This Christianese word is kind of the opposite in meaning of the English word that's spelled the same. In English, to witness is to see or observe something. In Christianese, to witness is to tell people what you believe, in an effort to convince them to believe the same things and/or to join your religion. (AKA to "get saved". )
I said these words are kind of opposite. Christian witnessing isn't talking about what you have seen (usually). You haven't seen Jesus after He rose from the dead, for example. You believe He has risen, because you believe written reports. Unlike the disciples (not just Thomas), you are expected to believe without seeing. Or, at least, you will be blessed if you do. (So it says.) None of them believed, until they actually witnessed (English!) Him living again. Even the women didn't believe until they saw Him. (That's what it says. You could look it up. )
Anyway, yeah, it's kind of funny how you guys use some words that look like they're English words, but aren't.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Perhaps we are to "witness" what Christ has done for us through prayer rather than to try to "convince" people to join any religious group.
Becoming part of the "church" is from above, not joining a membership here on earth.
When one joins a religious group here on earth, they are joining a club with membership of rules and earthly financial business meetings. "Dues" are paid to the head of the membership.
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It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)
Last edited by AreYouReady?; 02-06-2012 at 09:43 AM.
Perhaps we are to "witness" what Christ has done for us through prayer rather than to try to "convince" people to join any religious group.
Cool.
Quote:
Becoming part of the "church" is from above, not joining a membership here on earth.
Most here believe you have to do something to become part of the church, even if that something is nothing more than believing, or having faith.
Quote:
When one joins a religious group here on earth, they are joining a club with membership of rules and earthly financial business meetings. "Dues" are paid to the head of the membership.
Being part of the church, in the sense that it is (as you might say) the one true church, established by Jesus, is what I was referring to. And that is a religion, in English.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Christ did not come to establish Christianity, but to slice up religion with a sword. It is a crime that Christians do not have the slightest idea of what to do after repentance, and grope at "witnessing," which you rightly divide, or maybe "prayer."
Another popular choice is "Repent again." Then there's "Codify everyone else's behavior," a perennial favorite, which usually comes right before "Accuse people of breaking the code." This is inevitably followed by "Pontificate on our misunderstanding," and "Execute those who disagree."
Jesus the Messiah showed us the difference between being a part of a "church" on earth and being part of His Kingdom in Heaven.
The definition of religion by man and by the Bible are two different definitions.
By man:
reˇliˇgion [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7.
religions, Archaic . religious rites.
8.
Archaic . strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
Biblically:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
It doesn't say to categorize or theologically divide what is in the bible, come up with a set of beliefs, then join like-minded people together in an assembly and exclude all others if they do not agree to every jot and tittle in any affirmation clauses.
But then you will find some people debating the meaning of James 1:27 all the day long instead of doing what it says.
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It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)
Christ did not come to establish Christianity, but to slice up religion with a sword. It is a crime that Christians do not have the slightest idea of what to do after repentance, and grope at "witnessing," which you rightly divide, or maybe "prayer."
Another popular choice is "Repent again." Then there's "Codify everyone else's behavior," a perennial favorite, which usually comes right before "Accuse people of breaking the code." This is inevitably followed by "Pontificate on our misunderstanding," and "Execute those who disagree."
Love it!
I have to say that when you belong to a religious system that believes that each person who is not 'reached' (read: converted to your belief system) will burn in an eternal tormenting hell... well... that is pretty dang motivating... or it should be... I have often said the if Christians actually believed what they say they do that they would have knees bloody from praying and would never get a decent nights sleep. Instead we often find them poking fun at the 'lost' or pronouncing hell over people with glee. Which for me has always been the proof positive that they really do NOT believe it at all.
Jesus the Messiah showed us the difference between being a part of a "church" on earth and being part of His Kingdom in Heaven.
The definition of religion by man and by the Bible are two different definitions.
By man:
reˇliˇgion [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7.
religions, Archaic . religious rites.
8.
Archaic . strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
Biblically:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
It doesn't say to categorize or theologically divide what is in the bible, come up with a set of beliefs, then join like-minded people together in an assembly and exclude all others if they do not agree to every jot and tittle in any affirmation clauses.
But then you will find some people debating the meaning of James 1:27 all the day long instead of doing what it says.
But it does say you have to believe (certain things). And if you don't, you are condemned. Just sayin'.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I have to say that when you belong to a religious system that believes that each person who is not 'reached' (read: converted to your belief system) will burn in an eternal tormenting hell... well... that is pretty dang motivating... or it should be... I have often said the if Christians actually believed what they say they do that they would have knees bloody from praying and would never get a decent nights sleep. Instead we often find them poking fun at the 'lost' or pronouncing hell over people with glee. Which for me has always been the proof positive that they really do NOT believe it at all.
Yes, it's very clear to me that most Christians don't really believe much of what they say they believe.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Ah, the accuser speaks. Got any word,for us (other than "no," I mean) for
"THE DAY OF A MAN'S DEATH IS BETTER..."
? (or are you just going to keep verifying "Resist the devil, and he will flee?")
On another thread, I said if it means what you say it means, it's wrong. Even in your world, when an unbeliever dies, there is no possible way that day could be considered better than the day he was born. OK, let me back off from that just a bit. It could be considered 'better' in the sense that it begins that man's horrible eternal punishment (not sure you believe that, exactly, but most here do), which is just, and therefore good. In your (most AFFers') view, at least. And it could be said that the day of his birth, since he was an unbeliever, was not good. (Again, in your view.)
Oh, and I'm not a devil.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
In English, to witness is to see or observe something. In Christianese, to witness is to tell people what you believe, in an effort to convince them to believe the same things and/or to join your religion. (AKA to "get saved". 
)
Yes, it's very clear to me that most Christians don't really believe much of what they say they believe.
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