Page 4: When it comes to religion, mistaken beliefs have historically caused great harm. Think of the horrors that resulted when religious leaders "inspired Christian zealots to pitiless violence" during the so-called Holy Crusades of the middle Ages. Or think of the modern-day "Christian" gunmen in a recent civil war who, "just like medieval warriors who had saints' names on their sword hilts, taped pictures of the Virgin to their rifle butts." All these zealots believed that they were right. Yet, obviously in these and other religious struggles and fights, something was terribly wrong.
Correction: Within Christendom half the people who call themselves Christians are not.
Matthew 25:1-13 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
Note: Is the Holy Spirit within you? Is the light of Jesus Christ shining in your life?
Page 4: Why is there so much confusion and conflict? The Bible's answer is that Satan the Devil is "misleading the entire inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:3)
Note: Is the Holy Spirit within you? Is the light of Jesus Christ shining in your life?
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our good news is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Pages 4-5: The apostle Paul warned that many religious people would, sadly, be "doomed to perish" because they would be deceived by Satan, who would "produce miracles and wonders calculated to deceive." Such ones, said Paul, would "shut their minds to the love of the truth which could have saved them" and would thus be 'deluded into believing what is a lie.' (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, The New Testament, by William Barclay) How can you minimize the possibility of believing a lie?
Answer: Believe in the truth of Jesus Christ thereby being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our good news, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 5: A Samaritan woman who met Jesus Christ had been brought up to believe in her Samaritan religion. (John 4:20) Jesus respected her freedom to choose what she wanted to believe, but he also pointed out to her: "You worship what you do not know." Many of her religious beliefs were, in fact, mistaken, and he told her that she would have to make changes in her beliefs if she was going to worship God acceptably - "with spirit and truth." Rather than cling to what were no doubt cherished beliefs, she and others like her would, in time, have to become "obedient to the faith" revealed through Jesus Christ. - John 4:21-24, 39-41; Acts 6:7.
Note: Will you believe in the truth of Jesus Christ thereby being sanctified by the Holy Spirit?
John 4:42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
Page 5: Many teachers and authorities in specialized fields of knowledge deserve great respect. Yet, history is littered with examples of renowned teachers who were absolutely wrong. For example, regarding two books on scientific matters written by Greek philosopher Aristotle, historian Bertrand Russell stated that "hardly a sentence in either can be accepted in the light of modern science."
Note: Like Aristotle, the Watch Tower teaches that the soul and body is the same thing.
Philosophy of nature. For Aristotle, the most striking aspect of nature was change. He even defined the philosophy of nature in his Physics as the study of things that change. Aristotle argued that to understand change, a distinction must be made between the form and matter of a thing. For example, a sculpture might have the form of a human being, and bronze as its matter. Aristotle believed that change essentially consists of the same matter acquiring new form. In our example, change occurs if the bronze sculpture is molded into a new form. Aristotle's philosophy of nature includes psychology and biology. In On the Soul, he investigated the various functions of the soul and the relationship between the soul and the body. World Book Encyclopedia, 2001.
Page 5: The same caution is needed when it comes to religious education. The apostle Paul was well-educated by his religious teachers and was extremely "zealous teachers and was extremely "zealous for the traditions of (his) fathers." His zeal for the traditional beliefs of his ancestors, however, actually created problems for him. It led to his "persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it." (Galatians 1:13, 14; John 16:2, 3) Worse still, for a long time, Paul kept "kicking against the goads," resisting the influences that should have led him to believe in Jesus Christ. It required a dramatic intervention by Jesus himself to move Paul to adjust his beliefs.
Note: Will you believe in the truth of Jesus Christ thereby being sanctified by the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Page 6: What could hardly be said or printed for public consumption just a few years ago has become commonplace today. Slowly but surely, established standards of behavior are attacked and whittled away. People's thinking is gradually becoming distorted. They begin to believe that "good is bad and bad is good." - Isaiah 5:20; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
Note: Has the Watch Tower distorted your view of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus Christ?
1 Cor 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Page 6: Building on the ideas and philosophies of men is like building on sand. (Matthew 7:26; 1 Corinthians 1:19, 20) On what, then, can you confidently base your beliefs?
Answer: Jesus Christ. Have you received or asked Jesus Christ into your life?
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Page 6: Since God has given you intellectual capacity to investigate the world around you and to ask questions concerning spiritual matters, does it not make sense that he would also provide the means to get accurate answers to your questions? (1 John 5:20) Yes, of course he would!
Note: Are you in Jesus Christ? Do you know God?
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Note: Have you asked some hard hitting questions about the Watch Tower lately?
Page 6: Well, it is true that religious leaders who claim to follow the Bible have produced many confusing and conflicting ideas. This is because they have not, in fact, based their beliefs on the Bible. The apostle Peter describes them as "false prophets" and "false teachers" who would create "destructive sects." As a consequence of their activities, says Peter, "the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively." (2 Peter 2:1, 2) Still, writes Peter, "we have the prophetic word made more sure; and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place." - 2 Peter 1:19; Psalm 119:105.
Note: Have you asked some hard hitting questions about the Watch Tower lately?
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Page 6: The Bible encourages us to check our beliefs against what it teaches. (1 John 4:1) Millions of readers of this magazine can testify that doing so has added purpose and stability to their lives. So be like the noble-minded Beroeans. 'Carefully examine the Scriptures daily' before you decide what to believe. (Acts 17:11) Jehovah's Witnesses will be happy to help you to do this.
Correction: Jehovah's Witnesses are not Beroeans and this magazine is not Scripture in context.
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Page 7: For dedicated Christians, it is a matter of deep concern that the choice we make in our attire and appearance, in our eating and drinking, and in our speech and conduct always reflect our role as servants of the Most High, Jehovah God.
Correction: God doesn't care about your personal attire and what you eat or drink.
Matthew 3:4-6 And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Note: Is the Holy Spirit within you? Is the light of Jesus Christ shining in your life?
Romans 14:16-17 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Page 7: Additionally, our choice in friends and associates, in education, in employment, and in entertainment and recreation plays an influential, even decisive, role in our spirituality - hence, in our eternal welfare. - Romans 13:13, 14; Ephesians 5:3, 4.
Note: Do you belong to Jesus Christ or the Watch Tower. There is an eternity of difference.
Romans 14:8-9 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Page 8: The world seemed to have something valuable to offer that the dedicated Christian way of life did not. However, the apostle Paul warned: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) Why did Paul say that?
Answer: He was trying to warn Christians about evil organizations like the Watch Tower.
Colossians 2:1-3 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Page 10: Why do we need to prove to ourselves the will of God? In the Bible, Jehovah gives a straight-forward but powerful reason, saying: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) Thus, rather than relying on so-called common sense or good feelings, we are admonished: "Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:10.
Note: Has the Watch Tower distorted your view of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 5:18-21 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God (which person?) the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Page 10: Jesus Christ emphasized this need when he said: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) The expression "taking in knowledge" has a far deeper meaning than simply "knowing." According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, it "indicates a relation between the person knowing and the object known; in this respect, what is known is of value or importance to the one who knows, and hence the establishment of the relationship." To have a relationship with someone means more than just knowing who that person is or what his name is. It also involves knowing the likes and dislikes of that person, knowing his values, his standards - and honoring them. - 1 John 2:3; 4:8.
Note: Are you honoring Jesus Christ in your life? Do you want eternal life?
1 John 5:12-13 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
Page 11: This means that, first of all, we must work hard to gain an accurate understanding of God's standards as contained in his Word, the Bible. We are not looking for a list of dos and don'ts to tell us what we may or may not do. The Bible is not such a book. Rather, Paul explained: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
Note: In context, are you wise about salvation that is centered up Jesus Christ from Scriptures?
2 Timothy 3:14-15 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Page 11: We too must be trained like a gymnast, spiritually speaking, if we want to be sure that the decisions and choices we make are always sound. We must at all times have full control of our senses and body members. (Matthew 5:29, 30; Colossians 3:5-10)
Note: Looking to the future, are you thinking about Jesus Christ and heaven or paradise earth?
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Page 12: We can, of course, seek the help of mature Christians. Nonetheless, the personal effort we put forth to study God's Word, coupled with prayer to Jehovah for his guidance and spirit, will pay rich dividends in the long run. - Ephesians 3:14-19.
Note: Is the Holy Spirit within you? Is the light of Jesus Christ shining in your life?
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Page 12: As we progressively train our perceptive powers, the objective is that "we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error." (Ephesians 4:14)
Note: In context, the Watch Tower contrives error by leaving out Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Page 13: Along this line, note the apostle Paul's counsel to Timothy. After enumerating the things that Timothy should pursue, Paul said: "Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons." (1 Timothy 4:15) Yes, a Christian's advancement toward maturity is "manifest," or clearly discernible.
Note: Jehovah's Witnesses are not spiritually mature or Christian.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
Pages 13-14: In these verses, Paul explained that among the reasons why God made such ample spiritual provisions in the congregation are that all should 'attain oneness in the faith and in accurate knowledge,' become "a full-grown man," and have the 'measure of stature of Christ.' Only then will we be safe from being tossed about like spiritual babes by false ideas and teachings. Thus we see the close relationship between advancing to Christian maturity and gaining "oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God."
Note: Jehovah's Witnesses are neither Christian or spiritually mature.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Page 14: First, since "oneness" is to observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned.
Note: True Christians place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Note: True Christians avoid wicked organizations like the Watch Tower.
2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Page 14: Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided "at the proper time" - through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions - we can be sure that we maintain "oneness" with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge. - Matthew 24:45.
Correction: Christian confidence and maturity is found in Jesus Christ.
John 15:5-6 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Correction: The Watch Tower is not the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Page 14: Second, the expression "the faith" refers, not to the conviction that each individual Christian professes, but to the totality of our belief, "the breadth and length and height and depth" of it. (Ephesians 3:18; 4:5; Colossians 1:23; 2:7)
Note: Have you received or asked Jesus Christ into your life? Are established in the faith?
Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Page 14: In fact, how can a Christian be in oneness with fellow believers if he only believes or accepts a certain part of "the faith"? This means that we must not be content with knowing just the basic teachings of the Bible or having just hazy or partial knowledge of the truth. Rather, we should be interested in taking advantage of all of Jehovah's provisions through his organization to dig deeply into his Word. We must endeavor to gain as accurate and as full an understanding of God's will and purpose as possible.
Note: The will of God differs from the will of the Watch Tower organization.
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Page 14: Third, Paul prefaced the description of the three-fold goal with the words "until we all attain." Regarding the expression "we all," one Bible handbook gives the meaning as "not all, one by one, separately, but all together."
Note: All true Christians will partake of the "memorial supper" or Holy Communion.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Page 14: It is clear from Paul's words that making spiritual advancement does not mean merely filling our mind with knowledge and great learning. The mature Christian is not one who dazzles others with his brilliance. Rather, the Bible says: "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
Correction: True Christians follow Jesus Christ not organizations like the Watch Tower.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Page 15: Of course, our quest for spiritual advancement is not merely an effort to look cultivated or to put on airs. Rather, as we grow spiritually, following the leading of God's spirit, there will be a wonderful transformation in our attitudes and actions. "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all," said the apostle Paul. - Galatians 5:16.
Note: True Christians follow Jesus Christ not organizations like the Watch Tower.
Galatians 5:4-5 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Page 15: But as the person makes spiritual progress, he gradually gains the mastery over these undesirable "works of the flesh" and makes room for "the fruitage of the spirit." This outwardly visible change is a clear indication that the person is advancing toward Christian maturity.
Note: True Christians follow Jesus Christ not organizations like the Watch Tower.
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Page 15: On the other hand, the expression "the fruitage of the spirit" implies that the qualities listed are, not the results of efforts in so-called character development or personality enhancement, but the results of the operation of God's spirit on a person.
Note: True Christians follow Jesus Christ not organizations like the Watch Tower.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Page 16: Another point to consider is Paul's use of the word "fruitage" to encompass all the desirable qualities that he mentioned. The spirit does not produce a variety of fruits for us to pick our favorite. All the qualities listed by Paul - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control - are equally important, and together they make possible the new Christian personality. (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)
Note: True Christians follow Jesus Christ not organizations like the Watch Tower.
Ephesians 4:20-24 But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Page 16: Therefore, while we may find that certain ones of these qualities are more evident in our life on account of our own personality and inclinations, it is important that we give attention to all the aspects mentioned by Paul. By so doing, we can more fully reflect a Christlike personality in our life. - 1 Peter 2:12, 21.
Note: Is Jesus Christ precious to you? Do you want a Christlike personality?
1 Peter 2:6-8 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
Page 16: The important lesson we can learn from Paul's discussion is that in the pursuit of Christian maturity, our objective is neither to acquire great knowledge and learning nor to cultivate refined personality traits. It is to gain a free flow of God's spirit in our life.
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Page 16: To the extent that our thinking and actions are responsive to the leading of God's spirit, to that extent we become spiritually mature. How can we achieve this objective? We must open our heart and mind to the influence of God's spirit. This involves our faithfully attending and participating in Christian meetings.
Correction: The influence of the Holy Spirit will turn a person into a Jesus Witness.
John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
Page 16: Ultimately, making our advancement manifest brings glory and praise, not to us, but to our heavenly Father, Jehovah, who makes it possible for us to gain spiritual maturity.
Note: Stephen was spiritually mature and a Jesus Witness.
Acts 6:5-6 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Acts 7:55-56 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
Page 16: On the night before Jesus was killed, he told the disciples: "My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples." (John 15:8) Both by the fruitage of their ministry, the disciples brought glory to Jehovah. - Acts 11:4, 18; 13:48.
Note: The disciples were spiritually mature and Jesus Witnesses.
Acts 5:40-41 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Pages 16-17: However, for this to be a continuous source of joy and praise to Jehovah, all such new ones need to "go on walking in union with (Christ), rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith." (Colossians 2:6, 7)
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
Philippians 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Page 17: This presents a two-fold challenge to God's people. On the one hand, if you are newly baptized, will you accept the challenge to apply yourself so that "your advancement may be manifest to all persons"? On the other hand, if you have been in the truth for some time, will you accept the challenge to shoulder the responsibility of caring for the spiritual welfare of new ones? In either case, the need for pressing on to maturity is clear.-Philippians 3:16; Hebrews 6:1.
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
Phil 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Page 17: Wonderful blessings await all who work hard to make their advancement manifest. Recall Paul's encouraging words after he urged Timothy to make advancement: "Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." (1 Timothy 4:16) By diligently making your advancement manifest, you too can share in the privilege of glorifying God's name and enjoying his blessings.
Correction: Good teaching gives evidence of your salvation through Jesus Christ the Savior.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
Correction: You cannot save yourself from eternal destruction.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Page 20: Since he was pronounced "faultless" in the Bible, he must have continued to walk with God after the Deluge and even after the rebellion against Jehovah reared its head at Babel. Indeed, Noah kept on walking with God right down till his death at 950 years of age.
Note: Jehovah's Witnesses generally do not know Scripture.
Genesis 9:20-22 And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
Page 21: "Habits are destiny," wrote one philosopher. But they do not have to be. The Bible shows very clearly that we can choose to change our bad habits and cultivate good ones.
Note: Jehovah's Witnesses are neither Christian or spiritually mature.
James 4:15-16 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Page 21: As Christians, we are urged to "go on walking orderly in this same routine." (Philippians 3:16) A routine involves a "habitual ... Performance of an established procedure." Such good habits benefit us because we do not have to spend time in deliberating each step - we have already established a good pattern that we follow by force of habit.
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
Philippians 3:8-11 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Page 21: As English writer Jeremy Taylor put it: "Habits are the daughters of action." If our habits are good, we can perform good things with little difficulty. For example, if as Christian ministers we have the habit of regularly sharing in the preaching work, it is easier and more enjoyable to go out in the field service.
Correction: Christian ministry is not determined by methods or time but by the Holy Spirit.
John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Note: The Watch Tower is using non-Christian philosophy for teaching and doctrine.
Page 21: Regarding the apostles, we read that "every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus."
Note: Are you teaching and declaring the good news of Jesus Christ?
Page 21: Our Exemplar, Jesus Christ, had the habit of attending meetings where the Bible was discussed. "According to his custom on the sabbath day, he entered into the synagogue, and he stood up to read." (Luke 4:16)
Correction: In context, Jesus Christ proclaimed Himself.
Luke 4:17-21 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Note: Jesus Christ brought attention to Himself.
Page 22: Such habits are indispensable in the Christian race for life. A report from a country where Jehovah's people have been persecuted noted: "Those with good spiritual habits and a deep appreciation of the truth have no problem in holding firm when tests arrive, but those who in 'favorable season' miss meetings, are irregular in field service and compromise on small issues often fall when under a 'fiery test." - 2 Timothy 4:2.
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Page 22: Our associates can also cause us to develop habits, good or bad. Good habits rub off, just as bad ones do. Even as "bad associations spoil useful habits," good associates may provide us with examples of wholesome habits to imitate. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Note: The important lesson from Paul is to have Jesus Christ preeminent in our lives.
1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 29: For example, suppose a Bible student has had the
habit of dwelling on immoral fantasies. He may see little harm in
doing so, reasoning that he is not actually doing anything
wrong. In the course of his study, he comes upon the words of James
1:14, 15: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own
desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to
sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death."
Now he sees just how detrimental continuing in this course would be to
his progress! How can he eliminate this impediment? - Mark 7:21-23.
Answer: Has Jesus Christ become preeminent in your life so that the fruit of the Spirit is evident.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners
will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you
were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.