by I'm trying to do Ryte! 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, unless either disfellowshipped person is misrepresenting himself to the congregation as being qualified for reinstatement.
Normally there is no need to discuss any details of the sins one committed during the time one was disfellowshipped from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. However, there are at least two notable exceptions where even a disfellowshipped Christian would recognize the need to confess his sins to persons besides his heavenly Father Jehovah.
1. A disfellowshipped Christian who engages in adultery does not merely commit a serious sin against Jehovah God, but against the innocent spouse. The sin must be confessed to the innocent spouse, preferably by her own spouse.
2. A disfellowshipped Christian who engages in child abuse or child pornography commits a serious sin with special consequences. Even if the sinner believes his gross sin to be behind him, it would be terribly selfish for such a sinner to allow the congregation to believe that he qualified for special privileges, when in fact these types of sins permanently disqualify the sinner from congregation privileges.
Of course, the Christian Congregation is not primarily interested in confession (which, most importantly, is done in prayer to God), but in one's repentance and one's renewed resolve to live by God's standards. Serious sin by an active Christian should move him to work with congregation elders, and refusal to do so is generally seen as a lack of humility which impedes genuine repentance.
(James 5:14-15) Is there anyone [spiritually] sick among you? Let him call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, [metaphorically] greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well
A Christian working toward reinstatement will likely recognize the need to be candid with congregation elders, but elders are primarily interested in the progress one has made rather than the depths to which one had previously sunk.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm
2007-10-26 10:55:00 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If they are disfellowshipped, no. You are no longer a Witness if you are disfellowshipped. You are part of the world and what you do does not concern the Witness anymore.
I know that my sister was reinstated in July. While she was disfellowshipped, she did a lot more than what she was disfellowshipped for. When she first spoke with the elders about coming back, they said they didn't need to know anything that she had done, to just go forward from that point onward.
Now if that person was trying to come back and was still doing things that are scripturally wrong. Then you might want to say something to a elder.
2007-10-26 04:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Do you need to??
Well if you feel it important to say something, go ahead and do so, just be polite about it.
Example, instead of, HE MESSED UP TOO!!! You could simply inform them of the Complete story of what happened, and let them know so they can talk with the other person.
Oh wait, just saw your hypothetical was about Another DF'd person. I don't really see the point, as if the person is DF'd they probably have already been found out, and aren't a danger to the congregation as they have already been DF'd.
Once again, if you feel a need to do so, go ahead.
Of course if the person was breaking the law then legal channels should be sought out as well.
Hope this helps.
2007-10-27 07:43:33 · answer #3 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I say you should.. Once you confessed what you did. You should of mentioned it. But first you know they teach to talk to that person and make them correct their wrong doing. give her time to confess on her one after you talk to her. But make sure to tell her that if she/he doesn't then you will take action.
2007-10-26 03:44:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are disfellowshipped and they are disfellowshipped, then what do the elders have to do with you? You are in the world now.
2007-10-27 09:40:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
It is a good thing to confess your sins, but think about what God wants you to do. He has given you the ability to know what is right and what is wrong. Unless you want to walk the line some false organization draws.
2007-10-27 04:09:44 · answer #6 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
This group tattling that the Witnesses are called to do is ridiculous. The scriptures are clear on how you should handle problems with your brother. Take it to him or her and stop the backbiting..It is between the sinner and God.
You guys curse the Catholics for their Confession and their "penance" but YOU do the same thing. Hypocrites.
http://towerwatch.com
http://silentlambs.org
2007-10-27 03:15:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋