Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Speak to me more simply Madam is the term elder still used today? how about bishop? and deacons? Oh and im afraid i still believe in demon possession since so many cases are put on record by both clergy and demonologists who are experts in the field. And thats really sad that you dont celebrate your kids birthdays........it sounds like you keep alot of silly traditions, the traditions in the Church were in the Churches not synogoges so what i was saying is that EACH Church had its own traditions.

Let me ask you something what do you think of the orthodox Chruch they claim to be the right Church is it true? You would say not but why? They even claim to have records dating all the way back to Christ himself how is that possible if there fake? Or is it simple forgeries which are not unheard of.

ANSWER: Hi Raul you asked--"IS THE TERM ELDER STILL USED TODAY?"

Yes; in Jesus day each congregation was supervised by a body of overseers, or spiritual elders. All the elders had equal authority, and not one of them was authorized to ‘lord it over’ the flock in their care. (Acts 20:17; Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3)

Jehovah’s Witnesses still have this arrangement today, a body of qualified men who take care of the congregation.

However in the churches; the Elders are secondary to the Minister or Priest, he alone presides over the congregation which is not how it should be.

"HOW ABOUT BISHOP? AND DEACONS?"

In the churches men started taking titles for themselves such as bishop & Deacon 400 years AFTER Jesus Christ.

Jesus said --“All you are brothers,” “Your Leader is one, the Christ.” (Matt. 23:8, 10) there was no clergy class within Christian congregations of the first century, no ONE MAN.

I STILL BELIEVE IN DEMON POSSESSION

Yes so do I, of course demon possession is possible, its how to deal with it we disagree on :¬)

"IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU KEEP A LOT OF SILLY TRADITIONS"

I don’t keep any “silly traditions” invented by men; I obey God’s word the bible, its God that says birthdays are pagan. Unless you view the bible as “silly ?”

"ORTHODOX CHURCH CLAIM TO BE THE RIGHT CHURCH IS IT TRUE? IF NOT WHY NOT?"

I will take one example of why they cannot be the true faith--

"In the Orthodox world, ICONS are everywhere. In church buildings, icons of Jesus, Mary, and many “saints” occupy a central place. Believers often honour these icons with kisses, incense, and burning candles. Additionally, almost all Orthodox homes have their own icon corner, where prayers are uttered. It is not uncommon for Orthodox Christians to say that when they worship an icon, they connect with the divine. Many believe that icons are imbued with divine grace and miraculous powers".

Whereas Jesus said-- “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME.” (John 14:6)

It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we should approach God. No other person, and certainly no lifeless icon, can substitute for him.

THEY EVEN CLAIM TO HAVE RECORDS DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TO CHRIST HIMSELF HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE IF THERE FAKE?

The bible is the oldest religious writings, even dating BEFORE Christ. If they have these “records” why do they not live by them? It doesn’t matter what they “claim” the evidence is plain to see that they are not following Christ.

I quote—““The bloodiest and most dangerous disputes today . . . are wrapped in religion,” states the newspaper USA Today.-—combatants claim God is on their side,”

The Orthodox religion goes to war & kills so it is not following Christ.

All the best
Brenda




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I like your answer but i dont think that God cares if i celebrated someones birthday but thats my belief. Anyway I would also have asked if the orthodox were the true Church why do they not cover the globe

What do you think of the angelican Church?

ANSWER: HI Raul, you asked--"IF THE ORTHODOX WERE THE TRUE CHURCH WHY DO THEY NOT COVER THE GLOBE?"

Exactly; since Jesus commanded all his true followers to “preach the good news in ALL the inhabited earth” (Matthew 24; 14) contrast that with JW’s who are now the fastest growing religion in the world.

We preached in more than 236 lands last year, with nearly 300,000 being baptized that year.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ANGELICAN CHURCH?"

The list is extensive against them being the true church—

Armed struggles
Hellfire:
Homosexuality:
Immorality among clergy:  
Polygamy:
Premarital sex:
Sexual immorality:
Women as priests:
AIDS cases
Disunity
Political activities

All the best
Brenda




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: wow thats really messed up...........Ima just try to open my own Church and teach people from the Bible, Im sure you wouldnt agree iwth everything i did in Church though i wish you the best anyways your a very knowlegable women. I knew of a girl who told me one of her JW was an elder i guess she was lieing. Anyway God bless you if i do open my own Church ill just try to teach them from the bible as best i can. You know of any online schools that one can learn about what the Watch Tower teaches?

Answer
"online schools that one can learn about what the Watch Tower teaches?"

We have a website;  www.watchtower.org where you can read about our beliefs & you can also request someone to "call" at your home & teach you free of charge.

Or I can teach you on here :¬) plenty choice

all the best
Brenda