From: "Carlos Burman"
Dear Eiko,
Thankyou for such a quick reply.
Thanks also for your own research regarding Jericho and those who likely first settled there.
As for your own question with regards to weddings among Jehovahs witnesses,to say it simply....Weddings are very flexible and the wedding day is left up to the Bride and Groom to decide how to arrange it.
Each country is different as to how a person may be married and as romans 13:1-3 shows, we do our best to obey the law of each country AS LONG AS it doesnt conflict with Gods law, as stated in the bible.
The wedding itself is normally presented at the kingdom hall of Jehovahs witnesses with the permission of the elders.
One elder normally will give a bible based talk of about 30 minutes on the wifes and the husbands role in marriage.
the kingdom hall is a public building,so anyone who would like to attend the wedding(unless they are drunk ,smoking etc,..at the time would not be allowed inside.)would be allowed to come with no problem.
Bible students are free to come , as well as friends even if they are not witnesses, as long as they obey the rules of the usage of the kingdom hall and maintain a sense of dignity for the occasion.
As for legal matters,such as the registering of the marriage in the country within the law of the government,each country differs.
For example, in my country, england,we sign a register of marriage at the kingdom hall straight after the wedding talk.the registrar who observes the signing of the certificate of marriage does NOT have to be a government person..he can be one of Jehovahs witnesses.
once the couple has signed the certificate with witnesses observing,they are then legally married from then on.
This is all scriptural and conforms also with the law of the country.
Japan has a slightly different system of which im not too familiar with ,which im sure you know.
all ones present do not have to pay...however those invited to the wedding reception afterwards ,must be invited...those that are invited do not have to pay...all food is normally free.
those not invited just wish the couple and thier families well.
I HAVE SENT YOU A WATCHTOWER EXCERPT FROM 2 YEARS AGO BELOW,IF YOU WISH,THIS ALSO GIVES PERHAPS CLEARER INFORMATION OF SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE JUST SAID TO YOU.
ITS EASY TO READ AND GIVES A SCRIPTURAL INSIGHT AS TO HOW WE PREPARE FOR WEDDINGS AND HOW THE CEREMONY SHOULD BE DONE.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY.
LET ME KNOW IF IT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS.
Weddings That Are Honorable in the Sight of God and Man
“A marriage feast took place in Cana . . . Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the marriage feast.”—JOHN 2:1, 2.
JESUS, his mother, and some of his disciples knew the joy that an honorable wedding among God’s people can bring. Christ even made one wedding outstanding by performing his first recorded miracle there, adding to the pleasure of that event. (John 2:1-11) You may have attended and enjoyed weddings of Christians who want to serve Jehovah as happily married people. Or you may look forward to having such a wedding yourself or to helping a friend to make his or her wedding a success. What can contribute to that outcome?
2 Christians have found that the advice in God’s inspired Word is very helpful when a man and a woman plan to get married. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Granted, the Bible does not outline exact procedures for a Christian wedding. That is understandable because customs and even legal requirements vary according to location and era. For example, in ancient Israel there was no formal wedding ceremony. On the wedding day, the bridegroom brought his bride to his own home or to his father’s. (Genesis 24:67; Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 1:24) This public step constituted the wedding, without the formal ceremony common in many weddings today.
3 The Israelites recognized that step as constituting the marriage or wedding. Thereafter, they might share in a celebratory feast, such as that mentioned at John 2:1. Many Bible versions render that verse something like this: “There was a wedding in Cana.” But the original-language word is well rendered “marriage feast” or “wedding banquet.” (Matthew 22:2-10; 25:10; Luke 14:8) The account makes it clear that Jesus was present at and contributed to a feast linked to a Jewish wedding. A key point, however, is that what constituted such a wedding back then differs from what is common now.
4 In many countries today, Christians who want to marry must meet certain legal requirements. Once they do so, they may wed in any legally accepted manner. That could be in a small, simple ceremony that is conducted by a judge, mayor, or minister authorized by the State. Some choose to marry in such a way, possibly asking a few relatives or Christian friends to be present as legal witnesses or just to share in the joy of this important occasion. (Jeremiah 33:11; John 3:29) Similarly, other Christians may choose not to hold a sizable wedding feast or reception that would require considerable planning and cost. They may arrange, instead, for a quiet meal with some close friends. Whatever our personal preferences in this regard may be, we should recognize that other mature Christians may have viewpoints different from our own.—Romans 14:3, 4.
5 Most Christian couples choose to have a Bible-based talk at their wedding. They recognize that Jehovah originated marriage and provides in his Word wise advice on how marriage can succeed and bring happiness. (Genesis 2:22-24; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-33) And most couples want Christian friends and relatives to share in the happy occasion. Yet, how are we to view the great variety of legal requirements, procedures, and even prevailing local practices? This article will consider situations in various regions. Some may differ considerably from what you know of or from what is done in your area. Nevertheless, you can note certain common principles or aspects that are important to God’s servants.
Honorable Marriage—Legal Marriage
6 While Jehovah originated marriage, human governments have some control over the actions of those getting married. This is appropriate. Jesus said: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:17) Similarly, the apostle Paul directed: “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.”—Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1.
7 In most lands Caesar, or the civil authority, determines who is eligible to marry. Thus, when two Christians who are Scripturally free choose to get married, they conscientiously comply with local law. This may involve obtaining a license, using a State-authorized marrying agent, and perhaps registering the completed marriage. When Caesar Augustus required a “registration,” Mary and Joseph complied, traveling to Bethlehem “to get registered.”—Luke 2:1-5.
8 When two Christians marry in a way that is legal and recognized, that union is binding in God’s eyes. Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not repeat a marriage by having multiple legal ceremonies, nor do they renew marriage vows, such as on a couple’s 25th or 50th wedding anniversary. (Matthew 5:37) (Some churches ignore a legally approved civil marriage ceremony, claiming that it is not really a proper marriage unless a priest or a clergyman performs a ritual or declares the couple man and wife.) In many lands, the government authorizes a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses to solemnize marriages. If that is possible, he would likely want to do so along with a wedding talk at the Kingdom Hall. That is the local place of true worship and an appropriate location for a talk about this arrangement, which Jehovah God instituted.
9 In other countries, the law requires that a couple marry at a government office, such as city hall, or before a designated civil agent. Christians often choose to follow up that legal step with a wedding talk at the Kingdom Hall on the same day or the next. (They would not want many days to pass between the civil ceremony and the Bible talk, for they are married before God and man, including the Christian congregation.) If a couple who will have a civil marriage desire to have a talk at a certain Kingdom Hall, they should beforehand seek the permission of the elders forming the Congregation Service Committee. In addition to confirming that the couple have a good reputation, these overseers will make sure that the timing of the wedding will not interfere with the regular meetings and scheduled programs at the hall. (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) They will also review any preparations of the hall that the couple may request and decide whether there will be an announcement made about its use.
10 The elder giving the wedding talk will strive to make the discussion warm, spiritually upbuilding, and dignified. If the couple were first joined in a civil marriage, he will make it clear that they were married according to Caesar’s law. If marriage vows were not exchanged in the civil ceremony, the couple may want to do so during the talk. If that civil ceremony included vows but the newly married couple want to say vows before Jehovah and the congregation, they would do so in the past tense, showing that they were already “yoked together.”—Matthew 19:6; 22:21.
11 In certain places, the law may not require a couple to get married in any ceremony, even before a government agent. The marriage occurs when they present a signed marriage registration form to an official. Thereupon, a marriage certificate is registered. In this way the couple are looked upon as husband and wife, this being the date of their marriage. As noted above, the couple who are thus married may want to follow that registration right away with a Bible-based talk at the Kingdom Hall. The spiritually mature brother selected to give the talk will inform all attending that the couple are married by reason of the registration that just took place. Any vows would be handled in accord with what is outlined in paragraph 10 and its footnote. Those in attendance at the Kingdom Hall will rejoice with the couple and benefit from the counsel given from God’s Word.—Song of Solomon 3:11.
Carlos.........................................................................................................................................................
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Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:19:01 -0800
From:
Subject: RE:
To:
Dear Carlos,
Probably first settlers in Jericho was proto-Semites which were neither not yet Jews nor Arabs. They were people before Abraham lived in Ur. The question itself doesn't have important meanings.
Aside from that, how wedding ceremony is held among Jehovah's Witnesses? Is it free? Do you have a wedding ceremony other than members if they wish, for example Bible students as I?
My laptop is nearly out of order . I'm looking for Dell, Apple, or lenovo made in US or UK. .
My life has been drastically changing. I'd like to see you soon with my wife in Kingdom Hall.
Sincerely,
Eiko
--- On Tue, 2/9/10, Carlos Burman
From: Carlos Burman
Subject: RE:
To: eritreaqqq@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 11:32 PM
Dear Hiroshi,
thankyou for your email....
Your last question was a little complex to explain on email.
But may i ask also, why do you want to know who were the first settlers of jericho??
while it is definetly interesting..i just like to understand why you asked it.
its not the normal kind of questions i get asked with regards the bible.
anyway,in London i dont have any references or publications..and at this moment, i cant answer that question...when i get back to Japan i will answer it.
please ask me anything else though in the mean time.
here in London its still cold..2 or 3 degrees most days and below 0 at night.
Im well though and we are fine...we hope to see you in person soon
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Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:17:12 -0800
From: eritreaqqq@yahoo.com
To: scoobycarlos@hotmail.com
Dear Carlos
I just remind you that I went to Sunday meeting while you were in Sasebo shortly before you leave Japan, but the day was still very cold.
Now on the 4th of February.. this day is the beginning of spring.
I plan to visit Kingdom Hall with my wife this spring, also looking forward to attending the Memorial.
I listen to BBC world service every night for at least two hours. Keeping in touch with England more than the real visitors & residents (as you & your wife! )
My question last time was in concise who the first settlers in Jericho were. This topic has a little to do with Bible. Anyway..I'd like to raise a more suitable question next time.
We expect to see you in Japan, I hope you fully enjoy your stay in London.
Sincerely yours,
Hiroshi
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