The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, better known as Jehovah's Witnesses was founded in the latter 1800's by a group of bible students under the influence of the teachings of Charles Taze Russell. Russell was not a fan of the doctrine of Hell, the trinity, or the deity of Jesus Christ for that matter. The teachings of Russell were soon picked up on and compounded by his followers and the tract society began to grow. They are now one of the largest 'christian' groups on the planet with major influence in almost every country. Quite simply, they are zealous, intelligent, and well trained at refuting the beliefs of most contemporary Christians. If you are interested in learning more about the Jehovah's Witnesses email me and I would be delighted to share more with you.
In light of this brief primer, I wanted to emphasize the importance of knowing a little about the Jehovah's witnesses and their beliefs. Many Christians today ignore the witness at their door, or whisk them away hastily. But, they indeed are deceived, and it is my belief that we are to proclaim a true Gospel witness to them if we can have a conversation that is conducive to it. We must remember that they are in need of salvation as much as you or I and our duty is merely to sow seeds, not give the increase.
Some Pointers
In light of this brief primer, I wanted to emphasize the importance of knowing a little about the Jehovah's witnesses and their beliefs. Many Christians today ignore the witness at their door, or whisk them away hastily. But, they indeed are deceived, and it is my belief that we are to proclaim a true Gospel witness to them if we can have a conversation that is conducive to it. We must remember that they are in need of salvation as much as you or I and our duty is merely to sow seeds, not give the increase.
Some Pointers
- It is best to discuss things with them at the door, or move out to the porch, this way you remain able to continue or terminate the conversation quickly
- When Witnesses are at your door in pairs, it is always a good practice to converse with the one who appears to be 'younger' or 'timid,' these are typically witnesses in training. If the elder interjects more often than would be necessary, redirect the question to the trainee (I want to know what he is going to say).
- Never focus on winning or losing the 'argument,' be patient, and wait for an opportunity to present the full gospel. Your testimony is always your best friend
- Be careful of parallel language, the JW's have different meanings for common evangelical jargon. Be purposeful in defining your terms.
Some Electronic Resources (note: You may right-click, or save-as to download the files in the links below, or click it to listen streaming online)
- A message from Charlie H. Campbell (1 Hour) surveying the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses. A very good listen that provides a wonderful overview.
- Ray Comfort's '3 Minutes to Live' message, demonstrating a unique conversation method that allows the emphasis of salvation by grace as essential in dealing with 'works' based cults like the JW's
- A few lessons from the School of Biblical Evangelism on the JW's that provides a quick overview in PDF format of their beliefs, and witnessing to them. Part 1 and Part 2
Last But Not Least
I often will use the New World Translation when I witness to the JW's. My reasoning is to establish credibility with them, but if you are unfamiliar with its subtle demonic doctrines, you will do well to stick with the King James, as most JW's will accept that as a translation, at least in part. In doing either method, I like to validate with them that I have a 'valid question' that I would like to know the answer to, as I would like to be proven wrong by the scripture if indeed I am in error. They very often will agree to hear your question, and if they interrupt you in the process with your questions, direct them back to the question at hand and ask them to hold all their 'other' responses until you are finished. Remember, manage the conversation, sew the seed.
I often will use the New World Translation when I witness to the JW's. My reasoning is to establish credibility with them, but if you are unfamiliar with its subtle demonic doctrines, you will do well to stick with the King James, as most JW's will accept that as a translation, at least in part. In doing either method, I like to validate with them that I have a 'valid question' that I would like to know the answer to, as I would like to be proven wrong by the scripture if indeed I am in error. They very often will agree to hear your question, and if they interrupt you in the process with your questions, direct them back to the question at hand and ask them to hold all their 'other' responses until you are finished. Remember, manage the conversation, sew the seed.
- Take them to John 1:1 and ask them who is the 'Word?' Avoid arguing the textual errors inherent in the JW definition, but remember this question sets the tone for the following journey through the scripture. They should respond that the 'Word' is Jesus.
- Then take them to Isaiah 41:4 and ask them who is the Lord? They will respond Jehovah.
- Then on to Revelation 1:8 and ask them who is speaking here? They will say Jehovah.
- Now on to Revelation 22:13-16 and ask them who is speaking here? They will say Jesus.
- Now you have established their presupposition that all references to first and last are Jehovah. But, now you open to Revelation 1:17-18. Then ask them very politely, 'When did Jehovah die?' Does Jehovah die? (Now this is where they can attack the translation issue, but it is the same in the NWT, KJV, and many other translations.) Be sure to redirect them back to the question, and ask them if they can compare this to one more verse.
- Take them to Zechariah 12:10 and simply state, "Now I question when did Jehovah die from the scriptures in Revelation, and ask yet again, when was he pierced?"
This is not a full refutation of JW's and their doctrines, but is enough to sew a seed that will cause them to ponder thier perspectives. It will also help the new JW that he may be choosing to reject the truth, and hopefully he will investigate your claims.
Most importantly. Pray. Pray for them.
Most importantly. Pray. Pray for them.
11 comments:
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) predicted the end of the world, IN WRITING, numerous times. Not once did they come true. They are known for their false predictions the world over.
JW's are taught that they alone are True Christians and that all other people not JW will soon be destroyed. This is no exaggeration.
JW's will allow their children to DIE rather than accept a life saving blood transfusion even in severe medical emergencies.
JW's used to forbid Vaccinations and Organ Transplants (calling a life saving transplant "Cannibalism") for a combined 33 years.
JW's enforce extreme shunning for any member that decides to leave their religion or who commits a sin without showing enough repentance in front of the elders.
Families have been devastated because of these harsh shunning policies. I have literally seen Parents cut off all ties with their children solely because the kid did not want to remain a JW but went in another direction.
Just a few things people need to know.
I was a JW (and elder) for 15 years before leaving because of their blood and fractions policy fours years ago. Today I am shunned by all JW's (including the stepson I raised for those 15 years) simply because I left the faith. Amazing but true.
Many JW individuals are sincere people that simply accept everything the Watchtower teaches and says. Just like I did.
Most believe God has chosen the Watchtower Society as his "channel", which provides food from God Himself to their religion and only their religion.
But an honest look at the facts and history of the JW religion shows God has not chosen the Watchtower for anything!
Take a LOOK:
http://home.tiscali.nl/t661020/wtcitaten/part2.htm
It's all from their own literature with dates and pages recorded to see for yourself.
Pages and pages of mistakes, embarrassments, false predictions, medical disasters, weird science, doctrinal failures and more for over 100 years now.
Obviously "GOD" would not get things wrong like this. Obviously God did not provide bad food like that for their entire history.
But most JW's have no idea about these things. They are told to stay away from anything critical of their religion.
Which is why anybody thinking of becoming one should examine examine examine.
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) predicted the end of the world, IN WRITING, numerous times. Not once did they come true. They are known for their false predictions the world over.
JW's are taught that they alone are True Christians and that all other people not JW will soon be destroyed. This is no exaggeration.
JW's will allow their children to DIE rather than accept a life saving blood transfusion even in severe medical emergencies.
JW's used to forbid Vaccinations and Organ Transplants (calling a life saving transplant "Cannibalism") for a combined 33 years.
JW's enforce extreme shunning for any member that decides to leave their religion or who commits a sin without showing enough repentance in front of the elders.
Families have been devastated because of these harsh shunning policies. I have literally seen Parents cut off all ties with their children solely because the kid did not want to remain a JW but went in another direction.
Just a few things people need to know.
I was a JW (and elder) for 15 years before leaving because of their blood and fractions policy fours years ago. Today I am shunned by all JW's (including the stepson I raised for those 15 years) simply because I left the faith. Amazing but true.
Many JW individuals are sincere people that simply accept everything the Watchtower teaches and says. Just like I did.
Most believe God has chosen the Watchtower Society as his "channel", which provides food from God Himself to their religion and only their religion.
But an honest look at the facts and history of the JW religion shows God has not chosen the Watchtower for anything!
Take a LOOK:
http://home.tiscali.nl/t661020/wtcitaten/part2.htm
It's all from their own literature with dates and pages recorded to see for yourself.
Pages and pages of mistakes, embarrassments, false predictions, medical disasters, weird science, doctrinal failures and more for over 100 years now.
Obviously "GOD" would not get things wrong like this. Obviously God did not provide bad food like that for their entire history.
But most JW's have no idea about these things. They are told to stay away from anything critical of their religion.
Which is why anybody thinking of becoming one should examine examine examine.
The JW religion is NOT what they like say about themselves. There is NO PROOF ANYWHERE that supports God has been using the WT Society as JW's claim and believe.
For examaple: Was God's spirit with JW's when they said Organ Transplants was a "conscience matter" in 1961?
Or,
Was God"s spirit with WT when they THEN SAID Organ Transplants are same as "Cannibalism" in 1967and forbid them?
Or was God's spirit with the Watchtower Society when they THEN SAID Organ Transplants are NOT the same as cannibalism in 1980 and now allow them?
Was God behind all those changes each time?
Did (((GOD))) get all those things wrong each time?
Did God cause folks TO DIE by listening to the WT Society as the voice of God?
AND THIS IS JUST ONE THING!!!
We can do this same song and dance THOUSANDS OF TIMES.
That's how bad defending WT world has become.
Just sharing the truth here.
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) predicted the end of the world, IN WRITING, numerous times. Not once did they come true. They are known for their false predictions the world over.
JW's are taught that they alone are True Christians and that all other people not JW will soon be destroyed. This is no exaggeration.
JW's will allow their children to DIE rather than accept a life saving blood transfusion even in severe medical emergencies.
JW's used to forbid Vaccinations and Organ Transplants (calling a life saving transplant "Cannibalism") for a combined 33 years.
JW's enforce extreme shunning for any member that decides to leave their religion or who commits a sin without showing enough repentance in front of the elders.
Families have been devastated because of these harsh shunning policies. I have literally seen Parents cut off all ties with their children solely because the kid did not want to remain a JW but went in another direction.
Just a few things people need to know.
http://religions.pewforum.org/reports
Jehovah's Witnesses have the lowest retention rate of any religion. Only 37% those who say they were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses still identify themselves as JW's.
This means, according to the published report and survey that 2 out of 3 children raised as JW's will choose to LEAVE the religion and go in another direction.
And if they were ever baptized as a JW they will then lose every JW relationship they had including being shunned by any family they no longer are living with.
How many children do you know that can handle such harsh penalties, conditions and rejection as this?
Many people call this emotional blackmail. It truly sickens them. And I can understand.
Sure, we will love you and give you everything you need just be sure to go to the meetings and stay a Jehovah's Witness... or else!
Why do so many young JW leave when Proverbs 22:6 says:
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Charles Taze Russell was a non-sectarian, who did not believe in an authoritarian organization such as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Neither did he believe in the "Good News" of bad tidings of eternal destruction for most earth present inhabitants as the Jehovah's Witnesses preached. The JWs preach almost the opposite of what Russell taught concerning the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. The real founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization was Joseph Rutherford.
Russell believed in the Biblical doctrine of hell, but rejected the man's added-on doctrine of Hell. Russell rejected man's added-on doctrine of trinity, because it is not found in the Bible, and it contradicts what the Bible presents concerning the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. Russell believed in the deity of Christ, but only as that word could be applied by scriptural usage of the words that could be rendered by the word "deity."
http://ctr.reslight.net
Ronald, you are right in the statements that you make. I do not know if you are correcting the statements I made in relation to Russell, or if you are defending him in contrast to his influence on those who eventually founded the Watchtower?
-I too have divine plan of the ages and have read a little, but would like to hear what you say of the rejection of mans added doctrines concerning hell? Didn't Russell believe in annihilation or not? Did he believe that Christ was God, yet fully man, and distinct from the Father?
James,
Russell believed that absolutely everyone under the condemnation of death and hades are included in Christ's ransom for all, and thus that they are saved, delivered, redeemed, from that condemnation because Jesus died, not just for those believe in this age, but also for the whole world. -- John 3:16,17; 12:46,47; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; Revelation 20:13.
God through Christ ransoms all, not from eternal torture or eternal conscious suffering, but "from the power of the grave [sheol]" (Hosea 13:14, King James Version). None, however, actually come forth from sheol/hades until Jesus calls them in the resurrection awakening at His Second Advent (John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23, 52), when (and not previously) the apostle Paul and others receive their crowns of life and rewards. — 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:5; 5:4; Luke 14:14.
Eventually, "all that are in the tombs will hear his [Jesus'] voice, and will come forth" (John 5:28,29). When sheol/hades thus delivers up all who sleep in Adamic death, sheol/hades will forever cease to exist-"O Grave, [sheol] I will be your destruction!" (New King James Version); "Death and hades [also the devil, the beast, the false prophet and the incorrigibly wicked] were thrown into the lake of fire [fire consumes; Yahweh's jealousy for his name and righteousness is represented as fire, which when kindled destroys -- Zephaniah 1:18; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 32;16,17; 1 Kings 14:22; Ezekiel 5:13; 36:5], This [lake of fire] is [represents] the second death [utter, complete and eternal annihilation, from which none will ever be recovered]." — Hosea 13:14; Revelation 19:20; 20:14, 15; 21:8; Galatians 6:8; Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 12:29; 1 John 5:16; Jude 12, 13.
Thus, being delivered from the original condemnation in Adam, however, does not guarantee that one will live forever; it is still possible for one, until he has proven his love and loyalty to God, to come other the second condemnation, that is, the second death, symbolized by the fires of the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna, lake of fire).
After an individual final judgment, the wicked "will pay the penalty: eternal destruction" (2 Thessalonians 1:9); they 'bring upon themselves swift destruction' (2 Peter 2:1, 12); their "end is destruction" (Philippians 3:19); they "shall go away into eternal punishment [not eternal suffering or eternal torturing, but death, for 'sin, when it is finished, brings forth death' (James 1:15; 4:12); everlasting death is the everlasting punishment], but the righteous [who only will have everlasting life after the final judgment -- Psalm 37:9-11] into eternal life." — Matthew 25:46.
To be continued..
Yes, Russell believed that after every one who dying in Adam has been saved, delivered, from Adamic death, that there is the possibility that many will still not wish to obey Jesus, and will thus be eternally annihilated.
After an individual final judgment, the wicked "will pay the penalty - eternal destruction" (2 Thessalonians 1:9); they 'bring upon themselves swift destruction' (2 Peter 2:1, 12); their "end is destruction" (Philippians 3:19); they "shall go away into eternal punishment ((not eternal suffering or eternal torturing, but death, for 'sin, when it is finished, brings forth death' (James 1:15; 4:12); everlasting death is the everlasting punishment}}, but the righteous {{who only will have everlasting life after the final judgment -- Psalm 37:9-11}} into eternal life." — Matthew 25:46
James,
If by "God", you mean "the only Most High", no, Russell did not believe that Jesus was the Most High and also the Son of the Most High. Russell did not believe in the 'hypostatic union' or "dual natures" (to planes of existence at once) dogma that has to be added to, and read into, the scriptures. Russell viewed the deity/divinity of Jesus from the Hebraic standpoint of apply the usage of the words from which deity or divinity would be translated from (Hebrew, forms of the word transliterated as EL; Greek, forms of the word transliterated as THEOS). Thus, Jesus was (past tense) divine -- a mighty one -- with the only true God (Supreme Being) before the world of mankind was made through Jesus. (John 1:1,2,10; 17:3,5) He did not have that divine (celestial) glory, however, while he was in the days of his flesh, for, if he did, then why would he ask that it be returned to him? -- John 17:5; 1 Corinthians 15:40; Hebrews 5:7.
Russell did indeed believe that Jesus, the Son of the God (one person) of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was distinct from the only Most High, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Exodus 3:14,15; Deuteronomy 18:15-19) Acts 3:13-23 identifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as one person, and the son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as totally another individual who was sent by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thus, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is one person, the God and Father of Jesus. Jesus is never depicted in the Bible as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is never depicted in the Bible as more than one person.
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