Reasoning with Jehovah's Witnesses |
21. Christian Freedom |
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21. Christian FreedomJehovah's Witnesses believe that: a. Acquiring the "accurate knowledge" dispensed by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is essential to a Christian's salvation.29 b. In order to receive divine approval on his life, a Christian must willingly submit to the teachings and practices of the "faithful and discreet slave class" of Jehovah's Witnesses.30
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Q1. Are Christians freed from Pharisaism? Matt 11:28-30-"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Acts 13:39-"and by him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." Rom 7:6-But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. Rom 14:14-I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Rom 14:17-for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 10:23-All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 2 Cor 11:3-But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity [of devotion] to Christ. Gal 3:2-3-This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Heb 4:10-for whoever enters God's rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his. Titus 1:15-To the pure, all things are pure... 1 Pet 2:16-Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 John 5:3-5-For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Q2. Are Christians freed from intellectualism? 1 Cor 2:2-For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Q3. Are Christians freed from men's bondage? 1 Cor 7:23-You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Gal 2:4-5-But [it was] because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour... Gal 5:1-For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:13-For you were called to freedom, brethren... See THE FAITHFUL & DISCREET SLAVE
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Summary: a. Christian life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is fundamentally free and simple. b. A Christian is not subject to the bondage of men who would enslave him.
Endnotes: 29. Watchtower, 6/15/68, p. 359 30. Watchtower, 10/1/67 |
