Space Merchant

Yes, but what you need to pay attention to is what Jesus said prior to his words, of what he is quoting from "It is Written" For the very law itself of which Jesus quoted is in the Hebrew Old Testament, the Tanakh, but specifically in the Torah, of which a majority of the laws of which every born Jew followed from their youth into adulthood, and into their elderly life. Majority of Christians, even a few newbie Jehovah's Witnesses, tend to not be aware of such things, and when one becomes aware of this, they recognize that Jesus, was a born Jew under the law, and I have said this before, and I will quote what the Law met to Jesus. For if the people knew God and they knew the Christ, they know of whom they are to religiously worship with total and exclusive devotion, for God not only said this, for it is, again embedded in the Torah. The law was ridiculously important to Jesus and when he quotes, speaks of the law, he means it. Galatians 4:4 reads: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law (see Matthew 5:17) In addition to that, in the Greek New Testament, Jesus conversed with scribes, and he spoke of the law, in regards to the commandants in the gospel of Mark, which what Jesus speaks of what is written is straight out of the Torah. Again proskuneos, for even in other translations, to bow down, to worship, to honor, pay homage, show reverence, adorn, etc. as I said before on this word. The man did not bow down to show an act of religious worship, he showed an act of reverence to the Son of Man, for if he religiously worshiped Jesus then it would destroyed what was written entirely of the very laws of which the Jews had followed since the days of Moses - if the Son is standing before them, surely they wouldn't do such, turning away from religiously worshiping him over the God of Israel, the Father of the very man who has been sent. If you had Jesus on your left side, and Yahweh/Jehovah on your right side, to whom you show worship in terms of ,adoration, reverence, homage, honor to and to whom you show religiously exclusive worship, great praise, servitude to? The answer would be quite obvious, but anyways, John 9 will not do you much, for majority of Christians agree that proskuneos has several meanings, and that it should not be abused to support the doctrine of religious Jesus worship instead of God the Father. For Yahweh/Jehovah is the Father of our Lord and Savior and a number of times Jesus even said it clearly that Yahweh is indeed his God and his Father. John 20:17 - Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” You can't be serious... That is one of the oldest tricks some Christians will pull to justify something - in this case, devoted religious worship to Jesus instead of the Father, Yahweh.I wouldn't say if they stopped him or not, for if you understood how translators did this, they fit proskuneo with worship, and those who do not see scripture or put themselves in the mindset of those who lived in those days, they will easily confuse themselves, identifying the word worship in regards to religious worship. This was the same case in Luke chapter 24 (more detailed in Acts 1), with Pentecost taking place in Acts 2. And no, the NWT isn't the only one who uses other words that reflect proskuneos, let's not be hypocritical here. I have listed about several bibles in another thread in regards to proskuneos, and I will gladly re-post them here. John 9:38 Twentieth Century New Testament (TCNT)-1898-1901 Then, Sir, I do believe," said the man, bowing to the ground before him; Good News Translation (GNT)- [1966-1976] "I believe, Lord!" the man said, and knelt down before Jesus. Aramaic Bible in Plain English (ABP)- 1905-1997 But he said, “I believe, my Lord”, and falling down, he worshiped him. God's Word Translation (GWT)- [1995] The man bowed in front of Jesus and said, "I believe, Lord." Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)-[1582] And he said: I believe, Lord. And falling down, he adored him. Darby Bible Translation (DBT)- [1867, with revised editions in 1872 and 1884] And he said, I believe, Lord: and he did him homage. Weymouth New Testament (WNT)- [1903] "I believe, Sir," he said. And he threw himself at His feet. Young's Literal Translation (YLT)- [1862] and he said, 'I believe, sir,' and bowed before him. For the sake of the verse, I will post what it says in the NWT New World Translation (NWT)- [1984, revised 2013] He said: “I do put faith in him, Lord.” And he did obeisance to him. The list goes on, literally, in addition to those who put proskuneos in its place and or reverence, etc within said translations. For there are a lot of bible translations that will put worship and a lot more that will use a word that is related to proskuneos, but the question is where to use it, the right place to use it, etc, for a word placed in the wrong spot can easily shift false belief, examples like 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 John 5:7-8, etc. No verse, no matter the translation ever states that the man religiously gave devoted worship to Jesus, for the man simply did an act of proskuneos, be it honor, worship, obeisance, bowing down/to, homage, reverence, etc. That being said, I will not waste time putting information from both Hebraic and Greek Theologians and scholars on that word, for it is easily understood if one puts him or herself in the mindset of those in ancient days. Facts: in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication ????????? (proskyne?/proskuneó) Greek Strong's #4352 - Short Definition: I worship Definition: I go down on my knees to, do obeisance to, worship. bow down (1), bow down before (1), bowed down (1), bowed down before (2), bowing before (1), bowing down (1), prostrated himself before (1), worship (32), worshiped (17), worshipers (1), worshiping (1), worships (1) from pros and kuneó (to kiss). Not really, I do not adhere to the KJV nor do I adhere to the NKJV (or any bible  that considers it's falsehood biblical canon, in addition to those that preach that uninspired verses are true), you'd be wise by now to know how I view such bibles, for I rely on bibles that stick to the oldest and most reliable sources possible, for the KJV and the NKJV stems far from this. For if anyone had noticed, I post more from the ESV bible in majority of my comments, sometimes from other translations, but most of the time, ESV. For you even seen my post towards Allen about Textual Criticism in regards to Mark 16, for 1-8 being inspired while verses 9-20 not being inspired, for such verses originated from the KJV translators, and such verses are nowhere to be found in the oldest source, reasons why some bibles today omitted such verses, and or restore some verses to its true meaning. You claim just now, assuming that I said the following: you felt the NKJV was the more accurate choice of translation of the Bible KJV/NKJV? Accurate??? Never... I welcome you to find where I said that and post it here, for everyone here knows my view of bible translations, what I use, and my strong opinions against the KJV/NKJV hence biblical hermeneutics and Textual Criticism scriptural facts, verse connection, and how important it is to stick to the oldest and most reliable source possible.  As for religious worship and total servitude to God the Father: Exodus 20:3 - “You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 34:14 - (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), Deuteronomy 4:24 - For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Isaiah 42:8 - I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Matthew 4:10 - Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 4:8 - And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Mark 12:28-33 (speak of the Law found in the Torah/OT; Shema Ysirael in addition to the commandments) Laws found in the Torah (it is written) The Shema - Deuteronomy 6:4-13 Deuteronomy 6:13 (included in the Shema Yisrael) - It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 - You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Jesus' exaltation, God making him Lord, giving him the name above every other name, putting Jesus at his right hand (as said in psalms 110:1), etc. I mean, the very title of this chapter by this writer in the NT even states the following - The Supremacy of God's Son Proskuneos is proskuneos, for none of the angels were ever told to religiously worship Jesus with total devotion. I refuted Cos on this weeks ago:  Negative, friend, Jesus isn't hidden from me because half the things I even said isn't being read by you, and every word and every post I make is 100% fact and true, especially in regards to scripture - and you assuming I said something which I have not said is a big error is , for a guy like me who has been against the errors in the KJV/NKJV since childhood, I would never turn my back and say such uninspired verses used in that bible is accurate, nor would I preach it as some do, or in this case, I would never state that such a bible is 100% for its practice of mixing inspired with uninspired to blind the masses, but here, no such words of me saying it is accurate is ever typed by me, for my view of the KJV/NKJV borderline Nazareth Vow levels, so to speak, if you know what that is. Anyways, I can easily correct how those last couple of verses you just posted without even taking into consideration of what they connect to, but I will spare you this time - unless you misuse verses and or mixing verses that do not connect with each other, or connecting things from scripture be it OT or NT when in reality they do not connect, which is some, for this goes for anyone. And knowing myself and experiences, I know what is true and what is false, and those who practice close to what is true vs those who adhere to what is false. For if Christ is hidden from me, I would not have been able to correct your wrongs, your errors, and the like, but if Christ is truly with you and you said I claim the NKJV is accurate, and I quote: You mentioned somewhere here, that you felt the NKJV was the more accurate choice of translation of the Bible. Now, it appears you are leaning on the NWT when it suits you. I find that rather interesting. - Witness I want you to be truthful about your words, to yourself, to everyone here, to Jesus, and to God the Father, who all are witnesses here and I want you to give direct proof of me saying that such things - if you cannot, then it is evident of whom Christ is truly hidden from. Do not expect to take parts of what I said and make it seem as I said such things, for I can easily pull up my comments from my history. I can tell you right now straight up, I do have a few typos elsewhere, but never would I acknowledge the KJV or the NKJV to be accurate, as you claim.

Very well, but it still doesn't help you here, for you have said the following: It is the name of Jesus Christ that should be placed in Rom 10:13 For it is true and clear as to what is really means prior to translators changing it: everyone who calls on the name of the YHWH will be saved. Therefore, the JWs are not in error in regards to Romans 10:13, nor is anyone who restores YHWH to that verse, or those who know which "Lord" the verse is informing us about. As for your other response: And if He wants our attention to be focused on His Son as our Savior, then, we should call on him. Remember of what is said already: no one can come to Jehovah/Yahweh but through Jesus (John 14:6), and no other means has been given by Jehovah/Yahweh for salvation than the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12). For believing in the Christ enables one to receive the gift of God's grace by means of his Son - the free and full forgiveness of sin(s) through Christ. Also every knows why Jesus is called "Lord" already, so what the early Christians said in 1 Corinthians 1:2 is correct - for they too know that God has made the Christ Lord the very day he resurrected the Christ - hence why they thank God for the Christ, in addition to the words of Isaiah, for this verse connects to. On the contrary they have, if you even took into account of what I just explained previously. proskuneo also means worship (http://biblehub.com/greek/4352.htm), as well as obeisance, honor, reverence, homage, bow to/down to, etc. The very word that Cos, an Anti-JW around here, didn't get through his head, hence the heavy refuting to each of his response drove him away from this section of the forums, in addition to hims caught lying, for him using John 8:44 backfired on him. 1 Corinthians 15 verses 27 and 28 does not imply of which you said in regards to the following: worship to Jesus is perfectly acceptable to God. You must remember as to why God subjected all things to him, and also strongly remember of what God had said in regards to religiously worship and servitude him, don't add to God's word, friend for the very account those verses are under is in regards to The Resurrection of the Dead (Risen Christ). Yes, we are to honor the Son, in turn honoring the Father, but as I told Cos before, taking away religious worship of the Father and doing such to the Son and he alone will only spell a not so pleasant response from God, for Jesus himself, he even taught it is God the Father we must worship, remember when you quoted the account of the Samaritan woman, same thing. You really need to be careful. In addition to that, verses 27 and 28 have several other verses that they connect to, which further disproves your claim. For Jesus' response to Satan was clear as the blue sky and the sea: ‘You shall worship the Lord [YHWH] your God and him only shall you serve. - Matthew 4:10 (see Deuteronomy 5:9, 6:13, 10:20 and Luke 4:8). That being said, when one considers "religious worship" be sure to know to whom you are showing this "religious worship" to. For the idea or practice of "religious worship" to God's Son, Jesus calls in the category of Arianism, which is still a belief that is practiced today. You really have to be careful and not take the word proskuneo with a grain of salt, for better understanding of what that word means will make you very well aware of the word and how it is used in scripture and where it is used, for many translations tend to just throw the word "worship" everywhere proskuneo is even found. For such a word have several meanings, one of which includes the word worship. Negative. I only focused on Romans 10:13 as well as other verses within chapter 10 - for you have stated the NWT was in error in regards to this verse, which is a false claim on your part. I have not ignored a book in the bible, nor have I ever done so in the decades of biblical study. "Kyrios" does refer to Jesus, however, it also does refer to God the Father as well, as do others - scriptural facts prove this also. Kyrios means Lord, which also relates to Sir, Master, Owner, etc. David was the Lord (Kyrios) of Israel. So we see, for example, that Yahweh was the Lord of Israel and David was the Lord of Israel (1 Kings 1:36). The authority structure with God and Jesus is exactly the same. God made David the Lord of Israel and now God has made David's son Jesus the Lord of all the world. We would not assume that David is Yahweh because God had made him Lord. Abraham is Sarah's Lord, so Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my Lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" (Genesis 18:12; see 1 Peter 3:9). Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "Lord" (1 Peter 3:6). The two angels came to Sodom in the evening and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he arose to meet them, and bowed himself with his face to the earth, and said, "My Lords, turn aside, I pray you, to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise up early and go on your way." "Lords [Paul and Silas], what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:31). There are numerous people in scripture who are called "Lord (Kyrios)." As we can see the word Kyrios isn't exclusive to Jesus or YHWH - but anyone can identity which "Lord" is which between the two. For in regards to Romans 10:13, "Lord" is a directly referring to God the Father, not Jesus - for Jesus had already been mention as Lord a couple verses prior to verse 13 and the one who saves is indeed the Father, for his grace by means of his Son allows forgiveness of Sin. Take a good look here: http://biblehub.com/greek/2962.htm Again - The Message of Salvation to All. Believing and saying that Jesus, the Risen Christ is Lord and believing in the One [YHWH] who has raised him from out of death. All of Romans 10 is based on the message of salvation that is for all, friend. Since you use bible gateway, you can see that for yourself clearly. As for the other verses, I am well aware of what Paul has said, as also him affirming something that Jesus followed to the core while he was in his youth. That being said, there is a big number of verses of which each verses has a connection to, with some pointing back to what I stated previously, thus such verses when read are harmoniously connected, as stated before. I suggest you re-check your verses. I am very well adept in scripture and what is and must be taught and the like, and know what is true and what is false. You are making a claims you will surely not cash, friend. For falsehood can clearly be seen by sheer discernment and or what one prompting what is false is saying, assumption or taking the word of an Anti-Christian isn't the best route to go, for it clouds judgement and brings forth falsehood. "The picking of bad fruits will reap the consequence of bad indigestion." For the same can be said for taking in something and automatically clinging to it without understanding and or taking what is true, thus consequence follows suit in regards to one's blindness. I do not know quite a bit, I am very well aware of who they are, what they teach, what is their belief, etc. I have spent a 5+ years understanding their faith, as with others such as other denominations as well as the likes of Islam and Judaism, as well as mainstream Christianity, the real Babylon to true faith in scripture. Unlike taking into account of YouTube videos made by obvious opponents of the JWs, I actually speak to them for quite some time to understand their view of scripture., and with enough study and the like, I understand of where they are coming from, for they are among those who are doing whatever it takes not only to imitate Jess' example but strive to do what the scriptures say no matter what. You can bring up whatever claim you wish, for what has been posted before is usually one sided, but I can assure you, there is more than enough proof, that puts most Christians on their side in seeking truth than against them. You'd be amazed of how some of their opponents will even want to end Christianity in the US just to get rid of JWs, it is a brutal threat, and it has been said before prior to their ban in Russia, with some who retaliate saying if such was done to them in the US, it will spell disaster to Christianity as a whole in America. It is also another reason why most of us remain totally, 100% neutral with JWs - because we know by scripture of how God views our actions, and inciting, prompting, taking part, being part of, Christian infighting, persecution, conspiracy against such faith will spell disaster for us in the End Times. This is why even at the CSE Christian community, attacking their doctrine, speaking bad about them, and the like will only cause the JW opponent to be warned and or kicked out - for such attitude is Un-Christian, and it is unacceptable. That being said, one understanding the bible and or the scriptures, history too, over time, does not reflect a change in doctrine, an example would be that JWs, in the Bible Student Era once celebrated Christmas, until later on they gain knowledge through study and knew off the bat that Christmas isn't to be celebrated, thus how JWs are today with such holiday and or any Holiday for that matter, for the only thing they celebrate is the Memorial of the Christ. Over time, other Christians have followed suit, and I have posted this already to that Swihii guy on this forum, which you yourself have known this since you made comment on that same thread. Friend, you really need to study Greek, do not make the mistake as most mainstream Christians make. "me" or "my" in Greek is μοῦ (mou) Greek Strong's #3450. It also relates to "I", "me", "mine" "own", "my" (The simpler form of emou [of me]). μοῦ used in that verse (John 14:13 and also 14), so them revising it isn't all that of a major issue, unless you do not understand Greek or Strong's or if the JWs took out the Strong's entirely for a different word. Another thing to take into account is "me" also equals to another word in Greek, μέ (me) Greek Strong's #3165 which relates to "I", "me ", "my" (A shorter (and probably originally) from of eme [me]). For both μοῦ and μέ are basically identical and both have been used many, many times in scripture. http://biblehub.com/greek/3450.htm http://biblehub.com/greek/3165.htm Other Strong's I will add here so you can better understand: Emou (ἐμοῦ) Greek Strong's #1700 - http://biblehub.com/greek/1700.htm Eme (ἐμέ) Greek Strong's #1691 - http://biblehub.com/greek/1691.htm egó (ἐγώ) Greek Strong's #1473 - http://biblehub.com/greek/1473.htm There are several others that are identical also. 14:13 καὶ ὅ τι ἂν αἰτήσητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου τοῦτο ποιήσω ἵνα δοξασθῇ ὁπατὴρ ἐν τῷ υἱῷ 14:14 ἐάν τι αἰτήσητέ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου ἐγὼ ποιήσω 14:15 Ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτέ με τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς ἐμὰς τηρήσατε Jehovah's Witnesses Interlinear Bible Translation in Quote: Other Interlinear versions: http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/14.htm http://www.qbible.com/greek-new-testament/john/14.html http://www.gospel-john.com/greek/chapter-14.html Note: Some Interlinear versions will remove the word, delete, completely instead of using anything from the Strong's or the manuscript. Reason: Stephens 1550 Textus Receptus (among others) The Link below has several versions of this verse (it shows you literally everything, even the vulgate), I will quote for both verses 13 and 14 http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B43C014.htm John 14:13 - http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B43C014.htm#V13 John 14:14 - http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B43C014.htm#V14 John 15:15 - http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B43C014.htm#V15 several more, but I will limit it to these two, you get the idea (the section like you can click on John 14 verses 13, 14 and or 15 and it will direct you to the verse instead of scrolling down entirely.) So if the JWs were wrong with their Interlinear, they those who wrote the Septuagint are in fault, the very high regarded source of which the Bible and the scriptures within the Bible originates from. But anyways, anyone who translates and or revives will take into account for what the Strong's say, and will place what they see fit in the translations, as long as it equals exactly to what the Strong's word means. Your claim of them being in error, is false - especially if the Strong's is accessible to the public who is even aware of such information - Ancient Greek. All in all, technically, it isn't a deletion of the word, unless you remove it 100% and or replace it with something other than what the Strong's or the manuscripts says. So therefore, the The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures from the Watchtower/Jehovah's Witnesses isn't in error. For you have a clear look at ALL the translations who base the scripture and or verse on the Septuagint and you can see who has it right quite easily. I already made comment to that of which you did not mention. Stewards among the Christian faith are those with duties of a stewardship, those who take seriousness and high consideration in the spreading of the gospel, as well as teaching it - Shepherds to Flock, Disciple to Student, Teacher to Pupil etc. Jesus speaks of prophecy concerning the end days and tribulations, he speaks of those who are to help in this work, those taking lead in spreading the gospel, who serves as stewards for him, a manager over the household of faith.

I believe the JWs know John 6:27 very well, as do others among within Restorationism faction, and such is very evident. On the JW's end regarding that verse, their information is:  I believe this was explained with what I stated before in terms of the Belief of the Samaritans. That prophet that was raised up was indeed Jesus himself, the Messiah and Christ of whom those on Mount Gerizim were looking forward to, as with the things to come. I have already went into detail of this before, but it remains, True Christians, like the Samaritans,await the Messiah to return, and in doing so, they continue to give praise, worship and servitude to God the Father at the same time while accepting what Jesus taught and practicing, preaching the gospel and the like. There is no error in doing so. As for the comment of raising up a prophet, I answered this before to you in regards to your response:  They have been sticking to scripture, nor has anything failed with them - for if one understands, researches from the prospective of the Jehovah's Witnesses, you will know quite easily their position. That is why anyone with basic bible Hermeneutics will not buy in to conspiracy, as you so obviously have with your pasts posts. Again, Deuteronomy 18:18-22, look at the link to my response to your comment, of which I brought up those verses from the Torah before. If the JWs also agree with the Samaritan, it does not put them at fault, as you claim. Lastly, you claim before that: Believing 100% in scripture would motivate a true Christian to expose the lies, would it not? Gal 1:6-9; Eph 5:8-14; Isa 32:6-8; Luke 6:43-45 The answer would be (my response): Believing 100% that the scripture has been tampered with over the years would motivate a true Christian to expose the lies and speak truth. Yet most True Christians, like me, adhere to Textual Criticism, which easily debunks such claim of saying the bible is 100% inspired (especially when it comes to the KJV/NKJV), for the very scriptures itself has been tampered with over time - one of the reason why you have Translators restoring verses to its original form from the copies they have in the best way as they can, examples like Romans 10:13 while those who do not do anything and accept what is false are called out for Hebraic Violation when it comes to the Tanakh (Hebrew Old Testament) and Hermeneutical Violations regarding the Greek New Testament. So it is safe to say the JWs, especially when it comes to the bible follows it and as do others who at times use several others translations, for they are not in error or false prophets here in terms of scriptural teachings. For such persons do not reflect that of mainstream Christianity, for these people cherry pick, and teach differently according to what the bible says, for they do so, knowingly. Jesus said the scriptures cannot be broken or nullified, as well as the laws in his day (John 10:35), and God the Father had said that we must not add to the word or take away from it/change it (Deuteronomy 4:2). The scriptures and what took place aren't made up stories either.

Just like in the days of Noah. History has already repeated itself, but this time the bible, any translation, some people will conjure up a false teaching or an attack to gun for those knowing the truth and or remotely close to truth. Only this time, it won't be a flood, and just like before, it cannot be avoided. Also I believe there are some Watchtower publications and information that some JW opponents wouldn't dare quote from or even bring up into conversation, for in doing so, will put their attack on the JW faith to a halt, and the consequences of embarrassment and falsehood of the JW opponent to be put into the light - especially when it comes to the 1975 date (interestingly enough, the "6,000 years" portion is rarely mention by JW opponents in terms of man's creation as seen in the publications of JWs regarding 1975). That being said, around 1974-1975, or so, the Jehovah's Witnesses were told not to speculate on what may or may not happen. This is why some Christians among the Non-Trinitarian faith (only a few denominations acknowledge this) are always told, those who are closer to the truth than most are still considered our brothers and sisters, for we are all children of God, for they too want to be seen in the eyes of God in having the faith and doing the works, taking into account of Jesus' examples and teachings - for what is to come they will benefit, and as do other good and faithful ones who put in the effort and the time as well, but to those who adhere to falsehood, and evil, will most definitely be brought forth before the white throne for judgement.

Not always, for when you go for money, others who want money will take your money and the cycle continues. Like an endless labyrinth that you go through over and over again non-stop. Check this out, totally insane: http://www.usdebtclock.org Not only people follow the money, but they put people in debt, which will include later generations not being able to pay that off.

Stewards are also those who are taking the lead, examples being the apostles and other Christian teachers and bishops and overseers, etc. and or a freeman or a trusted slave/servant. An example of this would be Abraham to Eliezer of Damascus, for Eliezer is the steward of Abraham, and or his servant/slave, . (Titus 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2, as well as connected verses) Abraham and Eliezer - see (Genesis 13:2, 14:14,15:2, 23:17-20, Acts 7:4, 5) In Peter's case (1 Peter 4:10), he points out that Christians, Overseers and others are all stewards of God's undeserved kindness, which is expressed in a variety of ways - being in God's arrangement in which faithful servitude and or stewardship is carried out. Peter points out to all Christians, overseers and others, that they are stewards of God’s undeserved kindness expressed in various ways, and he shows that each has a sphere, or a place, in God’s arrangement in which he can carry out a faithful stewardship. Then again to accuse a group of being part of Babylon, yet buy into conspiracy is rather telling. There is a reason as to why some Christians do not encourage infighting and or enticing such. Incorrect. The Jehovah's Witnesses merely restored the name from the Tetragrammaton in that verse (as did others) - the only error made was removing/replacing it from the scripture, putting LORD/Lord in its place instead of Yahweh/Jehovah/YHWH, this is why basic Hermeneutical interpretation is very, very important. In addition to that, despite the name not being there, one can easily differentiate who is who in Romans 10 (or throughout the bible who is God and his actions and who is Jesus and his actions, etc). For this was the case with other translations who inserted and or restored the name of God back into scripture, some like the Aramaic Bible in Plain English for example, so the NWT is in the clear for that and not in error - as you claim. Facts: Some try to prove that Jesus is Jehovah (Yahweh) by pointing to Romans 10:13 and Joel 2:32. The argument is made that Paul is here calling Jesus “Lord”. Since this is a reference to Joel 2:32, where it tells us that whoever calls on the name of Jehovah (Yahweh) will be delivered, Trinitarians as well as oneness believers claim that this means that Jesus is the same (sentient?) being (or person, in the case of our “oneness” neighbors) as Jehovah (Yahweh). Some translations render Romans 10:13 as calling upon Jehovah or Yahweh, in other translation, the name is replaced with LORD/Lord. Jesus (or Yeshua) is the means that Jehovah/Yahweh has provided for salvation (John 3:16,17), no one can come to Jehovah/Yahweh but through Jesus (John 14:6), and no other means has been given by Jehovah/Yahweh for salvation than the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12). Now, basic Hermeneutics again, Romans 10:13 points directly back to these verses: Joel 2:32 - And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah/Yahweh [LORD] shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah/Yahweh [LORD] hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call. Acts 2:21 - And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [Jehovah/Yahweh] shall be saved. And yes, the early Christian did now who God the Father is, they acknowledged him openly on the opening of Romans chapter 10, soon they go into speaking about The Message of Salvation to All. Now as for Romans 10:9-13 it clearly states that not only they believe Jesus Christ is Lord(for God has made Jesus Lord upon resurrecting Jesus), and openly stated that they also believe in the One who resurrected Jesus Christ. For you to say the following "It is the name of Jesus Christ that should be placed in Rom 10:13" is wrong, for you clearly see that the Christians knew Jesus was risen because of God having a part in bringing back the Christ out of the dead (Firstborn out of the dead), and the book of Acts it is mentioned dozens of times and elsewhere in the Greek New Testament. Romans 10:9-13 (9) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [A] and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead [X], you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. [C]” (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. (13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved [D].” [A] Acts 16:31 - And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 1 Corinthians 9:6 - Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 2 Corinthians 4:13 - Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, Hebrews 13:15 - Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. [C] Isaiah 28:16 - therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Romans 9:33 - as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” [D] Was already mentioned, Joel 2:32 and Acts 2:21 [X] In scripture, mainly the Greek New Testament, speaks of the Risen Christ and or the Resurrection of Christ - Firstborn out of the Dead, the First-fruits , for such is important when knowing who the Risen Christ what is resurrection even means. It also speaks about God the Father being the one responsible for raising the Christ out of Hades/Grave, out of the pangs of death. Examples like Acts 2:23 and 24 - (23) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (24) God raised him [Jesus] up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him [Jesus] to be held by it. Acts 10:40-43 - (40) but God raised him [Jesus] on the third day and made him [Jesus] to appear, (41) not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him [Jesus] after he [Jesus] rose from the dead. (42) And he [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (43) To him [Jesus] all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through His [God] name.” For "through His name" is compared to to 3 verses, Isaiah 53:11, Jeremiah 31:34 and Daniel 9:24. For believing in the Christ enables one to receive the gift of God's grace by means of his Son - the free and full forgiveness of sin(s) through Christ. There are as many other verses in regards to God raising Jesus out of Hades. And these verses, and the understanding and context should not and will not be ignored. As for God making Jesus Lord Keep in mind also, that what Jesus Christ says or does (Shal'iah Principle) is not of his own, but originates from his Father and his God. Also Lord is common, for Abraham was Sarah's Lord, The Philippian Jailer calls Paul and Silas Lords, God is LORD/Lord and Jesus is Lord, etc.

Ah yes, the IRS, for from Pre-School into college days, out into the slave pens, with the very meaning of the IRS is engrave on our ball and chain, strapped to our foot as we work to the bone like hamsters running the wheel, and it cannot be removed, for such a thing we take to the grave, and what we did not finish is the burden of our children and or relatives, who also have the IRS up on their necks, for the cycle continues like an endless bad dream - insanity, the same thing over and over again, for even if you snap, it continues. For the Government controls, brainwashes, and oppresses everything and everyone, a time will come when they will put their hands on education, religion, businesses, etc, but this time, with an iron fist - but they are binding their time. So yeah, the IRS is always going to be on us, they will always tax us, we will also have bills to pay where it involves them, and sometimes when we have tax refunds, they have their hand in it also.  But in all seriousness, Slavery is still relevant today, even in the US. For its presence is within Human Trafficking and or holding people for hard labor work against their will. On a serious tone, The United States have single handled handed helped out in turning Libya into a den for Terrorism, reviving Black Slavery (which is huge in Libya), swiftly and quickly after they took out Muammar Gaddafi, in addition to refugees being taken into the Slave Trade. Elsewhere in the Middle East, because of the United States, politicians and conservative political Evangelicals, they were for what happen to Syranic Christians, for those who did not escape ended up being killed, taken as slaves, and or wives by ISIS due to the Kurds, supported by the US, leaving them Syrianic Christians by themselves. Not to mention the illegal blood and organ trade, which also goes with the slave trade in Liyba, as well as around the globe.  As much as I DISLIKE CNN , this is what I speak of:  The Syranic Christian one is regarding this video, what isn't mention is that some trading of their faith to take arms to fight ISIS:  All in all, even today, some Christians, on the down low, either are for slavery or unknowingly support the very government that are accomplice to slavery, for in the end, all that matters it the $ money $ that comes from it as with other things regarding war and corruption, hence why they silence people like Serena Shim, Seth Rich, Klaus Eberwein, John Ashe, Peter Smith, as for Elizabeth Beck, well, shes on the run and in hiding, especially with that disturbing and yet shocking interview she gave. Makes you think, does God really bless America with all the shenanigans going on in the states, and the actions of the US and the EU around the globe?

Are you asking for an explanation of this verse or are you here to interpret? Because there are things you may want to re-check, friend. In the end, you can't make a decision for God on those who believe in him and the one whom he sent -Â once you qualify for such a position then perhaps you can choose whom you want, but such is impossible (obviously). Â Also I find your lack of understand law and the new covenant that Christians are under, disturbing.

Non-Trinitarians in general are not a fan of Catholics (Society of Jesus, Jesuits, being the mainline), especially the Catholics that take part in events that can prove devastating to Christians. They were for the 2017 Reformation of October that put a great deal of Christians at the edge of their seats, as well as the Kairos 2017 event (Ecumenical Movement deemed Antichrist) and so forth. The cherry on top of the cake, the event that took place in Washington of 2016 that some Christians actually warned other faiths to not go to this event, they even warned JWs. Mind you, Jesuits are doing such events for a reason, hence why most Non-Trinitarians are up in arms right now, and to this day and onward. "The Protest is not Over" as they say.

Barnes was not one for slavery (pro slavery), you are correct about this, however his faith, the Presbyterian (Church Government), were split regarding slavery, some against, some for it - this goes for other things too, such as today's PC USA (not PCA), who are open on liberal and progressive, the inclusion of homosexuality and the like compared to the PCA who are not for such things, for the PCA Presbyterians are conservative bible readers. Presbyterians have several denominations, mainline being PC USA, some who adhere to the confessions and Creeds, hence, the belief of the Trinity. Like past counterparts, the Presbyterians, regardless of denomination are indeed split on a number of things, as stated before. They are govern by a session of elders in local churches (ruled by a plurality of elders), etc. They are also Evangelicals, for they are the type of people of faith to do missionary based works and activities (belief in missions, spread gospel worldwide). Other then that, there are those within the same faith who differ from Barnes completely. Barnes however, his work is unique, but I don't think he was the type to gun or defame brothers and sisters in Christianity by means of his works, not the ways of Christians who adhere to what is deemed true compared to those who stray from what is true. There were also some Christians Albert Barnes was not even aware of, so even if he had the chance, he would not do such to them, for they are all seeking truth after the many movements within the Christian faith. Long story short, there were some Presbyterian who accept slavery and will fight someone to keep it as such, this faith,, for if we were alive in those times and we debated against slavery, we will meet with such persons who will defend something that is utterly wrong.

Agreed. Most people do not look for or take the verse into context. This is why when you go to the SC scene, if you do not know your bible well, you will get dog piled before you can say God or Jesus. It gets even worse when you have a Jew or a Muslim who knows the bible far more than you in terms of truth, context and understanding - that is where some Christians face total embarrassment for not knowing the scriptures, and there is many examples online of this, I think I linked a video or two about this already. Context is everything, benefit from understanding, gain knowledge, teach what is true the correct way.

I suggest you read what the ARC again says about the two-witness rule in the final reports and seeing what is said for it was stated the rule is in harmony with the model bill of evidence (Tendency and Coincidence), it isn't really a loophole for the mental broken souls who pray on children. For such a rule is their Scriptural view and applications, as the reports says and there was not really much of an issue for such a rule especially when the ARC broke it down to what it applies to. They won't change that rule because JWs are known for sticking to scripture, and solely scripture, in some cases when it comes to application. That is why they can't change it, for there is always a WHY to something as to what someone or something does, with reason and information pointing to that WHY someone or something do this or that. I rather take into account truth than what others say, and I take the word of ARC over the claims of someone who is painting what is false. But, I agree with the ARC, I do not believe you do with the way you responded, not taking into account of what the ARC had said about the rule the JWs have. You may still being ignoring it, friend. No one gives an abuser to do something or take action upon someone, they do this on their own, for there isn't anyone holding their hand to carry out abuse and or crimes, the same can be said with people do other actions such as murder, genocide, etc, their intent, in their minds, it planned out and final. People who are not aware of such abuser will easily be swayed by them, for these people will not know of something until told, when one discovers something or witnesses something, etc. You can never know the intentions of someone truly until something is found out. An example would be innocent little girls who you may see as sweet and honest little kids, but what you do not know is these girls planned out and lured someone, another child, in a near attempt to murder this victim, you can't honestly say you can automatically snuff out the intention of these girls just by talking to them or seeing them. Putting this into context with what I said before, you can't automatically snuff out the intentions of and or actions of a pedophile until accusations and or prove of it is brought up, prompting you or someone to take action when such information arises. The example I gave was indeed a real one, attempted murder, stabbing of a victim (18-19 times) that landed two 12 year old girls jail time, one of them sentenced to 25-40 years to a Hospital institution for being mentally ill. The reality is, there isn't loopholes, for such bad people are not really caught unless people speak up, evidence is discovered, the abuser's history and or past being made known, background checking, etc. To detect someone's bad intentions to do something vile, you must probably think you are Superman/Kal-El if you can do such. Unfortunately, we do not possess unique traits and or ability, and the only person to have such an ability, to see the hearts of man, is Yahweh, God the Father. People with bad intent will always do bad and will take action by means of tricking good people to achieve ill goals, other times they evade, and will cry to good people to win them over. True and not true. For what can be done is people who are qualified can teach and educate, other times, such information can be read via books and online. Examples would be spotting the signs of abuse, some people learn such things via literature, books, internet because they do not have access to qualified persons an the like. Sometimes people who learn from experience, or in this case, The Watchtower taking into account for what the ARC has told them, hence why the reports stated what the Watchtower has learned from the ARC. But at times, some people will act upon such whether they are trained or not, for they tend to go with the flow and hope things come out with positive end results. It was more directed to you, honestly, for this isn't the first time I speak of such, and this part of the world is pretty much the United States of America. I do a lot of traveling and lived in some areas, so I know from experience, going out to help people also. Corruption isn't normal either, for our government has placed a lot of people out of the middle class into poverty, and when an impoverished people have no mean of getting some opportunity and or chance, they have to succumb to conditions and do what they see fit to survive, be it robbing, stealing, etc. Homes being foreclosed and people sent to live in the streets while the people with money continue to stress the middle class and worry about building and or adding something that will not benefit the people. The world isn't a place of rainbow fountains, ice cream and unicorns as some make it out to be, you have to open your eyes and see that the world, especially the United States isn't perfect, for they will kill their own to make sure truth does not come into the light (Serena Shim, the Las Vegas survivors being killed off by the US gov't, etc). And yes, the Watchtower can make a difference and they learned from the ARC and watching such information it isn't about Pride, especially if you know how they are and why do as such. Of course they can inform the police, but when it comes to religious institutions you have to recognize the difference, as I said it before about religious law and how they handle things, then comes the laws of the land, for Religious institutions are free to conduct their own internal investigation within their own community, but should something great and her major arises it is a different story for all denominations; they are said to have advise their members to take a course of action - and to say they are doing nothing is a bit absurd for we do not know what is their take on the matter as we speak or how they feel about such, the same goes for all institutions, for something like to handle the situations on their own and make up new policies to go in harmony with whatever rules they have. And no, they didn't refuse, the to adhere to their teachings, hence why, they do not change anything scriptural, for if they did, they would end up like cherry picking Christians of the mainstream. In their eyes, it is like taking a Nazareth Vow and going back on it a year later, and such a thing are to be taken very very seriously, especially when it came to scripture. JWs will continue to do their best and take in of what they've learned from ARC, however, Child Abuse will most likely just go down, it cannot be prevent 100%. Remember this carefully, this isn't a perfect world, as I said before, you can prevent a danger here, but you can't stop it over there. But it seems even the people on the outside can understand what, who, the JWs are and how they operate on things, especially when it comes to laws. For such persons tend to not be a fan of them and or is neutral with them. As one of them had said, There are better ways to handle matters and it is not outright attacking a religion. A comment made by an Ex-Bible Student. In the end, we can try, we can prevent, we can educate by means of experience or learn on our own of such things, but we cannot 100% stop violence, we cannot 100% stop murder or suicide, we cannot 100% stop war, and we cannot 100% stop child abuse. All people, JWs included, will do their best, but they cannot stop such abuse to its entirety. What you can do, if you want to, is speak on the matter with Christians, teach them even should such a conversation arise, get on their level and mindset, but do so in a way you are not attacking them because it will not just be bad for them, but for you also.

Be careful with this verse, Mark 16:15. There is a very big reason as to why such a verse is removed from most other translations of the bible, or as for Mark 16 itself, Mark 16:9-20 is considered to be not authentic and or uninspired vs. that of Mark 16:1-8 being correct. I said something similar to Witness regarding his other post when his answer was that the bible was inspired, when the reality is, most Christians are not aware of Textual Criticism of some verses for not being authentic or God inspired, forged/changed made by men, or not present in the oldest and most reliable source which are the 4th century manuscripts. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Testament_verses_not_included_in_modern_English_translations Other then that, the other verses you said are correct and true.

Just next time be very aware of what a Temple is, the Heh'Khal, Hi'e'ron and Na'os, which render into the word Temple and or Palace, and that these places were indeed built by people, including those who served God and others who oppose/against God (Solomon, Zerubbabel, Herod, etc) for it is a divine/spiritual habitation (dwelling), sacred place/inner rooms and or sanctuary, tabernacle (built by Moses), physical and or spiritual, for such places, built is employed for worship to the God of Israel, for such places deemed Holy are there for a very important reason, especially to those who honor and worship the true God and is consider very important to some, examples like Jesus who had been in temples, drove people out and in his youth, spoke to the teachers there. This is the problem that is usually with not just Christians who attempt to deconstruct what places of worship is, but Black Israelites also do the same thing, but far worse, for the word of God isn't something to take into context, not out of it. Yes, God dwells in true Christians just as he dwells in Jesus Christ, for it says so that in the bible in Colossians 1:9, 2:9, 10 and Ephesians 3:19-21 (also compared verses), but is Kingdom will have a physical presence such a thing isn't in our hearts because we believe in the Christ to return; for we make up the Spiritual House with the Messianic King chosen to rule it. Just like the Samaritans, who to this day apply what is in the Tanakh, we too must do the same until the conclusion of the end times and tribulations, wait for Jesus return - for that is what all of us must take into account and be vigilant and aware always until that time comes. Lastly, always take into account what the verses say and take its context and do not mix them around. For comparing Zechariah 8:3 to the Rock mentioned in the Greek New Testament is enough to have even the most violent folk among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to be on you like sauce on rice, and in your face about such error, this also applies to comparing earthly Jerusalem to Heavenly Jerusalem being the same or using scripture to make it seems they are the same, when the reality is it, because of truth, is not identical. Be very careful of these things and you will not end up like some Christians who are blinding not just themselves, but others fairly easily. Lessons learn and experienced gain after nearly 3 decades of scripture, Hebrew and Greek studies including the language, and Jewish history, you will find some things that are correct that most people today who call themselves Christians, are not following and or applying.

You may want to get yourself one of these to always be awake.Â

People will always judge something or someone, jump to conclusions, accept something as is, cherry pick, shoot first - ask questions later, a yes-man to everything, a follower, instigator, a minion, that one dude in the group, or a Loganger.

No, I know exactly where I am. We are talking about the Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses, most importantly, we are discussing Child abuse, and when such things are to discuss, you need to be well aware of the facts and information that is public. The focus was indeed the Watchtower as stated, but you are throwing other players into the game as cover, friend, if you want to speak of abuse regarding the Watchtower only, keep it this way, and stick to the information. As for their handling and what the Watchtower has learnt from the ARC, I believe the information speaks for itself. One thing to note is that what is important is that the Watchtower will have to better clarify policies, rules and the like to some elders who are not as experience in handling such situations for any person who is inexperienced in something will not do their job any justice or any position they are appointed to. Information is far more relevant than claims, friend, it is always like this and will always be this way, for the worse thing that can happen is false claims and misinformation oppose to what is on public display on the ARC website and the information that anyone can see being present. Fastest cars? Not everyone from the Caribbean seas such things, friend, I am too mild and humble to live the life as most people in the US do. Simplicity is how a roll. Not all of them, you are forgetting what I said previously as to why it is sometime people do not get involve and or in some cases will just offer minor assistance and or advise that the victim and or the parents of the victim can take action with the given information. Bystander effect is a thing that happens in religious institutions as well, mind you, in some churches when things take off, there has been consequences that puts the blood on the victim and the church's hands, and there has been quite a view stories in regards to child abuse. In the end, despite such persons who are like this, there will be people who will stand out from among the bunch to offer even more help if they are capable. In addition to that, you are also ignoring that even predators themselves will even con their way into the heads of good persons so they won't get caught, in some situations, the predator can be very violent or the roles could easily be switched with the victim's relatives taking vengeance into their own hands, something of which I most defiantly know any JW wouldn't want to be involved in such, for even other institutions be it religious and or educational themselves wouldn't want to get involved either should things escalate. Check the reports again. For at least, they learnt something and this time they can better clarify things too for those who are not well-versed in handling such situations. Child abuse cannot be 100% stop, for such a thing can only happen in a perfect world, but the reality is what it is, as sad as that may seem, the price we pay for our imperfection. If anything though it would help to help those understand the signs of abuse also, that is a help, but it can't save everyone no matter the institutions. Educate members also the parents, even outside of religion, parents seem to not do as much, for example, a little girl nearly becoming a victim because her parents didn't monitor a game she was playing, Minecraft of course, whereas the predator was able to convince her to leave her house. Thank Jah the girl was saved - This actually took place several days ago. But it wouldn't hurt to educate some people, if some of us can do it, you can also. The JWs will have to get on the ball for it, but, they do have publications regarding child abuse, so such information can be used to help the members, and possibly reduction of any persons becoming victims of abuse, for one of the victims even stated she didn't know she sex abuse was until she read the publications regarding it. Another factor is, some JWs at their churches tend to be more connected as a family unit than other JW churches, this is just from the African and Hispanic ones I am familiar with, for they are not just a family, but bounded by their culture also, more of a connect prevents abuse from happening, but not every JW church has this luxury nor do every church of any denomination. I have been in some situations for such I only speak with close friends and family about, for in some cases I have nearly lost my life at a young age, some close calls, being in the wrong place at the wrong time because of the actions of others in the area, one instance regarding a guy flashing his gun to people around him because of annoying high school students putting even children at risk of what could have happen and no one said anything, another gun incident regarding a carjacker, other cases where someone in the neighborhood (a quiet and mixed community of people) gets slashed up and no one would say anything because they didn't want to be that one person getting involved - hence the term you may here the young ones say today, Snitches gets Stitches. Experience and what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, and that is what I am today. I didn't understand what that met at first, it didn't faze me but I did take issue with people getting hurt or abuse, lost even. When things take place, do I often question as to why people are like this, and why they didn't get involved until I began to learn as to why some do and some do not try to do something. Over time, I have seen depression from my brother who was addiction, sexual immorality and didn't tell anyone or the church about it because the problem really bothered him that badly causing depression, but I and my father helped him out and some in the church who realized what was going on helped him out and today my brother, a man clean and sober, has been freed for years now. I have spoken to those close to me who suffer the same thing my brother had been through, young ones today also, one young person I knew in my life, took her own life for what she has gotten herself into caused depression and was too much for her and very embarrassing taking the only way out she saw necessary, even though media has gotten a hold of what took place a couple years ago, I respect the decease for not saying her name but in her case it was not going into sexual immorality that led to her, it was the action of men who bribe her with money and riches to do something that would expose her, showering her with lies, resulting in family and friends, finding out etc and the media jumping on after she killed herself. Helping her didn't bring her back to normal, but we tried, even the family has tried, losing their only child because the depression and embarrassment was that great to her. What had happen to her and others is an example of what I have experienced, been in and had seen, etc. Such experiences and memories will never be forgotten by me either. Any person can see a problem and deal with it how they see fit, some who do not get involve will contact or advise the contacting of the police, other times it will be the action of a witness, someone nearby and the like who will take action from behind the scenes, other, yet grim situations, if so and so tend to be a witness of something and if they should speak upon what they had seen, they will most likely not live out the next couple of days if they are usually the witness of something or is known by other persons who knew that so and so had spoken up for not every problem a person can easily help out in, for at times, not being smart and playing the hero will reap you a tragic consequence - the very reason why the Bystander Syndrome/Effect is a thing to most people for they do not know what can of worms they will open should they jump in. The many reasons as to why society cannot be clean of such. And oh yes, I heard the term, but it won't always be applied by the general public though. But what I can say, is that there are good people who do step up from all walks of life and do a bit of something to help out, especially when it comes to victims, and should the situation of exposing some deems a danger to one's life, they take that chance, even though in most cases it doesn't end well for the person and people in connection to such person. As for me, I do what I can, I use to work for a bank, I am sure you are aware of Barclay's Capital, for when it comes to some illegal financial things, we report it to the director, or the head of that branch office and it is handled internally, but usually in come cases stuff like this is made public. Sexual harassment isn't a known thing at where I worked, however, we are instructed if anything of the like happens, or anything illegal, we report it to the director and or the branch. Should some cases be extreme, we are told to contact the police and or exit the building, at times you would have to be outside to contact the police, but Barclays cap is loaded with security officers, and have access to a special are with reception to contact the police. Outside of work, it is a different story, but you already see the idea of what I briefly explain of my youth, and what keeps me going is my faith in the scriptures and God's promise in the future by means of his Son, Jesus, as well as my friends, my family, and those I helped out to be better people, stronger versions of themselves including the next generation of children in my family and of my friends. But since this is a topic about Jehovah's Witnesses and the ability to act on something, as you said, I know quite a few, I am friends with some of them and I respect them for both our culture are near identical regarding family and friends as well as our backgrounds, a few Muslim friends from the islands too. I apply the bystander effect on him and some people in that area also because we know how JW loves to preach in different areas, for there was something he stumbled upon while preaching, and the people know who he is because he has a study there, for they see everything, what was known about the area was that there was indeed some form of prostitution, the JW brother had said that the a few of the people he saw looked like minors, but he didn't stick around because the people there kept staring at him, and of course a well dressed guy holding a bag, publications and a bible will always draw attention and not so smart for a 19 year old to make eye contact with people looking for trouble. The area is not so luxurious contacts such ones we call Lookouts and if anyone speaks of such, it won't end well for them. Such communities exist because the town spends so much money on working on casinos rather than help the people and clean up the streets, they will not even bother if anything missing cases pop up, for it is a thing regarding race. The JW brother though had since moved elsewhere outside of the US, he was Swahili by the way, but he always spoke of how dangerous that area was when it was almost nighttime, and knowing how the people are, they apply the term of which I stated before if someone spoke up. At the time though, he did have a study there who really wanted to learn the bible, his study doesn't live there anymore, but the brother said he still contacts the guy. He obviously wanted to do something, but he knew the risk of what that would do him, and his family, possibly something could have gone down the church if those men who are suspicious of him chose to watch his movements carefully. It's been like several years now, but that area has been cleaned up, however, some parts are still not that safe while the state continues to blow money on complete and total nonsense. There was a report I believe of last year where they not only busted a dozen of those in position of explicit child material, but those who ran prostitution rings. But that is just a single example, for Jehovah'es Witnesses differ from each other even though they are of the same faith in one church. But for me, if I see a problem, I know how to respond, and I do so in a smart way, one that would not put my own family and friends at risk if that situation was that grim, for we are to think about the situation before we act upon it for not thinking to do so you will most likely make you like a fish out of water to consequence which can either be minor or major. But in regards to Child Abuse, I would respond, and if it isn't possible for me to do so, I would advise someone. In the end, the world can't be clean 100%, nor can everything be perfect for nothing can be prevented and stopped to its entirety, I do respect that comment though, but it is what it is regarding how this world is now. We can just suppress something briefly only for it it to happen again and or elsewhere, for you can stop a danger here, and there, but you can't stop it over here. We carry our troubles, our anxieties, stress, and even death on our backs as if it was a backpack filled with books. But keeps us going is doing the good that we can, even though such good acts is seen as insignificant to others, as well as our family, and most importantly, our faith and love for God, and the actions and examples His Son has left for us to follow. There is good people who do good, and there is bad people with the intent to do bad, and will tickle the ears of good persons just so they can have their way, pretending to be repentant even, but eventually, it will be too late before the good person realizes it - but the actions of a bad apple or two does not justify the attack of other good people. I say this because I have a good reason, biblical ones, as to why I stay in my own lane. EDIT: speaking of people taking action, a man was killed for exposing pharma dealers, helping the police, just cause, tragic end for cleaning the streets of his neighborhood. The man's name was Prentis Robinson. The killer turned himself in after a heartless killing of a man. The police even said the man took great pride in cleaning up his neighborhood. Good people step up, but at times if speaking out can reap consequence, the good thing is the armed man is off the streets, but those like him still remain poisoning people.

Quoting the Watchtower does really take away from what you were trying to say earlier regarding Man’s visual and idolatry, as you said. Idolatry isn’t that hard to identity and people who adorn something or someone other than God and ignore the teachings of Jesus are obviously the odd ones out when it comes to idolatry. Surely you could have done better than that. In addition to that, some of us tend to be very, very careful of whom we paint as an opponent because a small mishap can truly change something without notice. And again, there is a difference between just posting/quoting verses of which you are trying to show people are you are getting at vs. quoting and explaining a verse so people can better understand something without being confused or mislead, there are comparison errors of verses in your comment too. Again, you need to be careful for that; a simple mistake can be a very dangerous thing. 1 Chronicles 17:1-15 1 Chronicles 17 in its entirety informs us that: Keep in mind that David not to build temple (1-6) Covenant with David for a kingdom (7-15) David’s prayer of thanksgiving (16-27) Now on to what we can find out in what we can learn from King David not being permitted from building the temple, but that his successor, being Solomon, who was to build the temple and why. David wanted to turn to building a temple for the Yahweh. The king spoke to Nathan and said- Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord [YHWH] is under a tent. This bothered David greatly. Why should the king’s house be a palace, while the house of God was just a tent? At first, Nathan encouraged David to follow through on his desire to build a temple for the Yahweh (1 Chronicles 17:2). Yet that night the word of God came to Nathan, changing their plans: Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord [YHWH] says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in (verse 4). God then points out that, in all the long history of the tabernacle, He never once rebuked Israel’s leaders for not building a permanent temple (verses 5–6). In addition to that, Yes, God can’t dwell inside of a temple as a normal man would, however, he was present, we can look at those 2 verses right now: The Lord's Covenant with David (5) For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling (6) In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Note: These verses connect to Exodus 40:2, Numbers 4:24, 25, 2 Samuel 6:17 and Psalms 78:60. Dwelling also tabernacle in some translations. Rather than David himself to build a temple, God decided to allow David’s son to oversee this work (verses 11–12). In response, David offered a prayer of praise: You, Lord [YHWH], are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord [YHWH], have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever (1 Chronicles 17:26–27). David considered God’s word as a tremendous blessing that affirmed his son would also serve as king, for God will already establish David’s son’s Kingship. 1 Chronicles 22:8 sheds some light on God’s decision not to allow David to build the temple: You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. David’s background of shedding blood in times of war was God’s reason for choosing David’s son instead (see 1 Chronicles 28:3). God wanted a man of peace to construct the temple, not a man of war. His house was to be a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). Since David was forbidden from building the temple himself, he helped to gather materials and prepare the plans for the temple’s construction. He said to Solomon, I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you (1 Chronicles 22:14–16). In other words, Solomon, who became King of Israel, later on built the Temple (2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30, 2 Chronicles 3:1). Solomon faithfully fulfilled this command during his reign, leading Israel to the height of world power. David’s desire to build a house for the Lord was noble, but God had other plans. David’s reaction to God’s intervening with his plan is an example for us. When things do not go as we planned, when God closes a door, we should continue to praise God and then move on in a new direction. Rather than complain about what we can’t do, we should do what we can, giving God the glory. Despite having the desire to build the Temple, he was not permitted to do so, but he was able to do other things such as gather the materials that are very expensive by the way, which in our day is well over the what we earn for a living, for the cost of such also took from David’s personal fortune too (1 Chronicles 22:2-16). What did God do at the Temple and hearing the prayer of Solomon? Fire came down from the sky and burned up the offering that Solomon had prepared and God approved of the temple. The Israelites who were present also rejoiced after witnessing this, mind you, this is after when Solomon said that the temple cannot contain God and or it isn’t big enough for him. For we know clearly that God cannot literally enter the temple, dwell in it even, but he was obviously present hence how he took up the offering from the alter by means of great fire and approved of the temple built by King Solomon of Israel (read 2 Chronicles chapter 6 and 7). Acts 7:47-51 Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin (1-53) Era of the patriarchs (2-16) Moses’ leadership; Israel’s idolatry (17-43) God does not live in man-made temples (44-50) Stoning of Stephen (54-60) Pertaining to the situation with God regarding David and Solomon, the temple was actually built. Even though there is a temple built for God whereas people offer sacrifice, worship and service to God, obviously a place such as a temple, a house and or a tent cannot contain God, especially with what was said about him. But God sees and watches those who religiously worship him, hence what he said regarding going to one dwelling place to another. For he cannot enter the temple itself, however, his glory and presence can be witnessed by his people, other times he is present, overlooking, for this is not the first time Anyways, 47-51 speaks of the house, being the temple, which was built by Solomon, who had the resources, material, thanks to dad also, and people that contributed to building a temple of which God has approved. We know that God cannot literally dwell inside of a temple, just like what King Solomon had said, but God obviously took up the offering and his glory filled up the temple, mind you, fire came down from the sky on to the alter to take up the offering, a result of that was the people present near the temple were witnesses of God’s glory (his power that was shown) and they, the people present near the temple, rejoiced. We also know from the following verses that the Heaven is God’s throne, for verse 49 is connected to Psalms 11:4, which explains a bit more in detail. As for the footstool, we can turn to Matthew 5:34, 35 of what that footstool actually is. Verse 50, speaks for itself, we see Solomon as an example, as well as David. As for verse 51, it speaks of those who resist and or rebel the Holy Spirit, which you will find in more detail in Isaiah 63:10, for those who became rebellious became enemies and such enemies are fought against, for the verse speaks of Yahweh’s vengeance on the nations (Isaiah 63:1-6) and his loyal love in the times that has past, The Lord's Mercy Remembered (Isaiah 63:7-14), with the remainder of the chapter being about prayer for mercy for the people sought repentance. Note: Paul and Stephen saying that God doesn’t dwell in a temple house; that is putting God into a box, not appropriate for God Almighty. They probably formulated a general opinion of their time among Jews and non-Jews. Stephen could use this argument successfully before his Jewish listeners and Paul to his Greek listeners. Careful consideration of the relevant Bible texts makes a supposed Bible Contradiction absolutely unacceptable. (KJV has a mistranslation which has been restored in nearly all modern versions.) Matthew 16:18 is only understandable if you know what the Great Commission is of the church, the people, etc, which you didn’t acknowledge here or before, or even understand of what it is about, but it is common to those who do not really see the take to account what this verse, and its connected/compared verses even mean. This is already known of what Peter (Greek masculine gender of the word) means, a piece of rock and obviously not literally for every name under the sun has a meaning to something or someone. Yeshua/Jesus/Joshua = Yah/Jah Saves or Yah/Jah is Salvation, Elijah meaning My God is Yahweh/Jehovah (My God is YHWH), Yahweh/Jehovah = To exist, to become, cause to exist (He causes to become), etc, in addition, Peter’s first name, Symeon (Simon), means to hear or to listen, but what is unique about him is that he is named 5 different ways. As for Peter, you would have to know what this verse means. [A] What is the church, how is it that death will not prevail against it, and [C] what is the role of the Apostles regarding the church. Peter literally did not see himself as the rock on which Jesus would build his church, for we see what he wrote at 1 Peter 2:4-8 (also verse 9, which I will speak of later) that Jesus was the long-foretold foundation cornerstone, chosen by God himself. Apostle Paul referred to Jesus as the foundation and the spiritual rock. (1 Corinthians 3:11; 10:4), which we will find out later on since you did quote the verse after all. As for the believers, we are the precious living stones. Death itself, be it Hades, Hell, Sheol, the Grave, whatever floats your boat and drives your car, it will not prevail against the church, of which its very foundation is Jesus who is the spiritual rock of which that church sits upon. For Jesus had said that his church will be built, that his church will not die out, promising that Hades itself will not prevail against it, he assured his disciples that he would guide his church, preserve his church until he is to return, promising them that he will be with them always until the conclusion of the tribulation and end times. The Christ has ascended into heaven after being resurrected by God, the disciples of Jesus began preaching the gospel, to all people, everywhere, for the Lord is working with them and confirming the Word as well as accompanying the word through signs, for the church most defiantly had an obvious and yet powerful beginning. Because of their actions, people of all kinds, of all nations began to profess Christianity, thus claiming to be members of the church Jesus founded for He is the foundation, for He is the Spiritual Rock, as for taking in knowledge of the Christ and of his Father makes those of the faith be united as one, having the Father dwell in them for they are true Christians. The Apostles were given the command from the chosen Christ to take the lead and to establish it the church. For the church, was built on the foundation due to the Apostles with the aid of the helper and the comforter that is the Holy Spirit which they were filled with, the church kept and handles the teachings, and such teachings is taught to those who seek it, sanctified, lead by Jesus Christ through and or by means of the Apostles. These men who followed the Christ were men having great honor for carrying out the teachings, and in turn, successors carry out the teachings of the Apostles, for they were to and have gone out to make disciples of the people, and those who become teachers follow that same calling of the Great Commission. Mark 13:1, 2 informs us about the temples that were present in Jesus’ day. Verse 2 gives us detail of Jesus’ prophecy regarding what he had said in this verse, for he was referring to the Romans demolishing Jerusalem and, apart from a few sections of the wall, they completely leveled it; for what he had said was a prophecy fulfilled, I’m sure you and everyone here are familiar with what the Romans role was regarding Jerusalem. As for verse 1, look at also Matthew 24:1 and Luke 21:5. For we can see what Jesus was getting at; for what we know, historical and biblically, that Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple -The Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE). I’ll save John 2:19 for last because this one deserves better explanation - who else to do it better than a brother who researched and interpreted this very well... Plus my fingers are tired. For Revelations 21:22 (Pure, Beneficial Rule), What can be said about this verse is 100% true, however, you can’t ignore, but must take into account of the actions of the Apostles who went out to continue, following in Jesus’ example and footsteps in terms of teachings and spreading of the gospel, again, Great Commission, for the church is the Christ and the Christ is the Head of the Church as well as its foundation, but Church also means the people who dwell in the body of Christ also (One in Christ), in turn, these persons are in the presence of God, and God dwells in these people who sought the truth., hence the saying, True Christian(s). For it is evident that they did not just called it quits after Jesus ascended, for Jesus informed them of a promise from the Father that is to come to them, something that is to help them out, which is the Holy Spirit (the comforter as I said already). We can look into Luke 24 (On the Road to Emmaus) and Acts 1 (The Promise of the Holy Spirit) regarding this, which includes a newcomer to the group, Matthias (Judas Iscariot’s replacement), and of the promise from the Father of which Jesus informed them about, which can be read in Acts 2 (The Coming of the Holy Spirit). All in all, all the work and progress of Apostles, and the main thing about Revelations 21, specifically verses 22-27, is about New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb. Yahweh’s glory shines upon the temple for there is no need from any light coming from the sun or moon, and the very lamp of the New Holy City is the Lamb, The Messianic King, Lord Jesus Christ and those in the body of Christ, the church, as well as Kings, will walk by means of the light that is He – bringing glory into the New Holy City. The verses also goes on to speak of New Jerusalem’s magnificence, and that anyone who is not sacred and or is a lair will not be able to enter it, for only those written in the Lamb’s scroll of life will (see Daniel 12:1, Philippians 4:3, and Revelations. 13:8). A holy and sacred city she is, yet there was no visible temple of worship for Yahweh, God the Almighty is its temple, also the Lamb is also - Its ruler ship over the nations will be beneficial to them, the people, the nations, who will walk by means of its light. In the end, this is what the teachings will lead one to, for Jesus being the beginning of the New Creation, heavily expressed in Revelations – should one understand of what it implies, for New Jerusalem, the very thing that will be a place of dwelling for those who adhere to what is true, as well as the teachings that are true, in turn, it also makes God’s main objective accomplished by means of his chosen Messianic King, which is Son, Jesus Christ as well as the inhabitants, the church, the people, being part of this New Creation regarding the New Heavens and Earth - for these people are the righteous and the meek. Do not confuse Psalms 95:1 (or the Old Testament) with Revelations 21:22 (New Testament), doing so you take the verses out of context and can easily confuse someone or mislead someone if you do not understand these verses, well in this case, just Psalms 95:1. For anyone who is familiar with the Old Testament to its entirety will tell you the same thing, and or state it as a Hebraic Violation as some would say when someone’s trying to connect verses together do not make sense, putting puzzle pieces into a wrong puzzle board, so to speak. What is to be kept in mind is that Psalms 95:1 is speaks of Yahweh, the God of Israel as being the Rock of Salvation and or the Rock of one’s Salvation. Such a term is exclusively used in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, which has occurred several times (Deuteronomy 32:15, 2 Samuel 22:47, Psalms 89:26 and 95:1, etc). Each time such a term is expressed it evokes vivid imagery and a sense of great security, for God is a trustworthy rock-solid savior. In addition to that regarding the Old Testament, the Messiah was not yet realized, so the saying God [YHWH] is the Rock of Salvation was not an overt reference to the salvation through Christ’s blood, however, Isaiah 8:14 alludes to Jesus as “a rock” over which both the houses of Israel will stumbled over, take a look at Matthew 21:42-44 also, but any man or woman can see the big difference as to that and what God the Father is called. Now, continuing with God the Father, the people in those times considered Yahweh as this Rock, for as crags, high cliffs and rocky mountains of the land, places of which the Israelites often find themselves hiding in its caves and crevices, away from their enemies, an example would be 1 Samuel 13:6 (Saul Fights the Philistines; as well as David’s refuge while running from Saul, 1 Samuel 24:3, David Spares Saul's Life), for in those days, many, many battles were fought in Israel, with majority of the area being rocky places, in addition to that, rocky areas were deemed ideal locations for strong and highly protective fortresses, so therefore, the phrase Rock of my Salvation resonates greatly with God’s people, for God is their protection, God is their fortress. In David’s case when running from Saul, he does not place his hope on the caves, the mountains, a protective city, etc, he placed his hope on God (David’s Rock of Salvation), the creator of the Heaven and the Earth being that Rock (Psalms 121:1-3 My Help Comes from the Lord) as well as in Psalms 62:6-7 - My Soul Waits for God Alone. David knew without a doubt that it is Yahweh, his God and his Father, that is capable of concealing him from great danger by any means necessary; for if one understands the story of David, they can read and see for themselves of how God protected David. Another example is the faithful Hannah, the mother of Prophet Samuel, for she prayed in triumph and she said the following in 1 Samuel 2:1-2: Hannah's Prayer (1) And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord [YHWH]; my horn is exalted in the Lord [YHWH]. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. (2) “There is none holy like the Lord [YHWH]: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Hannah rejoices over God’s deliverance from her barrenness as well as His granting that her husband’s name continue on into many generations. Therefore in the Old Hebrew Testament the emphasis on Salvation speaks of liberation within the physical realm, while the New Greek Testament on Salvation was predominantly spiritual, there isn’t a need to explain it because most here, including you understand what Salvation is regarding the New Greek Testament. That being said, let this be an example for NOT mixing scripture to make it seem as though it is something else, for it can change the meaning of something, easily causing someone to stumble, to be mislead. Not cool. 1 Corinthians 3:11 speaks for itself unless one doesn’t understand what it means, for no one can alter, change or remove the foundation of the church, that is Jesus Christ. No one can prevent it from stopping until the Christ makes his return to earth when the Father gives him the OK to do so, and death itself cannot stop the foundation or the church, or its people who are in Christ, for the people live as Christians and they die as Christians, they do not break away from what is true because they know that the future promise that the Bible says is far greater than anything on under the heavens, on the earth. There are false prophets and teachers, yes, but they are not capable of changing what Jesus has set in motion regarding true Christian worship, or as some say, a raw form of Christianity. For such men chooses to go their own way, but not follow the way of God, for False Prophets and Teachers do not care about God, nor do they care about the Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 as stated before, the church is not just regarding the teachings and the practices. It is also the people who are in the body of Christ - for such persons adhere to the teachings that originated from the Father, and with these teachings they take to the call and mission of what Jesus had told his Apostles, and being part of the church, a Christian is obligates to take this call of the Great Commission as well, no ifs, buts, or delaying it, for this is what Jesus has said, and this is what you as a Christian must do, in the end, it will benefit you, for God sees what you are doing, and most likely Jesus and the heavenly spirit beings who are in the spiritual realm that is Heaven. The adversary of God also watches for he roams the earth an seeks to devour people by misleading them. 1 Peter 2:5 is regarding A Living Stone and a Holy People. For we should not have a longing for the world or the things of this world because, we, the living stones, are built into a spiritual house, therefore making us in union, being one with Him (The Christ) who is the whole building, joined together harmoniously for we are, as stated before, united as one (just like the disciples are one with Christ and that Christ is one with the Father), and as a holy people, we expand and grow into a Holy Temple for Yahweh, God the Father. That is the only reason why 1 Peter 2:5 points directly to Ephesians 2:21 (verse 22 explaining, briefly, God dwelling in True Christians) regarding the Spiritual House (One in Christ): [1] One in Christ (21) in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord [YHWH] (22) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Note: What you also missed is the living stones are not just the 144,000 that will be chosen for priesthood, the living stones that is built into the Spiritual House is ALL BELIEVERS of the truth also. In addition, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 pretty much connects here also so the explanation speaks for itself. As for Spiritual sacrifices, it points to Hebrews 13:15, which says: [2] Sacrifices Pleasing to God Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name Acceptable to God through Jesus Christ pointing to Romans 12:1 (also verse 2, as well as 5, which I will explain later), which reads: [3] A Living Sacrifice (1) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. In understanding these things and taking into account what it means, any person who reads the bible will see exactly of what alludes to: The foundation of God’s building is His Son, Jesus Christ, the living Stone. The living stones are believers who come to Jesus and place their lives upon this foundation. The living Stone is precious to those who believe (1 Peter 2:7), but some men reject the living Stone in order to build their lives their own way, not God’s way (Luke 6:46-49 (compared to Psalms 118:22). Unbelievers cast this living Stone aside, not caring that Jesus is the only true foundation upon which they can build securely. (1 cor. 3:11 mentioned this already). I can go into greater detail all day because there is more to it for the better the understanding and explain something than just quoting it, the better that one who reads it for themselves who want bible verses explained and or something from said verse explained in detail, but that is for another time. These believers, True Christians who adhere to the teachings that is true, take to the call of the Great Commission, are indeed the living stones of the church (the spiritual house) that Jesus, who is the head of the church promised to build (Matthew 16:18). As living stones, we have new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As being the parts of the building of God, we have security in Christ (John 6:37). As the Master Builder, God places His living stones just where He wants us to be (1 Corinthians 12:18). As living stones, we are connected to one (for we all in union with each other) another in the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Our Lord, the foundation Stone, is alive forevermore (Firstborn out of the death) and will never crumble. He will support us eternally. Now about that explanation, Peter goes on to describe the function of the living stones: to declare the praises of Him who called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of life and glory (1 Peter 2:9). This is the job of a living stone: a speaker of praise, a declarer of truth and love and light. The spiritual house God is building is designed for His glory, and we, the living stones, glorify the Lord in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). You may want to read up on what the New Holy City is, for Hebrews 12:22 is regarding a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken. This is why some referred to the New Jerusalem as a New Holy City (Heavenly Jerusalem). That verse alone points directly to 2 verses in Revelations. For Mount Zion (don’t confuse it with the Old Testament) in that verse points to 14:1, which is in context, and the Holy City itself directly pointing to 21:2. The Messianic King will have 144,000 persons, those chosen from among the people to be co-rulers, being in a position of priesthood to work alongside of God’s Chosen King, for these persons will bear the name of Jesus as well as God’s name, Yahweh, written on their forehead (Revelations 14:1), having the authority to judge for these persons are the ones who are seated on thrones, ruling as kings with the Christ (Revelations 20:4) – and if you understand the New Creation and how Jesus is the first fruits, you would know about the First Resurrection. For these chosen ones are the very people who slaved for God, sacrificing time and every to do what Jesus had done, those who preached and teach and were persecuted for it, beaten up for it, even tortured murdered brutally for by those who relentlessly attack them and or against them, be it haters of the truth or those who teach what is false and do everything and anything in their power, “unchristian acts”, to defame such people who take the call of the Great Commission even going as far as to conspiring and contributing to infighting/attacking within the Christian faith (Which is a thing nowadays with propaganda and conspiracy). In the end, in trial and error, persecution and brutality; violence and abuses of all kinds, it will not stop such people who are chosen - for those who are chosen, who made the truth known to all persons who can be one with the church, one with in the body of Christ, will be among the 144,000. What happens to those chosen is no different as to what happened to Jesus, who was hated, lied about, insulted, disgraced, defamed, those who call to murder him, conspired to kill him, and those who turn their backs on him, eventually being contributors and accomplices to his crucifixion and death, without batting an eye for their actions. For such burden is places on those who also know of the truth, for they too are victim of such vile actions, reasons why most Christians tend to keep to themselves and not join others in on the infighting, hence my stance as a Christian, for we are defenders of what is true, no contributors to infighting and conspiracy, and like me there are many, many others. You may want to re-check those verses, to put it briefly, there is no mention of the bride is compared to a radiance precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, coming down in God’s glory, her light. But yes, as said before, the people who are of the truth make up the living stones, the parts to the foundation that is the Spiritual House. Anyways in the verses you listed: This just makes us aware of Headship and head covering (1 Cor. 11:2). Interestingly enough, the First Epistle of Corinthians pretty much informs us that there are and has been multiple churches of God (several temples and the like with people with the same worship and faith), however it also lets us know that all these church were indeed a places of worship, and all of them are in union with each other, same faith, same teachings, and because of that, these churches with the believers, who are living stones as the scriptures says, are indeed one in Christ. Husbands and Wives, nuff said here, however verse 23 shows us that The Christ is the head of the Church, as the Church (also the people) is in subjected to the Christ, so to wives to their husbands in everything (Eph. 5:23, 25). The Head of the Christ is also God, but people who believe Jesus is God will ignore this and try to make it into something it is not. The bride coming from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev 21:2) Knowing that the bride is the Lamb’s Wife, one being carried off, John, to see the holy city coming out of heaven, the city explained in detail (Rev. 21:9, 10, I believe you met 12) You may want to read your bible for this one; it was not talking about New Jerusalem, Big difference compared to Jerusalem (Zec. 8:3). There is a reason, remember this carefully: Jesus, the Christ/Messiah, had been rejected by earthly Jerusalem. It is unwise to add that to consider earthly Jerusalem as New Jerusalem, vice versa when using the Old Testament regarding this verse. For 1 Cor. 6:2 - The verse speaks of the holy ones, the chosen ones who will be co-ruling alongside the Christ, points to Rev 2:26, 27 and 20:4, no mention of the bride in those verses. For 1:27, this verse doesn't points to the bride being mentioned as a living stone, to a very, very famous bible verse, Matthew 11:25. Verse 8 (still in 1 Cor.) informs us that we are to remain firm until the Lord comes back, we are not to judge anything until he comes back, for we are to be watchful of Satan, in addition, what our intention that resides in our hearts, as well as being received up in praise to God (compared 1 Cor. 4:5, 5:5, Rev. 1:10). 1 Cor. 1 still, Verse 28 speaks for itself if you understand 1 Cor. 2:6. John 4:19-24 Yep. Jesus talking to a Samaritan Woman, but did you know that the Samaritans have temples of which they built, by their hands and the sweat of their brow, a temple to worship God, in the mountains, specifically, Mount Gerizim? That is why I mentioned the Samaritans previously. Keep in mind that in those verses that: The Samaritan woman told Jesus Christ: “Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where people must worship.” To show her that true worship was not to be dependent on a physical location, Jesus responded by saying: “The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.” (John 4:20, 21). Jesus explains that the place of worship is not important, he goes on to say, verses 23, 24, telling her: “The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.” But when we really understand the chapter, What the Father looks for in true worshippers is not where they worship but how they worship, for true worshippers can also be found in temples of which they built, remember that. The woman was impressed with what Jesus had to say, the reason why she says the following (verse 25):“I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ,” she says “Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.” And of course, in the next verse, Jesus’ response “I who speak to you am he.” The reason of the chapter, again, speaks for itself and it is a good example for Christians to follow, well, if you understand it. Anyways, regarding the history of the Samaritans, they did have temples, specifically this one particularly of which I will speak of, a place of which they worshipped God, of which they had built, with their hands - to this day I think people still have Passovers and communions in the area, modern day Nablus. Mount Gerizim, where the famous well of Jacob is located near here, the very place of where Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman. This mountain is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Scriptures. (De 11:29; 27:12; Jos 8:33; Jg 9:7) A Samaritan Temple, rivaling the one in Jerusalem, was constructed on the mountain. It destroyed by the Jews in 128 B.C.E, however this temple was built around the 4th-5th century B.C.E. The Samaritans accepted only the first five books of the Bible, and probably the book of Joshua (revised), which is known as the Samaritan Pentateuch. It was written in their own characters, derived from ancient Hebrew. The text differs from the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible. Some versions have are minor detailed changes, in some cases, major. Because of their acceptance of the Pentateuch, this reveals that the Samaritans basis for believing that a prophet greater than Moses would come, for instance, the basis of belief that can be seen here regarding a prophet from among the people, Deutoronmy18:18, 19. The 1st century Samaritans were looking for the coming of Christ, the Messiah, for some of them, they recognize him, others have rejected him, some probably clueless, but believed.(Luke 9:52-56, 17:16-19, John 4:9-43). Because of the disciples, the living stones also, for they too are believers, their actions, the preaching of the gospel, making disciples, the gathering of people on to the church, etc was the result of the Samaritans later embracing later the teachings, there for embracing Christianity. (Acts 8:1-17,25, 9:31; 15:3). Once again, being ignorant of such information only backfires, but learning of these things, should the person accept, will better understand scripture. God is too great to dwell in a temple compared to a normal man or woman who dwells openly inside of a temple, in every corner of the building, praying, teaching, worshipping, etc. However God is present in some way or another, for we see examples of this, and yes, temples, tabernacles, tents, etc were places of which God is present in, despite not being able to literally dwell in them, as we see this in the Old Testament. We, as Christians, are the living stones of the spiritual house that is in all subjection to the Christ, the house that God the Father sees and considers His temple. We are indeed the church for the very word means “a calling forth” and or “the gathering of people” for the very word describes the people, not the building itself – another reason why it is said the church is universal by early Church Fathers. So, I take into account of what the bible says and not the words of people who do not really understand something. Knowledge is power for a reason, and in learning these things you will not be mislead so easily. But it seems that many people are astray because of errors in the bible such as the KJV and or of prophets who use errors to push a claim and or teaching. As for John 2:19, I will just post here what a Christian Brother from community has said due to his research and study on this verse: In this passage, it says Jesus was given the authority to take it up again by a command of the Father. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to claim John 2:19 means Jesus is God because he raised his own body if he needed to be given the authority to do so by God. It is also worth noting that the word commonly translated as "take" in verse 17 is the same Greek word which is inconsistently translated as "receive" in verse 18b. 2. Violating other Scripture The following passages do not square with the Trinitarian interpretation of John 2:19. "I saw the Lord always in my presence for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh also will live in hope because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You allow Your holy One to see corruption." Acts 3:25-27 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the One who is able to save him from death and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:7 2. The Wild Imaginations of Trinitarian Minds: The dead raising the dead According to the Trinitarian mindset, one is expected to somehow suppose Christ was not actually dead and lifeless in a tomb but was quite alive and empowered to raise his own dead body to life. This problem is completely disregarded by Trinitarians. If the person Jesus was not actually dead, but alive and able to raise his body from the dead, then no person had died for their sins. But like Cerinthus, they suppose that at the point of death, the divine Christ departed from that flesh named Jesus hanging on the cross. In this way, the divine Christ was not dead but alive and they laid a dead human named Jesus in a tomb. Put another way, dying usually results in being dead but not in the case of the Trinitarian divine Son. His dying did not result in being dead. God the Son died only in process but not in result and he remained quite alive while discarding his human flesh and leaving his dead carcass behind. Jesus the divine being escaped to parts elsewhere and remained quite alive while Jesus the human being was that dead flesh hanging dead on the cross. In the Trinitarian mind, it is necessary to espouse this heretical Cerinthian concept where Jesus the divine being remained alive while Jesus the human being was hanging dead on the cross. 3. A Self Refuting Claim Trinitarians like to claim John 2:19 means Jesus raised himself. For some strange reason, they don't see the problem with their claim. They also claim that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, and Jesus raised himself from the dead. And so they believe that all three persons of Trinity doctrine raised Jesus from the dead. And so they conclude the Triune God raised Jesus from the dead. Here is where their utter confusion manifests itself. Unfortunately, they don't seem to understand that they aren't making any sense. In the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father is not the Triune being, the Son is not the Triune being, and the Holy Spirit is not the Triune being, and conversely, the Triune being is not the Father, the Triune being is not the Son, and the Triune being is not the Holy Spirit. So to say Jesus raised himself is therefore to say the Triune being did not raise Jesus because Jesus is not the Triune being in Trinity doctrine. Or to say the Triune being raised Jesus is to say that Jesus did not raise himself since the Triune being is not the Jesus. In the mental gymnastics of their minds, the Father raised Jesus from the dead + Jesus raised Jesus from the dead + the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, and that amounts to the Triune God raising Jesus from the dead. What they don't seem to comprehend is that if they make such a claim, they can't say the Father raised Jesus from the dead nor can they say Jesus raised Jesus from the dead nor can they say the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead because any one of these three is not the Triune God in their own doctrine. Put more simply, to claim the Triune God raised Jesus contradicts the claim that Jesus raised himself. In Trinitarian doctrine, you simply cannot say that the Triune God raised Jesus from the dead and also insist Jesus raised himself from the dead, and hope to make any kind of sense whatsoever because Jesus is not the Triune God, and the Triune God is not Jesus. Either the Triune God raised Jesus from the dead or Jesus raised himself from the dead. In Trinitarian doctrine, you can't claim both without contradicting yourself. But because they do claim both, they do contradict themselves. The same situation holds true for claiming the Father raised Jesus and Jesus raised himself. In Trinity doctrine, the Father is not Jesus and Jesus is not the Father. To say Jesus raised himself is also to say the Father did not raise Jesus because Jesus is not the Father. Or to say the Father raised Jesus is also to say that Jesus did not raise himself. To insist Jesus raised himself from the dead is also to say it was not the Triune God who raised Jesus since Jesus is notthe Triune being and the Triune being is not Jesus. Morover, what sense does it make to claim Jesus raised himself and then insist that two other persons raised "himself"? But it's even worse than this since they are ultimately claiming four different identities raised "himself": (1) the Father, (2) the Son, (3) the Holy Spirit, (4) the Triune God. For some reason, Trinitarians are unable to see or acknowledge their own muddled contradictory confusion. 4. Jesus was able to do nothing from himself In the Gospel of John, Jesus insisted that he was not able to do anything from himself. As he himself testified, it was the Father abiding in him who did the works (John 14:10; cf. Matt 12:28; Acts 2:22). Now if this was true of Jesus while he was alive and well, how much more was he unable to do anything of himself when he was laying dead in a tomb! I am not able of my own self to do anything. John 5:30. 5. The Testimony of Scripture The New Testament consistently declares that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead by the power of His Holy Spirit. Yet, Trinitarians want to have it that John 2:19 is an exception which states someone else actually did it. But a review of the Scriptural data shows rational minded people that something is terribly amiss with the Trinitarian claim. God raised him up again, having loosed the pangs of death, since it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:24 This Jesus God raised up again. Acts 2:32. You put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. Acts 3:15. Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Acts 4:10. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging him on a cross. Acts 5:30. God raised him up on the third day. Acts 10:40. God raised Him from the dead... God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, "You are My son; Today I have begotten You." He raised him up from the dead, no longer to return to corruption... He whom God raised did not undergo corruption. Acts 13:30-37. His Son, who came to be out the seed of David according to the flesh, fixed son of God in power by the resurrection out of the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:3-4 Those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Romans 4:24. Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit which dwells in you. Romans 8:11. God raised him from the dead. Romans 10:9. Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 1 Corinthians 6:14. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 1 Corinthians 15:15. We also believe, therefore we also speak knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:13-14. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.... He raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenlies. Ephesians 1:17-20. You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ...through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:21 God the Father, who raised him from the dead. Galatians 1:1. Analysis of the Facts 1. My Father's House The Trinitarian interpretation completely fails to honestly regard the context of the passage: "Take these things away and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house will consume me." John 2:16-17 (see Psalm 69:9). The Temple is the Father's house, the Father of Jesus. Likewise, we are to understand that the body of Christ is the temple of God, that is, the Father's house. The Father's Word had tabernacled in human flesh (1:14) and the Father abiding in Jesus did the works (14:10). Let the reader also observe that Jesus did not describe the Temple as his house; Jesus did not describe the Temple as the Triune God's house; the Temple was his God's house, the Father's house. The Old Testament God of Israel was the Father of Jesus and the Temple built by Solomon was the Father's House. This simple fact alone tells us that the God of the Shema was the Father of Jesus. Under the Law, the Father's house was a stone temple. But something new was taking place. The Spirit of the Father had come to dwell in Jesus and this man himself was now God the Father's tabernacle, the Temple of God. And indeed, we also read in the Scriptures that the body of Christ, the church, is the Temple of God where His Spirit dwells. 2. Mark 14:58/ Mark 26:61 - Another Temple made without Human Hands Some stood up and began to give false testimony against him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this Temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'" The Jews falsely testified that Jesus intended to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem. Notice what Jesus had said, "I will build another made without hands." He will build another Temple which was not made with human hands. Let us remember that the church is the body of Christ and how Jesus had said, "Upon this rock, I will build my church." 3. The Body of Christ Later in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." In Christianity, resurrection life is found in the body of Christ because he was bodily raised to resurrection life. The Spirit is life and as Paul says, Jesus was bodily raised to be "life-giving Spirit." Christ is the Head of the body, that is, the church. Jesus himself said, "On this rock, I will build by church." No longer is the stone Temple the meeting place between God and his people. The meeting place is now Christ. The temple is now Christ and the members of his body, that is, Christians, and it is within the body of Christ that God's Spirit dwells. Christ is the cornerstone and the members of his body are his followers, the living stones fitted together into one Temple of God. The Temple of God is the body of Christ and the passage in question is about the Temple of God and the body of Christ. 4. Destroy this Temple To destroy this Temple is to destroy the Temple of God. The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. Mark 11:18. He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy him. Luke 19:47 Notice what happens to those who destroy the Temple of God. If any man destroys the Temple of God, God will destroy him. 1 Corinthians 3:17. 5. What Sign do you Offer Us? Jesus was responding to a question from the Jews. After clearing the Temple, the Jews had asked Jesus for a sign to show them to justify why he did these things. Hence, we must understand that Jesus' response tells them what that sign will be. The Jews wanted to know by what authority he was doing these things. When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?" Matthew 21:23 Who gave Jesus this authority to clear the Temple? The Father. Note how the Jews ask the same question in the the Synoptic parallel accounts: When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him while he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23 And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and began saying to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do these things?” Matthew 11:27-28 On one of the days while he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted him, and they spoke, saying to him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave you this authority?” Luke 20:1-2 This occurs right after Jesus cleared the temple. Jesus responds by asking them a question which boxes them in. The obvious answer is that the Father gave this authority to clear the Temple to Jesus. And that is precisely what Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John. Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the son also does.... just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the son also to have life in himself....and he gave him authority to judge.... I can do nothing from myself.... the very works that I do - testify about me, that the Father has sent me....I have come in the name of my Father. John 5:18-43 The above is the language of authority. The Father gave Jesus authority to act in His name. In the same way, his death and resurrection came from the authority of the Father. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from me, but I lay it down from myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. John 10:17-18. See 12:49-50. At this point, note how Jesus is pointing in the direction of the Father and remember that everywhere else in Scripture we find that it was the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. 6. The Word became flesh: the Father's Word Jesus was the Prophet who was coming into the world (6:14). God put His words in Jesus' mouth. "I will raise up a prophet... I will put My words in his mouth" (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit. (3:34). My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If any man's will is to do his will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (7:16-18). Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear my word.... He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. (John 8:47). He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world (John 8:26). Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing from myself but as my Father teaches me I speak. (8:28). For I do not speak out of myself. The Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. (12:49). Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from myself but the Father who abides in me does the works. (14:10). He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:24). I will put MY Words in his mouth. Deuteronomy 18:18; see Acts 2:22-26. And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me, does not believe in me but in Him who sent me. (John 12:44). Jesus was the Word of God. As God's Word he was the Father's voice to Israel. 7. The Word Jesus had spoken: Two Witnesses But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. John 2:21-22. The words Jesus had spoken were the words of God the Father. When Jesus spoke, there were two witnesses: (1) Jesus, and (2) the Father. Jesus did not speak from himself. The Father abiding in him did the works (14:10). If I alone testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about me is true. 5:31-32. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of TWO witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is THE FATHER who sent me.... I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world... I do nothing from myself, but I speak these things as the Father taught me. John 8:17-28. 8. Summary The point of the passage is to illustrate how the Father's Word is tabernacled in His temple, that is, the body of Jesus by the Holy Spirit that was in Jesus and as the Father's Word we are to understand that the son speaks on his Father's authority. The Father raised Jesus from the dead and because Jesus came in his Father's name he speaks the words of his Father, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus was the promised prophet of God who had declared that He would put His words in his mouth just as Jesus confirms many times in the Gospel of John. Just as the prophets of old spoke in the name of God and used terms like "I" and "Me" as if the Father himself is speaking, Jesus the very Word of God is speaking as the Word of the Father. Notice where Jesus is at the moment. He is in the Temple, a body of flesh which is the Word of God which had become flesh. The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. So where is the Spirit of God? In his body. The Word had previously abided in the Spirit of God and now the Spirit of God was abiding in the Word. The Gospels teach over and over that that authority of God is given by his Spirit and the same is true here. He is not speaking on his own but in the Spirit of God his Father who gave him authority in the Spirit and who will raise him from the dead in that same Spirit. By what authority? By the authority that will raise him up, the Father in the Spirit of Holiness. This was a message from God the Father to these Jews. The Jewish Temple rulers were the ones who conspired to kill Jesus and yelled, "Crucify him, crucify him." They would destroy God the Father's temple, the place where his Spirit dwelt, the body of the man Jesus. And the Word having become flesh, God the Father speaks to these Jews by means of his Word, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." We must carefully regard the question the Jews had asked Jesus. They wanted a sign that would tell them his reasons for clearing the Temple. And we find in the Gospel of John that Jesus tells us by what authority that he says the things he says and does the things he does. He came in the name of his Father and the Father abiding in him did the works (14:10). His words were not his own but the Father's who sent him (14:24). Conclusion The Scriptural facts show us that his body was the Temple of God; the Word tabernacled in human flesh and that flesh was the Father's Temple. He, this body of flesh, was the Father's Word and he spoke the words of the Father. This account is about the Father's house, the Temple. Jesus' words were not his own but the Father's who sent him. This body of flesh, His Temple, was His Word to the world. Since he was the Father's Word, there were two witnesses as according to the Law. Jesus tells us many times in John's Gospel that he spoke the words of the Father. He kept his Father's word (8:55) for eternal life. For I did not speak from myself, but the Father Himself who sent me has given me commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me. John 12:50 The word Jesus had spoken at John 2:19 were the words of the Father. The Father's word is "the word of life" (1 John 1:1). In the Gospel of John, Jesus is the Father's word tabernacled in human flesh. Therefore, being the Father's word, what then did you expect the Father to say when these men asked Jesus by what authority he had cleared the Temple? "Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up." "I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25

A disgruntled religious person who sinks this low makes them no different than the people who want to see ALL religions fall and all bibles, no matter the translation be it right or wrong, burned to ash. Some people nowadays do not know how the law works nor do they know that child abuse is all over the place, not only within religions, but schools, businesses, clubs, sports, etc. I also, a bit off-topic, find it odd that whenever a woman such acts, they are let off easy compared to a man, someone of race/color and or some religious background. Sometimes the law can be at fault also when it comes to abuse.

No one is minimizing anything, for it is you who do not understand, we read the case studies and the final reports, you haven't, which is evident in your previous comments. For we take into account of the information we have before us and understand where the ARC's conclusion is about, some of us, like me, have been following ARC since 2012 (there is a HUGE timeline and it is on their website), for I didn't just jump on the ship very late into the game as you obviously did, use the line and read everything of all cases and reports and the very beginning of ARC actions towards the religious groups. And no, don't bring the Olympics into this because last I check your focus was solely on the Watchtower, for if you did care about the child abuse issues than your comment would have been regarding all children not just children from a single group, obliviously a single tarted religious group for all your questions and comments in your first post was directed to the Watchtower only or do you not recall what you even posted? For we were talking about solely child abuse, we wouldn't be focused solely on a religion, let alone a religious group, but even if outside things are mentioned, people who read things are aware of things and do not jump to claims and assumptions of others over what is true. It is agreeable that child abuse is a problem. But some people do not understand that, which I have said time and time again to which some seem to ignore it, is a worldwide global issue when it comes to violence and sexual immorality, this includes child abuse. It takes place in schools, religions, clubs, even businesses that there to support children, sports, etc. An example would be us Unitarians having someone from among our denominations being arrested due to child abuse: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nosacredcows/2017/08/red-pill-minister-gets-almost-5-years-prison-child-porn/ No man or woman is unaware of these things and are well aware that predators of either of the sexes, be it man or woman, can creep their way into such clubs and organizations in order to get their hands on children - Plus, since we are talking about religion and child abuse, hence the thread, you have to educate yourself and understand on how the law works, when it comes to things such as religious law, secular law, as well as how the church/state operate if they are separate. Most of the time, such instances take place in the household of the victim as well. In addition to that, some would just advise the victim and or the victim's parents to seek out the aid of the police for no one is stopping them from doing so, for, as I said time and time again also, some people will make note, but will not get involved (Bystander Effect), in turn, just offer advise in what to do next. Be it relatives, friends, peers, etc. Churches are known to handle things internally, especially when it comes to their community of those who share the faith, so it does not opt them out either - for the only thing they can do at times is just advise you and or the family who knows of the abuse also, to take action. Other then that, it would seem that people give praise to the ARC regarding the Watchtower, but ignore or act like the final reports and case studies of the religious group do not exist, for this information is public to everyone and the world. As for the Watchtower, the Final reports in ARC has given them something to look into, to better clarify the rules to elders in the faith. But it is understandable, and there are ways to combat it, usually educating people on what these things are and how to handle them, to understand the signs of abuse and the like. For the abused have voices, yes, but a powerful voice is strong enough to dismantle an abuser(s). If you want to fight child abuse of any kind, there are smart and better ways of doing it. Trying to bring down a religion isn't the best way of doing it, for what difference is there between you and the anti-religion, black flag and cross wielding, people who want to see all faiths by knocked down permanently?

On the contrary, Acts 17:24 can easily be taken out of context by anyone, which you have just done easily, especially regarding that comment, for if we are to call a group hypocrites for building a house of worship, then all persons of all faiths are to be considered hypocrites for making temples with their hands and said temple is used for worship, if you take a shot like that, then you are taking a shot at all faiths, for was it not by the hands of men churches of all types are built, even the ones built by JWs? In addition to that the early Christians did meet in Temples and profess worship and servitude to God the Father, for that is where a majority of time is spent in terms of worship, as we see in scripture, including letters and the like being sent to brothers and sisters who do their worship inside these temples. Another thing is regardless of the temple, the word "church" and or "congregation" literally means "group of worshipers". Acts 17:24 points to this verse, 1 Kings 8:27, as well as the others but I will get to that shortly, as well, which reads: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! God is that great he cannot dwell and or be contained in something a man has built. This alone also one of the reasons why many believe something incorruptible cannot become corruptible. Doesn't matter how many temples of true worship man builds, you can't contain God in them. Yahweh has stated the following in this verse: Isaiah 66:1 reads: Thus says the Lord [YHWH]: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? Continuing form there, we also see the following in Chronicles to the same effect as to what God had said, but these verses below speak of God the Father: 2 Chronicles 2:6, 18-21 reads: (6) But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? (18) “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! (19) Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord [YHWH] my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, (20) that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. (21) And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. Keep in mind, regarding John 4:24, that God is a Spirit, for he is not just the invisible Father, but also one who is incorruptible as well as being the Eternal Sovereign King. (2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Timothy 1:17, Hebrews 11:27) Another thing to note is that Jesus himself dwell in the very temple of his Father, sure it cannot contain God, but Jesus and those who dwell in the temple worship and express servitude to God, in addition to that, Jesus spent his time in the temples preaching the gospel and teaching the people about what God the Father, for the Temple was indeed a place of worship, a temple built by the hands of "man". For men at those times didn't just build temples for nothing, even those before Jesus was born on earth, temples for people to congregate in were met for worship, to offer sacrifice, etc. To ignore these things and not see the temple for what it is today clearly shows the mindset of the individual who expresses Acts 17:24 without even going to the bible to understand what it even means, but what to expect from people who quote but do not interpret, let alone thinking the scriptures have not been corrupted over time. As for those dwelling in the temple, including Jesus, in addition to other temples with followers that dwell in them. What do they do exactly? John 4:24 pretty much says it all regarding their worship and to this day, this is what she, the temple, must do, for the church, the followers, are to worship God in spirit and in truth. As true Christians who have the knowledge of Jesus as well as God dwelling in us, we are a "A Living Sacrifice", for verse 24 points to Romans 12:1 (which also connects with 1 Peter 2:5, 9) that reads: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. You may want to re-read your bible regarding temples, the church, the people, as well as Jesus who was in the temples that were already built and the like, for you are being hypocritical here. Note: You may want to read up on the history of the Samaritans, for they too have built a temple to worship God, a temple built by their hands. Another thing is when Jesus was a child, his parents took him to the Temple of his Father, God Yahweh. Anyone can see what took place as to what happen to baby Jesus there, but it would seem some Christians tend to ignore anything before Jesus' adulthood other than just his birth, but not taking into account of what took place after that. People, Christians, build the temple/church (House of God) as a place of worship to God in addition to teach, preach, etc, to consider this as defaming God because the temple was made by the hands of man, is hypocrisy. Read the bible, please. Man's visual? A church organization isn't an idol, however a church can easily hold idols and give more importance to said idols and not God the Father - for churches who do this do not take into account of the Great Commission and even if they did, they lack, trust, I know from experience. It baffles me that some people do not even know what the meaning of an idol is, for an idol is an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship and or a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered (a person can be referred to as a god also). Idols can also be graven images and or objects, some of which that bare a pagan origin. Only a few churches do not bare idols inside their churches and or houses them, this includes the members and their homes for they too do not bare any sort of idols in their homes as well. For any bowing down to and worshiping an image, an object and or a man is idolatry, I believe I made it clear in one of my older posts as well. About upholding teachings, last I checked, someone said something was 100% inspired, those who teach what is true knows that is false. A church will do everything necessary to teach what is true and do everything in their power to protect its members from false teachings, practices and traditions that do not belong in a church, something I already told Matthew6969 about in his own post regarding commerce inside of a church. Lastly, if you are going to use a verse, use it in a way you interpret it and or a brief explanation to what you are getting at. Quoting a verse would get you are without taking it into context, something of which you have already done with John 4:24; Acts 17:24, as for the other verses you posted previously, why post Matthew 16:18 if you are not doing what Jesus says regarding the Great Commission? As I recall you didn't seem like a fan of it or understood it. For if it were to be put into As for John 2:19-21; Ephesians 2:20-22; Revelations 21:14; 1 Corinthians 6:19-21, I already have a response for that, you may not like it pertaining to your comment of which you used it on, for if put into context and explained, it can be understood by even a young one or an early reader of the scriptures.

Care to share some examples, let alone the church leader's comment since he was mentioned? In the meantime, I will re-check my other sources. As for the video, I pulled this from someone making a point in another Christian forum regarding church leaders who claim to be inspired and or uninspired, as well as those who use inspired and or uninspired bible verses to push what is true and or not true. Â Any man can claim to be a channel and or spokesman to God the Father, the question is, from what they are doing, is it true or untrue, usually depends on the how and why one believes what they believe, which in turn, used to teach.

Surprisingly, there are a few atheists who would defend what the bible says, such occasions is rare.

The sad reality is that regardless of one's faith, be it Christian, Catholic, Islam, Jewish, etc, the beliefs may differ by group/denomination, but to the world who are not as religiously savvy, not a fan of religion or worse, thinks that any religious man or woman is either a pedophile, a crazy person, an extremist, etc. For if one person of a faith and or denomination does something, people will blame the religion or the faith itself, at times, the group that the faith stems from, examples would be if a Christian does something or a Muslim does something, it is open season not on just the person, but the faith itself and the denomination, but most of all, the group(s) of which said individuals stem from, Christianity and Islam. Outside of religion, it is the same with businesses, educational systems, and government and groups that branch off from these things. When a hacker somewhere in the basement of some apartment breaches a Wells Fargo account, every eye is on Wells Fargo, when a teacher does something immoral or violent to a student, eyes will be on the school and it's board, when the FBI let's watched persons run free who eventually will do a crime, government is to blame, but gov't always does something wrong.

I believe Truly True may have went into this in the past: