Checkpoint wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:48 pm
You are not of that number, not of that same group.
This being so, doesn't it naturally mean the different aspects that identify them,
do not apply to you, individually and as a different number and as a different group?
Whether one is spirit anointed cannot (and need not) be identifiable to anyone but to the individual concerned.
It is a personal matter between the person and God. Jesus therefore did not provide a criteria by which someone
else could verify this fact. (Compare 1 John 2:27)
KEY EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
- "Spirit anointed" : having the holy spirit confirm for them they are designated as future kings in Gods kingdom government (Ephesians 1:13, 14)
- "born again" : taken into a special relationship with God as his adopted spiritual sons and daughters and thus in line to share the same inheritance as his firstborn son, Jesus namely, kingdom authority (Romans 8:15-17)
ONE FLOCK, ONE GROUP
What Jesus did provide is a way to identify true Christians (see John 13:35). Spirit anointed Christians would be at the heart of the congregation but as individuals they would be indistinguishable from those that do not have such a calling (compare John 10:16). This is because it would only be essential for honest hearted ones to identify which religious
group (out of the
thousands of groups that would eventually
claim to be "Christian") actually had Gods approval not which individuals in that group were anointed.
ZECHARIAH 8:23 - NWT
“This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations+ will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”’”
NOTE The outpouring of holy spirit (and the accompanying mirouculous works) at Pentecost indicated that Gods approval had moved from the Jews to the Christians
as a group. Anointed ones were not to expect flames to permentently float above their heads so others could identify them as "born again". Paul indicated even miraculous work would not be a permanent feature of the congregation¤.
¤For more on this point see the post :
Is there biblical support for the teaching of the cessession of spectacular miracles?
viewtopic.php?p=958339#p958339
CONCLUSION There ARE no aspects of Christian behaviour which apply only to "the anointed" . Christians would be united as "one flock", one united group, regardless of their personal destiny. All Christans, anointed or not, should be identifiable by their Christian love and fine works.
JW
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