WATCHTOWER - MAY 1, 1996

 

Page 4: Their Leader, Jesus Christ, was judged, condemned, and executed by the Roman State.

Correction: Jesus was in total control of His death which was at the hands of religious leaders for the sins of everyone.

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father. John 10:17-18.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." Matthew 27:20, 24.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:2.

 

Page 6: At his trial before a Roman proconsul in the second century C.E., Polycarp reportedly declared: "I am a Christian...We are taught to give all due honour...to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God." Polycarp chose, however, to die rather than worship the emperor.

Contradiction: If apostasy blossomed, why were Christians still dying for their faith in Jesus?

Page 8: The apostasy foretold by Jesus and the apostles blossomed in the second and third centuries C.E.

 

Page 10: Remember that Satan, when offering Jesus rulership over the political kingdoms, stated: "I will give you all this authority...because it has been delivered to me." (Luke 4:6) Satan exercises authority over the kingdoms of the world only by God's permission.

Correction: Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth.

Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Matthew 28:18.

 

Page 11: Once the Christian congregation was established, God's servants came "under law toward Christ."

Correction: We are not under any law but under the grace of God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14.

 

Page 12: When Jesus Christ was on earth, he set higher standards for his followers, and he refused all involvement in political or military matters.

Correction: God honors even military people.

And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you." Acts 10:22.

 

Page 14: In late 1962, articles were published in The Watchtower that gave an accurate explanation of Romans chapter 13 and also provided a clearer view that that held at the time of C.T. Russell.

Note: Obviously, C.T. Russell was wrong on several points meaning that old light was false.

 

Page 16: Especially since 1914, when Jehovah God, the Almighty, began ruling as king through Christ's Messianic Kingdom, have Christians had to be sure not to give God's things to Caesar.

Correction: 1914 is based a dating scheme starting with the bogus date of 607 BCE for the destruction of Jerusalem.

In 588 BC Zedekiah led a revolt against Chaldea, and two years later Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Judah and razed Jerusalem. Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 57.

 

Page 16: As a minister of God, a Christian should advocate and practice clean morals, uphold family unity, be honest, and show respect for law and order.

Clarification: Foremost, ministers of God are to preach about Jesus Christ.

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith, to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27.

 

Page 18: The Encyclopedia of Religion states: "The early church fathers, including Tertullian and Origen, affirmed that Christians were constrained from taking human life, a principle that prevented them from participating in the Roman army."

Correction: Even Roman soldiers will be in the Kingdom of God.

The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 8:8-11.

 

Page 20: Above all, we will continue to preach the good news of the Kingdom as mankind's only hope, conscientiously paying back God's things to God.

Correction: Jesus Christ is mankind's only hope.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1.

 

Page 24: In time, however, we realized that true happiness comes through serving Jehovah and from growing spiritually.

Clarification: Christians are to be servants of Jesus Christ.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. 4:1.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James 1:1.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ. Jude vs.1.

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