● What might one of Jehovah’s witnesses do when he is accosted by a robber who demands his money?

He might calmly try to reason with him and identify himself as a Christian minister. If that fails, he would show appreciation of the value of his life if he did not endanger his life in an endeavor to hold onto the money.—Pp. 346, 347.

● Why should a Christian woman resist even to the death an attempted rape?

Because it is an attempt on her virtue, and to consent to it is to consent to fornication. It is a matter of integrity to Jehovah’s laws.—P. 347.

● How did Jehonadab prove that his heart was upright and united with Jehu?

He rode in Jehu’s chariot and showed publicly that he was giving his active support to Jehovah’s anointed one.—P. 358.

● What did the Most Holy and the curtain that divided it off from the Holy in Israel’s tabernacle for worship picture?

The Most Holy represented the heavenly place of God’s presence, and the curtain pictured Christ’s perfect flesh.—P. 367.

● Why is covetousness idolatry?

Because it causes one to make an idol of oneself, and one’s selfish cravings become the uppermost thing in one’s life.—P. 388.

● What evidence is there that Jehovah has shown his approval of the priesthood of Christ and his underpriests?

He has channeled through them a tremendous flow of spiritual provisions. He has also blessed the anointed on earth and protected them in the face of global opposition and hatred.—P. 406.

● What fear do the Scriptures recommend?

The proper and beneficial fear of displeasing Jehovah.—P. 435.

● On what basis will mankind in general be judged during the 1,000-year judgment day?

On the basis of their heart condition, evident in their obedience to God’s will at that time, and not according to whether they previously had an opportunity to learn and do that will or not.—Pp. 453, 454.

● What is zeal?

It is a passionate ardor for a cause, an intense eagerness in promoting some end. It is also referred to as earnestness, enthusiasm, devotion and fervor.—P. 458.

● How can one become zealous for Jehovah?

By regularly studying his Word, keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah and watching one’s associations.—Pp. 468, 469.

● In what three ways does loose conduct harm a person?

It damages his relations with his Creator. It causes friction with his neighbor and it even directly causes emotional and spiritual, if not also physical, injury to himself.—P. 476.

Questions From Readers

● If, as stated at John 18:31, the Jews in Jesus’ time did not have the authority to execute lawbreakers, how could they stone Stephen to death?—H. H., U.S.A.

The degree of authority of the Jews at that time as to capital punishment is somewhat uncertain. Many scholars believe that forty years before the destruction of the Temple (70 C.E.), or about 30 C.E., the Jews ceased to pronounce capital or death sentences. This would seem to be in line with the comments made by the members of the Sanhedrin when they delivered Jesus up to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. We read: “Pilate said to them: ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews said to him: ‘It is not lawful for us to kill anyone.’”—John 18:31.

It may be, though, that the Romans allowed the Jewish authorities the right to execute violators of religious law, but not violators of political law. According to Jewish historian Josephus, the Roman general Titus acknowledged that the Romans granted the Jews permission to kill defilers of the Temple. (Wars of the Jews, Book VI, chap. II, par. 4) Even if this indicated a general policy, it would not affect what we read in John 18:31.

The Jewish religious leaders were murderers, willing to slay an innocent man to accomplish their ends. Thus they plotted Jesus’ death. (John 8:44; 11:48-53) But a problem arose. They were afraid that acting against Jesus would cause an uproar among the people, many of whom respected or followed Jesus. (Matt. 26:4, 5) So after they had arrested Jesus secretly and condemned him on a religious charge, they sought to get Pilate to have Christ executed. Definitely Governor Pilate could do so, for he said to Jesus: “Do you not know I have authority to release you and I have authority to impale you?” (John 19:10) If the Romans killed Jesus on a political charge, that would tend to absolve the religious leaders of responsibility before the people for the death.

Whether the Jews themselves had authority to execute only violators of religious law, or did not have authority for any sort of capital punishment, they could still “take the law into their own hands,” as it were. On a number of occasions mobs wanted to kill Jesus. (John 8:59; 10:31; Luke 4:29) By mob action and conspiracy the Jews tried to do away with the apostles of Jesus. (Acts 5:33; 9:23, 24; 14:19; 21:27-31; 23:12) Hence, with or without legal authority, the Jews in general, older men, scribes and members of the Sanhedrin, who were incriminated and enraged by Stephen’s masterful discourse, “began to gnash their teeth.” Caught up in their wrath, the mob “cried out at the top of their voice and put their hands over their ears and rushed upon [Stephen] with one accord. And after throwing him outside the city, they began casting stones at him,” causing his death.—Acts 6:12; 7:54-60.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Mankind today is imperiled. How so? Because of the destruction that Almighty God will soon bring upon this system of things and upon all who share in its bloodguilt. To escape being destroyed and to find security, one needs to put one’s trust in Christ’s ransom sacrifice and then to follow closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Only then can one say with the psalmist: “You yourself alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security.” (Ps. 4:8) Jehovah’s witnesses want to show imperiled mankind God’s provision for security, and during September they will do this in their ministry by offering one of their latest books for Bible study, and then arranging to provide free home Bible instruction for anyone who wants to understand God’s Word.

THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PITTSBURGH

At ten o’clock in the forenoon of Tuesday, October 1, 1968, the annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania will be held at the Society’s office located at 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All members of the corporation should be certain that the Secretary’s office has their addresses so that the letters of notice will reach them shortly after September 1.

Along with the notice of the annual meeting, which will be mailed to all the members of the corporation, proxies will be sent. The proxies are to be returned so as to reach the office of the Secretary of the Society not later than September 15. Each member should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not.

CAN YOU TRUST ANYONE?

Would you respect someone who always kept a promise? who never violated his word and who was always seeking your welfare? Would you come to depend on someone who never lied to you, never misrepresented the facts, one who respected his own name and whose integrity could not be successfully challenged? Only the Almighty God could completely fulfill these high standards, though some people today question even his existence. Prove for yourself that God cannot lie and that your life depends upon your reliance upon him. Read “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie” and Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God. Send only $1. Send today and receive two free booklets on timely Bible subjects.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

September 29: “Whatever a Man Is Sowing, This He Will Also Reap.” Page 521. Songs to Be Used: 75, 15.

October 6: “Let Us Not Give Up in Doing What Is Fine.” Page 527. Songs to Be Used: 85, 99.