Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation: Difference between revisions
Willietell (talk | contribs) →The 'anointed': edit in pertinent information once removed |
AuthorityTam (talk | contribs) Undid revision 476770533 by Willietell (talk)Revert good faith edit. While point is true, it's entirely unrelated to "salvation" topic (and cited ref doesn't actually support anyway) |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
Based on their understanding of scriptures such as [http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_014.htm?bk=Re;chp=14;vs=1;citation#bk1 Revelation 14:1-4], Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly [[144,000]] faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the [[kingdom of God]]. They believe that most of those are already in heaven, and that the "remnant" at Revelation 12:17 (KJV) refers to those remaining alive on earth who will be immediately resurrected to heaven when they die. The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 11/1/96 p. 10 Look to Jehovah for Comfort: “One of the main operations of God’s spirit upon first-century Christians was to anoint them as adopted spiritual sons of God and brothers of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) This is reserved for only 144,000 disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:1, 3)”</ref> They teach that the New Testament, which they refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures, is primarily directed to the 144,000, and by extension, to those associated with them.<ref>Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” chap. 13 p. 110 par. 10 The “Prince of Peace” Turns to Those Outside the New Covenant</ref> They believe that the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the [[Bride of Christ|bride, the Lamb's wife]]" (Revelation 21:9) in the [[New Testament]] also refer to the same group of "anointed" Christians.<ref>''Survivors Out of All the Nations'', ©1984 Watch Tower, page 65</ref><ref>"Congregation of God", ''Watchtower Publications Index 1930–1985'', "CONGREGATION OF GOD (Also called 144,000; Anointed; Body of Christ; Bride of Christ; Chosen Ones; Elect; Holy Nation; Israel of God; Kingdom Class; Little Flock; New Creation; New Nation; Royal House; Royal Priesthood; Sanctuary Class; Sons of Levi; Spirit Begotten; Spiritual Israel; Spiritual Sons)"</ref> |
Based on their understanding of scriptures such as [http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_014.htm?bk=Re;chp=14;vs=1;citation#bk1 Revelation 14:1-4], Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly [[144,000]] faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the [[kingdom of God]]. They believe that most of those are already in heaven, and that the "remnant" at Revelation 12:17 (KJV) refers to those remaining alive on earth who will be immediately resurrected to heaven when they die. The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 11/1/96 p. 10 Look to Jehovah for Comfort: “One of the main operations of God’s spirit upon first-century Christians was to anoint them as adopted spiritual sons of God and brothers of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) This is reserved for only 144,000 disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:1, 3)”</ref> They teach that the New Testament, which they refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures, is primarily directed to the 144,000, and by extension, to those associated with them.<ref>Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” chap. 13 p. 110 par. 10 The “Prince of Peace” Turns to Those Outside the New Covenant</ref> They believe that the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the [[Bride of Christ|bride, the Lamb's wife]]" (Revelation 21:9) in the [[New Testament]] also refer to the same group of "anointed" Christians.<ref>''Survivors Out of All the Nations'', ©1984 Watch Tower, page 65</ref><ref>"Congregation of God", ''Watchtower Publications Index 1930–1985'', "CONGREGATION OF GOD (Also called 144,000; Anointed; Body of Christ; Bride of Christ; Chosen Ones; Elect; Holy Nation; Israel of God; Kingdom Class; Little Flock; New Creation; New Nation; Royal House; Royal Priesthood; Sanctuary Class; Sons of Levi; Spirit Begotten; Spiritual Israel; Spiritual Sons)"</ref> |
||
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being 'anointed' involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone.<ref>“United In Worship Of The Only True God” chap. 14 pp. 112-113 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’: “Spiritual Sons—How Do They Know? ... God’s spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling.</ref> Members who claim to be anointed are not given special treatment by other congregation members.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 5/1/07 p. 31: “They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation”</ref> However, only those in the anointed class partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, or [[Eucharist#Jehovah's Witnesses|Memorial]]. |
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being 'anointed' involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone.<ref>“United In Worship Of The Only True God” chap. 14 pp. 112-113 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’: “Spiritual Sons—How Do They Know? ... God’s spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling.</ref> Members who claim to be anointed are not given special treatment by other congregation members.<ref>''The Watchtower'' 5/1/07 p. 31: “They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation”</ref> However, only those in the anointed class partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, or [[Eucharist#Jehovah's Witnesses|Memorial]]. |
||
==The 'other sheep' and the 'great crowd'== |
==The 'other sheep' and the 'great crowd'== |
||
Revision as of 16:47, 14 February 2012
 |
| Part of a series on |
| Jehovah's Witnesses |
|---|
 |
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that salvation is possible only through Christ’s ransom sacrifice[1] and that individuals cannot be saved until they repent of their sins and call on the name of Jehovah.[2] Salvation is described as a free gift from God, but is said to be unattainable without good works that are prompted by faith. The works prove faith is genuine.[3][4] Preaching is said to be one of the works necessary for salvation, both of themselves and those to whom they preach.[5] They believe that people can be "saved" by identifying God's organization and serving God as a part of it.[6]
The Witnesses reject the doctrine of universal salvation,[7] as well as that of predestination or fate. They believe that all intelligent creatures are endowed with free will. They regard salvation to be a result of a person's own decisions, not of fate.[8] They also reject the concept of "once saved, always saved" (or "eternal security"), instead believing that one must remain faithful until the end to be saved.[9]
Regarding whether non-Witnesses will be "saved", the religion's publications have stated: "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the 'great crowd,' ... have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system"[10] but that God has committed the responsibility of judging such ones to Jesus.[11][12]
The 'anointed'
Based on their understanding of scriptures such as Revelation 14:1-4, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. They believe that most of those are already in heaven, and that the "remnant" at Revelation 12:17 (KJV) refers to those remaining alive on earth who will be immediately resurrected to heaven when they die. The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.[13] They teach that the New Testament, which they refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures, is primarily directed to the 144,000, and by extension, to those associated with them.[14] They believe that the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 21:9) in the New Testament also refer to the same group of "anointed" Christians.[15][16]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being 'anointed' involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone.[17] Members who claim to be anointed are not given special treatment by other congregation members.[18] However, only those in the anointed class partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, or Memorial.
The 'other sheep' and the 'great crowd'
Watch Tower Society literature states that Jesus' use of the term "other sheep" at John 10:16 was intended to indicate that some of his followers were not part of the 144,000 and would have an earthly, rather than heavenly hope.[19] In the resurrection, those who died faithful to God are included in the 'other sheep' and will receive the "resurrection of the righteous" ("just" KJV) mentioned in Acts 24:15.[20] Those who died without faithfully serving God will receive the "resurrection of the ... unrighteous" ("unjust" KJV). They will be given the opportunity to join Jesus' 'other sheep' and live forever on a paradise earth.[21][22] There are some who will not be resurrected due to special judgment by God.[23] Those of the 'other sheep' who are alive today, some of whom survive through Armageddon without needing a resurrection, are referred to as the 'great crowd'.[24]
See also
References
- ^ The Watchtower 6/1/00 p. 11 par. 6 Keep Your “Hope of Salvation” Bright!
- ^ The Watchtower, March 15, 1989, p. 31 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! “The Way of Salvation”
- ^ "James Urges Clean and Active Worship,", The Watchtower 3/1/83 p. 13, "Faith that does not prompt us to do good works is not genuine and will not result in our salvation."
- ^ "Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples", Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1979, p. 2.
- ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2006 pp. 28-29 par. 12
- ^ The Watchtower 2/15/83 p. 12 You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—But How?
- ^ The Watchtower 4/15/60 p. 229 Does the Bible Teach What You Believe?
- ^ Awake! 5/07 p. 13 Is Your Life Predestined?
- ^ You Can Endure to the End The Watchtower October 1, 1999, p. 17.
- ^ "Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium", The Watchtower, September 1, 1989, page 19
- ^ “Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?” p. 29 Questions Often Asked by Interested People
- ^ The Watchtower 11/1/2008 "Our Readers Ask"
- ^ The Watchtower 11/1/96 p. 10 Look to Jehovah for Comfort: “One of the main operations of God’s spirit upon first-century Christians was to anoint them as adopted spiritual sons of God and brothers of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) This is reserved for only 144,000 disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:1, 3)”
- ^ Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” chap. 13 p. 110 par. 10 The “Prince of Peace” Turns to Those Outside the New Covenant
- ^ Survivors Out of All the Nations, ©1984 Watch Tower, page 65
- ^ "Congregation of God", Watchtower Publications Index 1930–1985, "CONGREGATION OF GOD (Also called 144,000; Anointed; Body of Christ; Bride of Christ; Chosen Ones; Elect; Holy Nation; Israel of God; Kingdom Class; Little Flock; New Creation; New Nation; Royal House; Royal Priesthood; Sanctuary Class; Sons of Levi; Spirit Begotten; Spiritual Israel; Spiritual Sons)"
- ^ “United In Worship Of The Only True God” chap. 14 pp. 112-113 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’: “Spiritual Sons—How Do They Know? ... God’s spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling.
- ^ The Watchtower 5/1/07 p. 31: “They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation”
- ^ The Watchtower 2/1/98 p. 20 par. 7 The Other Sheep and the New Covenant
- ^ The Watchtower 2/15/95 p. 11 par. 12 'There Will Be a Resurrection of the Righteous: “Men and women of old who exercised strong faith in Jehovah and his promises and remained faithful to the death were declared righteous by Jehovah on the basis of their faith, and they will without doubt share in the ‘resurrection of the righteous.’
- ^ The Watchtower 6/15/06 p. 6 A Sure Guide to Happiness: “Acts 24:15 ... “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” So even “the unrighteous,” many individuals who did not know and serve Jehovah, will get a future opportunity to gain God’s favor.”
- ^ You Can Believe in a Paradise Earth The Watchtower November 15, 2003, p. 4.
- ^ The Watchtower 3/15/06 p. 6 The Only Remedy!: “Some committed sins for which there is no forgiveness. They are not in Hades (mankind’s common grave) but in Gehenna, a symbolic place of eternal destruction. (Matthew 23:33)
- ^ The Watchtower 4/15/95 p. 31 Questions From Readers: “In summary, we might remember “other sheep” as the broader term, encompassing all of God’s servants having the hope of living forever on earth. It includes the more limited category of sheeplike ones today who are being gathered as a “great crowd” with the hope of living right through the impending great tribulation”.