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Accurate Knowledge Leads to LifeThe Watchtower—1964 | March 1
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But is this drawing the proper conclusions from the Scriptures? Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) But that does not mean he is God, nor does it make reference to any so-called third person of the trinity. Did Jesus not explain in chapter 17 of the Gospel of John Joh 17 that this means oneness, of purpose, unity? Read it in your own Bible. Can a father be the same as his son? Jesus is God’s Son. Even a child can understand that a father is greater than a son. Jesus himself said: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) But clergymen have so clouded this simple truth that some Bible readers do not believe it anymore. How simple it is for truly humble persons to draw the proper conclusion about this doctrine from Jesus’ words: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him”! (John 8:28, 29) The Christian apostle Paul drew the proper conclusion, because he later wrote: “The head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:3) So while clergymen may teach that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are equal, all one God, the simple truth concerning it is that they are not, that Christ is God’s Son and inferior to him, and that the holy spirit is God’s active force, hence subordinate to him.
But just why do well-educated clergymen fail to understand and teach these plain Bible truths? Because they prefer the traditions and philosophies of men to the written Word of God. And when a person rejects the Word of Jehovah, what wisdom does he have? Surely not Godly wisdom, because he does not have the spirit of Jehovah God. Rather, Satan the Devil, the “god of this system of things,” blinds his mind, that “the glorious good news about the Christ, who is [not God, but] the image of God, might not shine through.”—2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 2:8; Jer. 8:9.
There is a great danger, then, in drawing wrong conclusions from the Bible or letting someone else draw them for you. Trying to please God without personally taking in accurate knowledge from his Word is like taking a long journey in the dark of night without a road map and without a light. It is like tossing a coin to decide which turn to take each time you come to an intersection. You soon get lost.
There are many roads, but only one leads to life. The Bible points out that one “road leading off into life.” (Matt. 7:14) As you travel that road to life, the accurate knowledge from God’s Word will enable you to “make sure of all things.” (1 Thess. 5:21) In this dark world it will serve as a lamp to your foot, and a light to your roadway. (Ps. 119:105) Accurate knowledge of God leads past the coming dead end of this system of things. It leads to life in God’s promised new order, now near at hand. Jehovah’s witnesses will be pleased to help you to obtain this vital knowledge from your Bible by studying the Bible with you in your own home for an hour each week, at your convenience and free of charge.
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Friend of the EmperorThe Watchtower—1964 | March 1
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Friend of the Emperor
◆ Acts 18:12-16 tells how the apostle Paul, when in Corinth, was brought before Gallio, the “proconsul of Achaia.” The judgment seat before which Paul undoubtedly appeared was found by archaeologists, as well as a letter of Emperor Claudius that says: “As Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend, and the proconsul of Achaia wrote.” The letter indicates Gallio came to Corinth A.D. 51, harmonizing with the time of Paul’s visit indicated in the Bible.
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