Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: cadence!stevep@uunet.uu.net (Steve Peterson) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: MISconceptions about JW's Message-ID: Date: 9 Apr 91 08:04:23 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Lines: 61 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article benning@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com writes: >In article alan@syacus.acus.oz.au writes: > >>>............Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be Christians by definition. > >>> Also, they do not believe that Christ paid their debt in >>> full at Calvary, thus their belief is a mixture of faith in >>> "another Jesus" (2 Corr 11:4) and works for salvation. > >>What has ever left you with this idea? Did you get this info from Jehovah's >>Witnesses or someone who writes anti-JW books? >------------- >Steve, > >I work with three JW who DON'T Believe that there sins have been fully paid >for by the death of Jesus. They DO believe that only 144,000 will be fully >saved (Rev 14) and the rest of us must win salvation through "good deeds" >as defined by their leadership. I have had a few (2 or 3) come to my home >and I ask them if I can be fully saved through Messiahs atoning blood? They >have told me that HIS atonement is a partial form of redemption, and after >believing, we must do "good deeds" to win the rest of the salvation G-d is >willing to provide us. So this turns out to be a discussion of faith vs. works? OK, I am glad that I asked for clarification. What does the Bible say? "Faith w/o works is dead" I, as one of JWs, simply believe the above scripture. Does this mean that Salvation is due to works? No. What does the Bible say? "Salvation is through Faith, not works". I have concluded that Salvation is a free gift. What is Jehovah looking for out of us? Faith in the value of the ransom of his Son Jesus Christ. If I have true faith that will reflect itself in how I live my life. This will most likely improve my "works". If my behaviour in life doesn't improve, what does this show about my faith? It may show that my faith is weak or non-existant. Will any amount of good works gain my salvation? No. >I have just recently received a tape made by some former JW leaders. Similar to listening to disgruntled employees? Or how about listening to Judas Iscariot? He would no doubt give an objective and truthful anaylysis of Jesus Christ. >I'm not sure if it is available on the market ( a friend at work make it >for me ). You might want to consider watching the other side of the story. JW's have just produced a new video entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses - The Organization behind the Name". This is a 55 minute video that shows the inside story of the tremendous Organization behind the worlds widest preaching effort. Contact your local Kingdom Hall and they will arrange to show it to you at no cost.... With love, Steve stevep@cadence.com