About Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) Expertise Did you know that the Bible does talk about the concept of the trinity? Did you know that Jesus did claim to be God, and that unless He washes you, you will not get into heaven? If you want a spirited debate about your beliefs in relation to the Bible, please ask. I will warn you; you might be challenged. Friendly debate only!
Expert: Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) - 5/31/2006
Question well i wouldnt mind maybe your view point and the view point of the jehova's
michael
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Followup To
Question -
i have recently become interested in learning more about jehovah's witness's practices and ways. i am trying to find the true religion and this one seems to follow the bible most accurately i am faced with one issue the has been eating me up. why are homosexauls not accepted by the church? do u truly think its something i can control?
Answer -
Hi Michael!
First, in all fairness to you, I am not a JW. I have been serving on this board for a long time as an opposing voice. For a time I was the only volunteer out here. Having said that, I can still answer these questions for you, but only if you want me too. The Bible has much to say on both subjects- -- homosexuality and what is the true and right church. I wasn't sure if you wanted a true JW answer...
Let me know!
In Jesus Name!
Michael
www.oflaherty.com/mo.htm
Answer Looks like you never got to read this message, so I am resending it...
Hi!
Regarding homosexuality, understand that to the church, homosexuality is considered unnatural and not in line with God’s design:
RO 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
The Bible is clear that practicing homosexuality is a sin that will keep you out of heaven:
1CO 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
However, as you can tell from the above verse, it is possible to be saved by being washed in Jesus. God’s people will never reject someone who practices homosexuality. The difference is that God’s children hate the sin but love the sinner. That is what Jesus taught us. Practicing homosexuality is no different than say someone who commits adultery – it is all sin in God’s eyes. What is important is to realize that sin is sin and you need to be saved from it. If you are not saved, then according to the Bible, you will be separated from God. That is hell. You don't want to go there. God wants us to be restored to him.
Jesus came to take your place in punishment. What Jesus suffered on the cross is what you deserve for your sin, whether it is stealing, lying, or homosexuality. He took your place if only you will accept it.
JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
So how does one become *washed*? Jesus states that you must be born of water and Spirit to enter heaven:
JN 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Peter understood what water and Spirit meant here:
AC 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
So in order to be saved, you must (1) repent of your sins (which means to turn your back on them; if it is homosexuality, then you must make every effort to stop practicing it), (2) accept that Jesus Christ suffered and died in your place, (3) and be washed in baptism (water.) By doing this, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is a free gift to all – but you have to accept it. This does not magically make all of your sin go away, but it is a start. God works with you after you are saved to fight it.
As far as the true church, Jesus was clear who true worshippers are:
JN 4:21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
That is it. So when you look around at all of these churches, denominations, and cults like the JWs, it is confusing. That is the work of Satan. The true church is one that seeks the truth, worships God without worldly influences, and obeys the gospel. If any church you are visiting does not (1) believe Jesus is God, (2) believes that repentance and baptism save you, and (3) preach the truth from God’s word only, then that is a church of Satan. It is that simple! God did NOT make any of this hard – man did - that is the beauty of His Holy Word, the Bible. It is written for you and me, not for a select few good people. Good people don’t go to heaven – saved people do… I am praying that you will be saved! Save yourself from this corrupt generation! If you need anything at all, please ask…
