JEHOVAH’S REAL WITNESSES? I THINK NOT

Exploring the Doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com
 
Recently, I spent five hours over three visits with several pleasant Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW's) who showed up at our front door advancing the message of The Watchtower.

The first two visits were with two women in their forties who must have thought I was a possible convert to their faith because of the many questions I pitched their way.

The third session was a long one around the dining room table, with the original two women on each side and a more abrupt woman, more knowledgeable about the Bible and the JW teachings, seated directly in front of me.

We tossed off the gloves and gave it a go.

As expected, after three hours we wound up in gridlock. I was not a whit closer to becoming a JW adherent, and they remained solidly fixed in their positions despite what I thought was a solid presentation of who Jesus Christ really is according to clear, biblical references.

The trio focused too much on the teachings of The Watchtower which I told them in advance I reject because it conflicts with the Bible. 

The Watchtower is the primary means of disseminating the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses. It includes articles relating to Bible prophecy, Christian conduct and morals, as well as the history of the Bible. I insisted there is no companion book to the Bible.

In preparation of our round-table discussion, I wrote and printed off a 15 page overview comparing JW beliefs and what the Bible states and gave them each a copy when we were done talking. 

I asked them to proof it and get back to me about any errors before I posted it on my website. I never received  a response.

A couple of tips when sharing:

1. Be polite and listen closely to the presentation of others.
2. Ask follow-up questions or ask them to "Continue."
3. Question their sources.
4. If they ask if they can bring a friend back, be prepared; you're likely going to be dealing with a JW heavyweight who may have deserted true Christianity and is today full of anger.

So, back to the dining-room table.

Me: “If I understand what you have been telling me, I need to join the Jehovah’s Witnesses' organization because, you claim, it is the only way I can learn Jehovah's will.

“Then, if I continue as a faithful Jehovah's Witness for the rest of my life, I will be rewarded with another life on earth because the 144,000 special seats in Heaven with Jesus are, no doubt, all taken.

“You claim the JW way is the only way to God. Upon my death, my body and soul go into the ground but I will be resurrected for another test of good works and obedience for 1,000 years.

“If I prove myself to be Jehovah-worthy during the 1,000 years and don't rebel against God, I will live on a renewed perfect earth for eternity. That's providing I don't rebel against God.
That is quite complicated. That doesn't offer any solid hope.”

                            *****

Let's examine what the Jehovah’s Witnesses promote and what the Bible teaches.
There can be no conflict.

The JWs deny the Trinity

The Bible points out that God exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - called the Trinity. The JW’s reject this and preach there is just one solitary being, Jehovah God. (Yes, I am aware that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible. However, there are many references in the Bible that point to the reality of the Trinity.)

How can one deny a Trinitarian God in face of the following Scripture?

Matthew 3:16-17 says, “After his baptism, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him.”

Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 13-14 say, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May God's love and the Holy Spirit's friendship be yours.”

Genesis 1:26 says. “Let us make man…”

Job 32:8 says, “But it is not mere age that makes them wise. Rather, it is the Spirit in a man.”

Acts 7:59 says, “And as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.”

Thus, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Trinity!

The JWs teach that Christ is merely one of God's creations. YIKES.

Because Christ was part of the Trinity, He is God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses preach that Christ was God's first-created creature. SO WRONG.

John 1:1 says, “Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God.”

Colossians 1:15-19 say, “Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all.”

Do works help us get to Heaven? No.

The Bible proclaims that Christ completed our salvation at Calvary. The Jehovah’s Witnesses preach that our admittance into a peaceful afterlife can be achieved only by being a JW in good standing, and good works.

Romans 3:24-25 say, “Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal. Yet, now God declares us not guilty of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.”

Colossians 1:20 says, “It was through what his Son did that cleared a path for everything to come to him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21says, “For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received (Christ), to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

To summarize:
•    We are all sinners.
•    Christ took care of our cursed sins on the cross.
•    Salvation cannot be attained by doing good works.
•    Good works are evidence of our salvation.
•    Eternal salvation is available free to anyone who will repent of his sin and invite Christ into his life as Savior and Lord.

The JWs deny that Christ arose from the dead

Consider these verses:

John 20:24 says, “After greeting them (his disciples, following the crucifixion) he showed them his hands and side. How wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord!”

John 20:27-29 say, “Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger into my hands. Put your finger in my side.” Said Thomas, "My Lord and my God.”

Here's an eye-opening verse:
 
Then Jesus told them, "You believe because you have seen me. But blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway."

The JWs believe that Christ returned to earth in 1914 and was invisible
The Bible says Christ will be visible when He returns.

Matthew 24:30 says, “And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”

Revelation 1:17 says, “See! He is arriving, surrounded by clouds, and every eye shall see him—yes, and those who pierced him.”

JWs teach that unbelievers face annihilation at death. No, it’s Heaven or Hell.
 
The Bible states that eternal punishment awaits those who reject or ignore Christ's gift of free salvation. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that those who do not become a Jehovah’s Witness will be annihilated with no conscience upon death.

Matthew 13:42 says, “And all who are evil will be thrown into the furnace and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let those with ears, listen!”

Matthew 22:14 says, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

2 Peter 12:17 says, “And there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth as you stand outside....they are doomed to the eternal pits of darkness.”

Jude 1:13 says, “They wander around looking as bright as stars, but ahead of them is the everlasting gloom and darkness that God has prepared for them.”

Revelations 14:9-11 say, “...and they will be tormented with fire and burning sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and Christ. The smoke of their torture arises forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night.”

What a horrible, conscious eternity awaits the person who, although perhaps active their whole life in church, have never had a one-on-one relationship with everlasting God and never confessed his sin and called out to Christ for his salvation.

He will spend forever, wide-awake in eternal suffering. If you are not sure you're going to Heaven, chances are you're not, and Hell awaits.

That's what is so frightening when you poke into the devilish doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cults.
   
                           ********
Here is some history of the Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses were founded in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1852 by Charles Russell.

Russell taught that the end-times started in 1799 and that Christ returned in 1874. These dates were later changed in 1914 when Armageddon failed to appear. Prophecies about 1915 also failed.

Russell died in 1916 and was succeeded by Joseph Rutherford who falsely predicted Armageddon would take place in 1918 and 1925.

In 1931, the title Jehovah Witnesses was adopted.

In 1942, Nathan Knorr succeeded Rutherford. His major accomplishment was overseeing the completion of The New World Translation of the Bible in 1961, with its major false liberties.

The name Jehovah’s Witnesses is synonymous with the name Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Headquartered now in Brooklyn, NY, the governing body of the Witnesses wields absolute authority over its membership and popularizes its doctrines by mass distribution of magazines like The Watchtower and Awake.

A Witness is obedient to The Watchtower, which promotes a false gospel as outlined above:

Other JW notes

•    The Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, will not salute the flag or honor any government, will have no part of war, or honor traditional Christian holidays.

•    The most grievous error in the doctrine of the JW's is their insistence that Christ is inferior to God.

Consider John 8:42 where Christ said, "That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am the Messiah, the Son of God, you will die in your sins."

Matthew 16:15-16 state, "Then He (Jesus) asked them (His disciples), 'Who do you think I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'The Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'"

Where in the Bible does Jesus claim to be God?

1. Referring to Himself in Matthew 12:6, Jesus says, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." How can anyone be Lord of the Sabbath except God who instituted it? This is a direct claim to deity.
 
2. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus speaks as though He has personally observed the whole history of Jerusalem: “0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”
 
3. In Mark 2:1-2, Jesus tells a paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some scribes sitting there caught the obvious intent of Jesus' words and reasoned: “Why does this man speak in this way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?”
 
Jesus challenged them, Which is easier to say to someone who is parlayed, "Your sins are forgiven or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your pallet and walk? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ...’?”
 
No one forgives sin but God. Jesus was clearly claiming deity for Himself.
 
4. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus speaks of Himself as the ultimate judge who will have authority to deny entrance into the kingdom of Heaven.
 
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’.”
 
5. Matthew 14: 33 and John 9:38 say that often Jesus received worship and did nothing to discourage it. Worship is for God. Jesus is part of the Godhead (the Trinity.)

6. In John 8:58, Jesus proclaimed to a Jewish crowd, "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am."
 
7. In all, Jesus uses the term "I am" more than 19 times in reference to Himself in the Gospel according to John. Often it is used to make claims about Himself that normally would be thought appropriate only for God.
 
“I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” (John 6:35)
 
“I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
 
“Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
 
“I am the good shepherd (John 10:11-14)
 
“I am the resurrection, and the life; He who believes in Me shall live even if he dies (John 11:25).”
 
In John 14:6, Jesus did not just claim to be teaching mankind the truth; He claimed that He was the truth. In John 14:9, Jesus admonished Philip, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."
 
In Isaiah 42:8, God said, "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another."
 
In John 17:5, Jesus prayed, "And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I ever had with Thee before the world was."
 
C. S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, puts all these claims in the right perspective when he reminds his readers that Jesus was a Jew among Jews:
 
"Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time.
 
The question is, can we accept as true what Jesus (God the Son), claimed?
 
The most conclusive evidence establishing the deity of Christ is the historically verifiable resurrection. The apostle Paul wrote that Jesus "was declared with power to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead." (Romans 1:4)
 
The primary reason that Jesus is the only way to God is that He forgives sin and offers eternal life, (John 10:28) something that the founder of no other major religion has claimed to do. Think about that!
 
Every person is separated from a perfect, holy God by sin. According to God’s requirement, either the individual must pay the penalty for sin – death – or he must find someone who is willing and able – who has no sin – to pay the penalty for him. (Hebrews 9:14, 22)
 
Jesus Christ was both able and willing to do this, as demonstrated by His death on the cross. That is why Jesus is the only way to God.

IS RE-INCARNATION TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE?

BIBLICAL ANSWERS TO TOUGH QUESTIONS

Compiled by Grace Kemp
gracekemp@aol.com
  
1.Question:  Is re-incarnation taught in the Bible? No. 
"It is destined that men die only once, and after that the judgment; so also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people." (Hebrews 9:27-28)

2. Question:  Is the Bible true? Yes.
"Thy Word is true." (John 17:17) "He that rejecteth me and receive not my words hath one that judgeth him: the WORD that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48)

3. Question: Which religion is right?
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men..." (l Timothy 2:5)

4. Question:  What can I do for forgiveness of my sins?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

5. Question:  What happens after death?
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  (John 3:36)

6. Question:  Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
"Jesus said...I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."  (John 14:6)

7. Question: Can I know for sure that I am going to Heaven?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

8. Question:  Is there a God and what does He have to do with me?
 "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."  (Job 37:14)  "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent."  (John 17:3)

9. Question:  Creation or Evolution?
"He spoke it, it came to be; He commanded it, it stood stood forth. (Psalms 33: 6-9) "By faith we understand that the world was created by Word of God.“ (Hebrews 11:3)

10. Question: If God is love, why is there so much suffering?
"For the wages of sin (Adam's original sin) is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:2)

11. Question: What does it mean to be "born again"?
Jesus said, "I am come that they might have more life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." (John 6:47)

12. Question: Why is Jesus Christ still significant after 2,000 years?
"God sent Jesus Christ to take the punishment for our sins...He used Christ's blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath...Jesus took away (our) sins." (Romans 3: 25-25)

13. Question:  What is the meaning of life?
Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life more abundantly."  (John 10:10) "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." (John 6:47)

14.  Question: Do we all have our own truth? No.
"Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(Acts 4:12)
 
15. Question:  Is it important to read the Bible? Yes.
"Despise God's word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed."  (Proverbs 13:13)

16 . Question:  How does one become a child of God?
"If you believe that Jesus is the Christ - that He is God's Son and your Saviour -then you are a child a child of God." (l John 5:1)

17. Question:  Is there life after death? Yes.
Jesus said, "I am the One who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me even though he dies like everyone else, shall  again.  He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish."   (John 11:25-26)

18.Question: Is God concerned about our personal problems? Yes.
"Let Him have all your worries and cares for He is always thinking about you and watching  everything that concerns you." (l Peter 5:7)

19.Question:  Does the Bible have anything to say about anger? Yes.
"Don't let the sun go down with you still angry – get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil."   (Ephesians 4:26)

20.Question:  What is the scariest verse in the Bible?
"And if anyone's name was not recorded in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:15)

21.Question: How can I become a Child of God?
"So all who received Him (Jesus Christ), He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn."  (John 1:12-13)

22.Question:  Can our good works save our souls? No.
"Our acquittal is not based on our good deeds; it is based on what Christ has done and our faith in Him...We are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do." (Romans 3: 27-28)

23.Question:  You hear that God is love. Where's the evidence?
"God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners... Now we rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God  - all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins - making us
friends of God." (Romans 5:8-11)

24.Question:  What does God say about the atheists?
"That man is a fool who says to himself, There is no God!" (Psalms 14:1)

 
                

HOW WE QUALIFY FOR HEAVEN

Key Bible verses
               
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them.
                      
God made us.


Colossians 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
       
God sustains us.
 
Psalms 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

God owns us.
 
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment

God judges us.
 
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Sin blocks our good efforts.
 
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like
the wind, have taken us away.
         
Sin makes even our "righteous" acts filthy.
 
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
        
Sin has separated us from God.
 
Revelation 20:10-15
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
        
Sin will send us to the lake of fire.
 
John 12:48 
He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day
        
God will judge us according to the Bible.

                              BUT…

Romans 5:8
But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.
        
God loves us.
 
Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
        
Y'shua (Jesus) shed his blood for our sin.
 
Hebrews 9:22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
        
Y'shua shed his blood to meet God's requirement.
 
Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
        
Y'shua made a perfect sacrifice to redeem us.
 
Hebrews 10:12, 14
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
        
Y'shua will make us perfect forever.
 
John 14:6
Y'shua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
        
Y'shua is our only way to heaven.
 
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Messiah Y'shua our Lord.
        
Y'shua is God's gift.
 
John 1:12, 13
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born,
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
        
You must receive Y'shua.
 
John 3:1-7
Y'shua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God ... That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit ... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
        
You must be born again.
 
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
...I declare unto you the good news...By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain...Messiah died for our sins according to the
Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
        
You must believe the Good News.
 
John 1:1,12
In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us.
Y'shua is God, since God made a covenant with Israel through circumcision, and a covenant requires both parties to shed blood.
     
How can God shed blood if He has no body? He would have to become human to represent us legally, hence He would take on flesh, and become human, and He did just that.
 
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
        
We must repent.
 
Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Y'shua, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
        
We must confess.
 
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
        
We must call on the Lord to be saved

Why not pray the following prayer,
and trust Jesus as your Messiah right now.

Dear God,

I know that I have sinned, and need your forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my sin.

I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died on the cross for my sins personally, and rose again to give me eternal life.

I now trust Jesus to come into my heart and life,
forgive me of all my sins, and give me everlasting life.

I believe that Jesus Christ in the only way to Heaven, and when He died, shed His blood, and rose again from again, He secured eternal life for me.
 
I choose to believe this and accept it with thanks.

AMEN
 
If you just prayed this prayer and really meant it with all your heart, then God heard your prayer and has forgiven you of all of your sins.

Now, get involved in some local congregation of believers in Y'shua (Jesus), and tell someone that you just made this decision for Y'shua.

If you don't know anyone else to tell, why don't you let me know and I'll send you some helpful information.

How were people saved before Jesus?

By Grace Kemp      gracekemp@aol.com                                                                         
 
In the Old Testament, salvation was available through Christ's future death on the cross even though Christ was unknown at that point. Like today, people were saved by God through FAITH.
 
In simple obedience, the Jews shed the blood of animals to cover their sins, having no idea that it represented the future shed blood of Christ, the Son of God.
 
They obeyed out of blind faith. God saw the object of their faith, Christ, the "Lamb of God." In other words, Old Testament believers were saved on credit.
 
Once a year, the High Priest carried animal blood into the sacred Holy of Holies in the Temple where only he was allowed to enter.
 
There, he sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat which was on the top of the Ark of the Covenant as temporal payment for the sins of the people on whose behalf the animal had died.