The Study Watchtower, "Article 40", Week 6-12 December 2021, What is true repentance ?, Answers.

The Study Watchtower, "Article 40," December 6-12, 2021, What is true repentance ?, Answers.

1, 2. How were Ahab and Manasseh different, and what questions will we answer?

The two kings rebelled against Jehovah, made his people sin, worshiped false gods, and committed murder. But there was one thing that made them different. Ahab continued to do bad things until the day of his death, Manasseh repented of the bad things he had done. One of the questions we will answer is: What is repentance and how is it demonstrated? 

WHAT WE LEARN FROM KING ACAB

3. What kind of king was Ahab?

Tolerate false worship. Ahab had one of the worst behaviors when it came to true worship. Not only did he tolerate the corrupted form of worship to Jehovah through the golden calves that Jeroboam had ordered made, but he also allowed Baal worship to infect Israel on an unprecedented scale as a consequence of his marriage to Jezebel.

4. What message of condemnation did Ahab receive, and how did he react?

Jehovah was very patient with Ahab, but his patience ran out. Elijah announced the condemnation, which was that his entire family would be exterminated, this condemnation made Ahab feel very bad.

5, 6. How do we know that Ahab was truly unrepentant?

What he did after reacting humbly showed that he was unrepentant. He did not attempt to end Baal worship in Israel or encourage the people to worship Jehovah. Micaya was a prophet of Jehovah, and he announced to Ahab that he would suffer a calamity. Ahab instead of showing repentance, put Micaya in prison.

ILLUSTRATION:

Series of images: 1. King Ahab humbles himself. 2. Later, he angrily orders his guards to put the prophet Micaya in prison.

King Ahab put God's prophet in prison, showing that he was truly unrepentant. (See paragraphs 5 and 6.) *

7. What did Jehovah say about Ahab after his death?

Jehovah said how he felt about Ahab after his death. Jehovah knew that Ahab felt bad but no he never regretted what he did.

8. What does Ahab's example teach us about repentance?

It teaches us that true repentance involves more than simply saying that we feel bad about what we have done. We have to show that we are truly sorry.

WHAT WE LEARN FROM KING MANASSEH

9. What kind of king was Manasseh?

Manasés siguió una política religiosa opuesta a la ortodoxa de su padre, pues toleró los cultos asirios, incluso en el Templo de Jerusalén, así como elementos sincréticos en el culto a Yahvé, incluyendo la evocación a los muertos y los sacrificios de niños,1​ lo que suscitó las protestas de los profetas, que le anunciaron el castigo Divino.

10. ¿Cómo disciplinó Jehová a Manasés, y cómo reaccionó el rey?

Manasés fue aprisionado y torturado por los asirios. Posteriormente lo confinaron por años en un calabozo, allí reflexionó en lo que había hecho. “Estuvo humillándose profundamente delante del Dios de sus antepasados”, quien por sus ruegos y súplicas, lo perdonó, pudiendo así recuperar Manasés el trono de Judá.

11. ¿Cómo demostró Manasés que su arrepentimiento era sincero? (2 Crónicas 33:15, 16).

Vio que su corazón había cambiado, y eso se reflejó en sus oraciones. Jehová se sintió conmovido por su ruego y lo devolvió a su reinado. Manasés se esforzó al máximo por demostrar que su arrepentimiento era sincero.

ILUSTRACION:

Serie de imágenes: 1. El rey Manasés le suplica a Jehová. 2. Más tarde, les dice a sus trabajadores que destruyan las imágenes que él había puesto en el templo.

El rey Manasés luchó contra la adoración falsa, lo que demostró que sí estaba arrepentido de verdad. (Vea el párrafo 11). *

12. ¿Qué nos enseña el ejemplo de Manasés sobre el arrepentimiento?

Hizo todo lo posible por reparar el daño que había hecho y se esforzó por adorar a Jehová y ayudar a otros a hacer lo mismo. Su ejemplo le da esperanza hasta al peor de los pecadores. Y demuestra que Jehová perdona hasta el mas pecador, si se arrepiente de corazón.

13. What example helps us understand a very important lesson about repentance?

This example helps us understand about repentance. Let's imagine that we go to a bakery and order a cake. But instead of a cake they give us an egg. Would we settle for that? Of course not, of course it is one of the ingredients of the cake, but it is not enough because it is not the cake. Similarly, Jehovah asks someone who commits a sin to truly repent. Repenting is an important part, but that is not enough.

HOW TO KNOW IF SOMEONE IS REALLY REPENT

14. How did the lost son in Jesus' parable begin to show that he was repentant?

He began to show that he was sorry by returning home and asking his father for forgiveness. That was very important, because he realized that he had made bad decisions.

15. How did the lost son in Jesus' parable show that he was truly sorry?

come back to your senses. And what does it do? He says to himself: “How many of my father's workers have bread to spare, and here I am starving! I'll go and go back to my father's house. I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers. ' Therefore, he decides to return to his father's house. Realizing that he made bad decisions and asking his father for forgiveness, he showed that he was sorry.

ILLUSTRATION:

When the lost son regained his senses, he made the long journey home. (See paragraphs 14 and 15). *

16. Why is it not easy for elders to determine if someone has truly repented?

Because they can't read hearts, so they have to try to find evidence that the brother has completely changed and now he hates what he did. 

17. a) What example shows that a sinner may not be truly sorry even though he says he feels very bad? 

There is an example, which tells of a brother who commits adultery. Instead of asking for help, he hides his immoral behavior from everyone. But one day the elders find out what he has done. When the elders tell him they have evidence to prove his adultery, he admits it and feels bad for what he did. But that is not enough, he did not confess voluntarily, but someone found out and told the elders. This person seriously sinned many times over many years.

b) What should the person who is truly repentant do? (2 Corinthians 7:11).

They must really change the way they think, feel and act. They need to show proof that they are truly sorry for the sin they committed. It may take you a long time to make the necessary changes to show that you are truly sorry. 

18. How does a disfellowshiped person show that they are truly sorry, and what will be the result?

You should attend meetings regularly and follow the advice of the elders to have good Bible study and prayer habits. You must avoid the things that led you to sin and could lead you to sin again. 

19. What is the truly repentant sinner to do? (Ezekiel 33: 14-16).

You have to change the way you think and feel, and show it with facts. When the sinner is truly repentant, he must abandon his misconduct and must obey Jehovah's standards.

HELP SINNERS TO REPENT

20, 21. How can we help someone who has committed a serious sin?

We can help our friend by telling him that the elderly want to help him. And if you don't want to confess it to them, we should talk to them.

22. What will we analyze in the next article?

In the following article, we will discuss how Jehovah mercifully disciplines sinners and how we can follow his example.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What does King Ahab's example teach us about repentance?

That even if you are sorry for the sin you did is not enough, you have to show with facts that you really do repent of the sin you committed. Like Ahab who reacted with humility and repentance, But the steps he took afterwards showed that he was not heartfelt repentant. This teaches us that true repentance involves more than simply saying we feel bad about what we have done.

What shows that King Manasseh was truly sorry?

Jehovah answered Manasseh's prayers. He saw that his heart had changed, and that was reflected in his prayers. Jehovah was moved by his plea and restored him to his reign. Manasseh did his best to show that his repentance was sincere.

What does the lost son in Jesus' parable teach us about repentance?

He showed that he wanted to regain his relationship with Jehovah. He also acknowledged that his actions had hurt his father. And he was willing to do his best to win her approval again, even to be treated like one of their workers.