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Examining Scriptures Organized Religion Practicing the True Religion The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The Weight of Teaching—and Its True Purpose

Part 1: The Responsibility of the Teacher Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely than others. (James 3:1 International Standard Version)  James 3:1 sets a sobering tone that is easy to underestimate if read too quickly. “Not many of you should […]

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Examining Scriptures Return of Christ The Life and Teachings of Jesus

 One Coming or Two? Re-reading Jesus’ Prophecy of the End

When Jesus speaks in the Gospels about “the end of the age,” he does not define the phrase in abstract terms. Instead, he anchors it in a sequence of events—gospel proclamation, tribulation, and the coming of the Son of Man. In Matthew chapter 24, he says: And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached […]

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Examining Doctrines Heaven

Jerusalem Above, the Woman, and the People of God

The New Testament presents a rich set of images to describe the people of God: a mother, a city, a bride, a nation, and even a persecuted woman. At first glance, these images—especially Paul’s “Jerusalem above” (Galatians 4:26), the “heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), and the woman of Revelation 12—can appear […]

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Examining Doctrines Examining Scriptures The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Anointing, Baptism and the Holy Spirit

Questions about anointing, baptism, and receiving the holy spirit lie at the heart of New Testament theology. Confusion often arises when these concepts are blended together or applied too broadly. The Bible, however, presents a careful and coherent progression—from John the Baptist, to Jesus the Messiah, to the post-Pentecost Christian community. This article consolidates the […]

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Practicing the True Religion The Life and Teachings of Jesus Videos

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Charitable Giving

In the previous video, it was clearly demonstrated from the Gospels and early Christianity, that authentic faith was marked primarily by direct care for the poor, sick, hungry, and imprisoned. Throughout the Gospels, following Jesus was never reduced to holding correct doctrine alone. Faith in God mattered — but their faith was proven and embodied […]

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The Life and Teachings of Jesus Videos

Christians and Charitable Giving

What would you say is the prime identifying mark of a true Christian? What would Jesus say? Jesus certainly taught about the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43), repentance, and faith in God. But his teaching was always woven together with action: This was not side-work. It was the work. For religious groups today that wish […]

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Examining Scriptures

How Christians Use and Misuse 1 John 2:27

“You have no need for anyone to teach you… his anointing teaches you about all things.”—1 John 2:27 Few verses have been pulled in more opposite directions than this one. Some Christians use it to emphasize the Holy Spirit’s inner guidance, while others mistakenly interpret it to reject all human teaching. Understanding how this verse […]

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Inspiration

What Did Early Christians Say About Spiritual Gifts?

Historical evidence shows that early Christians often testified that prophecy, tongues, and other spiritual gifts continued long after the apostles—in some cases, for several centuries. The belief that such gifts ended with the apostolic age is not found in early church teaching.Instead, cessationism—the view that these gifts must cease—emerged much later, primarily during the Reformation. […]

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Examining Doctrines Examining Scriptures Inspiration

Early Christian Views on the Spiritual Gifts

The New Testament speaks vividly of miraculous gifts given by the Holy Spirit—prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge (1 Corinthians 12–14). But how did Christians in the generations immediately after the apostles understand these gifts?By examining writings from the late first through the fifth centuries, we can trace a clear historical progression: from the active […]

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Heaven Memorial of Christ's Death Videos

Not 144,000 Genuine Christians In All History? Really?

Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to believe that there are two classes of Christians. A little flock of special anointed Christians having the hope of ruling with Christ in heaven numbering 144,000 and an unnumbered great crowd of other sheep, Christians having the hope of living on earth in paradise under that rulership. They arrive at […]