The Watchtower Society of Jehovah's Witnesses

[Elijah John]

How can Jehovah's Witnesses be the "one true church" if they themselves make mistakes and revise their doctrine, dogma and practices?

Exhibit a) before the NWT (New World Translation) of the Bible was published, Jehovah's Witnesses used the American Standard Version (ASV). Both translations honor the name of Jehovah but there are stark differences.

The NWT is the only translation (that I know of) which has Jesus "impaled on a stake" instead of crucified on a cross, as virtually every other translation posits.

The first volume of the NWT was originally released in 1950.

How can JWs be the "only true church" if it was evolving, fallible and subject to revision?

And exhibit b) how can JWs be the only true church with dimly supported and strange doctrines such as the belief that Jesus was Michael the Archangel before the Nativity?

Exhibit c) How can the JWs be the only true church if they falsely predicted that Jesus would return in 1914?

And when that return did not materialized, they revised their prediction and now conveniently claim his return was "invisible".

"One true Church" or fringe sect?

[postroad]

[Replying to post 68 by 2timothy316]
If you copy and paste large sections of your replies it is generally accepted that you indicate this by incorporating it as a quote and giving the source.

[hoghead1]

[Replying to post 70 by American Deist]

I am inclined to agree with you. However, I was curious what your sign -off in red means. Is that you or someone you are quoting? What do the abbreviations mean?

[postroad]

Well doesn't this beat all!! I have been debating a concept that was reversed in 2013. Jesus didn't return invisible in 1914 after all. He will in fact return at some future tribulation. So now what? Also the faithful slave was not chosen in 1919 but will be chosen at this future tribulation. So why are JWs on this forum arguing from a pre 2013 position?

"In the verses that lead up to Matthew 24:46, the word "coming" refers consistently to the time when Jesus comes to pronounce and execute judgment during the great tribulation. (Matt. 24:30, 42, 44) Also, as we considered in paragraph 12, Jesus' 'arriving' mentioned at Matthew 25:31 refers to that same future time of judgment. So it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings, mentioned at Matthew 24:46, 47, also applies to his future coming, during the great tribulation. Indeed, a consideration of Jesus' prophecy in its entirety makes it clear that each of these eight references to his coming applies to the future time of judgment during the great tribulation." (Watchtower, July, 2013, Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?)

]

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 68 by 2timothy316]

In this case the physical occurrences that are visible would cause the one looking to see or realize that Christ is invisibly present."See also Mt 24; Mr 13; Re 14:14.

Sorry pilgrim, but I prefer to accept and apply these verses.

Matthew 24:

23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There he is! do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 So, if they say to you, Look, he is in the wilderness, do not go out. If they say, Look, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it.

27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

[American Deist]

[Replying to post 70 by American Deist]

I am inclined to agree with you. However, I was curious what your sign -off in red means. Is that you or someone you are quoting? What do the abbreviations mean?

P.D. Chaplain w/ Th.D., D.Div. h.c. - TNARS

P.D. = police department
Th.D. = theology doctorate
D.Div. h.c. = divinity doctorate (honorary)
TNARS = The North American Reformed Seminary (where I got my Th.D. from)

[hoghead1]

[Replying to American Deist]

Thanks. I have a doctorate in theology from the conjoint program between Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh.

[onewithhim]

Well doesn't this beat all!! I have been debating a concept that was reversed in 2013. Jesus didn't return invisible in 1914 after all. He will in fact return at some future tribulation. So now what? Also the faithful slave was not chosen in 1919 but will be chosen at this future tribulation. So why are JWs on this forum arguing from a pre 2013 position?

"In the verses that lead up to Matthew 24:46, the word "coming" refers consistently to the time when Jesus comes to pronounce and execute judgment during the great tribulation. (Matt. 24:30, 42, 44) Also, as we considered in paragraph 12, Jesus' 'arriving' mentioned at Matthew 25:31 refers to that same future time of judgment. So it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings, mentioned at Matthew 24:46, 47, also applies to his future coming, during the great tribulation. Indeed, a consideration of Jesus' prophecy in its entirety makes it clear that each of these eight references to his coming applies to the future time of judgment during the great tribulation." (Watchtower, July, 2013, Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?)

]

You're not getting the correct view concerning what has been said. Don't try to tell anybody else what JWs believe....you'd get it all wrong.

[postroad]

[Replying to post 76 by hoghead1]

I got nothing Less than nothing! I was asked to not return to a Bible study years ago.

[postroad]

[Replying to post 77 by onewithhim] That's probably true. Unfortunately for us, getting a straight answer from a JW can be frustrating and time consuming.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 70 by American Deist]

I am inclined to agree with you. However, I was curious what your sign -off in red means. Is that you or someone you are quoting? What do the abbreviations mean?

P.D. Chaplain w/ Th.D., D.Div. h.c. - TNARS

P.D. = police department
Th.D. = theology doctorate
D.Div. h.c. = divinity doctorate (honorary)
TNARS = The North American Reformed Seminary (where I got my Th.D. from)

Isn't it odd.....Jesus' disciples had NO formal higher learning and yet they had the credentials to teach the Good News of God's Kingdom to the world. The apostle Paul said that a degree isn't necessary; what is on the tablet of the heart is what makes someone eligible to preach.

"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation [or degrees?] to you or from you? YOU are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone [or document paper?] but on tablets of human hearts." (2Corinthians 3:1-3, NASB)

.[/b]