xjwsforChrist

Peace to you all,

I remember my whole life hearing the numbers will decrease which they supposedly were according to their counts. But with statements like this in their 2019 January Watchtower might help explain why the numbers are increasing and they can't explain it away truthfully.

We here have been sharing that partaking (eating and drinking) does NOT make one anointed, and one does not have to be anointed to partake, but according to JOHN 6:48-59 the invitation is for anyone! Our Lord gave his precious life for all not just to those that are to be kings and priests.

And now the WTBS just put in writing that Christ own disciples on the night before he died ate and drank of him before they were anointed. Holy spirit had not yet been poured out.



8. (a) What did Jesus tell his faithful apostles? (b) In the years following his death, how did Jesus’ disciples follow his example of courage?

8 Jesus also showed courage by setting aside any anxiety he may have had and by focusing attention on the needs of his faithful apostles. The simple meal, which he introduced after dismissing Judas, would remind those who would become his anointed followers of the benefits of Jesus’ shed blood and of sharing in the new covenant. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17) To help them prove worthy of their heavenly calling, Jesus told his followers what he and his Father expected of them. (John 15:12-15) Jesus also told the apostles of the trials that lay ahead of them. Then, pointing to his own example, he urged them to “take courage!” (John 16:1-4a, 33) Many years later, Jesus’ disciples were still following his self-sacrificing course and displaying courage. At great cost to themselves, they supported one another in their various trials.​—Heb. 10:33, 34.




May any who are wishing and thirsting for truth which is our Lord Jaheshua... COME and take Life's water/ blood/spirit which is Christ, the true manna from heaven for FREE!

Love your fellow sister servant and slave of Christ
kim

I did a search in their library and was unable to find anything similarly worded. I may have enter my search phrases wrong. However, they do tend to re-use the same phrasing as in past articles. That said, if this is really the first time saying this in print, then it could have implications for them.

They really can no longer say that only the anointed can partake as they are saying, perhaps unwittingly (though I tend to think not), that those that partake must be anointed. This is a blatant admittance that that was NOT the case then (a fact that those who do partake have repeatedly stated over the years.) They may also be making a subtle move to to open the way to partaking for all. Doubt it, but we'll see.

Thanks for that dear 'Mom, and your comment, dear LQ (peace to you, both!).

Since at least 1935, when they created their own "two flocks" (those with a "heavenly hope" and so "are anointed" and so only the ones who "should partake" and "those with an 'earthly' hope"... vs. the two Christ referred to - Israel (Jews/Samaritans), the "little flock," and non-Israelite Gentiles "other sheep"), they've blindly overlooked what dear 'Mom shared as to the Apostles... but also that Cornelius and his household and friends received holy spirit before even being baptized ... and... that only Cornelius himself was "invited" (of the entire group).

The others received holy spirit merely based on their faith in what Cornelius told them as to his own experience... prompting them to come to his house and so be present to meet Peter.

In this instance, you had Peter, some of the Body from Joppa, and Cornelius - at least "two" but even more" - and so our dear Lord, the Holy (Spirit) could be there and pour out the Father's breath, blood, and seed... holy spirit... on all those (who happened to be) there.

It was receiving holy spirit that then prompted Cornelius et al., to get baptized which, as Samaritans, they needed to do.

But it was not as the WTBTS falsely teaches - baptize then anointing. Just the opposite here.

Peace to you ALL... and to your dear households!

Your servant, sister, and a slave of Christ,

Shel