The Watchtower, July 1, 1952
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
JULY 1, 1952
Semimonthly
FREEDOM WITH SECURITY
RESTRICTIONS OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM
ANSWERING THE QUESTION,
ARE YOU SAVED?
MATTHEW, FROM PUBLICAN TO APOSTLE
SUBTLY DISCREDITING GOD'S WORD
©WTB&TS
“YOU ARE MY WITNESSES,” SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.-Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
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PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street
Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President
GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
Subtly Discrediting God's Word 387
Answering the Question, Are You Saved? 389
Matthew, from Publican to Apostle 393
Giving God's Word First Place in Our Lives 396
Spiritual Refugees in Israel and Westward 397
Freedom with Security 400
Restrictions of Christian Freedom 405
Questions from Readers 414
Announcements 416
Abbreviations used in "The Watchtower" for the following Bible versions
AS - American Standard Version LXX- The Septnagint Version
AT - An American Translation Mo - James Moffatt's version
Da - J. N. Darby's version NW - New World Trans. (2nd Ed.)
Dy - Catholic Douay version Ro - J. B. Rotherham's version
ED - The Emphatic Diaglott RS - Revised Standard Version
Le - Isaac Leeser's version Yg - Robert Young's version
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
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SUBTLY DISCREDITING GOD'S WORD
GOD'S Word, the Bible, has ever had enemies. In times past these enemies served the Devil's purpose by consigning Bibles, Bible translators, Bible publishers, and just ordinary Bible readers to the flames. Today faithless men serve the Devil's purpose in more subtle ways, but serve the Devil's purpose nevertheless.
A recent case in point is the article "The Truth About the Bible" which appeared in the United States picture magazine Look, February 26, 1952. In an endeavor to appear sensational it presents as news that Bible scholars agree that Mark 16:9-20 is no part of the original, which, among other things, states that believers "shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them". It also points out that John 8:1-11, the account of the woman taken in adultery, is no part of John's original writing, and that 1 John 5:7, which reads: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one," is likewise an interpolation, a spurious passage. A number of other minor passages are also listed as doubtful.
After giving such examples the statement is made that Bible scholars are agreed that there are from 20,000 to 50,000 errors in the Bible. What will the average reader conclude but that there are 50,000 such spurious passages as John 8:1-11 or Mark 16:9-20. But is such a fact? Impossible! Not only would it be literally impossible for the Bible to have 50,000 such spurious passages in it but it would be impossible for the Bible to have 50,000 spurious texts such as 1 John 5:7, which speaks about three gods' being one. Why? Because altogether there are only 31,173 verses in the King James Version. The Bible, however, does have 3,566,480 single letters.
Actually this article is a subtle attempt to discredit the Bible by depicting as new and sensational the commonly known facts regarding certain spurious passages once thought to be a part of the Bible. More than 150 years ago, Griesbach, on whose recension the Emphatic Diaglott (a Greek- English "New Testament") is based, recognized such passages as being no part of the Bible.
Indicative of a lack of scholarship in this article is the fact that the Vatican and Sinaitic manuscripts are termed papyri, whereas it is common knowledge that they are outstanding vellum manuscripts; that is, they are made of fine-grade calfskin and not from the papyrus reeds. Neither does it show much scholarship to stress that the greatest number of errors were made before A.D. 200, as some critics now claim. Why? Because the closer one gets to the time of the original writing the less likelihood that deliberate tampering with the text would go unnoticed, and therefore such errors would be merely minor slips in writing and would not affect the authenticity of what was recorded.
Pertinent here is the testimony of Dr. Hort, one of the ablest Bible scholars of all time. According to him, seven-eighths of the words of the "New Testament" are above doubt; and if differences of spelling are set aside, only one word in sixty is in doubt. And of these the number involving substantial variation is so small that they "can hardly form more than a thousandth part of the entire text".—Textual Criticism of the New Testament (1912), page 6.
Yes, to Bible scholars with faith in God there is nothing sensational in the large number of minor inaccuracies that may have crept into the Bible text. Those of any serious concern crept in so far down the line that they can easily be disposed of. For example, 1 John 5:7, which seems to teach the trinity, is found in no Greek manuscript earlier than the fifteenth century; and even at that time, it got into the text only because of a deception, the facts of which are recorded by history. Briefly, they show that one Stunica, a Catholic authority of the sixteenth century, complained because the Catholic Bible scholar Erasmus had left this text out of his first two editions of the "New Testament". Erasmus promised to include it if Stunica could furnish a single Greek manuscript that contained the passage. Stunica did, but it turned out later that the Greek manuscript that contained this text was here accommodated to a Latin manuscript containing 1 John 5:7, by a special rewriting. If it had not been for this deception, it is not likely that this text would ever have found its way into the King James Version.
Reasonable persons will accept the testimony of circumstantial evidence in this matter. For instance, in 1947 a scroll of Isaiah was discovered near the Dead sea. This manuscript, although going back about a thousand years beyond any definitely dated text of Isaiah extant at the time,
still shows no appreciable difference in all that time. A thousand years of copying and no appreciable change!
Further supporting the authenticity of the Scriptures is the testimony of archaeology. Says the noted British scholar Sir Frederic Kenyon in his book The Bible and Archaeology, pages 279, 280: "Though archaeology has not yet said its last word, the results already achieved confirm what faith would suggest, that the Bible can do nothing but gain from an increase of knowledge." Albright, foremost American archaeologist, testifies to the same effect, namely, that 'nothing has been discovered that could shake one's faith in the Bible in the slightest'.
And there are many other proofs of the Bible's authenticity: the harmony of some forty writers, though living at widely separated times and places; the obvious can dor of the writers; the testimony of profane historians, and, above all, the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
Yes, how could there be such harmony between the various Bible writers if 50,000 serious errors had crept into the text? How could countless archaeological discoveries corroborate the Bible record if its pages contained 50,000 serious inaccuracies? How could we note so many Bible prophecies fulfilled if some 50,000 words were not even inspired? Clearly the numerous scribal errors are of little importarice.
Modern critics, who harp on the prevalence of the number of errors found in the Bible, are thereby subtly seeking to discredit God's Word; and in using this fact as an excuse for their lack of faith in the Bible are the modern counterpart of the religious leaders of Jesus' day who 'strained out gnats and gulped down camels'. (Matt. 23:24, New World Trans.) They discard 99.9 per cent because .1 of one per cent is in doubt!
Answering the Question. ARE YOU SAVED
IT WAS a bleak and chilly Saturday afternoon, late in autumn. Along the sidewalks in the business section of Brooklyn, New York, were to be seen Christian witnesses offering the Watchtower and Awake! magazines to passers-by. A stranger of earnest mien approached one of them and asked, "Brother, are you saved?" The witness endeavored to explain but was interrupted with "Are you saved, yes or no?"
Such persons generally evince intense concern over the destiny of their fellow man because they labor under the religious delusions that the soul is immortal and that eternal torment is the fate of all those not saved, whereas the Bible plainly states that the soul that sins dies, and that the wages sin pays is death. Death is the absence of life. (Ezek.18:4; Rom.6:23) However, not fear of eternal torment, but love of God, love of righteousness and love of life should make us concerned as to whether we are saved or not and cause us to ask the question, "What must I do to be saved?"
From the Scriptures we learn that Jehovah God alone has the answer to our question. And he has the answer not only in that he has the true and reliable information on the subject, but also in that he has the means by which we may get saved. Foreknowing the desire of honest persons to get saved from present evil conditions and to a righteous new world he purposed to provide that salvation before ever a child was born to Adam and Eve. This is clearly to be seen from the prophetic promise God made immediately
after our first parents rebelled: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."-Gen. 3:15.
While Jehovah God thus purposed to provide
salvation because of his love and mercy, he did it primarily to show that he holds the right to sovereignty over all the universe and that his purposes can never be defeated. (Ps. 106:8; Isa. 55:11) Incidentally, that transgression of our first parents, which occasioned the utterance of that prophecy, was not so insignificant as it might seem; for it fastened Satan's rule upon mankind and led to the condemnation and death of their offspring. Yes, all the sorrow, evil and wickedness that the earth has seen since then can be traced to it.—Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12.
Now, by all the signs predicted in God's Word and by world events in fulfillment of them, we can see that the time has at last come for God to completely fulfill that Edenic promise by ridding the earth of the oppressive organization of the serpent, Satan, in vindication of his universal sovereignty. In ridding the earth of Satan's organization no vacuum will be left, because God has provided for a perfect government under Christ Jesus to take its place. A glorious salvation, therefore, awaits all those who now seek Almighty God's mercy and favor. And since this is so the question of what we must do to get saved has increased meaning and importance for us.
"What must I do to get saved?" was first asked of Paul and Silas, two Christian missionaries, by a certain prisonkeeper in the first century of our Christian era.
These missionaries had been put in prison under the care of this jailer because they had expelled a demon from a slave girl that kept following them and shouting to the people: "These men are slaves of the Most High God." At midnight Paul and Silas were singing praises to God when suddenly a great earthquake shook the jail and loosed all the prisoners from their bonds. In those days a jailer losing his prisoners was put to death, and so this jailer, fearing that all his prisoners had fled, was ready to commit suicide, when Paul cried out to him, "Do not hurt yourself, for we are all here!" Hurrying to the inner chamber where Paul and Silas were, the jailer, gratefully and on bended knee, asked what he must do to be saved.—Acts 16:16-30, NW.
Paul and Silas told the jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will get saved." Why is it necessary to believe on the Lord Jesus to get saved? Because he is the Seed, the instrument chosen by God to vindicate His sovereignty and bring salvation to mankind. He is the Chief Agent of life. That is why we are told "there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved". His is the only name by which we can come to God. Therefore, neither the name of Mary nor Mohammed's is necessary to salvation.—John 14:6; Acts 3:15; 4:12, NW.
Missionaries sent from Christendom to "pagan" lands tell their converts to believe on the Lord Jesus and they will be saved, as though that were the sum of God's requirements. However, we may not take one text to the exclusion of others. In the case of the jailer, note what else took place: "And they spoke the word of Jehovah to him together with all those in his house. .and, one and all, he and his were baptized without delay. And he brought them into his house and set a table before them, and he rejoiced greatly with all his household now that he had believed God."—Acts 16:31-34, NW.
For us to get into the way of salvation we must, first of all, repent of our past sins, and be converted or turn from this world's course; we must do so because we have heard God's Word and because we believe his Word concerning the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Then, on the basis of that belief, we must dedicate ourselves to Jehovah God through Christ Jesus and get baptized in water in order to confess openly our belief and dedication to God.—Acts 3:19, NW.
Having taken these steps are we saved completely beyond all possibility of losing out? Far from it! These steps have only brought us upon the way of salvation. For one thing, we must call upon the name of Jehovah, and that means more than merely calling upon him for deliverance in times of stress. It means confessing him with our lips, for "with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation". In fact, the very purpose for which we have been brought into the way of salvation is that we might bear much fruit by declaring the excellencies of God. And we must also confess Christ Jesus before men; otherwise he will not confess us before his Father in heaven.—Matt. 10:32; John 15:8; Rom. 10:10; 1 Pet. 2:9, NW.
WHO POSSIBLY CAN BE SAVED?
That getting saved is not as simple as many in Christendom would have us believe is apparent from the account of Jesus and the rich young ruler who asked him what he must do to inherit eternal life. To his sorrow he found that even keeping all the commandments was not enough, for Jesus said to him: "There is yet one thing wanting about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute to poor people, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower."
Upon hearing this the rich young man "became quite sorrowful, for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said: 'How difficult a thing it will be for those with money to make their way into the kingdom of God! It is easier, in fact, for a camel to get through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.'" Hearing those remarks some wondered, "Who possibly can be saved?" Jesus answered, "The things impossible with men are possible with God."—Luke 18:18-30, NW.
In this matter note the example that Jesus set for us. From his study of the Scriptures Jesus clearly saw the way that God had marked out for him. When telling his apostles about this, Peter tried to dissuade him, "Be kind to yourself, Master; you will not have this destiny at all." But Jesus rebuked him, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumblingblock to me, because you think, not God's thoughts, but those of men." (Matt. 16:22,23,NW) And when impaled, not even the taunt "If you are a son of God, come down off the torture stake!" caused Jesus to turn back. His was no easy course: "In the days of his flesh Christ offered up supplications and also petitions to the one who was able to save him out of death, with strong outcries and tears, and he was favorably heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered."—Matt. 27:40; Heb. 5:7,8,NW.
The same is true regarding his followers. Having taken all the preliminary steps of repentance, conversion, dedication and baptism, thereby denying ourselves, we must take up our stake, of suffering reproach and pain for righteousness' sake, and follow Christ Jesus. And we must keep following him, enduring as he did, not seeking to preserve our lives or save our earthly souls.
"For whoever wants to save his soul will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for my sake will find it."—Matt. 16:24-26, NW.
Satan the Deceiver is the one who is responsible for some Christians' thinking that once they have believed on the Lord Jesus, have been baptized and have entered upon the way of salvation they are saved for all time without any possibility of losing eternal life by unfaithfulness. However, not the one putting on his weapons may boast, "but he that has endured to the finish is the one that will be saved."—1 Ki. 20:11, AT; Matt. 24:13; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8, NW.
WARNING EXAMPLES
If by having taken the first steps we are saved why would Jehovah God have caused to be recorded in his Word so many warning examples? Consider Lot's wife. God had warned Lot to flee and not even to look back, and sent his angels to escort him and his family out of doomed Sodom and Gomorrah. In vain Lot tried to persuade his sons-in-law to go with him. To them it was all a joke. So Lot, his wife and his two daughters followed the angels out of those doomed cities. Yes, Lot's wife started out on the road to getting saved from the wrath of Jehovah, but she might as well have stayed behind like the two scoffing sons-in-law, for she looked back and perished. Not only may we not turn back, but even to look back will prove fatal. "No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God."—Gen. 19:12-26; Luke 9:62; 17:32; Rom. 15:4, NW.
Another warning example that God caused to be recorded driving home the point that not all those who start out on the way of salvation will reach their destination is that of the nation of Israel. About "six hundred thousand men on foot, besides the dependents", together with a great crowd of non-Israelites left Egypt, and even passed safely through the Red sea.
(Ex. 12:37, AT) Concerning them the apostle Paul states: "Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea and all got baptized into Moses by means of the cloud and of the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink. . . Nevertheless, on most of them God did not express his approval, for they were laid low in the wilderness." Between one and two million adults left Egypt; and yet out of all that number only Joshua and Caleb, and Eleazar and probably some other Levites entered the land of Canaan.—1 Cor. 10:1-5, NW.
The apostle Paul took this warning to himself and drew it to the attention of his brothers, lest, for lack of self-control, they fall to the same temptations as those Israelites did and thereby ruin their opportunity for eternal salvation. "Therefore, the way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air; but I browbeat my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow." (1 Cor. 9:24-27, NW) Yes, even though Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles; was one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; had the privilege of writing fourteen of the books or letters of the Christian Greek Scriptures; and was a performer of great miracles; there still was danger of his not realizing eventual and complete salvation because of the possibility of his failing to exercise self-control.—Acts 19:11; Rom. 11:13; Rev. 21:14.
The same warning holds true for us today. Having exercised faith and dedicated ourselves to the service of Jehovah God, we have, as it were, left Egypt and are on the trek to the new world. But bodily we
are still in this old world although no part of it. So the temptation to desire injurious things is ever with us. What injurious things? Idolatry or greediness, overindulgence in food, drink and other pleasures, fornication, murmuring and complaining. It was for these things that all those Israelites perished in the wilderness. "Now these things went on befalling them as examples and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived. [Paul's day and ours] Consequently, let him that thinks he has a firm position beware that he does not fall."—1 Cor. 10:11, 12, NW.
However, let no one become fearful, discouraged and quit because getting saved is no easy matter, but requires all we can muster. Remember Jesus said, "The things impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:27, NW) After all, "no temptation has taken you except what is common to men. But God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13, NW) So we can gain salvation.
Thus we have the answer to our question, "What must I do to get saved?" If we love God, righteousness and life, not only will we take in knowledge of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, exercise faith in them by dedicating ourselves to God and symbolize that dedication by baptism, but we will continue to make public declaration of Jehovah's name and will resist temptations and endure persecution until this old world ends. Until the end of our testing we cannot take for granted our being saved; and therefore when someone asks, "Brother, are you saved?" we do not give a categorically affirmative reply, but qualify our answer, "Thus far, yes!"
Matthew, from PUBLICAN TO APOSTLE
WHOM did God choose to become apostles of his Son Christ Jesus? The high and mighty of this world? Not at all! On the contrary, as the apostle Paul well expressed it: "God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame, and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are." And why? "In order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God."—John 17:6; 1 Cor. 1:27-29, NW.
"The ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon"—how well that describes the tax collectors of Jesus' day! Evidently these tax collectors (termed "publicans" in the King James Version) were very much like the corrupt collectors of internal revenue of the United States and other lands in modern times and therefore well deserved their reputation. McClintock & Strong's Cyclopedia tells us that they "were notorious for their impudent exactions everywhere; but to the Jews they were especially odious, for they were the very spot where the Roman chain galled them, the visible proof of the degraded state of their nation. As a rule, none but the lowest would accept such an unpopular office, and thus the class became worthy of the hatred with which in any case the Jews would have regarded it". No wonder that the tax collectors were repeatedly associated with harlots and sinners!—Matt. 9:10, 11; 21:31, 32, NW.
While the self-righteous religious leaders of the day had a veritable loathing for the
tax collectors, it was to just such spiritually sick persons that Jesus came, even as he told the Pharisees, who had complained about
his associating with tax collectors and sinners: "Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. Go, then, and learn what this means, 'I want mercy, and not sacrifice.'"—Matt. 9:12, 13, NW.
Matthew, whose name means "gift of Jah", was one of those despised tax collectors. He seems to have had charge of the office of custom for the Sea of Galilee. Matthew, however, was different from most tax collectors of his day. He was not content with making tax collecting his career, regardless of how profitable it might have been. No, he was one of those whom Jesus termed happy because of appreciating their spiritual need and who hungered and thirsted for righteousness. Matt. 5:3,6,NW.
Matthew was a true sheep, and so when Jesus called "Be my follower" he at once recognized the voice of the Good Shepherd, and "thereupon he did rise up and follow him". (Matt. 9:9, NW) Yes, just as readily as the sons of Zebedee left their father's fishing business to follow Jesus so did Matthew leave his customs post. And to use another illustration, Matthew was like a pearl covered with grime. All that the self-righteous clergy saw was the grime, the contemptible tax collector. God, however, saw the pearl, the honest heart, that only needed the water of truth to cause it to shine with a beautiful luster to the honor of its Creator.—John 7:24, NW.
After telling of his call to follow Jesus, and his response to it, Matthew tells of a feast at the home of a tax collector to which Jesus was invited, causing the Pharisees to grumble, as already noted. Modestly, Matthew fails to tell who made this feast. Luke, however, identifies him for us: "Also Levi [Matthew] spread a big reception feast for him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were with them reclining at the meal." (Luke 5:29, NW) What an effective way for all his friends and business acquaintances to have a good witness given to them by Jesus! Incidentally, in this matter Mark and Luke refer to Matthew as Levi, his name before becoming an apostle, even as Peter's name was Simon and Paul's was Saul.-John 1:42; Acts 13:9.
What a change this meant for the despised tax collector Matthew! Instead of giving his allegiance to Caesar, he was now giving it to Jehovah's king, Christ Jesus. And instead of working for cruel, ruthless, imperial Rome, as an instrument of oppression, Matthew was in the service of the kingdom of God, bringing comfort and hope of freedom to the mourning and oppressed.
Matthew seems to have played a minor role among the twelve apostles, as the Gospel accounts have very little to say regarding him. We know that he was one of the twelve that accompanied Jesus on his preaching tours and that later were sent out to preach, two by two. He was with Jesus on the night in which his Master instituted the memorial of his death, washed the feet of his disciples and gave those comforting words of admonition recorded by John.—Matthew 10; Luke 8:1; 22:28-30; John chapters 13 to 17.
parting instructions from him. Matthew is named as being in the upper chamber shortly before the holy spirit was poured out.—Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 1:13; 2:1-4.
Matthew also saw the resurrected Christ, and together with the other ten received
MATTHEW'S GOSPEL
That Matthew actually wrote the account bearing his name has never been seriously questioned. From the evidence at hand it seems that he wrote it sometime during A.D. 41-50, some years before Mark and Luke wrote their accounts. Evidently he early saw the value and need of such a record and so was used by the Lord to supply that need in advance of others.
In his account Matthew does not seek to hide his lowly profession. In fact, he not only tells us about it at the time of his call, but when listing the twelve called ones he again makes mention of that fact, referring to himself as "Matthew the tax collector", although not mentioning the profession or occupation of any of the others. Neither Mark nor Luke thought it necessary to make mention of it when they listed the twelve.—Mark 2:14; 3:18; Luke 5:27-32; 6:15.
It seems that Matthew first wrote his book in Hebrew and then translated it into Greek. Like Paul, he seemed to be anxious that his Jewish brothers should recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He establishes Jesus' legal right to the Abrahamic promise and the Davidic kingdom covenant through Jesus' foster father Joseph. He quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures more than 50 times, which is more than Mark and Luke together.
Matthew's Gospel generally makes the same approach, covers the same ground and events and takes a view in common with that taken by Mark's and Luke's Gospels. For this reason all three have been termed "synoptic" Gospels, meaning that they have a "like view"; not that they are a synopsis of Jesus' life, for they are not.
Each lists some things the others do not, and in this respect we find Matthew's account far more complete than that of the others in respect to the sermon on the mount, the instructions the twelve received as they were sent forth, Jesus' denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, and Jesus' great prophecy concerning the sign of his second presence.—See chapters 5 through 7, 10, and 23 through 25.
Particularly does Matthew stress the theme of the Kingdom. To him Jesus was the Preacher-King. No other writer gives us so much of Jesus' public discourses, and he gives at least ten of the Kingdom illustrations not mentioned by the others. He did not concern himself with details, as did Mark, nor with chronological accuracy, as did Luke. He was carried away with the grandeur of the Kingdom theme.
Among the incidents of Jesus' life peculiar to Matthew's account are Joseph's suspicions regarding Mary, the visit of the magi, the flight into Egypt, the massacre of the infants, the return of the family from Egypt, and why they settled in Nazareth. Matthew alone tells us of the thirty pieces of silver, and the use to which that money was eventually put, he alone mentions the twelve legions of angels that Jesus could have asked for; the dream of Pilate's wife and Pilate's washing his hands are likewise mentioned only by Matthew.
As we read Matthew's account of the life of Christ we become aware of a keen appreciation of the mercy that God showed him. In this respect he was also like Paul, who was overcome with gratitude that to him, "a man less than the least of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness was given" of being a minister of God, an apostle of Christ Jesus. (Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 1:12,
NW) Matthew alone gives us Jesus' repeated insistence that mercy and not sacrifice is required; he alone gives the illustration of the unmerciful slave; he alone gives us Jesus' admonition to Peter to forgive seventy-seven times; and he alone recorded what some consider the most comforting of all of Jesus' words: "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and become my disciples, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light."—Matt. 9:13; 11:28-30; 12:7; 18:21-35; 23:23, NW.
Matthew, the despised tax collector, through God's undeserved kindness, became an honored apostle of Jesus Christ. Content to play a minor role among the twelve, he served his Master both by the spoken word and by the written. And he had no occasion to regret having dedicated his all to God's service, for he received many times more as he served as an apostle and had the sure hope of a glorious heavenly reward.—Matt. 19:27-29.
We may think, What a wonderful privilege Matthew had, to be associated with Christ Jesus as he walked this earth! True, but may it not be said that in at least some respects ours is a greater privilege to be living now, when Christ has returned and rules in the midst of his enemies? Today far more prophecies are being fulfilled than when Jesus and Matthew were on earth. (Matthew chapters 24, 25) If we appreciate God's mercy to us as much as did Matthew, and are as eager to make known the good news as was he, we likewise will be richly rewarded, both now and in the new world of righteousness.
GIVING GOD'S WORD FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES
HOW can a young man keep his path pure? By heeding thy word. I find joy in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word." (Ps. 119:9, 16, AT) To give God's Word first place in our lives we must place it above the word of everybody else, above human philosophies, man-made religious traditions and the commands of men which run contrary to God's will.* Only thus can we realize for ourselves God's purpose in giving us His Word, which is to have it affect us powerfully for good, to help us to live up to our vows of dedication.
Some have difficulty in ascertaining God's will for them in specific instances. Why? Because God's Word was not written specifically for each individual. Usually the difficulty lies in that, while God's Word marks out one course as being best, the individual wants to take another course because of some selfish reason. So he looks for some supernatural indication, as though God would indicate directly or by means of an angel what he is to do.
True, in times past God did give some of his servants special indications as to what was his will in certain cases, not for the benefit of the individual but for the sake of his people as a whole, and for the advancement of true worship in the earth. In strictly personal matters they still had to make their own decisions. Nor may we expect others to assume the responsibility by telling us what to do, so that we can blame them if the advice miscarries. No, God's Word sets down the principles and it is up to each individual to apply them to his personal matters, doing so to the best
of his ability and shouldering his own responsibility.—Gal. 6:5, NW.
However, in going to the Word of God for his will on matters we may not expect that solely by private study we shall be able to understand all that it teaches. Study as they may have, God's servants could not understand the sacred secret of heavenly glory for Christians until God revealed it through his holy spirit. His spirit throws light on his Word.—1 Cor. 2:7-14.
To be properly guided by God's Word we also need the help of his theocratic organization, for it was for its benefit primarily that God gave us his Word, and his holy spirit does not operate independently of his organization, no more than it did in the days of Jesus and his apostles. Were each one of us to determine individually what to teach and our manner and place of preaching, what confusion there would be! But we are told: "God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace."—1 Cor. 14:33, 40, NW.
And as we plan our individual course of action in harmony with the principles laid down in his Word, and in line with God's spirit and with theocratic organization instructions, we will at all times look to God for his blessing, appreciating that only "if Jehovah wills" can we do this or that. Then, if success attends our efforts we will thank God, appreciating that all good things come from him. And if we meet up with obstacles? Then, while not permitting these to discourage us, we will study the matter to see how far Satan is responsible and to what extent the blame lies with us. 1 Thess.2:17,18; Jas.1:17;4:13-17,NW.
By giving God's Word first place in our lives we shall keep our path pure and it will lead us to eternal life in the new world.
For further consideration of this subject see The Watchtower, June 15, 1951.
WW. 0. 8:71 molot blocou ait pm Spiritual Refugees IN Israel and Westward
This article concludes the report of the ministerial journey to the Middle East and Southern Europe made by the president of the Watch Tower Society, N. H. Knorr, and his secretary, M. G. Henschel
A REFUGEE, without hope, with few or no possessions, often with no one to love—a sad and deplorable fate. The modern world knows well what a major problem its physical refugees have caused. And a world tour in the service of missionary work soon convinces the traveler of the infinitely graver problem involving the world's spiritual refugees. No allsuitable refuge for the physical refugees within this world's system has been found, and this is much truer of the spiritual victims.
A few short years ago Israel was hailed world-wide as a modern "Promised Land" for the Jewish people. Now, missionaries there are approached almost daily by residents who fervently desire to go almost anywhere to get out of the land, some even preferring to emigrate back to Central Europe. Israel is a heavily policed armed camp and is surrounded by angry, armed enemy states. Men up to fifty and even childless young women are conscripted.
As a spiritual refuge Israel has been no more successful. We asked a number of persons whether they believed that Almighty God had established the present regime. Few could see anything divine in the Israeli government. The majority more honestly conceded that
The population is a colorful assortment of peoples from East and West. Housing is a problem of terrific dimensions, yet the authorities continue to permit the immigration of thousands each month. Of course, rents are therefore exorbitant. The land cannot support such a population, necessitating a severe rationing program.
military might and political maneuvering not God, were responsible.
There are many highly educated persons in Israel, but a sore lack exists in agricultural workers and laborers. The Arabs formerly did the farming in Palestine, but now most of them are gone. Presenting the message of the Kingdom to such persons in Jerusalem is not easy. Innumerable atheists share the scene with staunchly orthodox Jews. Oftentimes they try to present arguments against the Bible and delve into much ancient history and science. The missionaries thus have no small task in searching daily through reference books, histories and encyclopedias for apt answers.
The missionaries were fortunate enough to locate an apartment in Jerusalem and in this place we met with twenty-four publishers of the Kingdom and persons of good will from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and the northern villages along the Lebanese border. Some Arab brothers were among them. Others spoke Russian and Polish but German was the most useful language of all. Much diligent effort had gone into advertising a public lecture for the evening of January 24 at the Y.M.C.A. With the attitude of the majority of the people in mind, naturally we all wondered what the results would be. By 9 p.m. we had our answer.
Fifty-one listened attentively and most of them accepted a free booklet following the meeting.
Up to the time of our visit the missionaries had confined their activities to territory in Jerusalem. It was evident, however, that the publishers and persons of good will in other places should be given attention. So arrangements were made for one of the missionaries to make regular visits to the companies and interested ones scattered in all of Israel. Holding regular company meetings and Bible studies should assist in bringing the publishers to maturity, and thus contribute toward rapid expansion of the theocratic organization throughout Israel. Though beset with many difficulties, the message of the kingdom of God is proclaimed. In contrast with natural Israel's many woes, this offers a sound basis for true refuge now under God's great organization.
SPAIN'S RELIGIOUS DICTATORSHIP
We took leave of our brothers and sisters in Israel on Friday night, January 25, and flew to Rome via Cyprus and Athens. By 6 p.m. the following day we were at the Rome Bethel home. We related our experiences to the missionaries and branch family, and they gave us the thrilling news that the Rome assembly in December had resulted in a new peak of publishers. Our schedule would not permit lingering, and at four the following morning we were taking off for Geneva, where we landed at 6:35. That afternoon a meeting was held in the Salle de Reunions de Plainpalais, a community hall, primarily for the benefit of the French-speaking publishers of Switzerland; but some from France and Italy joined us, making an attendance of 635. Afterward we made a hurried visit to the Society's Swiss branch office in Berne, returning on January 30 in time to catch our plane for Barcelona.
Spain—what a land of enigma it has been to Western diplomats. Yet it may be described in something less than tones of great mystery. A fascist government and the Roman Catholic religion have fashioned a physical and mental dictatorship almost defying reform. Poverty and oppression are in the very atmosphere. NonCatholic public religious worship and manifestations are not allowed by law, although it is written that a person has the freedom to practice his own belief without interference. Such written sham is subject to "interpretation" or may be ignored altogether. Under these conditions there can be no Kingdom Halls in Spain. We therefore met in several homes during our visit. The first night, a few hours after our arrival, we saw twenty-two at the home of one of the brothers. The next afternoon fifty-five came together at another place, followed by an evening meeting at still another home with fifty-five again on hand. A few attended all three meetings, but most of them were different individuals, testifying to the fact that the theocratic activity in Spain is on the increase regardless of the obstacles thrown in the way through totalitarian-religious rule. We were pleased to meet witnesses from outside Barcelona too. The spirit of the publishers is excellent and they are determined to carry on with pure worship.
Following a late arrival in Madrid we went to one home where twenty-eight were gathered in a small room four flights up. Some had come in from companies to the south. That night we went to the end of the underground line and walked through the darkness to the home where twenty-five had assembled for a period of spiritual feeding. Currently there are two graduates of Gilead in Madrid and they are doing much good in helping the publishers to maturity. The following morning we discussed service problems with the company servants of Madrid and outside areas.
Arrangements were made to help several additional pioneers get into the field and increase the praises to Jehovah's name in Spain. A brother will go to visit the publishers in various centers of theocratic activity to deliver instruction and to help them with their ministry and meetings for study.
LOVE, UNITY SPUR EXPANSION
Portugal has a bit more freedom of worship than Spain, but complete freedom is not to be found. Jehovah's witnesses are there with the good news to offer spiritual freedom, real relief, to old-world refugees. Up to now they have not been given recognition by the city government, but they have pressed on with the ministry. Mature leadership is an outstanding need. Our visit proved timely. Several of those associated with the meetings were going contrary to the principles set forth in the Scriptures and they did not wish to listen to fellow publishers who tried through the Bible to point out the right way. So those involved were called together with the aim of restoring the complete unity of the Lisbon group. Others outside Lisbon were getting on well.
Late in the afternoon of February 3 we assembled with ninety-seven publishers and persons of good will in one of the Kingdom Halls. It was packed. In view of the local conditions, strong points were made about showing unity and walking by the spirit, laying aside the works of the flesh. The unity of the body was pointed up, with the goal of mature Christian living stressed. Warm love is required of Christians. It was shown how important it is to appreciate theocratic organization and how there must be no novices appointed as servants according to the Bible. In the pages of the Watchtower magazine
timely spiritual food is provided for the benefit of all, and no one should object if consideration is given to new students by repeating an argument that may have been used a year before in connection with a different prophecy or parable. Repetition is good for older Christians too, and that is clearly seen in how the Bible is written Matthew, Mark and Luke are excellent examples-all things are needed.
The following night another group of fifty-seven assembled in the little Kingdom Hall room and rejoiced in the reports of the faithful service of their brothers in other lands. Shortly after midnight we began the long flight to New York, winging our way toward a brief stop in the Azores, then on across the Atlantic.
We had learned a lot about the problems of the publishers in the field. It was very encouraging to have the appreciation of how the message of the truth was reaching out to distant villages and lands and to see results in the people of many nations coming forward to share in the theocratic ministry. The increasing unrest and violence so evident in the troubled sea of peoples of the Middle East and Iberian lands—yes, and in all the world—and the opposition to the preaching of the gospel do not hold back what Jehovah purposed. Such things only produce the refugees fleeing out of the Devil's old-world system and provide hearing ears that can be filled with comfort by the news of a true refuge. In all this we see the proofs of the arrival of the time for the execution of God's judgments against Satan the Devil and all his disunited subjects. When we see these things we rejoice and look for the near deliverance promised by the Son of the Most High God. It is not a time to hide from the troubles about us, but to stand up and speak. The good news tells the people the only way out. We rejoice to explain it to them from the Bible.—Luke 21:25-28, NW. Freedom WITH Security
"The creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God."—Rom. 8:21, NW.
AIN have been the efforts of men to secure real freedom for themselves and their children. Much treasure and blood have been sacrificed on worldly altars of freedom. Their many causes and wars fought in the name of freedom have ended either in retaining the same old shackles or in coming under still greater bonds of restraint. In the 1940's Christendom's politicians, admitting that men were not free, put forth the cry 'Fight for the Four Freedoms', enumerating the four as freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom from fear and freedom from want. Then in 1950 there was the Freedom Crusade in the Western countries, in which contributions were taken to place the "Freedom Bell" (Freiheitsglocke) in Western Berlin. There in Berlin the so-called "Freedom Bell" rings out daily to actually remind men that in fact they are not now free. All these human efforts and demonstrations end in futility. It is just as the apostle Peter said, "While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption."—2 Pet. 2:19, NW.
2 The Christian witnesses of Jehovah, found in the four corners of God's beautiful
footstool, the earth, form a nucleus of the incoming new world society, which is a society of freemen. They are lovers of freedom and they serve the great God of freedom, Jehovah, the sovereign Author of freedom and Ruler of the universe. They champion the real freedom to others who are longing for deliverance. Thus for the year 1952 their theme text is, "Say to the prisoners, Go forth." (Isa. 49:9) As a society of free people true Christians desire to know exactly what comprises this freedom they now enjoy, where does it come from, what is its extent, what are its securities, its future possibilities and what safeguards must be taken to preserve this precious gift which the servants of God now possess in quite some measure. A consideration of these vital matters is important to enable the Christian freemen to follow Peter's timely admonition, "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for moral badness, but as slaves of God."—1 Pet. 2:16, NW.
WHAT IS FREEDOM?
3 The word freedom in its broad sense as used in the Bible and in the field of government means merely "acting at will". "Freedom is the state of being free; liberty; self-determination. The power of acting, in the character of a moral personality, according to the dictates of the will, without other
What success has man had in gaining freedom for himself?
What interest do Jehovah's witnesses have in freedom?
3, 4. (a) What is freedom? (b) Describe the field wherein governments grant controlled liberties.
WV, 82-52; Lake Side. — Lake Side.
check, hindrance, or prohibition than such as may be imposed by just and necessary laws and the duties of social life." The word "liberty", as generally used, is practically synonymous with the word "freedom". "Liberty is freedom; exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons."
4 Freedom, therefore, is the acting and the performance of acts freely according to one's will, with or without restraints, for the general welfare. Accordingly, the subject of freedom involves the faculty of "free will" which God as the Creator Superior has given to angels and men so that they can conduct themselves voluntarily in a way pleasing to their Maker. It is in this area of action where man is allowed to exercise his free will that the use of freedom comes in. It is this field of "free will" action wherein governments, both theocratic and man-made, grant controlled liberties and freedoms.1 Cor. 7:37, NW.
5 From the foregoing it can be seen that where one is able to act at will without any restraints or bounds whatsoever, such a one enjoys what might be described as total freedom. One who has total freedom obviously must be one that is completely independent of every other. There is only one
who is in that totally independent position. That one is Jehovah God, the Sovereign Superior of the universe. All others, be they spirit creatures in heaven or humans on earth, are works of his hands and thus are dependent inferiors. For this reason Jehovah God is the sole one who is free in
the absolute or complete sense. He uniquely enjoys what is known as absolute freedom None can question, limit or direct this Fountainhead of freedom who singly lives and dwells in the unlimited climate of free action at all times. "And would you question me about the future? Would you dictate to me about my work? says the Eternal [Jehovah, AS], Israel's maker, Israel's Majestic One, I, I who made the earth, I who created man on earth, I who stretched out the heavens with my own hands, I who ordered all their host!"—Isa. 45:11, 12, Mo.
'GLORIOUS FREEDOM OF GOD'S CHILDREN'
6 Jehovah, dwelling everlastingly in the climate of freedom, has lovingly purposed that all his faithful sons dwell in a similar climate of freedom. This climate of freedom Paul calls "the glorious freedom of the children of God". In this text he refers to all faithful men on earth as "the creation" who find themselves handicapped by enslavement to sin, death and corruption.
"FREEDOM BELL"
IN WESTERN BERLIN
These are promised to "be set free" in God's due time when they receive in fullness this "glorious freedom". (Rom. 8:21, NW) Man, being made in the image and likeness of God, was surely created to exist forever in this element of freedom. Gen. 1:26.
God created none of his servants to bondage. While he grants them the gift of free will, their freedom is relative; it does
not exist apart from their Father, Jehovah. Hence spirit creatures and men have what is described as relative freedom. Their freedom lies in living and acting in harmony with the laws and conditions which the Sovereign Superior has made to apply to them. Their field of acting at will is hedged
Black's Law Dictionary, Third Edition, 1933.
Describe the freedom that Jehovah God enjoys.
6.7. (a) What climate of freedom has God purposed for his faithful sons? (b) Describe the freedom that God grants his creatures.
in or limited by boundaries. But within that area of freedom God's faithful servants have a wide range in which to exercise their free will for good to themselves and their faithful associates. What, then, happens when one goes beyond the bounds of his relative freedom?
REBELLION
8 One who knowingly goes beyond the set boundaries of relative freedom commits sin. Such a one is a rebel. He is lawless. (1 John 3:4,8,NW) He becomes displeasing to the great Sovereign Superior, Jehovah God. Those who 'kick over the traces' by going beyond their relative freedom may think they are making a break for greater freedom, perhaps attaining absolute freedom as great as God's. (Gen. 3:5) By refusing to be bound by the right and very reasonable limitations set by God, the deceived one thinks to make himself an independent one like God. The apostle James explains how this happens.
It begins in the heart of the self-willed one. First he dwells on a self-willed desire to go beyond God's set limitations. He thus is drawn out and enticed by his own selfishness. Next the desire becomes fertile when action is taken and an overt act is committed by actually going beyond what was forbidden. This wrong action then is sin. Sin or rebellion in turn brings the application of God's sanction of punishment for disobedience which, in the long run, is death. Says James, "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." (Jas. 1:14, 15, NW) So instead of attaining greater freedom by making a break for independence, the foolish one
finds himself in strong bondage to his uncontrollable self-willed desires. No freedom or security is this.
10 Such was the exact course pursued by the "covering cherub" in Eden who made a strikeaway from Jehovah's set boundaries for his safe angelic existence. He made a breakaway, he thought, for independence of action uncontrolled by God. His desire to be responsible to no one but himself, and his effort to exist apart from the universal organization of the great Creator and Lifegiver and its fellowship regulations, was not the course of self-liberation. He was overcome by his own passion to have earthwide domination for himself and to be worshiped and served like Jehovah God. The only effect was to make him the victim and slave of his own selfishness, which is sin. His course made him the child of death, utter destruction. This one made himself Satan, meaning opposer of God, and Devil, that is, slanderer of God. From the time of his self-conceived corruption, this wicked adversary has posed as a liberating angel of light encouraging angels and men to free themselves from divine restraints. He has encouraged others to become satanic and corrupt like himself in opposing God's set limitations. All who have fallen into his snare have become corrupt victims of deadly bondage to sin and death.—Ezek. 28:14-16; 2 Cor. 11:14, NW.
FREE MORAL AGENTS
11 God made all his creatures free moral agents, with the liberty to choose either to live subject to His perfect and righteous will or to forget and deny their relationship to their Maker and to become a law to themselves. No creature desires to lose whatever freedom he has. It is solely his
8, 9. (a) What happens when one goes beyond the bounds of his relative freedom? (b) How does James outline the steps which lead to rebellion, and what is the net result?
How did Satan, the opposer of God, originate? What sort of freedom campaign does he conduct?
11, 12. (a) How were Adam and Eve free moral agents, and what scope of activity was set before them?
(b) How is it that all mankind finds itself in bondage to sin and death?
loss of understanding that could cause the creature to forsake the will of the One who created him and gave him life to enjoy. This was the situation in the perfect garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were created to enjoy endless life in the climate of relative freedom. This gave them scope for extensive expansion as to their earthly domain and for amazing development intellectually.-Gen. 1:27,28.
12 Jehovah God as a wise, loving Father had the right to limit their freedom for their own good and spiritual growth. Doubtless God had in mind later to enlarge the field of relative freedom as man proved himself mature, able and worthy. Such would then enable man to perform still greater deeds in future ages. But alas! Our first parents, Adam and Eve, selfishly and with loss of understanding, cast their lot with God's opposer, Satan. They were induced to make a break for a field of action greater than that which God allowed. So they lost their "glorious freedom" as children of God. Instead they came into bondage of corruption, of sin and death. (Gen. 3:1-19) That great bondage of corruption has been transmitted to all their posterity to this very hour. "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."—Rom. 5:12, NW.
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