Jehovah's Witnesses: doesn't the Bible command you to defend you faith?

Question

I Peter 3:15

"But sanctify the Christ as Lord in YOUR hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of YOU a reason for the hope in YOU, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect."

Don't give me the "pearls before swine" excuse. I may be a swine but there are perhaps thousands of potential Witnesses reading these questions. I don't think all the folks here are swine. If you answer the question, you may get an email from an interested person.

Your resposibility. What if someone reading this is receptive?

It's a valid questions.

Remember a mild temper and deep respect.

Jehovah's Witnesses, if one just reads the Bible without the aid of your literature, can he learn the truth?

Watchtower 8/15/81 "From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude. They do not want to serve “shoulder to shoulder” with the worldwide brotherhood. (Compare Ephesians 2:19-22.) Rather, they present a “stubborn shoulder” to Jehovah’s words. (Zech. 7:11, 12) Reviling the pattern of the “pure language” that Jehovah has so graciously taught his people over the past century, these haughty ones try to draw the “sheep” away from the one international “flock” that Jesus has gathered in the earth. (John 10:7-10, 16) They try to sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones from the bounteous “table” of spiritual food spread at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where truly there is ‘nothing lacking.’ (Ps. 23:1-6)

Continued "They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home."
"But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago, and some have even returned to celebrating Christendom’s festivals again, such as the Roman Saturnalia of December 25! Jesus and his apostles warned against such lawless ones.—Matt. 24:11-13; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1, 22."

This is clearly stating that you if you read the Bible without the the “pure language” that Jehovah has so graciously taught his people over the past century," in other words, witness literature, you will become an apostate.

Or, "there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who, like the original Satan,". These "Satan" like ones want to read the Bible only.

Can you learn the truth by reading the Bible only and not with Witness literature?

If not, how did Charles Russell discern the truth from the Bible. Witness literature hadn;t been written yet?

Answer the question, if one just reads the Bible without the aid of your literature, can he learn the truth?

JefferyS....what????

Valid question, still no answer.

Dana C : You said "It allows Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world to be studying and learning the same things at the exact same time. That is why we are called a true Brotherhood. The Watchtower magazine helps to draw us closer"

Best form of mass mind control.

Grandps, go back to sleep. The Geritol section called and wondered where you are.

I am a grandfather of 8, by the way.

Alex: From the Watchtower, 9/1/85 , pg 26 "

With the help of Jehovah’s spirit, Paul wrote a number of Bible books and made many converts to Christianity. So he certainly proved to be adequately qualified for the Christian ministry. In a modern parallel, especially since this journal was first published in 1879, the anointed remnant of Christ’s disciples, though not inspired as was Paul, have produced much Bible literature."

By their own admition they are not inspired. You answer implys that someone needs to have the Bible explained to them. Good luck with the "uninspired" JW's explainations.

Answer 1

okay.

what are you trying to ask/ ascertain/ find out?

iow, huh????

gramps.

[us old guys kinda 'glaze over' when someone is verbose to an extreme. comes with the territory......]

Answer 2

If I understand correctly, the main question you are asking is "Do we defend our faith"? I'm the stages of having a regular Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses and am not baptized, but I feel Jehovah's laws are the ones that will lead us all to the most beneficial and peaceful life. His standards also allow us to remain in love even as this world heads towards more violence and hatred. I have had the wonderful opportunity to practise what I have learned as far as defending my faith by refusing a blood transfusion for myself and for my son.

The purpose of following the literature along with Bible based scriptures is an amazing thing :-) It allows Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world to be studying and learning the same things at the exact same time. That is why we are called a true Brotherhood. The Watchtower magazine helps to draw us closer in understanding on a deeper level just what is pleasing in Jehovah's eyes. So that's a very positive thing.

Perhaps you don't have alot of answers on this because there may not be many witnesses on line right now. It is ok for us to engage in such forums to help people if we so wish, but we are also warned not to get *caught up* and waste alot of time on the internet, as it can be a trap.

Answer 3

Islam has proven via its instance that it's real a faith of mass violence, demise & destruction. Christianity however has additionally proven via documented & historic information that whether or not it preaches peace or now not, the movements of christian fans had been certainly one of homicide, demise, cruelty & so on & so forth. Ghandi as soon as mentioned, " I like your Christ. I don't like your christians. They are not anything like your Christ." I agree. They have all forgotten love in motion as used to be taught via their founders. As for Jehovah Witnesses, does it lead them to to any extent further peaceable & loving to mercilessly permit a bit youngster to die unnessessarily since they do not want to permit a blood transfusion that might retailer that youngster's existence? I cannot see love or peace in something that includes any form of violence. Talking peace & dwelling it via our instance are 2 specific matters. We cannot cover at the back of our religions to hide up our violent natures.

Answer 4

Yes
(to the first question in bold).

The bible does remind a Christian of his responsibility to defend his faith.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/

Answer 5

"Philip ran alongside and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said: “Do you actually know what you are reading?” He said: “Really, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?” And he entreated Philip to get on and sit down with him." -- Acts 8:30,31

"However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: “How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!”" -- Romans 10:14,15


http://www.watchtower.org/e/19981001/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/article_04.htm

Answer 6

Of course. But I don't get your point. Was there something left UNdefended?

Answer 7

'We' Christians need to separate the 'Bible' from scriptures presentlyin USA to God's glory; they are not the same, and the 'Bible' has changes to God's word.