- Other Quotes
- “Yes, there are various things involved in getting saved. We must take in accurate knowledge of God’s purposes and his way of salvation. Then we must exercise faith in the Chief Agent of salvation, Jesus Christ, and do God’s will the rest of our lives. (John 3:16; Titus 2:14) Salvation is sure for those who follow this course. But it involves persevering right to the end of our present life or of this system of things. Only ‘he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved,’ Matthew 24:13,” (Watchtower, Sept. 15, 1989, p. 7, see Quote in Context, end of page).
- “When a person, on the basis of the Scriptural knowledge he has gained, has belief in Christ as the Savior whom God provided and shows that faith by his works, he can consider himself as being on the way to salvation. It would be a mistake for him to think that he is now saved and cannot fall. He must show by his endurance in the Christian faith that he is worthy of salvation. ‘Let him that thinks he has a firm position beware that he does not fall.’1 Cor. 10:12… Salvation from death is a gift from God to those that obey him, not to those that disobey,” (Watchtower, March 1, 1960, p. 134).
- “Showing that more is required for salvation than just baptism are the following words of the apostle Paul: ‘For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.’ (Rom. 10:9, 10) It is evident from this that besides faith and baptism, ‘public declaration’ to the effect that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him up from the dead is a requirement for salvation,” (Watchtower, May 1, 1979, p. 15).
- “Obedience also brings salvation, for at the time of the flood Noah, his family and pairs of living creatures were commanded by Jehovah what to do. The commands were obeyed, and salvation came as a result. Then Jehovah proves his people by obedience. ‘It is the Eternal your God testing you, to see whether you really love the Eternal your God with all your mind and all your heart. The Eternal your God you shall follow, him you shall revere, his commands you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him shall you worship, and to him shall you be loyal.’ (Deut. 13:3, 4, Mo) Those who are to be Jehovah’s people must be obedient. ‘This day thou art become the people of Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of Jehovah thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes.’ He promises to regather the scattered ones if obedience is manifested: ‘And thou . . . shalt return unto Jehovah thy God, and shalt obey his voice . . . then Jehovah thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples, whither Jehovah thy God hath scattered thee.’ (Deut. 27:9, 10; 30:1-10, AS) This same chapter also promises to bring back the prisoners and dispersed to the land of promise, and that he will put curses on the enemies. These foregoing scriptures clearly show that obedience brings harmony and friendship with Jehovah, peace, salvation, testing for approval, release from oppression, and punishment upon the enemies of his own people. If then Jehovah God would do all those things for natural Israel, he will do greater things for spiritual Israel by reason of their full obedience to his commands,” (Watchtower, Sept. 15, 1952, p. 558-59).
| FOUR REQUIREMENTS | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| Taking in knowledge of God | Obey God’s Laws | Be associated with the JW Organization |
Loyalty | |
| You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth-But How?
(Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1983, pages 12-13.) |
Jesus Christ identified a first requirement when he said in prayer to his Father: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ includes knowledge of God’s purposes regarding the earth and of Christ’s role as earth’s new King. Will you take in such knowledge by studying the Bible? | Many have found the second requirement more difficult. It is to obey God’s laws, yes, to conform one’s life to the moral requirements set out in the Bible. This includes refraining from a debauched, immoral way of life. ‘ 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Peter 4:3, 4. | A third requirement is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah’s day survived the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God’s favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it. | The fourth requirement is connected with loyalty. God requires that prospective subjects of his Kingdom support his government by loyally advocating his Kingdom rule to others. Jesus Christ explained: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) Will you meet this requirement by telling others about God’s Kingdom? |
| What does God require of us?
(Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1997, pages 18-22.)
|
The first requirement is taking in knowledge of God. Consider Jesus’ words recorded in John chapter 17. The setting was the final night of Jesus’ life as a human. Jesus had spent much of the evening preparing his apostles for his departure. He was concerned about their future, their everlasting future. Raising his eyes to heaven, he prayed for them. In verse 3, we read: ‘This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.’ Yes, their salvation was dependent upon their ‘taking in knowledge’ of both God and Christ. That applies to us too. To gain salvation, we must take in such knowledge. | As we take in knowledge of God, we come to realize that we need to make changes in our lives. This brings us to the second requirement. We must measure up to God’s standards for right conduct and accept his truth. What is truth? Does it really matter to God what we believe and what we do? Many people today evidently do not think so. A report published by the Church of England in 1995 suggested that living together without being married should not be viewed as a sin. ‘The phrase ‘living in sin’ stigmatizes and isn’t helpful,’ stated one church bishop. | “Show Respect for Life and Blood”
Let us now discuss a third requirement of God. We must show respect for life and blood. Life is sacred to Jehovah. It should be, for he is the Source of life. (Psalm 36:9) Why, even the life of an unborn child inside its mother is precious to Jehovah! (Exodus 21:22, 23) Blood represents life. Therefore, blood too is sacred in God’s eyes. (Leviticus 17:14) It should come as no surprise, then, that God expects us to view life and blood as he does.
|
“Serving Along With Jehovah’s Organized People”
This brings us to the fourth requirement. We must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization. |
