AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question "Hello sister!
First of all thank you for taking time to answer questions on your faith. I
appreciate the time you take to provide a resource for people trying to
understand your faith.
So my question is on communion. I am not a JW but studied with some for 6
months. Some of what i learned seemed to make sense, but the thing i never
understood was why ALL JW's don't partake in the Lord's Evening Meal. I
know that once a year you all attend a service for the Lord's Supper, but no
one actually eats of the bread or drinks of the cup that is passed UNLESS that
person feels they are part of the spirit anointed 144,000. But why not?
1)In Luke 22:19, Jesus told his disciples regarding Communion to "do this in
remembrance of Me".
2)Also in 1st Corinthians 11:17-26, if you read the passage Paul is correcting
the Corinthians on their conduct at the Lords Evening Meal. Their
congregation would all come together for Communion, but some wouldn't be
able to partake because there were some who would eat and
drink the elements in excess, not leaving enough for those at the end. Paul
encouraged them to eat at their homes if they were hungry so that when it
was time to celebrate the Lord's Evening Meal, ALL would be able to partake.
Now either this ENTIRE congregation was part of the 144,000, or Paul was
indeed telling us that ALL believers should eat the bread and drink of the
cup.
3)Finally, again in 1st Corinthians, 10:16-17 Paul mentions the elements of
Communion and says that although "we are many, we are one bread and one
body, and WE ALL PARTAKE of that one bread".
I'm sure you are familiar with these portions of scripture and probably have
been presented with these verses accompanied by the same questions I'm
asking! But nonetheless i still would like to hear what you have to say on this
issue.
Do you eat of the bread and drink of the cup when it is passed to you?
If you do not, why don't you?
I look forward to hearing your response as i have never heard from a JW the
reasoning based on scripture for this. GOD bless you sister!"
Answer "LUKE 22:19"
HI there; Let’s establish the facts John—
1. The Bible makes clear that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he went to heaven.
2. It also says that other humans would be taken there, as stated by Jesus at John 14:1-3-- “I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, that where I am you also may be.”
Clearly, Jesus was telling his apostles that they would be taken to heaven to be with him. The apostle Paul often told early Christians about that wonderful hope. For example, he wrote: “As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which place also we are eagerly waiting for a savoir, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, 21; Romans 6:5; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2)
3. Was Jesus talking about all Christians then? Well look at Peter’s words regarding the faithful man King David —“The family head David . . . both deceased and was buried and his tomb is among us to this day. Actually David did not ascend to the heavens.” (Acts 2:29, 34)
4. What about John the Baptist you would imagine he certainly would go to heaven; yet Jesus said: “A person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is.” (Matthew 11:11)
5. In fact when Jesus was on earth, over 4,000 years after the rebellion of Adam and Eve, he said: “NO MAN has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man.”—John 3:13. So then all faithful men and women who died BEFORE Jesus died, had the hope of living again on earth, not in heaven. They will be resurrected to become some of the earthly subjects of God’s kingdom.—Psalm 72:7, 8; Acts 17:31.
The Bible makes it very clear that it has never been God’s purpose to take all righteously disposed persons to heaven. (Matthew 11:11; Acts 2:34; Psalm 37:29) The grand privilege of sharing with Christ in the Kingdom of heaven is limited to a “little flock” who will be kings and priests with him for a thousand years.—Luke 12:32; Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6.
So in Luke 22; 19 Jesus was talking to the first prospective members of that “little flock”
1ST CORINTHIANS 11:17-26--THIS ENTIRE CONGREGATION WAS PART OF THE 144,000?
Yes that’s correct they were :¬) Paul wrote to Christians who had been anointed by holy spirit and given the hope of heavenly life, he addressed them as “you who have been sanctified in union with Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones.”—1 Cor. 1:2; 15:49.
"1ST CORINTHIANS, 10:16-17--WE ALL PARTAKE
Yes-- That calling began in 33 C.E. and continued into modern times, then from 1935 “other sheep” began to be gathered and the two groups became “one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
DO YOU EAT OF THE BREAD AND DRINK OF THE CUP WHEN IT IS PASSED TO YOU? IF YOU DO NOT, WHY DON'T YOU?
No I don’t because, I am a member of the “other sheep” I am not part of the “little flock”, all who truly appreciate Christ’s ransom sacrifice, as well as God’s arrangement for Kingdom rule by those taken into the “new covenant,” want to be present as observers in memorial of this important occasion. Those who attend have the spirit of John the Baptizer, who, knowing that his position was similar to that of an observer at a wedding ceremony, rejoiced with the bride (the anointed) and the bridegroom (Jesus).—John 3:29.
There are clearly 2 hopes, 2 destinies, outlined in the bible for faithful mankind. I hope this answers your question, please feel free to ask anything else.
