What is a JW?

[Hope]

3 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

Hmm...but there are baptized persons who have not been removed but lead a double life, or have fallen away and have no intention of coming back

 

I don't think they fit the definition

 

I know someone just like that. She is not considered one of Jehovah's Witnesses anymore. She doesn't consider herself one, either. She is not associated with any congregation.

 

So perhaps to better understand your query: Are you asking who is one in the eyes of Jehovah? Of the congregation/ Organization? Of the world? Of the individual? It matters because we are not simply "Witnesses" in the way some are simply Catholic or Lutheran. Our standards are different.

[Hope]

3 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

Would you consider a Bible student to be a JW if they support Jehovah's Sovereignty and his arrangements even if they are not yet baptized?

 

No. Being dedicated and baptized are key. They are merely associated.

[Jwanon]

3 minutes ago, Hope said:

Are you asking who is one in the eyes of Jehovah? Of the congregation/ Organization? Of the world? Of the individual?

 

I'm just looking for a simple definition in one sentence. Ideally one that encompasses in the eyes of Jehovah/the congregation/the Organization/the world and the invidual at the same time

Edited February 6 by Jwanon

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, Hope said:

 

No. Being dedicated and baptized are key. They are merely associated.

 

Right, so the definition doesn't fit in my opinion

[New World Explorer]

4 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

Doesn't look like it

 

 

Would you consider a Bible student to be a JW if they support Jehovah's Sovereignty and his arrangements even if they are not yet baptized?

I am off heading in the ministry and do not have time to engage in philosophical discussion my friend. (You got the answer already) 

[Jwanon]

Just now, New World Explorer said:

I am off heading in the ministry

 

Have a nice ministry brother

 

1 minute ago, New World Explorer said:

You got the answer already

 

I like Ludwika's answer, but maybe others can too have something to share on the subject

 

A diversity of people can mean a diversity of answers

[ChrisW]

19 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

I am so sorry but I do find the question to the topic at best "strange" as the answer to it is part of our basic understanding. 

Person who desires to be baptized knows what it means to be dedicated and be JW. 

 

Why such basic and strange questions float here? Are they taken from other sources from Internet? What is the point of the question? 

I sometimes feel this way too. What is the purpose of trying to pick and dissect. If your in a coma, if you're not in a coma. What are we really wanting an answer to? 

[Jwanon]

Just now, ChrisW said:

What are we really wanting an answer to? 

 

"What is a JW?"

[Hope]

13 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

I'm just looking for a simple definition in one sentence. Ideally one that encompasses in the eyes of Jehovah/the congregation/the Organization/the world and the invidual at the same time

 

The world could "say" someone is a Witness just because a person grew up in such a family. Being baptized or active has no meaning to them. However, if they care they would learn that being baptized and dedicated/active is essential to really being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It's not a designation that is inherited. 

 

If someone baptized is now in a coma and incapable of being active, they're not counted in the yearly census, they're not a publisher anymore, but Jehovah and the congregation know their situation; Jehovah does not forget their work and neither do we.

 

Some people who've left the Truth but not been officially removed may still like to claim being a Witness, either from sentimentality or to advance an apostate agenda. They can say what they want, but no congregation claims them (as far as I know). Their future is in Jehovah's hands, a place where it's fearful to land if one is not on the up-and-up.

 

I think you've come across enough info from the friends here to come up with your own sentence, depending on whom you're talking to. How many more qualifiers do you think you need? 

[Jwanon]

3 minutes ago, Hope said:

How many more qualifiers do you think you need? 

 

just a single sentence that defines what a JW is and that convers every exception, is all

 

but if there are no more ideas then I'll just stick with "someone who has devoted themselves to Jehovah"

[JBee]

To convey every possibility would lead to a very long, run-on sentence I would think.

 

I understand the idea of trying to cover everything but you may have to include a footnote along the lines of "some exceptions may apply" 😅

[Hope]

20 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

just a single sentence that defines what a JW is and that convers every exception, is all

 

but if there are no more ideas then I'll just stick with "someone who has devoted themselves to Jehovah"

 

I would add in "baptized". One is not considered one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the congregation unless they are baptized.

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, Hope said:

 

I would add in "baptized". One is not considered one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the congregation unless they are baptized.

 

What religion is an unbaptized publisher who has faith in Jehovah?

Edited February 6 by Jwanon

[Hope]

Just now, Jwanon said:

 

What religion is an unbaptized publisher who believes in Jehovah?

 

They are associated with Jehovah's Witnesses, period. It's like how someone who is dating or even engaged cannot say they are someone's spouse until they actually marry. Without the public commitment, it's fairly worthless.

[carlos]

5 hours ago, Jwanon said:

Basically I'm asking if I'm correct in saying that there is a difference between being a Christian (faith) and a JW (faith + actions)

 

Jason, I don't have a definition, but this difference you make here is non-existent. Faith cannot exist separate from actions. Faith involves belief and actions. It's like saying someone is a sportsman but doesn't practice sport. It doesn't make sense. Of course, if you are sleeping, or sedated on in a coma, you cannot do any actions (nor have any belief) but that doesn't make you less of a Witness in Jehovah's eyes. Even faithful Christians who are dead are still Jehovah's Witnesses in Jehovah's view.

 

Again, I don't have a definition, but the whole meaning of being one of Jehovah's Witnesses has to do with dedication.

[Qapla]

6 hours ago, Jwanon said:

How would you, in a simple single sentence, define what it means to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

 

1 hour ago, Jwanon said:

 

I'm just looking for a simple definition in one sentence. Ideally one that encompasses in the eyes of Jehovah/the congregation/the Organization/the world and the invidual at the same time

 

46 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

just a single sentence that defines what a JW is and that convers every exception, is all

 

but if there are no more ideas then I'll just stick with "someone who has devoted themselves to Jehovah"

 

To put it simply, in a single sentence - NO, if you are going to toss in exception after exception, you cannot use a "single simple sentence" since it won't cover all the exceptions most people would not bring up.

 

Edited February 6 by Qapla

[Tortuga]

1 hour ago, Jwanon said:

 

"What is a JW?"

Someone that loves Jehovah and does everything they can to please him.

[Dages]

So you want a definition but also something that distinguishes us from the other Christians. 

 

So I say we are : part of a united worldwide Christian organisation who are dedicated to Jehovah, and preach the Kingdom.

 

This way you get the international unity, our Unitarian view and our preaching work

[just1-4all]

A living testimony to the true God's works.

[New World Explorer]

3 hours ago, Jwanon said:

just a single sentence that defines what a JW is and that convers every exception, is all

How many letters can we use? LOL 🤣

 

Ok ... I will try 😉

"The one who bears witness about Jehovah's name, worships him according to the standards set by him, which include supporting his arrangements put in place" 

(Arrangements cover all aspects, including baptism, recognition of ransom, obedience to FDS , preaching work etc ..etc) 

 

I still view this as basic fundamental knowledge, without need to define it and define it ....and define it....

[Jwanon]

5 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

The one who bears witness about Jehovah's name

 

Do you consider my grandma to be a JW?

Edited Friday at 07:00 AM by Jwanon

[New World Explorer]

4 hours ago, Jwanon said:

 

Do you consider my grandma to be a JW?

You tell me ☺️

[Jwanon]

10 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

You tell me ☺️

 

I do because she loves Jehovah

 

But since she can't go out in the ministry, according to the definition you gave she doesn't seem to be a JW from your point of view

 

Unless I misunderstood your comment

Edited Friday at 11:16 AM by Jwanon

[Dages]

21 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

I do because she loves Jehovah

 

But since she can't go out in the ministry, according to the definition you gave she doesn't seem to be a JW from your point of view

 

Unless I misunderstood your comment

It's difficult to fit a definition that fit all the cases.
If your grandma is baptized and has been a faithful JW for all these years until she got unable to preach at all for health reason, I don't see any reason to not consider her a sister

[computerwiz]

Perhaps we need to look at it from a different perspective to answer @Jwanon's question:

 

A JW is someone whom Jehovah has drawn to Him & has accepted him into His family.

 

(so that would include the anointed from before the Bible Students time)  😉