Me and my boyfriend who I am suppose to be marrying met when after a started to study the Bible Teach book. We have been going to Hall together for about a month. The girl that I am studying with is now making a big deal out of it say that since he is baptized and I'm not that we can't be dating. I am a non-Baptized publisher. I plan on getting Baptized soon enough just waiting until I am 100% ready. Before we ever started dating he talked to the guy that he studies with and told him that he can make his own decisions in that catagory but they don't recommend it because there are risk. And told him that he should be very cautious. Which we are we don't ride in the same vehicle together and we are never alone together unless we are in a very public place. We are getting 2 very different answers from each of our study partners. I'm very confused. I don't know which answer to go by. Someone please help me out here.
2007-12-03 08:01:49 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible to teach that a baptized Christian should only only marry a baptized Christian.
...(1 Corinthians 7:39) She is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord.
Since dating is with a view to marriage, it follows that a baptized Christian should only date another baptized Christian.
The interesting thing about this biblical instruction, however, is that no particular consequence is mentioned for ignoring it. Thus, the bible seems to teach that dating or marrying a person who is not a baptized Christian is NOT a serious sin.
A baptized Jehovah's Witness who did so would not be formally reproved by his congregation. However, he would not qualify for privileges in the congregation since he is not a good example to others.
Specific personal circumstances such as are described by the questioner are sometimes tolerated by congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses when the situation is understood to be temporary. After several months, however, if the situation does not seem to have a resolution on the immediate horizon, it seems likely that some in the congregation will choose to "mark" as bad association the baptized brother who persists in dating an unbaptized person. Those who choose to apply the principle of 2 Thess 3:14 may limit their socializing with the one who is not strictly "obedient", but of course they will not altogether discontinue Christian fellowship with him.
(2 Thessalonians 3:13-15) Brothers, do not give up in doing right. But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19990215/article_01.htm
2007-12-06 02:38:30 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well see it's not recommendable for a baptized witness to date a non-baptized publisher. It's not that is WRONG, but there are always risks.
The reason for the risk is because there has been cases where the non-baptized publisher studies just because they want to make their baptized partner believe that they are really interested on the Bible, but in reality they are not. Sadly that's how many witnesses have fallen out of the truth.
You said that you were waiting for the right moment where you feel 100% sure...now, when is that going to be? Why are the real reason you are studying? Is it because of him or is it because you really love Jehovah and want to please him.
On the other hand, there has been marriges that have been succesful after having the same situation you both have.
It all boils down to if you are REALLY serious about what you are learning. If you are not, then you need to examine yourself. Maybe you pray more often to Jehovah and tell him how you feel + be specific and ask him to help you appreciate the imformation you are learning.
I'm happy you are careful when you're with him. Just make sure he's the right guy and loves Jehovah. And don't want too long to be 100% sure. If you have taken your study seriously, within 2 months at least you should have already figured out that Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones that are doing the right thing from all other religions. Maybe you need to see Jehovah like a real friend.
2007-12-03 08:13:57 · answer #2 · answered by SleepingBeauty =) 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
OK I'm one of Jehovah's Witness and there is no converting right away. You don't just up and go well I want to date this girl so I'll convert. No it takes sometime and stuff but I want get into all of that. But yea our dating rules basically we think that you should or can date when you are ready for marriage. Your partners should be on the same terms as your spirituality. Well yes some say we can't date out of our religion but that's not the case. It would just be best to be with somebody on same terms if things occur in the future. Say you want to get married to her you have a child and the child is fine at first. Later the child becomes sick and the doctor says well your child needs blood or their going to die. Well if you know we don't accept blood so that would cause problems in the relationship if you thinks she wrong by saying the child shouldn't have blood and you worry that she could die. What if you then wanted to get a divorce from her. Well we believe that there should only be a divorce if fornication was involved Yes I know you didn't ask all of this but well you know I could go on and on but well it would be a lot easier if she dated inside the religion. Besides I've seen first hand relationships that have not turned out so great because one was a Jehovah's Witness and the other was some other from of religion. Also baptism is not something like oh yea in order for you to become a baptized Witness you're going to have to show that you love Jehovah God with your whole heart whole soul and whole mind. This is not something that can just be all I want to get baptized. You'd have to study become and unbaptized publisher. Many more things you have to have a close relationship with God. OK well I could go on and on forever but I want. But if you want to convert do it because you love God not because you want to be with a girl.
2016-05-28 00:45:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
“In many lands, it is customary for parents to choose a mate for their child. It is widely agreed in those cultures that parents have the greater wisdom and experience needed to make such an important choice. Arranged marriages often work out well, as they did in Bible times. The example of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac is instructive to parents who may be in a similar position today. Money and social standing were not Abraham’s concern. Rather, he went to great lengths to find a wife for Isaac among people who worshipped Jehovah”.*—Genesis 24:3, 67. “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” (2014), page 115, parragraph 12. (Jehovah’s Witnesses publication)
2016-08-05 16:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by Sign Of The Owl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are an unbaptized publisher then you would have already developed your personal relationship with Jehovah all i can recommend is that you take a genuine heartfelt prayer to Jehovah and trust in what you believe is right.
1peter 5:7 "while you throw all your anxiety upon him (Jehovah) because he cares for YOU
Keep u[p the good work we are living in the times of the end it is so visible now :)
p.s. If you havn't already have a look at the draw close to Jehovah book its amazing
2007-12-03 08:11:34 · answer #5 · answered by kriss 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Would it be wise, for a dedicated Christian to pursue courtship and marriage with someone who has been accepted as an unbaptized publisher, since, strictly speaking, Paul’s counsel recorded at 2 Corinthians 6:14 could not apply in that case? No, that is not wise. Why not? Because of the direct counsel Paul gave regarding Christian widows. Paul wrote: “She is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39) In harmony with that counsel, dedicated Christians are urged to seek marriage mates only among those who are “in the Lord.”
at Romans 16:8-10 and Colossians 4:7. If you read those verses, you will see that such ones are ‘fellow workers,’ ‘approved ones,’ ‘beloved brothers,’ ‘faithful ministers,’ and ‘fellow slaves.’
To me it seems you are doing the right thing, If you are dating, you are wise to avoid being alone with your prospective mate under inappropriate circumstances. So it may be best to enjoy each other’s association in a group setting or in public places. Some couples arrange to have a chaperon.
Servants of Jehovah choose as friends individuals who have the same love for Jehovah and his righteousness that they do. While they appreciate and enjoy the companionship of their friends, they wisely avoid the permissive, overly liberal view of dating that is prevalent in some countries today. Rather than indulging in it as harmless fun, they view dating as a serious step toward marriage that should be taken only when one is physically, mentally, and spiritually ready, as well as Scripturally free, to enter into a permanent partnership. 1 Corinthians 7:36.
Some may feel that it is old-fashioned to take such a view of dating and marriage. But Jehovah’s Witnesses do not allow peer pressure to influence their choice of friends or their decisions as regards dating and marriage. They know that “wisdom is proved righteous by its works.” (Matthew 11:19) Jehovah always knows best, so they take seriously his counsel to marry “only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14) They avoid rushing into marriage with the mistaken thought that divorce or separation are acceptable options should the relationship falter. They take their time to seek out a suitable partner, realizing that once marriage vows are taken, Jehovah’s law applies: “So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart,"
Marriage is a lifelong commitment that deserves careful planning. A man will logically ask himself, ‘Is she really the right person for me?’ But equally important, he should ask, ‘Am I really the right person for her? Am I a mature Christian who can care for her spiritual needs?’ Both prospective partners have an obligation before Jehovah to be spiritually strong, capable of forming a solid marriage union that merits divine approval.
I believe everything will work out right, if you continue as you describe them. Keep looking to the day you will be baptised, and pay no attention to these people with their negative answers.
2007-12-03 08:48:31 · answer #6 · answered by BJ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well Good to here you are studying.
Well I think you know the rules a little, Just don't do what is bad. Like commit fornication and stuff like that. Plus it depends on your age, and if your ready. Or there is always the possibility that she is over reacting.
2007-12-04 17:35:58 · answer #7 · answered by JW 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey, I, myself am an athiest, but my mom is a witness...so i know a little about this subject. i dont think there is nothing wrong with u two dating..but if u are serious about really getting baptized and satying commited to ur faith, then just be careful! but i dont think that there is anything wron with that, especially because u both have the same goal, right? to worship jehovah.
2007-12-03 08:07:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
youre fine.
are you going to let love dictate your relationship or the thoughts of others.
as far as religion, its how you interpret things that matter.
not being baptized dosent mean you cant date or for that matter be married. Im protestant and engaged to a Catholic and theyre not even making a big deal out of me not being baptized.
2007-12-03 08:07:06 · answer #9 · answered by skiracer712 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
that isn't necesarily true. just because u aren't baptized dosn't mean you guys can't date i know cause i used to be a Jehovah Witness.
2007-12-03 08:08:44 · answer #10 · answered by Disturbia 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋