Question: Memorial Service on Nissan 14

[spiritmech]

My friend invited me to the memorial service this past Nissan 14. I didn't go, but it made me curious: what exactly is remembered? In the Orthodox Church the Eucharist is much more than a memorial service, but even when I was a Protestant I knew we were memorializing Jesus and His death and resurrection.

So, in that vein, what, exactly, do JWs remember?

Thanks in advance for furthering my understanding.
sm

[Billen]

In short Jehovahs Witnesses memorialize Jesus' death...only.

The reason given for this is that Jesus did not command any other celebration than the ritual at The Last Supper...

Only "the annointed" amongst the JW's are allowed to eat the bread and drink the wine. The ordinairy JW (the other sheeps) pass the bread and wine when offered.
The reason given is that the bible was written to the annointed class exclusively, whereas "the other sheeps" are not part of the covenant directly. Thus Jesus' words are given directions, a "letter", to the annointed class and his command only applies to the annointed class. The ordinairy JW's then "observe" while the annointed class partake in the ritual Last Supper, in memory of Jesus' sacrifical death.

This way "the other sheeps" recognize they are only supporters of "the annointed class", which are the ones who have a covenant with Jesus Christ.
To be saved, "the other sheeps" must support "the annointed class" with the preaching work and abide to their "biblebased" directions. "The annointed class", also called "the slave class" (Faithfull and Discreet Slave) percieve themselves as prophecized "householders", to whom Jesus have given authority over "all that he owns". "The annointed class" therefore have authority to interpretate the bible and provide directions for "the other sheeps" sheeps to follow, directions which will raise "the other sheeps" towards perfection. If some of "the other sheeps" does not abide to those directions, "the annointed class" may disfellowship those "other sheeps", thus cutting them of salvation (as one must stay connected to "the annointed class" to be saved).

There is no ritual regarding Jesus' ressurrection (as Jesus did not command any such ritual)

This is the explanation of The Watch Tower Society.

[Sparko]

That's sad, isn't it?

[Billen]

That's sad, isn't it?

Which part?

[Sparko]

Which part?

The part where they have to pass on the communion and that it is only for a special few, when God's salvation is open to everyone and everyone who accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior may partake in the Lord's supper. And it's sad that a few of them think themselves worthy of it in the first place when instead of making Christ their Lord and Savior, they have made the Watchtower into their God.

I hear they pass the cup around anyway during their meetings, but nobody will drink from it. Wonder how they would react if someone like me were there and took the bread and wine and then stood up and declared myself as one of God's children and told them that they could be too?

[Billen]

Sad indeed.
A few consider themselves "annointed" and partake in the Lord's supper, but they close off the door for any other that might wish to partake. Again, "the annointed" regard Jesus as their direct saviour and eat the bread and drink the wine, but the rest only gets saved "indirectly", by supporting "the annointed". The JW's promise is that in the coming 1000 years Kingdom "The annointed" goes to heaven and become rulers, "the other sheeps" stays on earth and get ruled. When "the other sheeps" pass the bread and wine without partaking, and "the annointed" partake, they demonstrate which group they belong to within the congregation.

JW's don't, of course, have an real scriptual basis for making this division. The meeting that night thus envolves entirely around explaining why one is not to eat and drink. For JW's raised as JW's this is quite natural as it is a part of the belief system they are raised in, but for other christians it is usually quite a grim experience. I don't miss JW's Memorial Service. I remember it as an event completely without joy.

Wonder how they would react if someone like me were there and took the bread and wine and then stood up and declared myself as one of God's children and told them that they could be too?

They would deem you troublemaker, two elders will silenty place themselves on each side of you and kindly escort you out. (last time I saw it, they carried the man out holding him under each arm) They tend to get quite cold you know, if one does something that they feel provoke their ways.

[spiritmech]

Thanks, Billen.

[Philosophickle]

Thanks, Billen.

I thought u was ded.

[spiritmech]

No, I left for a decent while.