Study of the Congregation Book, Week of December 11 to 17, 2023, Chapter 3, paragraphs 4-11. “They were filled with holy spirit”, Answers.

Congregation Book Study, December 11-17, 2023, Chapter 3, paragraphs 4-11, “They were filled with holy spirit,” Responses.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.): bt chap. 3 paras. 4-11.

“They were all together in the same place” (Acts 2:1-4)

4. Why do we say that the current Christian congregation is a continuation of the one founded in the year 33?

Verse 1 highlights that they were together in the same place, which indicates that they were the same as we are now in the congregation, they were together and they were there together for the purpose of being anointed by holy spirit so that they would begin to preach and that continued until the Today when the Christian congregation is the same organization formed just as it was then with men and women with the same purpose who continue to preach the good news loving Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, the 120 were the first but that same day after the preaching thousands of people were baptized and that continued, so it was necessary for this growth to be controlled so to speak and for congregations to be formed throughout history.

The current Christian congregation is considered a continuation of the one founded in the year 33, due to shared spiritual ancestry, continued growth, dedication to the preaching of the Kingdom and love of God, principles that originated with the first disciples. and have endured throughout Christian history.

The affirmation that the current Christian congregation is a continuation of the one founded in the year 33, is based on Biblical evidence and the continuity of the preaching of the message of the Kingdom. There are some arguments supported by the Biblical texts provided by the modern Christian Congregation, it is considered a continuation of the one that was founded in the year 33, because it shares a spiritual descent with those first disciples. In Acts 2 verse 1, the birth of the Christian Congregation is recounted, when about 120 disciples were Anointed with the Holy Spirit, this event marked the beginning of the Christian congregation and the continuity of this spiritual descent has been maintained throughout the ages. centuries.

It is also highlighted that the growth of the Christian congregation began with a few and expanded rapidly, baptizing thousands of people on the day of Pentecost. This pattern of continuous growth has been maintained throughout history, with people of all nations responding to the message of the Kingdom of God.

The current Christian Congregation is identified by its continued commitment to preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, following the command of Jesus in Matthew 24 verse 14, this verse highlights that the message of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the earth, before it arrives In the end, the modern congregation shares this mission just as the Christian Congregation of the year 33 did, continuity is also based on the love of God.  It is made up of men and women who share a love for God a distinctive trait that dates back to the first disciples and is evidenced in their devotion to preaching the Kingdom. 

5. Both in the first century and today, what would those who were part of the Christian congregation enjoy?

That is one of the objectives of the congregation to support us, help us encourage ourselves, regardless of the hope we have. In that first century, the anointed ones had received holy spirit, then over time other sheep and the apostle Paul explained this very well, that he had the desire to encourage each other.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Yes, also in Romans 1 verse 11 in part B, there where it mentions the word of strengthening them and it is true that they were strengthened spiritually and we can verify that here in our congregation, perhaps we also came there a little tired and discouraged. But when we leave here we gain strength. Jehovah strengthens us in a spiritual sense.

The text of Romans makes it very clear in verse 12, it says so that we encourage each other through our faith, how beautiful this word is that it implies a constant attitude that we do not stop doing this that we can strengthen our faith and those of others. our brothers.

Being part of the Christian Congregation, both in the first century and today, implies enjoying mutual cooperation, spiritual support, mutual help, the transmission of spiritual gifts and encouraging one another, through faith, elements that contribute to a strong and united congregation.

Both in the first century and today, those who are part of the Christian Congregation enjoy several outstanding benefits by helping each other, giving spiritual support and encouragement.

Mutual cooperation and spiritual support are encouraged in the Christian Congregation. John 10 verse 16 mentions the other sheep who would join the Anointed Ones. The idea is that by working together as a Congregation, an environment of support and spiritual strength is achieved, this principle is reflected in Paul's letter to the Christians of Rome, where he expresses his desire to see them to strengthen them spiritually and encourage each other in the faith.

The Christian Congregation congregation offers an environment where members can help each other in various facets of life, the phrase let us encourage each other, highlights the importance of helping each other to maintain and strengthen the faith, this involves sharing spiritual gifts, experiences and knowledge for the benefit of all.

Paul mentions in Romans 1 verse 11, his desire to transmit spiritual treasures to the Christians of Rome, this act not only involves teaching and guidance, but also sharing gifts given by the Holy Spirit, to strengthen faith and edify the congregation, encouraging mutually through faith, is an essential component of life in the Christian congregation.

Faith is not only strengthened individually, but the exchange of experiences and testimonies of faith among members contributes to encouraging themselves together as a Congregation. The vision of John 10 verse 16 about the other sheep implies a perspective of unity within the congregation, where both the Anointed Ones and the other sheep work together in harmony toward common spiritual goals.

6, 7. How is the congregation fulfilling the task of preaching to all nations?

Well, some statistics by simply looking at the statistics we can see that the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is translating literature about the Bible in more than a thousand languages, we are reaching parts of the world that have never been reached before languages ​​that have also never been translated before that never Before the Bible has been translated, so we are reaching practically all parts of the world.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We are also doing it. With all the respect that Jesus wanted to impose in Matthew 28:19-20, the limits of the work were clear. We had to make disciples of people of all nations, we are everywhere, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. holy and I have always really liked the final part, teach them to obey everything that I have commanded them, the current congregation has absolute respect for the Bible just like the original model and it does not occur to us to teach in preaching anything other than what The Bible then teaches neither less nor more unless we adjust, just as in the first century, to the limits set by the head of the congregations, Jesus Christ.

At that time they received the holy spirit which was what made them able to clearly explain and develop that preaching through which so many people embraced the truth. Today we are privileged because Jehovah is using us but he also prepares us so that we can give that testimony so we are people who are educated by Jehovah and well prepared for when we go to the ministry with the same zeal that made them able to continue giving that testimony.

The Christian Congregation represented by Jehovah's Witnesses is fulfilling the task of preaching in all nations through the publication of literature in various languages, active participation in preaching, collaboration in the work and testimony of the name of Jehovah with the goal of making disciples and teaching Biblical truths, they reflect the ongoing commitment to follow the command of Jesus and bring the good news of the Kingdom to people of all nations.

The task of preaching in all nations is being accomplished in various ways, following the command of Jesus recorded in Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20. The task of preaching in all nations involves overcoming the linguistic challenge. Jehovah's Witnesses have achieved, publishing Biblical publications in more than a thousand languages, this is a tangible testimony of his effort and dedication to making the Biblical message accessible to people of diverse cultures and languages.

Preaching is not only limited to the publication of literature, but also involves the active participation of congregation members in the work of making disciples, including house-to-house preaching, participation in Bible studies, and teaching. biblical truths so that people become disciples of Christ. Attendance at meetings and support in the work of preaching and making disciples are crucial aspects of active participation in the task given by Jesus, this collective approach demonstrates the unity and dedication of the congregation.

To carry out their responsibility, Jehovah's Witnesses consider it an honor and responsibility to bear witness to Jehovah's name, this perspective is based on a deep understanding of the importance of the divine name and its role in vindicating the sovereignty of God, The commitment to bear a complete testimony of Jehovah's name highlights the congregation's dedication to highlighting Jehovah's identity and purpose to the world. This is accomplished through preaching and the distribution of literature that presents fundamental biblical truths. 

8. What blessings do you receive within the congregation?

To be part of an international family as brothers but sometimes even more than blood brothers who are going to help us and give us love and give us support in the moments when Jehovah knows that we need it because Jehovah is going to help them. That is why we cannot underestimate attending meetings and forging bonds of friendship with our brothers because Jehovah is going to use them to encourage us when we need it.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Yes, that's why after the text of Hebrews I really like the final phrase that says that how we see this thing of attending meetings how we see the gift that Jehovah does not give of receiving encouragement we would have to meditate on it because it is a gift from Jehovah and it is a Jehovah's mandate because when he tells us it is because we need it now and we are going to need it more and more, that is why we need to be united and not stop attending.

Within the congregation as Jehovah's Witnesses we experience various blessings that contribute to our spiritual and emotional well-being, one of the most significant blessings is international brotherhood, the congregation provides an environment where brothers and sisters support each other regardless of their origin or location geographically, this reflects the biblical vision of a united brotherhood in Christ. Mutual support within the congregation motivates us to show love and perform good deeds.

Biblical teachings highlight the importance of these actions in the lives of each of us as Christian congregations. The Biblical exhortation offers us regular meetings that are a source of spiritual strength, not stopping meeting highlights the importance of Gathering to learn to worship and encourage each other.

The congregation is a source of encouragement, when we speak with our brothers we experience encouragement and encourage others on their spiritual path. This reinforces the idea that we are not alone in our faith, as the congregation also prepares us for the future in light of the approaching day.

Through Bible study and fellowship with our brothers our faith is strengthened and helps us maintain a clear perspective in the midst of the circumstances we go through. By staying United with our brothers and actively participating in the Meetings we experience these Blessings, which contributes not not only to our spiritual well-being, but also to the building of a strong and resilient brotherhood throughout the world, these Blessings reflect Jehovah's loving provision for his people.

They all heard “the disciples speaking in their own language” (Acts 2:5-13)

9, 10. What do some do to preach to people of other languages?

Well, nowadays we know that the brothers do not have the gift of speaking in tongues but they do learn languages ​​and thus they can preach to people who speak another language.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

They have even moved to countries with the language they have learned so they can preach the good news.

And that is done to help people out of love. Sometimes there are languages ​​like English, for example, which is very sweet for work, but there are other languages ​​that the brothers strive to learn simply to preach the good news and the effect it has is that speaking to people in their mother tongue touches their hearts, it is how the experience comes that they were astonished as if to say, why do you learn my language if it is so complicated and besides, I live in your country, what are you doing learning mine? and those experiences have helped many brothers and made people listen.

Christine, who took a Gujarati course along with seven other Witnesses. Upon meeting a co-worker who spoke Gujarati, she greeted her in her language. The young woman was amazed and asked why she was learning such a difficult language.

The excitement and impact of hearing the Good News in your own language are unforgettable sensations for the householder, although we do not have the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues as the disciples experienced at Pentecost, today many Jehovah's Witnesses are Committed to Preaching the message of the Kingdom to people of all nations, some Jehovah's Witnesses dedicate time and effort to learning new languages, this allows them to actively participate in Congregations of other languages ​​and serve as Missionaries in different countries.

The ability to communicate in the local language facilitates the effective transmission of the Kingdom message. In line with Christine's example, some Jehovah's Witnesses take specific language courses in order to communicate with people who speak those languages, this extra effort demonstrates a genuine desire to reach people from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds.

Many Jehovah's Witnesses are willing to move to other countries to help preach and make disciples, this personal sacrifice allows them to integrate into foreign-speaking communities and share the good news with those who may not have easy access to it by learning and using key phrases in someone's language.

Jehovah's Witnesses can impress and touch people's hearts, Cristin's personal testimony highlights how the effort to learn a difficult language generated interest and opened the door to share the important message of the Kingdom, these efforts reflect the desire to continue the model of love and dedication found in the Biblical teaching of making disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:19 and 20. The willingness to learn and adapt to different cultural contexts shows the commitment of Jehovah's Witnesses to carry the message of the Kingdom to all people regardless of their language.

ILLUSTRATION

You can see the surprised faces on the part of the visitors, this man is speaking in my language and you can also see the disciple enjoying himself because he was the first one surprised, I suppose, at being able to speak in that unknown language at that moment and that is where we see the objective is the same in the first century and in the 21st to reach the hearts with the mother tongue of the people, Jehovah what you want to make yourself understood and it is seen that the objective is the same in both at the beginning and now what we are experiencing and that makes us see what the holy spirit can expand and that if Jehovah did not bless it we could not do anything. 

11. How can we prepare to preach to people of other languages?

It is true that not all of us can learn another language. But we can prepare to bring the message of the Kingdom to people of other languages. 

For those of us who find it difficult to learn another language, we have a very good tool, the JW Language application, which can help us learn a greeting from another language or a phrase to arouse people's interest and thus be able to direct them to our website. And we can also use the videos that we can choose from several languages. 

The truth is that when we learn from people, we may just say hello, good morning, or simply thank them in their language. Although it is only those words that we know how to say, but it has a great effect because they are surprised that, for example, living here, we have had the trouble of learning some detail, some word of their language, and that often makes them more willing to now Let's put a video on them, leave them a post or indicate how JW can read more in their language.

Preparing to preach to people of other languages ​​is a show of love and consideration for those who speak different languages, here are some ways to do it by taking advantage of tools like the Jw.Library application and following the example of the early Christians by learning basic phrases in The language of the audience, such as greetings and expressions of courtesy, shows respect and a genuine desire to communicate with them, this can open doors to share the Kingdom message.

The JW Library app provides useful resources for learning key phrases in multiple languages, this makes basic communication easier and can be valuable when sharing the good news with people of other languages, presenting jw.org information in multiple languages ​​as videos and publications demonstrates A conscious effort to make the Kingdom message accessible to people from different linguistic backgrounds, recognizing and respecting cultural differences is essential. Knowing something about the culture and history of the people we are addressing can strengthen connections and open doors for sharing. the message of the Kingdom more effectively.