Did you know that “kingdom” is not even mentioned *once *in the “Great” Commission that you cited? How very peculiar that you gave that long exposition on that word! :whacky:
Dan:
The word rendered “make disciples” is in the Greek Imperative. It is a command.
Interestingly, Jesus gives the reason why this priority is given more prominence than previously with:
The Ten Words were God-given, hence comprise a perfect law code. When a man “versed in the Law” asked Jesus Christ, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”, Jesus quoted a command that, in effect, epitomized the first four (or possibly five) of the Ten Commandments, saying: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” The rest of the Decalogue, Jesus then summed up in the few words of another command: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”—Mt 22:35-40; De 6:5; Le 19:18.
I don’t recall PRmerger denying that preaching the gospel was a commandment. His argument was that loving your neighbor, feeding the poor, and partaking of the sacrament were also commandments; and there is nothing in the scriptures that says either commandment was more important, or has a higher priority than the other commandments. Proving that preaching the gospel is a commandment does not prove that it has a higher priority than the other commandments. Can you explain how according to your logic proving that something is a commandment, proves that it is more important than the other commandments?
Please do. I would like to see where Jesus makes the “Great” Commission (notice, it’s not called the “Greatest” Commission) the “priority” that JWs claim it to be.
No argument there, Dan. It is a command for us to evangelize. Just like Jesus commanded his Apostles to “do this in memory of me” and to “feed my sheep” and “do unto others”. They’re ALL commands, are they not, Dan?
Yes, indeed, Dan, it is important. We do not deny that one bit. YOU have given it the highest priority, when Scripture does not indicate this.
I thought I already did. Jesus is specifically asked what’s the greatest ****commandment and he responds quite clearly.
Yes, we give it the proper degree of importance!
:clapping: :tiphat:
AGAIN…(Matthew 6:30-33) If, now, God thus clothes the vegetation of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe YOU, YOU with little faith? 31 So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to put on?’ 32** For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing.** For YOUR heavenly Father knows YOU need all these things. 33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other]things will be added to YOU.
A careful reading of the text makes it clear that that commandment was given by the Lord to those who were specifically charged with the responsibility of preaching the gospel (i.e. the Twelve Apostles and the Seventies); and not to everybody.
You don’t appear to understand that I have made a grammatical argument in the post to which you are replying.Please do. I would like to see where Jesus makes the “Great” Commission (notice, it’s not called the “Greatest” Commission) the “priority” that JWs claim it to be.
I don’t think I’m asking that hard of a question, guys.
No argument there, Dan. It is a command for us to evangelize. Just like Jesus commanded his Apostles to “do this in memory of me” and to “feed my sheep” and “do unto others”. They’re ALL commands, are they not, Dan?
Just don’t know why the JWs have made that particular command the PRIORITY.
Yes, indeed, Dan, it is important. We do not deny that one bit. YOU have given it the highest priority, when Scripture does not indicate this.
I thought I already did. Jesus is specifically asked what’s the greatest ****commandment and he responds quite clearly.
Yes, we give it the proper degree of importance!
What PRmerger and you fail to recognize is that in the Greek language the verbal mood called the imperative is what is used when one makes a forceful command. It is not my interpretation that this “sounds” like a command. Jesus chose that verbal form when he made the command. I also commented on other aspects of the context that neither you or PRmerger have attempted to refute.
Yes, I recall that this is another peculiarity of JW theology, or at least the practical aspect of it. It centers on, and revolves around, Armageddon! JWs live and die for Armageddon! Their life’s philosophy revolves around it.
2 Thessalonians 2:
3 ,Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Nowhere in the scriptures does it suggest that one should stop living one’s life normally out of the expectation that the end of the world is at hand sooner or later.
END QUOTE
“except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed” that is what Paul was pointing to in reasoning with the cong.
Could it truly have been Paul’s desire that sincere Christians be little concerned about the presence of their Lord and the day of Jehovah? Or did he not, rather, want them to maintain mental balance in the matter, to ‘keep their senses’ by making “sure of all things”? Thus, neither would they be thrown out of equilibrium by unfounded messages about Jehovah’s day being at hand nor would they be unprepared, careless and callous regarding it.—1Thessalonians 5:8, 21; compare 2Peter 3:3, 10-12 and 1*John 4:1.
Here we should bear in mind that those Thessalonians were fully aware that Jehovah’s day was “coming exactly as a thief in the night.” Far from being a reason for nonchalance, this meant that they should “stay awake,” as persons assigned “not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation.” After the apostasy had put in its full appearance, the day of Jehovah would come. This would be at a time when those in opposition to Jehovah’s Kingdom—including no doubt the “man of lawlessness”—would be saying: “Peace and security!” That would be the signal for their instant, sudden destruction. (1*Thessalonians 5:1-11) In that day of execution of righteous judgment, happy will be those ‘knowing God and obeying the good news about the Lord Jesus’!—2 Thessalonians 1:8.
The good news, as made known by Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians, should motivate us to hard work in God’s service, to high moral standards of living, yes, to endurance in leading joyful, prayerful, appreciative, spirited, blameless Christian lives that will recommend us to others within and outside the congregation of Jehovah’s people. (1*Thessalonians 5:16-23)
May sincere deliberation on Paul’s example and letters and on the faith of the Christians at Thessalonica prove beneficial to ALL OF YOU ON THE POST so that you may “more fully” imitate Christ’s example. May this, in turn, bring you deliverance “from the wrath which is coming” and salvation to eternal life under God’s glorious Kingdom rule.—1*Thessalonians 1:10; 4:1; Hebrews 12:2, 3; Revelation 21:1, 3, 4.
***Nowhere in the scriptures does it suggest that one should stop living one’s life normally out of the expectation that the end of the world is at hand sooner or later. ***–Zerinus
(1 Corinthians 7:29-31) …Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, 31 and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing.
If we think we can live like the people of this system do, occupying our time with the pursuits of just living, then we are due for a rude awakening because, as Paul is inferring, this world is rapidly disappearing and soon there will a great upheaval… Today, there is so much to live for in view of the prospects of the Messianic Kingdom blessings soon to flow to all the earth, and there is so little time left to live in this present system.
This was to take on greater urgency in the last days notice
(Luke 21:34-36)
LISTEN EVERYONE, we still go to movies, we go camping, Cruises, other travel, lots of normal things–Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) .I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; 13 and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.–but in a balanced way…**SOON, FOR US…we feel like Jeremiah **(Jeremiah 20:9) ...And in my heart it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable [to endure it]…yes, even when we’re on vacation
notice this…
Matt. 24:27(Matthew 24:37-39) ...For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39* and they took no note ***until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
also Peter’s words about some
3**For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “*Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” **5 For, **according to their wish, **this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.
All of this is even more applicable to us, at the late hour in which we live. Paraphrasing Paul’s words, we cannot deny that ‘now our salvation is nearer than at the time when the early Christians became believers and even than when we ourselves became believers. The night is well along; the day certainly has drawn near.’ (Romans 13:11,*12)
(1 Corinthians 9:16) .If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!
WHILE IT IS TOUGH … We love this ‘never to be repeated’ work!
Ok, Dan. I am not a Biblical Greek scholar, (and I’m guessing that you’re not either), so I cannot address whether this is the imperative tense or not.
bcbsr.com/greek/gmood.html …Try this PRmerger
. ‘When I sent you forth without purse and food pouch and sandals, you did not want for anything, did you?’ They said: ‘No!’ Then he said to them: ‘But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, “And he was reckoned with lawless ones.” For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.’ Then they said: ‘Lord, look! here are two swords.’ He said to them: ‘It is enough.’” (Mark 6:8-11
Is it more “forceful” than this:
Yes, I recall that this is another peculiarity of JW theology, or at least the practical aspect of it. It centers on, and revolves around, Armageddon! JWs live and die for Armageddon! Their life’s philosophy revolves around it.
2 Thessalonians 2:
3 ,Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Nowhere in the scriptures does it suggest that one should stop living one’s life normally out of the expectation that the end of the world is at hand sooner or later.
END QUOTE
“except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed” that is what Paul was pointing to in reasoning with the cong.
Could it truly have been Paul’s desire that sincere Christians be little concerned about the presence of their Lord and the day of Jehovah? Or did he not, rather, want them to maintain mental balance in the matter, to ‘keep their senses’ by making “sure of all things”? Thus, neither would they be thrown out of equilibrium by unfounded messages about Jehovah’s day being at hand nor would they be unprepared, careless and callous regarding it.—1Thessalonians 5:8, 21; compare 2Peter 3:3, 10-12 and 1*John 4:1.
Here we should bear in mind that those Thessalonians were fully aware that Jehovah’s day was “coming exactly as a thief in the night.” Far from being a reason for nonchalance, this meant that they should “stay awake,” as persons assigned “not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation.” After the apostasy had put in its full appearance, the day of Jehovah would come. This would be at a time when those in opposition to Jehovah’s Kingdom—including no doubt the “man of lawlessness”—would be saying: “Peace and security!” That would be the signal for their instant, sudden destruction. (1*Thessalonians 5:1-11) In that day of execution of righteous judgment, happy will be those ‘knowing God and obeying the good news about the Lord Jesus’!—2 Thessalonians 1:8.
The good news, as made known by Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians, should motivate us to hard work in God’s service, to high moral standards of living, yes, to endurance in leading joyful, prayerful, appreciative, spirited, blameless Christian lives that will recommend us to others within and outside the congregation of Jehovah’s people. (1*Thessalonians 5:16-23)
May sincere deliberation on Paul’s example and letters and on the faith of the Christians at Thessalonica prove beneficial to ALL OF YOU ON THE POST so that you may “more fully” imitate Christ’s example. May this, in turn, bring you deliverance “from the wrath which is coming” and salvation to eternal life under God’s glorious Kingdom rule.—1*Thessalonians 1:10; 4:1; Hebrews 12:2, 3; Revelation 21:1, 3, 4.
***Nowhere in the scriptures does it suggest that one should stop living one’s life normally out of the expectation that the end of the world is at hand sooner or later. ***–Zerinus
(1 Corinthians 7:29-31) …Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, 31 and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing.
If we think we can live like the people of this system do, occupying our time with the pursuits of just living, then we are due for a rude awakening because, as Paul is inferring, this world is rapidly disappearing and soon there will a great upheaval… Today, there is so much to live for in view of the prospects of the Messianic Kingdom blessings soon to flow to all the earth, and there is so little time left to live in this present system.
This was to take on greater urgency in the last days notice
(Luke 21:34-36)
LISTEN EVERYONE, we still go to movies, we go camping, Cruises, other travel, lots of normal things–Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) .I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; 13 and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.–but in a balanced way…**SOON, FOR US…we feel like Jeremiah **(Jeremiah 20:9) ...And in my heart it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable [to endure it]…yes, even when we’re on vacation
notice this…
Matt. 24:27(Matthew 24:37-39) ...For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39* and they took no note ***until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
also Peter’s words about some
3**For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “*Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” **5 For, **according to their wish, **this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.
All of this is even more applicable to us, at the late hour in which we live. Paraphrasing Paul’s words, we cannot deny that ‘now our salvation is nearer than at the time when the early Christians became believers and even than when we ourselves became believers. The night is well along; the day certainly has drawn near.’ (Romans 13:11,*12)
(1 Corinthians 9:16) .If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!
WHILE IT IS TOUGH … We love this ‘never to be repeated’ work!
Your posts read like psychedelic poetry. They are a pain to read, never mind to reply to.
Can you tell me if the imperative tense is used in Scripture any where else besides the “Great” (not “Greatest”) Commission?
