Eternal Life Not Inherent
During those years before radio and television, a popular way to express one's viewpoint was to write and distribute pamphlets. About 1835, Grew penned an important pamphlet that exposed the teachings of the immorality of the soul and hellfire as unscriptual. He felt that these doctrines blasphemed God.
This pamphlet was to have far - reaching effects. In 1837, 40 year-old George Storrs found a copy on a train. Storrs was a native of Lebanon, New Hampshire, residing by this time in Utica, New York.
He was a highly respected minister in the Methodist - Episcopal Church. Upon reading the pamphlet, he was impressed that such a strong argument could be made against these basic teachings of Christendom, which he had never before doubted. He did not know who the author was, and it was not until some years later, at least by 1844, that he met Henry Grew while both were residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, Storrs studied the matter on his own for three years, speaking only with other ministers about it.
Finally, since no one could refute the things he was learning, George Storrs decided that he could not be faithful to God if he remained in the Methodist Church. He resigned in 1840 and move to Albany, New York. In the early spring of 1842, Storrs gave a series of six lectures in six weeks on the subject "An Inquiry - Are the Wicked Immortal?" The interest was so great that he revised it for publication, and over the next 40 years, it reached a circulation of 200,000 in the United States and Great Briain. Storrs and Grew collaborated in debates against the immortal soul doctrine. Grew continued zealously preaching until his death on August 8, 1862, in Philadelphia.
Shortly after Storrs presented the six lectures just mentioned, he became interested in the preaching Of William Miller, who was expecting the visible return of Christ in 1843. For about two years, Storrs was actively involved in preaching this message throughout the Northeastern United States. After 1844, he would no longer go along with setting any date for Christ's return, yet he did not object if others wanted to investigate chronology. Storrs believed that Christ's return was near and that it was important for Christians to keep awake and spiritually alert, ready for the day of inspection. But he parted company with Miller's group because they accepted unscriptural doctrines, such as the immortality of the soul, the burning of the world, and the absence of any hope of everlasting life for those who die in ignorance.
1.14.2007
1.13.2007
Separating From Christendom
This group, including Henry Grew, started a study of the Bible with the aim of conforming their lives and activities to its counsel. Their studies rapidly led them to a greater understanding of Bible truth and caused them to espose the errors of Christendom. For example, in 1824, Grew wrote a well-reasoned refutation of the Trinity. Note the logic in this passage from his writings: " 'Of that day, and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' [Mark13:32] Observe here the graduation in the scale of being. Man, Angels, Son, Father..... Our Lord teaches us that the Father only knew of that day. But this is not true, if as some suppose, the Father, Word, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one God; for according to this [teaching, the Trinity doctrine,] the ... Son knew it equally with the Father.
Grew exposed the hypocrisy of clergymen and military commanders who made a pretense of service to Christ. In 1828 he declared: " Can we conceive of a greater incongruity, than for a Christian to go from its closet, where he has been praying for his enemies, and command his troops to plunge the weapons of death with fiend like fury, into the hearts of those very enemies? In the one case, he happily resembles his dying Master; but whom does he resemble in the other? Jesus prayed for his murderers. Christians murder those for whom they pray."
Even more forcefully, Grew wrote: " When shall we believe the Almighty who assures us that he is 'not mocked?' When shall we understand the nature, the genius, of that holy religion which requires us to abstain from even the 'appearance of evil?'... It is not a libel on the Son of the blessed, to suppose that his religion requires a man to act like an angel in one relation, and allows him to act like a demon in another?"
Next time:Eternal Life Not Inherent
This group, including Henry Grew, started a study of the Bible with the aim of conforming their lives and activities to its counsel. Their studies rapidly led them to a greater understanding of Bible truth and caused them to espose the errors of Christendom. For example, in 1824, Grew wrote a well-reasoned refutation of the Trinity. Note the logic in this passage from his writings: " 'Of that day, and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' [Mark13:32] Observe here the graduation in the scale of being. Man, Angels, Son, Father..... Our Lord teaches us that the Father only knew of that day. But this is not true, if as some suppose, the Father, Word, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one God; for according to this [teaching, the Trinity doctrine,] the ... Son knew it equally with the Father.
Grew exposed the hypocrisy of clergymen and military commanders who made a pretense of service to Christ. In 1828 he declared: " Can we conceive of a greater incongruity, than for a Christian to go from its closet, where he has been praying for his enemies, and command his troops to plunge the weapons of death with fiend like fury, into the hearts of those very enemies? In the one case, he happily resembles his dying Master; but whom does he resemble in the other? Jesus prayed for his murderers. Christians murder those for whom they pray."
Even more forcefully, Grew wrote: " When shall we believe the Almighty who assures us that he is 'not mocked?' When shall we understand the nature, the genius, of that holy religion which requires us to abstain from even the 'appearance of evil?'... It is not a libel on the Son of the blessed, to suppose that his religion requires a man to act like an angel in one relation, and allows him to act like a demon in another?"
Next time:Eternal Life Not Inherent
1.12.2007
The Light Brightens
Among such men at the turn of the 19th century was Henry Grew (1781-1862), from Birminham, England. At the age of 13, he sailed with his family across the Atlantic to the United States, arriving on July 8, 1795. They settled in Providence, Rhode Island. His parents instilled in him a love for the Bible. In 1807, at age 25, Grew was invited to serve as pastor of the Baptisit Church in Hartford, Connecticut.
He took his teaching responsibilities seriously and tried to assist those in his care to live in harmony with the Scriptures. However, he believed in keeping the congregation clean from any person who willingly practiced sin. At times, he, along with other responsible men, had to expel (disfellowship) those who committed fornication or engaged in other unclean practices.
There were other problems in the church that disturbed him. They had men who were not church members handling the business affairs of the church and leading the singers at the services. These men could also vote on matters of concern to the congregation and thereby have some control of its affairs. Based on the principle of separateness from the world, Grew very strongly believed that only faithful men should perform these functions. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 1:27) In his view, to have unbelievers sing songs of praise to God was blasphemy. Because of this stand, in 1811, Henry Grew was rejected by the church. Other members with like views separated from the church at the same time.
Next time: Separating From Christendom
Among such men at the turn of the 19th century was Henry Grew (1781-1862), from Birminham, England. At the age of 13, he sailed with his family across the Atlantic to the United States, arriving on July 8, 1795. They settled in Providence, Rhode Island. His parents instilled in him a love for the Bible. In 1807, at age 25, Grew was invited to serve as pastor of the Baptisit Church in Hartford, Connecticut.
He took his teaching responsibilities seriously and tried to assist those in his care to live in harmony with the Scriptures. However, he believed in keeping the congregation clean from any person who willingly practiced sin. At times, he, along with other responsible men, had to expel (disfellowship) those who committed fornication or engaged in other unclean practices.
There were other problems in the church that disturbed him. They had men who were not church members handling the business affairs of the church and leading the singers at the services. These men could also vote on matters of concern to the congregation and thereby have some control of its affairs. Based on the principle of separateness from the world, Grew very strongly believed that only faithful men should perform these functions. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 1:27) In his view, to have unbelievers sing songs of praise to God was blasphemy. Because of this stand, in 1811, Henry Grew was rejected by the church. Other members with like views separated from the church at the same time.
Next time: Separating From Christendom
1.10.2007
Working In The "Field" Before The Harvest
The disciples of the Great Teacher were puzzled. Jesus had just related a brief story about wheat and weeds. It was one of a number of parables that he spoke that day. When he was finished, most in his audience left, but his followers knew that there must be a particular meaning to his parables - especially the one about the wheat and the weeds. They knew that Jesus was not just an interesting storyteller.
Matthew reports that they asked: "Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field." In response, Jesus interpreted the parable, foretelling a great apostasy that would develop among his professed disciples. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-38, 43) This did occur, and apostasy spread quickly after the death of the apostle John. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12) Its effects were so pervasive that the question Jesus posed, as recorded at Luke 18:8, seemed very appropriate: "When the Son of Man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
Jesus' arriveal would mark the beginning of "the harvest" of wheatlike Christians. That would be a mark of the 'conclusion of the system of things,' which begun in 1914. So it should not surprise us that there were stirrings of interest in Bible truth in the period leading up to the onset of the harvest. - Matthew 13:39.
An examination of the historical record makes it evident that especially from the 15th century onward, minds were being stirred, even among the masses in Christendom who were like the "weeds," or imitation Christians. As the Bible concordances were prepared, honesthearted individuals started searching the Scriptures carefully.
Next time: The Light Brightens
The disciples of the Great Teacher were puzzled. Jesus had just related a brief story about wheat and weeds. It was one of a number of parables that he spoke that day. When he was finished, most in his audience left, but his followers knew that there must be a particular meaning to his parables - especially the one about the wheat and the weeds. They knew that Jesus was not just an interesting storyteller.
Matthew reports that they asked: "Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field." In response, Jesus interpreted the parable, foretelling a great apostasy that would develop among his professed disciples. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-38, 43) This did occur, and apostasy spread quickly after the death of the apostle John. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12) Its effects were so pervasive that the question Jesus posed, as recorded at Luke 18:8, seemed very appropriate: "When the Son of Man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?"
Jesus' arriveal would mark the beginning of "the harvest" of wheatlike Christians. That would be a mark of the 'conclusion of the system of things,' which begun in 1914. So it should not surprise us that there were stirrings of interest in Bible truth in the period leading up to the onset of the harvest. - Matthew 13:39.
An examination of the historical record makes it evident that especially from the 15th century onward, minds were being stirred, even among the masses in Christendom who were like the "weeds," or imitation Christians. As the Bible concordances were prepared, honesthearted individuals started searching the Scriptures carefully.
Next time: The Light Brightens
1.09.2007
A Helper In Making Personal Decisions
The Bible is a product of holy spirit. Thus, when we allow ourselves to be persuaded by the Bible, it is as though the holy spirit were instructing us. (2Timothy 3:16, 17) It can help us to make wise decisions. But do we let it?
What about our choice of occupation or employment? Holy spirit will enable us to view a prospective job from Jehovah's standpoint. Our employment must harmonize with Bible principles, and preferably it ought to help us persue theocratic goals. The salary or the prominence and prestige connected with a job are truly of lesser importance. More significant is whether it provides is with the necessities of life and allows us sufficient time and opportunity to fulfill our Christian obligations.
A desire to enjoy life is normal and proper. (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 11:9) So a balanced Christian may pursue recreation for refreshment and for enjoyment. But he ought to choose recreation that reflects the spirit's fruitage, no the kind that features the "the works of the flesh." Paul explains: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct,idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries and things like these." Becoming "egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another" are also to be avoided. -Galatians 5:16-26.
It is similar with regard to choosing friends. It is wise to choose them according to spirituality, not according to outward appearance or possessions. The man David was obviously God's friend, for God described him as being "a man agreeable to [his] heart." (Acts 13:22) ignoring outward appearance, God chose David to be king of Israel, according to the principle: " Not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is." - 1 Samuel 16:7.
Thousands of friendships have faltered because they were based on outward appearance or on possessions. Friendships based on uncertain riches can end suddenly. (Proverbs 14:20) God's spirit-inspired Word advises us that when choosing friends, we should pick those who can assist us to serve Jehovah. It tells us to concentrate on giving rather than receiving because giving brings even greater joy. (Acts 20:35) Time and affection are among the most precious things we can give our friends.
To a Christian seeking a marriage mate, the Bible provides spirit-inspired advice. In a way, it says: ' Look beyond the face and the figure. Look at the feet.' The feet? Yes, in this sense: Are they being used to carry out Jehovah's work of preaching the good news, and are they thus comely, as it were in his sight? Are they shod with the message of truth and the good news of peace? We read: "How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ' Your God has become King!' " - Isaiah 52:7; Ephesians 6:15.
Living as we do in "critical times hard to deal with," we need help in doing God's will. (2 Timothy 3:1) The helper, God's holy spirit, gave powerful support to the work of Christians in the first century, including being their personal helper. Diligently studying God's Word, a product of holy spirit, is a prime way that we too can make the holy spirit our personal helper. Have we?
The Bible is a product of holy spirit. Thus, when we allow ourselves to be persuaded by the Bible, it is as though the holy spirit were instructing us. (2Timothy 3:16, 17) It can help us to make wise decisions. But do we let it?
What about our choice of occupation or employment? Holy spirit will enable us to view a prospective job from Jehovah's standpoint. Our employment must harmonize with Bible principles, and preferably it ought to help us persue theocratic goals. The salary or the prominence and prestige connected with a job are truly of lesser importance. More significant is whether it provides is with the necessities of life and allows us sufficient time and opportunity to fulfill our Christian obligations.
A desire to enjoy life is normal and proper. (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 11:9) So a balanced Christian may pursue recreation for refreshment and for enjoyment. But he ought to choose recreation that reflects the spirit's fruitage, no the kind that features the "the works of the flesh." Paul explains: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct,idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries and things like these." Becoming "egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another" are also to be avoided. -Galatians 5:16-26.
It is similar with regard to choosing friends. It is wise to choose them according to spirituality, not according to outward appearance or possessions. The man David was obviously God's friend, for God described him as being "a man agreeable to [his] heart." (Acts 13:22) ignoring outward appearance, God chose David to be king of Israel, according to the principle: " Not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is." - 1 Samuel 16:7.
Thousands of friendships have faltered because they were based on outward appearance or on possessions. Friendships based on uncertain riches can end suddenly. (Proverbs 14:20) God's spirit-inspired Word advises us that when choosing friends, we should pick those who can assist us to serve Jehovah. It tells us to concentrate on giving rather than receiving because giving brings even greater joy. (Acts 20:35) Time and affection are among the most precious things we can give our friends.
To a Christian seeking a marriage mate, the Bible provides spirit-inspired advice. In a way, it says: ' Look beyond the face and the figure. Look at the feet.' The feet? Yes, in this sense: Are they being used to carry out Jehovah's work of preaching the good news, and are they thus comely, as it were in his sight? Are they shod with the message of truth and the good news of peace? We read: "How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ' Your God has become King!' " - Isaiah 52:7; Ephesians 6:15.
Living as we do in "critical times hard to deal with," we need help in doing God's will. (2 Timothy 3:1) The helper, God's holy spirit, gave powerful support to the work of Christians in the first century, including being their personal helper. Diligently studying God's Word, a product of holy spirit, is a prime way that we too can make the holy spirit our personal helper. Have we?
1.08.2007
To Serve As An Idenifying Mark
For centuries the Jews served under the Mosaic Law as God's chosen people. Because they rejected Jesus as the Messiah, he foretold that shortly they themselves would be rejected: " Did you never read in the Scriptures , 'the stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes? This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits." (Matthew 21:42,43) Once the Christian congregation was founded at Pentecost 33 C.E., Christ's followers became the "nation producing its fruits." From then on, this congregation was God's channel of communication. To enable people to recognize this transfer of divine favor, God provided an unmistakable identifying mark.
At Pentecost the holy spirit enabled the disciples to speak in languages they had never learned, causing onlookers to react with astonishment and ask: "How is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born?" (Acts 2:7, 8) The ability to speak in unknown languages, along with the " many portents and signs [that] began to occur through the apostles," led some three thousand persons to recognize that God's spirit was truly operative. - Acts 2:41, 43.
Also, by bringing forth "the fruitage of the spirit" - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness,goodness, faith, mildness, self-control - Christ's disciples were clearly identified as being God's servants. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Love, in fact, outstandingly identified the true Christian congregation. Jesus foretold: " By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." - John 13:34, 35.
Members of the early Christian congregation accepted the leading of God's holy spirit and took advantage of the help it offered. While Christians today realize that God is not now raising the dead and performing miracles as in the first century, they allow the fruitage of God's spirit to identify them as being genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. - 1Corinthians 13:8.
Next time: A Helper In Making Personal Decisions
For centuries the Jews served under the Mosaic Law as God's chosen people. Because they rejected Jesus as the Messiah, he foretold that shortly they themselves would be rejected: " Did you never read in the Scriptures , 'the stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes? This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits." (Matthew 21:42,43) Once the Christian congregation was founded at Pentecost 33 C.E., Christ's followers became the "nation producing its fruits." From then on, this congregation was God's channel of communication. To enable people to recognize this transfer of divine favor, God provided an unmistakable identifying mark.
At Pentecost the holy spirit enabled the disciples to speak in languages they had never learned, causing onlookers to react with astonishment and ask: "How is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born?" (Acts 2:7, 8) The ability to speak in unknown languages, along with the " many portents and signs [that] began to occur through the apostles," led some three thousand persons to recognize that God's spirit was truly operative. - Acts 2:41, 43.
Also, by bringing forth "the fruitage of the spirit" - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness,goodness, faith, mildness, self-control - Christ's disciples were clearly identified as being God's servants. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Love, in fact, outstandingly identified the true Christian congregation. Jesus foretold: " By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." - John 13:34, 35.
Members of the early Christian congregation accepted the leading of God's holy spirit and took advantage of the help it offered. While Christians today realize that God is not now raising the dead and performing miracles as in the first century, they allow the fruitage of God's spirit to identify them as being genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. - 1Corinthians 13:8.
Next time: A Helper In Making Personal Decisions
1.05.2007
How Is The Spirit A Helper?
The spirit was to serve as a helper in several ways. First, Jesus promised that it would bring back to the minds of his disciples the things he had told them. By this he meant more than just helping them to recall words. The spirit was to help them to understand the deeper meaning and significance of what he had taught. (John 16:12-14) In short, the spirit was to lead his disciples to a better understanding of the truth. The apostle Paul later wrote: "It is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:10) For Jesus' anointed followers to pass on accurate knowledge to others, their own understanding needed to be well-grounded.
Second, Jesus taught his disciples to pray and to do so often. If they at times were unsure about what they should pray for, the spirit could intercede for or help them. "In like manner the spirit also joins in with help for our weakness; for the problem of what we should pray for as we need to we do not know, but the spirit itself pleads for us with groanings unuttered." - Romans 8:26.
Third, the spirit was to assist Jesus' disciples in publicly defending the truth. He warned them: "They will deliver you up to local courts, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. However, when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you." - Matthew 10:17-20.
The holy spirit would also help to identify the Christian congregation and move its members to make wise personal decisions. Let us discuss these two aspects of this subject in more detail and see what significance they have for us today.
Next time: To Serve As An Identifying Mark
The spirit was to serve as a helper in several ways. First, Jesus promised that it would bring back to the minds of his disciples the things he had told them. By this he meant more than just helping them to recall words. The spirit was to help them to understand the deeper meaning and significance of what he had taught. (John 16:12-14) In short, the spirit was to lead his disciples to a better understanding of the truth. The apostle Paul later wrote: "It is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:10) For Jesus' anointed followers to pass on accurate knowledge to others, their own understanding needed to be well-grounded.
Second, Jesus taught his disciples to pray and to do so often. If they at times were unsure about what they should pray for, the spirit could intercede for or help them. "In like manner the spirit also joins in with help for our weakness; for the problem of what we should pray for as we need to we do not know, but the spirit itself pleads for us with groanings unuttered." - Romans 8:26.
Third, the spirit was to assist Jesus' disciples in publicly defending the truth. He warned them: "They will deliver you up to local courts, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. However, when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you." - Matthew 10:17-20.
The holy spirit would also help to identify the Christian congregation and move its members to make wise personal decisions. Let us discuss these two aspects of this subject in more detail and see what significance they have for us today.
Next time: To Serve As An Identifying Mark
1.04.2007
A Helper Why Needed?
Anticipating his departure from earth, Jesus reassured his disciples: " I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be wih you forever." And again: " Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth, It is for your benefit I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will by no means come to you; but if I do go my way, I will send him to you."- John 14:16, 17; 16:7.
Jesus gave his disciples a serious commission by instructing them: "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19, 20) No easy task this, for it was to be accomplished in the face of opposition. - Matthew 10:22, 23.
Opposition from outside was to be accompanied by a degreed of friction from within the congregation. "Now I exhort you, brothers," Paul wrote Christians in Rome about 56 C.E., "to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17, 18) This situation would grow worse once the apostles died. Paul warned: " I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves. - Acts 20:29, 30.
God's help was needed to couteract these obstacles. He did so through Jesus. After his resurrection, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., some 120 of his followers "all became filled with holy spirit." - Acts 1:15; 2:4.
The disciples recognized that the holy spirit poured out on this occasion was the help that Jesus promised. They undoubtedly now better understood the identification that Jesus had provided: "The helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things I told you." (John 14:26) He also called it "the helper, the spirit of the truth.' - John 15:26.
Next time: How Is The Spirit A Helper?
Anticipating his departure from earth, Jesus reassured his disciples: " I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be wih you forever." And again: " Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth, It is for your benefit I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will by no means come to you; but if I do go my way, I will send him to you."- John 14:16, 17; 16:7.
Jesus gave his disciples a serious commission by instructing them: "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19, 20) No easy task this, for it was to be accomplished in the face of opposition. - Matthew 10:22, 23.
Opposition from outside was to be accompanied by a degreed of friction from within the congregation. "Now I exhort you, brothers," Paul wrote Christians in Rome about 56 C.E., "to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17, 18) This situation would grow worse once the apostles died. Paul warned: " I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves. - Acts 20:29, 30.
God's help was needed to couteract these obstacles. He did so through Jesus. After his resurrection, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., some 120 of his followers "all became filled with holy spirit." - Acts 1:15; 2:4.
The disciples recognized that the holy spirit poured out on this occasion was the help that Jesus promised. They undoubtedly now better understood the identification that Jesus had provided: "The helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things I told you." (John 14:26) He also called it "the helper, the spirit of the truth.' - John 15:26.
Next time: How Is The Spirit A Helper?
1.02.2007
Have I Made The Holy Spirit My Personal Helper?
Theologians, not to speak of people in general, have any number of ideas about the identity of God's holy spirit. Yet, such uncertainty is unnecessary. The Bible clearly explains what the holy spirit is. Rather than being a person, as some claim, it is the powerful active force that God uses to carry out his will. - Psalm 104:30; Acts 2:33; 4:31; 2 Peter 1:21.
Next time: A Helper-Why Needed?
Theologians, not to speak of people in general, have any number of ideas about the identity of God's holy spirit. Yet, such uncertainty is unnecessary. The Bible clearly explains what the holy spirit is. Rather than being a person, as some claim, it is the powerful active force that God uses to carry out his will. - Psalm 104:30; Acts 2:33; 4:31; 2 Peter 1:21.
Next time: A Helper-Why Needed?
1.01.2007
The Future Of The Kingdom
Since the Kingdom was a subsidiary government that Jehovah used to bring the earth and its human inhabitants into perfection and reconciliation to him, what role is there for the king Jesus Christ and the 144,000 kings and priests after the millenium? " Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet." - 1 Corinthians 15:24, 25.
When Christ hands over the Kingdom to God, how are the scriptures to be understood that speak of it as lasting forever? The Kingdom's accomplishments will endure forever. Christ will be honored forever because of his role in working for the vindication of God's sovereignty. But since sin and death are then completely removed, and mankind has been redeemed, this ends the need for him as a Redeemer. The Millennial Rule of the Kingdom will also have been fully accomplished so there will no longer be a need for a subsidiary government to remain between Jehovah and obedient mankind. Thus, "God may be all things to everyone." - 1Corinthians 15:28.
What future role will Christ and his joint rulers have after Millennial Reign is completed? The Bible does not say. Yet, we can be certain that Jehovah wil give them many further privileges of service throughout his creation. May all of us today uphold Jehovah's sovereignty and be granted eternal life, so that in the future, we will be alive to find out what Jehovah has purposed fo the King and his fellow kings and priests, as well as for his entire awesome universe!
Since the Kingdom was a subsidiary government that Jehovah used to bring the earth and its human inhabitants into perfection and reconciliation to him, what role is there for the king Jesus Christ and the 144,000 kings and priests after the millenium? " Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet." - 1 Corinthians 15:24, 25.
When Christ hands over the Kingdom to God, how are the scriptures to be understood that speak of it as lasting forever? The Kingdom's accomplishments will endure forever. Christ will be honored forever because of his role in working for the vindication of God's sovereignty. But since sin and death are then completely removed, and mankind has been redeemed, this ends the need for him as a Redeemer. The Millennial Rule of the Kingdom will also have been fully accomplished so there will no longer be a need for a subsidiary government to remain between Jehovah and obedient mankind. Thus, "God may be all things to everyone." - 1Corinthians 15:28.
What future role will Christ and his joint rulers have after Millennial Reign is completed? The Bible does not say. Yet, we can be certain that Jehovah wil give them many further privileges of service throughout his creation. May all of us today uphold Jehovah's sovereignty and be granted eternal life, so that in the future, we will be alive to find out what Jehovah has purposed fo the King and his fellow kings and priests, as well as for his entire awesome universe!
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