-Removed-Are you serious? Yes it does matter and what a foolish and spiritually lazy statement to make. If it didn't matter why doesn't the Bible just say so? If it doesn't matter then Jesus could have left after the first day he started preaching, right? If it doesn't matter he sure waisted a lot of time and energy here. If it didn't matter then why scriptures such as this in Matthew & Luke?
Matthew 7:13-14
American Standard Version (ASV)
13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Luke 13:24
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
Matthew 19:24
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
So it doesn't matter? Just whatever huh? Just breeze along and all is good, right?
So the words of Satan are being spoken. That's exactly what he wants you to think " Oh it's doesn't matter!" What a foolish thought.
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-Removed-why are you asking for a specific answer when the Bible doesn't provide one? You
have not said, why not? How are you going to judge the twelve tribes of Israel if you
cannot display even a semblance of reasonableness as evidenced by your continuing
insistence on ascertaining a definitive answer when the Bible does not provide one?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieSo why couldn't you have said 200 posts ago?
There are my atheistic friend, according to scripture certain basic characteristics which
define a true Christian from a false one, and that false ones do exist is also quite
apparent. Its simply not so easy to state yes we are the true Christians without
empirical evidence of the fact and its simply not so easy to say no those persons
canno ...[text shortened]... an organisation fit that description, but without evidence and reason, its a hollow
assertion.
Originally posted by Proper Knobbecause sometimes although the thoughts might exist in the mind, it takes some kind
Why would you need to be inspired?
of stimuli to crystallise and form them, in this instance I always thought that divejesters
questions were somehow suspect, but i could not understand why they should seem
unreasonable, now i know.
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Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou have no doubt known, possibly for 15 years since you became a JW, that your organisation teaches that they are the only group who meet the scriptural requirements to be a Christian. This thread was started nearly a week ago, by Galvo, and is over 200 posts long how, long does it take to crystallise a thought in your brain? I still fail to see why right at the beginning when this issue was raised you didn't just say -
because sometimes although the thoughts might exist in the mind, it takes some kind
of stimuli to crystallise and form them, in this instance I always thought that divejesters
questions were somehow suspect, but i could not understand why they should seem
unreasonable, now i know.
'It is up to God and God only to decide who is and who isn't a Christian, but it is my belief that only the the JW's fit the scriptural requirement to be labelled Christians and here is x, y and z as evidence for this belief'.
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Originally posted by Proper KnobThis is only part of the picture for we have also taught that there are other
You have no doubt known, possibly for 15 years since you became a JW, that your organisation teaches that they are the only group who meet the scriptural requirements to be a Christian. This thread was started nearly a week ago, by Galvo, and is over 200 posts long how, long does it take to crystallise a thought in your brain? I still fail to see why rig belled Christians and here is x, y and z as evidence for this belief'.
individuals who throughout the centuries since Christ's Apostles who have displayed
Christian faith, prior to the forming of the modern day Jehovah's witnesses
organisation and who have been mentioned, by name, throughout our publications, thus
its not a clear cut as one imagines and to try to establish the evidence takes more
than a single page or assertion, for many principles and references must be given,
indeed, one should be thankful of the careful and diplomatic way in which we have
conducted ourselves providing principles and references where necessary.
The original premise was not, 'does one need to be a JW to be considered as a
Christian', in fact, it was simply a question designed to foment debate or stimulate
thought and Jehovahs witnesses were not even mentioned, it was only when
divejester decided to attempt to ascertain a narrow perspective on what was
essentially a discussion based upon principles that Jehovah's Witnesses entered the
fray and indeed the discussion took many turns from the original question.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYeah, like the Christadelpians, who don't believe in the doctrine of trinity.
This is only part of the picture for we have also taught that there are other
individuals who throughout the centuries since Christ's Apostles who have displayed
Christian faith, prior to the forming of the modern day Jehovah's witnesses
organisation and who have been mentioned, by name, throughout our publications, thus
its not a clear cut a ...[text shortened]... es entered the
fray and indeed the discussion took many turns from the original question.
http://www.christianlibrary.org.au/cel/documents/cults/04.html