Dude2 I think this is my favorite of all your videos. Your story is very compelling. My own story is very dull compared to yours. I grew up going to church all my life, knew all the Bible stories, but didn't make a connection until I went off to college and started to go to a Bible believing church where I heard the Gospel preached in a clear, understandable way. One day I had one of those "Ah Hah" moments where the lightbulb goes on over your head and finally believed. :)
Praise God.... Wow imagine how many angels were rejoicing when u came out of the kingdom of darkness come into the Kingdom of God... Wow bro Ill keep in my Prayers.. Praise Jesus
beware the leaven of the pharisees. most of the dogma you speak of comes from within the congregation not in watchtower writings. on the other hand when looked under the microscope there are some presumption in articles, that is why bible reading is so important. There are some witnesses that have an emotional relationship with Jehovah, but it's always the bad drivers that get our attention.
@tyryte If the dogma between congregation to congregation were inconsistent then I would agree with you, however it is consistent: ego it comes from Watchtower Co. And I'm not saying that 'every' Witness is without a connection to their creator. But a vast portion do not. And the bad drivers get our attention because they're the ones driving us off a cliff! It doesn't do any good to analyze the guy in the backseat since he's not the one making the decisions behind the wheel!
I am happy for all of those who have found what they truly believe ---- I am still searching ---- I am happy for you I am lost when it comes to that dept ---
Awesome vid. I remember my feeling of opposition to the emotional displays of "professed Christians" and the underlying envy I kept stashed away where nobody could see it but me and God. I'm glad to be free of those chains!
Good stuff Ethan. Great story, thanks for sharing. I cringe at how closed off my mind was for so long as well, until inside I screamed out, "This is insanity"! They took so bloody much though. Hard to forgive.
@Jbeliski But that's why we're the Christians. Because we do forgive. We can take action but not out of animosity (although this is hard and I struggle with it) and we can be righteous in our deeds. Keep up the good work though! Because when we all refuse to give into our anger at Watchtower Co. we, like Jesus, have conquered the world. And remember, they actually strung him up. Watchtower Co. just frittered away a few years by comparison.
It was holding onto Christ and him alone that he delivered me and granted me this understanding of the bible. All to my Lord Jesus Christ I owe because he forever saved me. By faith alone mind you. Christ chased me down rescued me from my sins. and adopted me as His child. That is better than the sentementality of evangelical personal relationship with Jesus as if he were my boyfriend. That is the biblical understanding of UNION WITH CHRIST! Gold saved me from being an Evang-jellyfish.
Finally: it was sola scriptura that got me out of the WTBTS. My experience was similar to that of Martin Luther the 16th century reformer but not as dramatic. God by his grace through the scriptures revealed the biblical view of Triniterian Christology. I held on to biblical inerrency and infallability because the bible taught inerrency and infallability. Because of the bible I held to the doctrines of GRACE a reformation view of salvation contra that of the WTBTS and the Roman Catholics!
2nd: Be careful about the religious trappings of revivalism and pietism. God works primarily through the ordinary through ink and paper, water, bread and wine. Now my friend be a Berean a hard core Berean and appeal only to the bible Alone as your primary means of Christian knowledge. Sola Scriptura learn it live it don't let anyone including your feelings disuade you from it. Your feelings are an epistimelogical liability but the bible alone isn't. God's word is spot on!
@QuakeCityRockers Well I usually try to reason on an epistemological level. I prefer empirical knowledge to rational knowledge but you can only believe in the Bible through rationalist thinking. And if you've watched any of my earlier videos I think you'd find that I typically do use the Bible to deliver my points; but on occasion an emotional plea is in order. The most important thing is to have a connection with your creator, everything else merely supports that connection.
I enjoyed your story it is edifying. It's better to be a part of Christ and not part of the WTBTS organization. Don't believe in predestination? Well read Eph 1 something predestinarian is going on. You don't need an alter call to get saved you can respond to Christ's call anytime anywhere. It's not about an emotional feeling though emotions are involved. It's about a real OBJECTIVE union with Christ by FAITH alone. Welcome brother. ;-)
beautiful video. You thought you were doing the right thing at the time, just as the people who went down to confess Jesus felt it was the right thing. At least it ultimately became a positive thing. My struggles are with the Society, to some degree, but i also struggle with the bible itself. I admire your strength and the fact that you can explain yourself so well. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I also grew up in dubb land and never had a connection with Jah or Jesus and envied those of supposed "false religion" who did. When I got dunked in wt style I had no emotion. I was doing what I thought was required and thats it. To belong, fit in. Not because of a connection to God. Im still at a weird place right now and trying to find my way. The Wt really screws you up emotionally.
@lipvixen Isn't it so bizarre? They claim that they are closer to Jehovah than any other religion but then they miss the most basic point of it all! Everything is academic without that emotional connection and it really is useless. And then on top of that, they don't even want you to pursue it outside of their emotionless organization! It's so unchristian. Nothing that went on that day should be in conflict with ANY basic Christian belief system; and yet to the Witnesses it is . . . so sad.
@AnonDude2 Its very bizarre and academic as you said. Its very sad we are denied our human emotion in this way, one of the most important things in life. More on my baptism, after I changed and dried off I went and sat with my family. My unbelieving father came to see my baptism. As I sat there surrounded by family, I wanted to CRY so BAD. I was so emotional. In a sad way and I just could not understand why! I couldn't cry in front of them. I was supposed to be happy, right? More in next comment
@AnonDude2 Its was very strange. I was just so sad inside. At the assembly after my baptism I felt so odd like I didn't belong. I had no good feelings about being there. Well, at this assembly there were apostates handing out fliers or something outside, can't remember exactly. For the first time in my life as a JW I had the thought "What if they know something we don't and they are trying to help us". You can imagine my fright at my own thoughts about this. But it sure was a FOREGLEAM!
This is your best video yet. My experience was very similar as I also shed a few tears. All I can say to a witness who is afraid to go into another church, you don't know what your missing out on. Yes, there will be things you will probably disagree with, but I'm telling you that you have no idea what your missing. You owe nobody anything and you can leave at anytime. It truly changed my life and it will change yours if you put your faith in Christ and let him lead you. Sound funny? ..TRY IT
Who really is the faithful and discreet slave of Mat24:45? In your case, the Master appointed a Christian pastor to be His slave, who sold Amway products. Happy is that slave, if his Master on arriving found him doing so.
And brother Ethan, this your video: well done good and faithful slave. Your video also was good food at the proper time. Continue being a faithful slave to the Master, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. = Mat ch25 Amen. (((hugs)))xxx
Amway, aren't they recognized as a high control group?....lol Nothing like actually seening people in everyday situations that behave in a manner different than the Watchtower plants it in your mind, to make you rethink many things. Really only 7,000.00 at conventions? Used to be 20,000.00. Maybe they are really shrinking. This explains the new seating encouragement at the conventions.
Thanks for sharing. I don't watch many 20 minute videos, but I did this one. I like how versatile God is and how he uses events that we wouldn't expect to get our attention. The fact that you related your experience, knowing that some people would laugh at it, is a good indicator that it was real. People are bad about putting God in a box and the JWs are the worst. Blessings, Dan
What a beautiful experience told, Dude! I, myself, could never imagine not having that emotional bond with God, just as we have with truly unconditional loving people (except God is the all-knowing & giving Master of it). Without it, we are cold to the touch, lacking the necessary emotions which bring pity, compassion, & a willingness to understand ourselves, & others, to life. Who can give & accept love successfully, if we feel not love? Thanks for sharing your experience. God bless!
If you think about it, they don't really encourage emotional connections of any kind. It is a cold existance. How about those fake hugs *shudder*. But what do you expect from a religion that expects you to shun anyone at a moment's notice?
@Revolt1680 I honestly don't know WHAT one should expect from that religion. They keep your mind so clouded that you can't even think straight! But I know I found something better; something that I had never had before. And I know that there are Witnesses who will watch this video and scoff and think to themselves: 'Heh, this guy couldn't POSSibly understand the deeper things of God like I do!'
@AnonDude2 I am happy for you :D Everyone thinks they have the best answer, but our paths are highly individual, so it can only be true in a personal way. My truth isn't your truth, but that's the ptifall of labeling anything "truth" in the first place. Haha, it's like finally understanding that question, "if a tree falls in the forest falls and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Dude2 I think this is my favorite of all your videos. Your story is very compelling. My own story is very dull compared to yours. I grew up going to church all my life, knew all the Bible stories, but didn't make a connection until I went off to college and started to go to a Bible believing church where I heard the Gospel preached in a clear, understandable way. One day I had one of those "Ah Hah" moments where the lightbulb goes on over your head and finally believed. :)
Kretyen7 3 weeks ago
you sound great. very funny. and spot on. please stop using auto focus. i want to enjoy watching you too :P free at last free at last free at last
angelsraliens 3 months ago in playlist More videos from AnonDude2
you sound great. very funny. and spot on. please stop using auto focus. i want to enjoy watching you too :P
angelsraliens 3 months ago in playlist More videos from AnonDude2
Praise God.... Wow imagine how many angels were rejoicing when u came out of the kingdom of darkness come into the Kingdom of God... Wow bro Ill keep in my Prayers.. Praise Jesus
cedella212 4 months ago
U make me Laughhh.!!!!
cedella212 4 months ago
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
EvidenceMinistries 4 months ago
beware the leaven of the pharisees. most of the dogma you speak of comes from within the congregation not in watchtower writings. on the other hand when looked under the microscope there are some presumption in articles, that is why bible reading is so important. There are some witnesses that have an emotional relationship with Jehovah, but it's always the bad drivers that get our attention.
tyryte 4 months ago
@tyryte If the dogma between congregation to congregation were inconsistent then I would agree with you, however it is consistent: ego it comes from Watchtower Co. And I'm not saying that 'every' Witness is without a connection to their creator. But a vast portion do not. And the bad drivers get our attention because they're the ones driving us off a cliff! It doesn't do any good to analyze the guy in the backseat since he's not the one making the decisions behind the wheel!
AnonDude2 4 months ago
Thanks for your story Ethan. Always exciting when someone finds Christ. God Bless
EastGateShut 4 months ago
I am happy for all of those who have found what they truly believe ---- I am still searching ---- I am happy for you I am lost when it comes to that dept ---
JanicelVindy 4 months ago
Wonderful testimony,, thanks for sharing it.
.
VAIO294 4 months ago
Awesome vid. I remember my feeling of opposition to the emotional displays of "professed Christians" and the underlying envy I kept stashed away where nobody could see it but me and God. I'm glad to be free of those chains!
rollerdavem 4 months ago
Good stuff Ethan. Great story, thanks for sharing. I cringe at how closed off my mind was for so long as well, until inside I screamed out, "This is insanity"! They took so bloody much though. Hard to forgive.
Jbeliski 4 months ago
@Jbeliski But that's why we're the Christians. Because we do forgive. We can take action but not out of animosity (although this is hard and I struggle with it) and we can be righteous in our deeds. Keep up the good work though! Because when we all refuse to give into our anger at Watchtower Co. we, like Jesus, have conquered the world. And remember, they actually strung him up. Watchtower Co. just frittered away a few years by comparison.
AnonDude2 4 months ago
I love you Ethan. I wish I could believe in Jehovah the way you do...
laurasandeastman 4 months ago in playlist More videos from AnonDude2
watching you tell this story makes me feel like your here :D
laurasandeastman 4 months ago in playlist More videos from AnonDude2
Great video. Smart guy.
Truth4JWs 4 months ago
It was holding onto Christ and him alone that he delivered me and granted me this understanding of the bible. All to my Lord Jesus Christ I owe because he forever saved me. By faith alone mind you. Christ chased me down rescued me from my sins. and adopted me as His child. That is better than the sentementality of evangelical personal relationship with Jesus as if he were my boyfriend. That is the biblical understanding of UNION WITH CHRIST! Gold saved me from being an Evang-jellyfish.
QuakeCityRockers 4 months ago
Finally: it was sola scriptura that got me out of the WTBTS. My experience was similar to that of Martin Luther the 16th century reformer but not as dramatic. God by his grace through the scriptures revealed the biblical view of Triniterian Christology. I held on to biblical inerrency and infallability because the bible taught inerrency and infallability. Because of the bible I held to the doctrines of GRACE a reformation view of salvation contra that of the WTBTS and the Roman Catholics!
QuakeCityRockers 4 months ago
2nd: Be careful about the religious trappings of revivalism and pietism. God works primarily through the ordinary through ink and paper, water, bread and wine. Now my friend be a Berean a hard core Berean and appeal only to the bible Alone as your primary means of Christian knowledge. Sola Scriptura learn it live it don't let anyone including your feelings disuade you from it. Your feelings are an epistimelogical liability but the bible alone isn't. God's word is spot on!
QuakeCityRockers 4 months ago
@QuakeCityRockers Well I usually try to reason on an epistemological level. I prefer empirical knowledge to rational knowledge but you can only believe in the Bible through rationalist thinking. And if you've watched any of my earlier videos I think you'd find that I typically do use the Bible to deliver my points; but on occasion an emotional plea is in order. The most important thing is to have a connection with your creator, everything else merely supports that connection.
AnonDude2 4 months ago
I enjoyed your story it is edifying. It's better to be a part of Christ and not part of the WTBTS organization. Don't believe in predestination? Well read Eph 1 something predestinarian is going on. You don't need an alter call to get saved you can respond to Christ's call anytime anywhere. It's not about an emotional feeling though emotions are involved. It's about a real OBJECTIVE union with Christ by FAITH alone. Welcome brother. ;-)
QuakeCityRockers 4 months ago
beautiful video. You thought you were doing the right thing at the time, just as the people who went down to confess Jesus felt it was the right thing. At least it ultimately became a positive thing. My struggles are with the Society, to some degree, but i also struggle with the bible itself. I admire your strength and the fact that you can explain yourself so well. Thank you.
thetruthrover 4 months ago
Great story my friend. Loved the video
21crosscheck21 4 months ago
I'm so happy for you bro!!!
dallywally72 4 months ago
praise God, I love this
Bibl3Thumper 4 months ago
You're amazing! I love your story. You're also brutally honest with yourself as well. I like that.
pretoshohmoofc 4 months ago
Thanks for sharing! I also grew up in dubb land and never had a connection with Jah or Jesus and envied those of supposed "false religion" who did. When I got dunked in wt style I had no emotion. I was doing what I thought was required and thats it. To belong, fit in. Not because of a connection to God. Im still at a weird place right now and trying to find my way. The Wt really screws you up emotionally.
lipvixen 4 months ago
@lipvixen Isn't it so bizarre? They claim that they are closer to Jehovah than any other religion but then they miss the most basic point of it all! Everything is academic without that emotional connection and it really is useless. And then on top of that, they don't even want you to pursue it outside of their emotionless organization! It's so unchristian. Nothing that went on that day should be in conflict with ANY basic Christian belief system; and yet to the Witnesses it is . . . so sad.
AnonDude2 4 months ago
@AnonDude2 Its very bizarre and academic as you said. Its very sad we are denied our human emotion in this way, one of the most important things in life. More on my baptism, after I changed and dried off I went and sat with my family. My unbelieving father came to see my baptism. As I sat there surrounded by family, I wanted to CRY so BAD. I was so emotional. In a sad way and I just could not understand why! I couldn't cry in front of them. I was supposed to be happy, right? More in next comment
lipvixen 4 months ago
@AnonDude2 Its was very strange. I was just so sad inside. At the assembly after my baptism I felt so odd like I didn't belong. I had no good feelings about being there. Well, at this assembly there were apostates handing out fliers or something outside, can't remember exactly. For the first time in my life as a JW I had the thought "What if they know something we don't and they are trying to help us". You can imagine my fright at my own thoughts about this. But it sure was a FOREGLEAM!
lipvixen 4 months ago
This is your best video yet. My experience was very similar as I also shed a few tears. All I can say to a witness who is afraid to go into another church, you don't know what your missing out on. Yes, there will be things you will probably disagree with, but I'm telling you that you have no idea what your missing. You owe nobody anything and you can leave at anytime. It truly changed my life and it will change yours if you put your faith in Christ and let him lead you. Sound funny? ..TRY IT
1914watcher 4 months ago
Who really is the faithful and discreet slave of Mat24:45? In your case, the Master appointed a Christian pastor to be His slave, who sold Amway products. Happy is that slave, if his Master on arriving found him doing so.
And brother Ethan, this your video: well done good and faithful slave. Your video also was good food at the proper time. Continue being a faithful slave to the Master, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. = Mat ch25 Amen. (((hugs)))xxx
barbsinclair 4 months ago
Jehovah's Witnesses are the only "christians" on earth who would be disgusted by someone confessing Jesus and being Born Again.
jwFairyTale 4 months ago 10
@jwFairyTale And that's the Truth!
dallywally72 4 months ago
Good man, Ethan !
jwFairyTale 4 months ago
It's amazing the difference I feel as well, now that the watchtower is totally out of the way.
Danmera 4 months ago
Amway, aren't they recognized as a high control group?....lol Nothing like actually seening people in everyday situations that behave in a manner different than the Watchtower plants it in your mind, to make you rethink many things. Really only 7,000.00 at conventions? Used to be 20,000.00. Maybe they are really shrinking. This explains the new seating encouragement at the conventions.
slanelcla 4 months ago
AMEN!!!GOD REALLY LETS HIM FOUND BY THOSE WHO SINCERELY ARE LOOKING FOR HIM!JESUS IS THE TRUTH AND WHEN YOU CONFENCE HIM,HE WILL SET YOU FREE.
cheveuxafro 4 months ago
Thanks for sharing. I don't watch many 20 minute videos, but I did this one. I like how versatile God is and how he uses events that we wouldn't expect to get our attention. The fact that you related your experience, knowing that some people would laugh at it, is a good indicator that it was real. People are bad about putting God in a box and the JWs are the worst. Blessings, Dan
earnestlyseeking 4 months ago
What a beautiful experience told, Dude! I, myself, could never imagine not having that emotional bond with God, just as we have with truly unconditional loving people (except God is the all-knowing & giving Master of it). Without it, we are cold to the touch, lacking the necessary emotions which bring pity, compassion, & a willingness to understand ourselves, & others, to life. Who can give & accept love successfully, if we feel not love? Thanks for sharing your experience. God bless!
earthenly 4 months ago
Awesome!!!
tickpenwa 4 months ago
Thanks for sharing!! You made my day! : )
peaceintruth 4 months ago
If you think about it, they don't really encourage emotional connections of any kind. It is a cold existance. How about those fake hugs *shudder*. But what do you expect from a religion that expects you to shun anyone at a moment's notice?
Revolt1680 4 months ago
@Revolt1680 I honestly don't know WHAT one should expect from that religion. They keep your mind so clouded that you can't even think straight! But I know I found something better; something that I had never had before. And I know that there are Witnesses who will watch this video and scoff and think to themselves: 'Heh, this guy couldn't POSSibly understand the deeper things of God like I do!'
AnonDude2 4 months ago
@AnonDude2 I am happy for you :D Everyone thinks they have the best answer, but our paths are highly individual, so it can only be true in a personal way. My truth isn't your truth, but that's the ptifall of labeling anything "truth" in the first place. Haha, it's like finally understanding that question, "if a tree falls in the forest falls and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Revolt1680 4 months ago