Expert: Brenda Martin - 12/30/2006

Question
sorry to bother you again.... confusing though...
you said<
"So then people “practice different faiths” because they look for a religion that suits THEM and their lifestyle, to serve God correctly however, requires something of us and they are not prepared to stop doing what God says is wrong, and start doing what he says is correct and acceptable basically."
I'm confused, because that seems like a contradiction to a recent conversation I had with a buddy...he is also a "Witness" and tells me that they do not follow the exact word because if it cannot be understood CLEARLY then "Witnesses" will interpret... for example, he used the interpretation
about Jesus being Jehovah, Jesus being Almighty God, and that everlasting life is a present possession and not a future attainment), he said they feel justified in changing the Scriptures to fit their doctrine (for example John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8; John 8:58; Phil. 2:5; Col. 1:16-20).
He said is considering leaving the Jahovias Witnesses because he doesn't like how they aquire new members..."hard sell, prey on the uninformed" etc....

he also said he said they have too many holes in their beliefs and change things for no reason... he said "Without Scriptural warrant they base their entire scheme of prophet speculation on the day for a year theory (Ezekiel 4:6). Their faith in the WT remains unshaken even though the WT has been proven to chang its dates dozens of times.

wow, thats a lot absorb for me....I didnt even know that he meant by WT until I looked it up... ha
anyway, in conclusion, there still seems to be interpretation going on in all beliefs...so logically speaking, why invest so much of a person's time into anything after the simple belief in God or Jesus or both whatever your pleasure.. couldn't it all be a big waste of time when its all over because there will only be one truth in the end...and do we really think our place in eternity will be different if one person practices faith on their own or attends a church... it seems that only weak minds and people who fear the everafter become obssesive with their belief...if your comfortable in your own skin and have confidence in your faith in God, then life will have better balance...

so anyway, moving on..... you've been great help, thanks again


-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I see your point...although, if it can be proven that there is only "ONE"...and proof means "undisputable establishment of fact"... then why would someone well versed on the facts of religion, let's say a "theologian", practice a different faith other than Jehovah witness if the evidence is so strong? you can't dispute concrete evidence, you can only dispute opinions and theories.... correct? yet they are all different denominations??  thanks so much for your time...
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
wow, great answer Brenda!
so they way I understand your answer is that it is necessary to flock together and share the teachings of Christ, the love of one another and not just yourself... so going to a non-denominational church would be the wisest choice, correct?  you are practicing the teachings of the bible....in an organized group...but your not dedicating your time to one particular denomination since none of them can be proven to be the correct one... your still giving glory to God, practicing his commands and worshiping in good faith?  is this OK?   thanks again
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello,  Can you help shed some light on my plight, pardon the rhyme :)  
Regarding Christianity:
If you believe in God and you believe that his son died for our sins, then as Christians we are all in the same boat to that point...also, would you agree that those two facts are the most important facts to all Christians? when we move past this agreement is when we all start going in different directions on the interpretations of the bible and how each of our own personal denominations translate this awesome story... my problem is, logically speaking, not all of us are right, it only happened one way...so either one of us is correct or none of us is correct but not all of us are correct... so, again, logically speaking, why invest your time and life into a denomination? why not invest your life into just being a Christian and giving glory to God....the rest is so vague and un-sure, afterall if we weren't unsure and had proof it happened according to your personal denomination there there wouldn't be any others, we would all be one...
My question is, whats the point of denominations, we all (Christians) agree on the main two things, why scatter out after those two facts...is that really logical...isn't the smartest move to practice your Christian faith non-denominational?

thank you
-----Answer-----
Hi Jackson, you said--"IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD AND BELIEVE THAT HIS SON DIED FOR OUR SINS, THEN AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT TO THAT POINT."

Not at all because, different faiths teach different things regarding God and his son, some teach that God is a Trinity, others don’t, some teach Jesus saved all mankind by his death, others don’t. So even on these basic teachings “Christians” differ.

To truly “believe” in God & his son we must know exactly who they are, and why Jesus died for us etc. So you have one “Christian” faith saying; “I believe in God & Jesus” and you ask them’ “who are they exactly?” and you will get answers such as; “God is Jesus”, God is part of a Trinity etc. Another “Christian” faith will answer; God is ALMIGHTY and has no equal, Jesus is his firstborn son. So although both so called “Christian” faiths say they “believe in God & Jesus” they both believe entirely different things about them. Clearly just “believing” is NOT enough, after all even; "the demons believe"

NOT ALL OF US ARE RIGHT, IT ONLY HAPPENED ONE WAY...SO EITHER ONE OF US IS CORRECT OR NONE OF US IS CORRECT BUT NOT ALL OF US ARE CORRECT.

My point exactly, there is only ever ONE truth on any matter, either God is a trinity, or he’s not, either Jesus is God, or he’s not. However there is a way to KNOW which one is right, God gave us the bible so we would know the answers to these questions, he cannot shout down from heaven so he had his words written down. The bible tells us who and what God is, and what purpose his son Jesus played, and will yet play in his plans for mankind.

WHY INVEST YOUR TIME AND LIFE INTO A DENOMINATION? WHY NOT INVEST YOUR LIFE INTO JUST BEING A CHRISTIAN AND GIVING GLORY TO GOD.

The word Christian means; “follower of Christ” people say they are Christians, but they follow Jesus in a way that suits their lifestyle, God however has stated how he expects Christians to live and it must be in accord with what he says. Just any old way is not acceptable. So before we invest our life into being a “Christian” we must first find out what God says that means.

There would be no point in investing your time and energies into a denomination if that denomination was not serving God correctly I agree. However when we find out through studying God’s word, that there is a denomination he wants us to “invest our time and energies” into, because it lives by bible principles and is therefore approved by God, then we do well to heed, I’m sure you agree.

AFTERALL IF WE WEREN'T UNSURE AND HAD PROOF IT HAPPENED ACCORDING TO YOUR PERSONAL DENOMINATION THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY OTHERS, WE WOULD ALL BE ONE.

I can see your reasoning however, that is not the reason we have all these religions, the bible makes it crystal clear who God is and how he wants to be worshipped etc. People for the most part have chosen to ignore what God says and form their own man made rules. A case in point is; Homosexuality, the bible leaves us in no doubt whatsoever as to God’s feelings on the matter, and yet despite his clear instructions, “Christians” of various denominations approve of it and even allow them to occupy positions in their church.

We should “all be one” your correct, since there is only one Bible, and one set of standards; God’s, but the reason we are not all one is; mankind ignores God’s clear instructions because they interfere with the way they want to live their lives.

ISN'T THE SMARTEST MOVE TO PRACTICE YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH NON-DENOMINATIONAL?

Well it would be IF that was what God’s commanded, but its not. Listen to what he says about the matter—

Heb. 10:24, 25: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (To carry out this Scriptural command, there must be Christian meetings that we can attend on a consistent basis. Such an arrangement encourages us to express love toward others, not only concern about self.)

1 Cor. 1:10: “Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (Such unity would never be achieved if the individuals did not meet together, benefit from the same spiritual feeding program, and respect the agency through which such instruction was provided. See also John 17:20, 21.)

1 Pet. 2:17: “Have love for the whole association of brothers.” ( it is an international brotherhood, as shown by Galatians 2:8, 9 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.)

Most religious organizations have produced bad fruitage that’s true however; it is not the fact that groups are organized that is bad. Many have promoted forms of worship that are based on false teachings and are largely ritualistic instead of providing genuine spiritual guidance; they have been misused to control the lives of people for selfish objectives; they have been overly concerned with money collections and ornate houses of worship instead of spiritual values; their members are often hypocritical. Obviously no one who loves righteousness would want to belong to such an organization. But true religion is a refreshing contrast to all of that and to fulfil the Bible’s requirements, it must be organized.

ALL THE BEST
BRENDA


-----Answer-----
"NECESSARY TO FLOCK TOGETHER AND SHARE THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST,LOVE OF ONE ANOTHER AND NOT JUST YOURSELF."

Yes correct; basic to being a faithful servant of God is reliance on his provisions. One of these is congregation meetings. The Scriptures urge us not to neglect them. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

SO GOING TO A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH WOULD BE THE WISEST CHOICE, CORRECT?

Oh no; let me explain-- The Bible does not agree with the modern view that there are many acceptable ways to worship God. Ephesians 4:5 says there is “ONE LORD, ONE FAITH.” Jesus stated: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it. . . . Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”—Matt. 7:13, 14, 21; see also 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Repeatedly the Scriptures refer to the body of true Christian teachings as “the truth,” and Christianity is spoken of as “the way of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15; 2 John 1; 2 Pet. 2:2)

God has not given his spirit to Christendom’s clergy, whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or nondenominational. They have not proved to be the foretold “faithful and discreet slave.”—Matthew 23:27, 28; 24:45-47.

ONE PARTICULAR DENOMINATION; NONE OF THEM CAN BE PROVEN TO BE THE CORRECT ONE.

Oh yes; it can be proven which religion is the correct one, think about it, Jesus said; “Not everyone saying to me Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom” so he is saying there; that not all religions are pleasing God and therefore not all will receive the promised reward. That being the case, wouldn’t God then let us be able to determine the correct one so that we make sure we are not amongst those that Jesus is speaking of. That would be like God saying;“ I don’t approve of some religions, but I’m not going to tell you which ones they are” No, God wants us to find the correct one, the “narrow road that leads to life” so he has made it abundantly clear in his word which ones are not pleasing, and how to identify the ONE that is.

YOUR STILL GIVING GLORY TO GOD, PRACTICING HIS COMMANDS AND WORSHIPING IN GOOD FAITH?  

No, we only “give glory to God when we associate with the ONE true faith, the one he approves of. He says about all others; “Get out of her my people if you do not want to share in her sins” (rev 18;4)

Here are some of the things God requires of us—

How can a person know which religion is right?

(1)Its teachings are based on the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7)

(2)Its members truly love one another (john 13;35)

(3)It is separate from the world (John 15:19)

(4)Its members are active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom (Matthew 24;14)

(5)It upholds the Bible’s standard of morality. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5)

(6)It is making known the name of God. (John 17:6) (Psalms 83;18)

These are just a few of God’s requirements, do you know of any religion that fits the bill? I know of only one and they are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

All the best
Brenda

-----Answer-----
"WHY WOULD SOMEONE WELL VERSED ON THE FACTS OF RELIGION, PRACTICE A DIFFERENT FAITH OTHER THAN JEHOVAH WITNESS IF THE EVIDENCE IS SO STRONG?"

Many factors have contributed to the development of new religious groups. Some have said that the various religions all represent different ways of presenting religious truth. But a comparison of their teachings and practices with the Bible indicates, rather, that the diversity of religions is because people have become followers of men instead of listening to God.

Also the bible tells us who the instigator is of such religious confusion. The Bible identifies Satan the Devil as “the god of this system of things.” (2 Cor. 4:4) It warns us that “the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God.” (1 Cor. 10:20)

A “theologian “knows for instance that; God has a name, because it is written in the original manuscripts of the bible over 7,000 times, he does not use it however, in fact the churches took the liberty of removing God’s name from the Bible and replacing it with LORD or GOD.

Also, I have not always been a Witness, for 19 years I attended a Protestant church, being taught such things as; “God is a Trinity, all good people go to heaven, the wicked go to hell, etc.

After 3 months of studying the Bible for myself, I found no such teachings, so when the Minister of my church came down to see me I asked him; “why he taught such things” and “could he show me where it says that in the Bible?” his reply; “It doesn’t” he went on to say; “it’s a job, he preaches what he’s told to preach” and he acknowledged this also, “If I stood up and told people what the Bible REALLY says they would turn me off like a tap, people do not want to be told how to live their lives”

So then people “practice different faiths” because they look for a religion that suits THEM and their lifestyle, to serve God correctly however, requires something of us and they are not prepared to stop doing what God says is wrong, and start doing what he says is correct and acceptable basically. Added to that is the fact that; if people do not have the right heart condition, in other words, are not searching for the truth, God does not allow himself to be found, he allows Satan to “blind the minds of the unbelievers” and so they see what they want to see.

The Bible foretold that after the death of the apostles, wrong teachings and unchristian practices would slowly come into the Christian congregation. Men would draw away believers to follow them instead of Christ. (Matthew 7:15, 21-23; Acts 20:29, 30) That is why we see so many different religions that claim to be Christian.

I look forward to hearing from you

Brenda  

Answer
"HE SAID IS CONSIDERING LEAVING THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE HOW THEY AQUIRE NEW MEMBERS ETC."

Well he would say that wouldn’t he, the bible calls such ones “apostates”, regardless of what he says; JW teachings and the Bible’s teachings match, JW are the only religion who live by bible standards, such as not going to war, all other faiths take up arms and kill.

Prov. 11:9: “By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin.”

DO WE REALLY THINK OUR PLACE IN ETERNITY WILL BE DIFFERENT IF ONE PERSON PRACTICES FAITH ON THEIR OWN OR ATTENDS A CHURCH

God answers that question in his word the bible, and he says it will be entirely different; “only those doing the will of God will be saved” (1john 2;15-17) a major part of doing that will is; “preaching the good news of the kingdom” (Matthew 24;14) from house to house as Jesus himself did.

Let me ask you something, what benefit is it to any JW if another person listens, believes and then becomes a JW? We are the fastest growing religion in the world, we cannot build Kingdom Halls quick enough to accommodate all those flocking to the truth.

We preach for 2 reasons, we love our neighbours and want them to have life eternal, and it is a command left by Jesus to all his followers. (Matthew 28;19,20) It is quite obvious to me that Satan used your apostate“friend” to turn you away from searching, I hope he has failed.

All the best
Brenda