JoeJohn

Arius becomes an apostate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arius
 The Bible warns about people like Arius (c. AD 250—336), a Christian priest from Alexandria, Egypt, who was trained at Antioch in the early fourth century. About AD 318, Arius accused Bishop Alexander of Alexandria of subscribing to Sabellianism, a false teaching that asserted that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were merely roles or modes assumed by God at various times. Arius was determined to emphasize the oneness of God; however, he went too far in his teaching of God’s nature. Arius denied the Trinity and introduced what appeared on the surface to be an inconsequential difference between the Father and Son.
Can ex-witnesses and the disfellowshiped be considered part of this category if they deny the teachings of Christ by subverting them?

There were apostates from true Christianity in the first century and there are apostates from true Christianity today. Such ones have become "part of the world" by means of attempting to mix false teachings with the truth.
 
@redHarmonioussparrow...as regards the article you linked...
 
Those Christians of old were among the apostates John warned about because they were teaching false doctrines.
 
Here are some quotes from the article you linked regarding these men...
 
Regarding Ignatius: "Ignatius himself was still claiming revelation, insisting that the Spirit was whispering to him concerning the problems within the Church." (from the above article)
 
God's Word said such "revelations" would cease. The "voices" Ignatius was hearing were not holy. 
 
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works."
 
(2 Corinthians 11:13,14)
 
"I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed."
 
(Galatians 1:6-9)
 
Regarding Polycarp: "...perhaps even ordained Polycarp, who led the church in Smyrna for over forty years and was considered an important link in the early apostolic tradition." (from the above article)
 
The faithful apostles followed Jesus' example of organizing the preaching work and helping the disciples gather together. The faithful apostles also had gifts of the spirit and were able to do some miraculous works. The Bible shows such gifts would end with the apostles.
 
"Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with."
 
(1 Corinthians 13:8)
 
The word "ordained" was not part of the way Jesus or the faithful apostles did things. The words "ordained" and "apostolic tradition" are throwbacks to the Pharisaical way of doing things that Jesus came to do away with. "Pharisaical tradition" would be a more accurate way of describing what Polycarp encouraged.
 
The apostles had learned from Jesus how to act like older brothers, showing love for others in the congregation. Asking certain mature brothers to take the lead in teaching in the congregation is not the same as making a clergy class that is exalted over others with special titles. The words "overseer" and "minister" that are sometimes translated "deacon" and "bishop" and other such things were not originally "titles", just like the word "elder" wasn't a title, it was a role like in the family.
 
Regarding Clement: "...ordained by the Apostles to a position of authority in the Roman church..." (from the above article)
 
Again, the business of "ordaining" and "position of authority" is opposed to what the Christ said...
 
"But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One.  Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ."
 
(Matthew 23:8-10)
 
"But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors.  You, though, are not to be that way. But let the one who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one taking the lead as the one ministering."
 
(Luke 22:25-26)
 
Regarding The Shepherd of Hermas: "One final writing that will be noted here is the Shepherd of Hermas. This was an important text to the Christian community in Rome in the late first or early second century. Authorship is still debated, but there is an interesting possibility that it was written by the Hermas of the Roman church mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:4.[18] It is perhaps one of the greatest witnesses to the state of the church during this period. It attests to the continuation of visions, prophecy, and direct revelation in the early church and also adds to the current discussion of internal crises." (from the above article)
 
The Shepherd of Hermas" is a clearly apostate book that gives evidence certain Christians of the day were embracing the teachings of demons and teaching such things in the Christian congregation.
 
It is the same today. Many who claim to be among God's name people embrace apostate teachings and traditions. The misapplication of Daniel chapter 4 to get to "1914" is based on numerology. The exaltation of the "Faithful and Discreet slave" and "appointed elders" is based on Pharisaical traditions and worship of men ahead of God. To embrace such teachings is to embrace apostasy from God's Word and is being part of the world.

Here is an example from the "Examining Scriptures Daily" publication of misapplication of scripture woven in with a few truths as regards the word "neutral"...
 
"Sunday, May 21  Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them . . . , teaching them.—Matt. 28:19, 20.   
 
Many today are stumbled because of our neutral stand with regard to politics. They expect us to vote in elections. However, we realize that from Jehovah’s standpoint, if we choose a human leader to rule over us, we are rejecting Him. (1 Sam. 8:4-7) People may also feel that we should build schools and hospitals as well as perform other charitable works. They are stumbled because we focus our efforts on the preaching work, not on solving the world’s immediate problems. How can we avoid being stumbled? (Matt. 7:21-23) Our main focus should be on doing the work that Jesus commanded us to do. Never should we become distracted by the political and social issues of this world. We love people and care about their problems, but we know that the best way to assist our neighbors is by teaching them about God’s Kingdom and by helping them to develop a friendship with Jehovah. w21.05 7 ¶19-20." (Examining the Scriptures Daily)
 
It is true that Jesus said to preach. (Matthew 28:19,20)
 
However, the verses at 1 Samuel 8:4-7 were about the nation of Israel, who had Jehovah as their king. Today, we live under the authority of human governments, and Jesus told us to obey those authorities to the degree they don't ask us to do something against Jehovah. The Kingdom is not in place yet, so we do live under human rulers at present. Even Jesus acknowledged the authority of human kings when he was on earth. Did that mean Jesus was rejecting Jehovah's rulership? Never may that happen!
 
The verse at Matthew 7:21-23 is not talking about "being stumbled", it's actually talking about hypocritical worship.
 
Here are some real life examples of hypocritical worship from the congregation...A sister who was a victim of domestic abuse by her mate asked for help from her friends in the congregation. They said, "I have to be neutral," and told her they didn't want to hear about it. In a different situation a sister tried to ask an elder for help with an abuse situation and he said something to the effect, "I have to be neutral. There are two elders already assigned to handle it. They are by the book theocratic. I don't want to know about your situation." In both cases, the abusers were not dealt with judicially in any way for their actions. The victim was shunned instead.
 
(I guess the congregation members were applying the manmade human doctrines in this text: "Never should we be distracted by the social issues of this world..." ???)
 
Helping your mother/sister/brother/father/neighbor must be a social issue according to the GB??? (Jesus said to help the beat up person on the road.)
 
Here is something else Jesus said:
 
"“Isaiah aptly prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me.  It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’  You let go of the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men.” Further, he said to them: “You skillfully disregard the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.  For example, Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Let the one who speaks abusively of his father or mother be put to death.’  But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother: “Whatever I have that could benefit you is corban (that is, a gift dedicated to God),”’  you no longer let him do a single thing for his father or his mother.  Thus you make the word of God invalid by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like this.”"
 
(Mark 7:6-13)
 
(Maybe the GB thinks being "Neutral" = "Corban" ? I don't really understand how to calculate Pharisee math...probably because it doesn't add up...)
 
What the GB teaches in the congregations is how to be part of the world. Their doctrines and policies disregard the command of the Christ, which is to Love. When the flock follows those false teachings, idolizing the GB and putting their words ahead of Jehovah's words, they are grieving Jehovah's holy spirit.
 
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

Regarding "apostasy" and Jehovah's witnesses...
 
The organization bearing Jehovah's Name currently teaches that Jesus began his rule invisibly in 1914, and that some anointed ones were resurrected to heaven around that time and since then. Here is what the Bible says about that teaching:
 
"However, brothers, concerning the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you  not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be alarmed either by an inspired statement or by a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction."
 
How can we identify the "man of lawlessness"?
 
"He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god."
 
Putting doctrines of men ahead of doctrines of God is "publicly showing to be a god."
 
"Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is acting as a restraint, so that he will be revealed in his own due time. True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way. Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence."
 
The angels have been holding back the winds of destruction, the nations, from attacking all of false religion, including those in God's Name People who are worshipping hypocritically. The angels will soon stop holding back those figurative "winds of destruction" (which are described in Revelation like the four angels tied at the river Euphrates. Just as the Euphrates protected ancient Babylon but was dried up, so the nations protecting religious freedoms will no longer protect religion.)
 
"But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders  and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved."
 
The appearance of false prophecy coming true, like 1914 having a war happen and numbers being published to "prove God's direction", have led to unrighteous deception for those among Jehovah's witnesses who are still adhering to remnants of false worship (such as idolization of men or clinging to antichrist teaching such as the disfellowshipping doctrine as currently practiced.)
 
"That is why God lets a deceptive influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie,  in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness. However, we are obligated always to thank God for you, brothers loved by Jehovah, because from the beginning God selected you for salvation by sanctifying you with his spirit and by your faith in the truth.  He called you to this through the good news we declare, so that you may acquire the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So, then, brothers, stand firm and maintain your hold on the traditions that you were taught, whether it was by a spoken message or by a letter from us.  Moreover, may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness,  comfort your hearts and make you firm in every good deed and word."
 
There are true worshippers on earth, some in the organization bearing God's name, and some outside of it. At the appointed time, Christ will gather them all together. Praise Jehovah.
 
(2 Thessalonians 2)

Judas was an example of someone who on the outside appeared to be "one of God's Name People" but who was actually "part of the world". The world includes the desire of the eyes and desire of the flesh and the showy display of means of life. Judas desired money more than the way of love.
 
It is similar today. There are many who claim to love God, be part of God's Name People, but their actions betray their claims.
 
 
Daniel was a good example of someone who was "no part of the world". Even though he couldn't physically go to Jehovah's house to worship, he remained faithful to Jehovah while in exile. Conversely, those taking the lead in worship at Jehovah's "house" were very much a part of the "world" in their hypocritical worship.
 
In Daniel's day, there were faithful exiles living away from the headquarters of Israel. It is the same today. There are many who are "exiled" from Jehovah's Name People and yet who remain faithful to Jehovah, just like there are many in the organization who are still faithful to Jehovah. Just as Daniel and his friends didn't partake of the unclean foods, so faithful ones wherever they may be learn over time to not "partake" of false teachings by sticking with the clean "water and vegetables" - the truths from the Bible, unsullied by manmade false doctrines.
 
Jehovah has left His Name on the organization. When the great tribulation begins, Jehovah will allow the nations to remove hypocrites from their positions in the organization bearing Jehovah's name because right now those taking the lead are very much "part of the world" in the way they talk about love but practice and promote things that God hates.
 
"...the sons of the Kingdom will be thrown into the darkness outside. There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be."
 
(Matthew 8:12)
 
 

 
 
Jeremiah, quoting Jehovah: This is what Jehovah of armies has said: "Because you did not obey my words, all this land will be reduced to ruins. And this land and its inhabitants will have to serve the king of Babylon for 70 years."
 

 
 
Daniel: It's Jerusalem. They tore down the walls, and they torched its towers. Many died, and they burned down Jehovah's house.
 
Daniel's dad: Why didn't our people listen? Did they think Jehovah couldn't see what they were doing?
 
Daniel: As long as our temple existed, our people had hope.
 
Daniel's mom: As long as Jehovah exists, we have hope.
 
Daniel: But He's rejected us because of our unrighteousness.
 
Daniel's dad: He hasn't. Not everyone. Jehovah told Ezekiel that in His eyes you are as righteous as Noah and Job.
 
Daniel: He said that?
 
Daniel's dad: He did.
 
Daniel: If Jehovah cares so much, then why are we in exile? Why can't we go home? Why can't we be together?
 
Daniel's dad: You are home, son.
 
 

 
Ashpenaz: We've been watching you. All of you. You don't bow to our idols. You pray only to your God. And you are not eating our foods...Yet somehow, you look healthier than the others. Continue giving them the diet they've requested. And Belteshazzar? Your future is bright. Don't waste it.
 
(clips from https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/daniel-lifetime-of-faith/part-1/)

"...he disguised his sanity in their presence and acted insane while among them. He was making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his saliva run down his beard.  Finally Aʹchish said to his servants: “You see that this man is crazy! Why bring him to me?  Do I have a shortage of crazy men that I need to have this one acting crazy before me? Should this man enter my house?”"
 
David wasn't really crazy, he was just creative. Some of those creative writing people have amazing imaginations too. I'm not really into fiction stories too much these days, personally, but David had a reason for his mask. I suppose some other people have a reason for their masks too. I think it's fun to be entertained by puppets, but I don't like when they get too wacky. (And I must say abusive speech from puppets is nothing compared to hearing it from elders or others in authority. At least from the puppets it's like a joke. I don't even notice it coming from online characters compared to what it is like in the congregation setting. The ones who are like that in the congregation aren't joking...) 
 
"Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
vul·ner·a·ble
adjective: vulnerable
susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm."we were in a vulnerable position"

Similar:  in danger    in peril    in jeopardy    at risk   endangered     unsafe    unprotected    ill-protected     unguarded    open to attack    attackable     assailable     exposed    wide open     undefended    unshielded    unfortified    unarmed   without arms    without weapons    defenseless     easily hurt/wounded/damaged    powerless    helpless    pregnable    impuissant    resistless      exposed to     open to     wide open to    liable to    prone to    prey to    susceptible to    subject to    not above    in danger of    at risk of    at the mercy of   an easy target for    easily affected by   in the firing line    susceptive of

Opposite:   well protected    invulnerable    resilient    immune to    above
(of a person) in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect."employees must be better trained in how to deal with vulnerable young people"
 
As regards "vulnerability"...Just because someone wears their heart on their sleeve doesn't make them vulnerable. To the contrary, some who wear their hearts that way have an unseen strength that cannot be comprehended by onlookers, because it is strength from Jehovah, and not everybody can see Jehovah. It is not difficult to uncover your heart when you are resting in Jehovah's hands. He is the Most Fortified Stronghold.
 
It appears to me the ones who are truly "vulnerable" hide what they are rather than coming into the light. That's not my business. Why do they call others "vulnerable" when they are the ones who are really scared?
 
I don't know why they're so scared. Or maybe I do. Sometimes when your view of the "world" is shaken up, it can be scary. There's no need to be scared. The ransom is big. Jehovah is merciful, and it's only His opinion that really matters anyway.
 
"“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.  For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him.  Whoever exercises faith in him is not to be judged. Whoever does not exercise faith has been judged already, because he has not exercised faith in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.  Now this is the basis for judgment: that the light has come into the world, but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked.  For whoever practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be reproved.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that his works may be made manifest as having been done in harmony with God.”💖
 
Being "no part of the world" means not being fake.
 
🙂🌷

Come on, @boyle, are you trying to get the thread locked? You could stop it yourself or are you trying to get that personality puppet reported so you can bring a new one to life? I don't understand you sometimes...
 
I will lock it for now since you refuse to behave like a gentleman...maybe you'll go make another thread to be silly on.

To go along with this, voting wasn't even a concept for the regular jews back in Jesus's time. 
Since  boyle is terribly naive, when a person votes they are not really voting for a person, but what that person believes is right or represents. For example I myself and a more middle of the road conservative, I believe abortion is murder and is wrong so I am going to vote for a candidate who believes the same way and will use their influence to end abortions. Or believe in diplomacy over war, being a good steward of the taxes we pay, etc. 
I'm glad the jw version of the paradise isn't going to happen, I couldn't imagine the dictatorship of the governing body would go over very well with Jesus.