Unapologetic

Jehovah Witness

Key notes on how to minister effectively to Jw’s, first understand that this is a long term process that oftentimes involves you studying Jw’s theology and investing your time in both research and personal relationships with Jehovah's witnesses. Jehovah witnesses are very skeptical about Christians who use references that are not Watchtower society literature.

Strategy: there are many points of theology where we differ with Jw’s, you cannot possibly debate effectively on every point of disagreement. Rather, the best strategy is to fine tune one or two points of contention, study it from both your theology and theirs, seek to fully understand them on these points as this will help you to engage in conversations that will produce fruit.

Also, please note that when you go to minister to them they use “Jehovah”, they believe that to use any other name of God is blasphemy. So when ministering you may want to use their vernacular, I have used both God and Jehovah, I have yet to run into anyone being upset by this.

For this reason I have decided on a three point strategy:

1. Plant a seed to have them doubt the Watchtower Society

• Failed Prophecies from the watchtower

• NWT Translation issues; Colossians 1: 13 - 18

2. Defend the Identity of Jesus Christ

• Jesus is not Michael the archangel

• Jesus is not created, he is eternal and God in the flesh

3. Minister the True Gospel of Jesus

• You must be born again by faith alone in Christ alone

• Works cannot save you, they are the fruit of your salvation and not the root of it.

Plant a Seed of Doubt

Failed Prophecies in the Watchtower Society

Founder: Charles Taze Russell, after being disillusioned by atheism, and the seventh day adventist in 1879 he established the Watchtower society, and in 1908 he moved the headquarters to Brooklyn, where it still remains. He began to teach several heretical doctrines such as the nonexistence of hell and the trinity, Jesus is Michael the archangel, the holy spirit is a mere force and not a distinct person, he prophesied the return of Jesus in 1914. Charles defended his 1914 prophecy of the return of Jesus and said that he in fact did return but it was invisible and that his visible return would come later.

Charles' predecessor was Joseph Rutherford who said that, " Millions now living will never die", in 1914, he predicted that millions would still be alive at the Armageddon, the visible return of christ. That was 108 years ago. Rutherford prophesied in 1925 that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would return to earth in 1925, and that they needed to prepare a mansion for them in San Diego, Ca, after the mansion was built, Rutherford moved into the mansion called Beth Sarim. Rutherford died in 1942 and the watchtower sold the property because they were embarrassed at yet another failed prophecy.

Again the watchtower prophesied about armageddon in 1975, it didn't happen.

The watchtower society has many false prophecies.

“‘If any prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name that I did not command him to speak or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.21 However, you may say in your heart: “How will we know that Jehovah has not spoken the word?”22 When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.’ Deuteronomy 18:22 NWT

If they say, “well just because a prophecy does not come to pass, it does not mean that they are a false prophet”.

“In case a prophet or one who foretells by dreams arises in your midst and gives you a sign or a portent, 2 and the sign or the portent about which he spoke to you comes true while he is saying, ‘Let us walk after other gods,’ gods that you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer,a for Jehovah your God is testing youb to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul.*c 4 After Jehovah your God you should walk, him you should fear, his commandments you should keep, to his voice you should listen; he is the one you should serve, and to him you should hold fast.d5 But that prophet or that dreamer should be put to death,e because he encouraged rebellion against Jehovah your God—who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery—to turn you from the way in which Jehovah your God has commanded you to walk. And you must remove what is evil from your midst.f Deuteronomy 13: 1 - 5 NWT

God told his people in Deuteronomy:

• If a prophets prophecy does not come to pass they are not to be feared, or trusted.

• If a prophet performs a sign or miracle but their message leads you to serve foreign Gods, they are to be put to death.

The watchtower has many failed prophecies, and are leading people away from the one true God by denying the deity of Jesus Christ. Jesus affirms the punishment of False teachers in Matthew 7:15 - 20

15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering,r but inside they are ravenous wolves.s 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?t 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit.u 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit.v 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.w20 Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.x NWT

Ask, “How can you trust the watchtower society when there are many recorded failed prophecies?”

If they answer that failed prophecy don't determine a false prophet -

Ask, “ Is that not in direct contradiction to the scriptures?”

These questions will plant a seed of doubt into their heads. They will usually attempt to change the subject, press them to answer the questions.

Plant a Seed of Doubt

NWT Translation Issues

Rutherford's successor was Nathan Knorr, who after realizing the problematic doctrine from the watchtower and the bible, formed an anonymous committee to produce the New World Translation of the bible. Soon after the publication in 1961, it came to light who the committee was; a total of five people, 4 of the five lacked the credentials to translate Greek and the other had studied Greek for 2 years. When the NASB was in publication there was a group of 50 highly educated and skilled biblical languages with certifiable degrees and credentials from the Lockmans Foundation that oversaw the publication, their names and degrees were always made public.

The NWT oversight committee was filled with active members of the Watchtower Society, one of which was the current president - Nathan Knorr.

The first publication of the NWT was in 1961, nearly 80 years after the establishment of the watchtower society they began to work on their own bible translation, it's interesting to note that they never changed their doctrine they were preaching, rather they created a bible translation that would verify their doctrine.

This is a major conflict of interest.

Plant a Seed of Doubt

NWT Translation Issues

Continued….

Here are a few examples pulled from JW.ORG that you can use to show a few mistranslations.

Currently, available on JW.ORG are both the Kingdom interlinear Translations of the Greek Scriptures - Approved by the watch tower society for their congregations to use and the NWT Translations.

For the purpose of establishing that Jesus is God I will use the scriptures that undeniably point to His deity.

Colossians 1: 13 in the Kingdom interlinear translation of the Greek scriptures clearly state that

• Jesus created all things

• All things were created through Jesus

• Jesus is before all things

Colossian 1 in the NWT is Contrary to their Kingdom Interlinear Greek Scriptures as the NWT includes the word, “ Other”.

Ask, “Why did the NWT add the Word ‘other’”?

Ask, “What would be the theological implications if the word ‘Other’ was not added to the NWT?

Theological implications would be that:

• Jesus is uncreated - therefore eternal just like God.

• He is the creator of all things, the creator himself.

• All things are created for the glory of Jesus, because Jesus is God in the flesh.

Defend the Identity of Jesus Christ

Jesus is not Michael the Archangel

Please note that for the purposes of ministering to JW’S I use their NWT translation of the bible, though corrupted - the Watchtower has still left many key points in there that point to the deity of Jesus. This is done to challenge the JW’S using their own scriptures.

One of the commonly used verses used by the society is 1 Thessalonians 4:16,

“because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first”. NWT

Oftentimes, the point being made here is “if Jesus is returning with the voice of “the archangel”, then Jesus must be the Archangel - Michael”...

Here is the main issue with this statement, Paul's figure of speech here is metaphoric, how do we know? Paul Likens Jesus' second coming to that of “the archangel” and “with God's Trumpet”. Is Jesus a Trumpet as well?

A metaphor or simile is when you compare two different things together to make an analogy.

So, if this verse concludes that Jesus is an Archangel, then is Jesus also a trumpet? Of course not! This is a metaphor/ simile used by Paul to explain Jesus' greatness.

The Watchtower society agrees that the scriptures do not “Categorically” speak to Jesus being Michael the archangel they teach as doctrine that He is because they “Can reasonably” conclude that he is.

The arguments used by JW’s concerning Jesus being Michael the archangel are weak at best, this is why usually they will not say that he is, while they are out ministering to people or handing out booklets. This is typically a doctrine they teach after a person either becomes a member or is on the precipice of membership.

After you have concluded that Jesus is not Michael the Archangel you can say,

“So if Jesus is not an angel, who is he? Is Jesus the Son of God”. Jw’s will all agree that Jesus is the, “Son of God”.

“In John 5:18 Jesus by saying that God is my father made himself equal to God, why did that statement upset the Jews in that passage? Because Jesus claimed to be equal with God”. The implications of Jesus being the son of God is that he would be made equal to God – the Jews understood that when Jesus said, “God is my Father, or I am His Son”, this was blasphemy- to make oneselves equal to God, either Jesus is a blasphemer or He is equal to God in Nature.

You can ask, “ Is Jesus a Blasphemer”? They will argue that of course he is not!

“Then why did Jesus say he was God's son and give himself equality with God”?

Scripture References: 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things during the Sabbath.g 17 But he answered them: “My Father has kept working until now, and I keep working.”h 18 This is why the Jews began seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath but he was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God. John 5:18(NWT)

Next question to ask,

“Who raised Jesus from the dead”? They will answer that God or the father raised Jesus from the dead.

Now this next argument is compelling evidence to the trinity - a doctrine that JW’s believe is pagan in nature. I would avoid using the word “ Trinity'' and go straight into explaining it using scripture as often when the word “Trinity”is used they will mentally shut out your following words. You may need to review and study on your own time this argument, but it is worth it.

“So God, the Father Raised Jesus from the dead, correct”? Make sure you have them agree with your verbiage here.

“Then why did Jesus say in John 2: 19, “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. And he was speaking in regards to his body, Jesus said that He will raise His body from the dead. So, was Jesus lying when He said that He would raise his body from the dead?”

At this point some will continue to listen and inquire, others will shut down the conversation, try to stay on track with them on this…

Scripture Reference: “Jesus replied to them: “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”l20 The Jews then said: “This temple was built in 46 years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was talking about the temple of his body.m22 When, though, he was raised up from the dead, his disciples recalled that he used to say this,n and they believed the scripture and what Jesus had spoken.” NWT

Ask them again, “ Who raised Jesus from the dead according to the scriptures”?

Show them the next passage, in Acts 2:24 NWT, “This man, who was handed over by the determined will and foreknowledge of God,pyou fastened to a stake by the hand of lawless men, and you did away with him.q 24 But God resurrected him…”

“Here that passage tells us that God raised Jesus from the dead, so did Jesus raise himself up or did God do it?”

Go to the next passage, Romans 8:11 NWT

Scripture Reference: If, now, the spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in you.

“Now this passage tells us the Holy Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead”?

“So which passage is lying or inaccurate? Did God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit raise up Jesus' Body from the dead?”

Ask this question, “If you found that the Watchtower's teachings about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit contradicted the Bible, who would you choose to listen to? The watchtower or the Bible?”

Because in Collossians 2:9:it tells us that in Christ all the fullness of the deity of God dwells bodily.

So perhaps the bible is teaching us that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all rose Jesus from the dead.

But how? Perhaps it is because the Bible teaches us that they are all one in nature - God. But three separate persons: Father, Son and Spirit.

You have just explained the trinity to them using the scriptures.

Defend the Identity of Jesus

Jesus is uncreated, He is God in the Flesh

After you have laid the subtle foundation of the Trinity you can say,

“If Jesus is truly God in the Flesh, then Passages like John 1:1-14, Jesus is the Word of God that was both with God and was God, Collosians 1: 13 - 18 Jesus is the image of God, the eternal one, and creator of the universe, John 2:19 that says, Jesus will raise himself up from the dead, Romans 8:11 that says the Holy Spirit will raise Jesus from the dead, Acts 2:24 says the God raised Jesus for the dead, These passage are either contradicting themselves, or they are teaching us that Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit - one in nature as God and three separate beings.

The teaching of the trinity is the only way to make sense of the scriptures teachings concerning Jesus, another way to make sense of these teachings would be to change the scriptures - we have established that the watchtower has done just that.

These passages teach us that clearly Jesus is God in the flesh:

“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL NAME HIM IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:23 NASB

God with us!

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

He is Mighty God, and the Eternal Father!

The only way to make since of Jesus healing people is to understand that the Creator can heal:

God said Exodus 15:26 “I am the Lord he heals you”.

Jesus healing people is plain evidence of his deity, his God-ness.

In the Old testament Isaiah 43:25 “I, I alone, am the one who wipes out your wrongdoings for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.

In Matthew 9: 1- 8, Jesus heals and FORGIVES a paralytic man.

The Jews said that was blasphemy, why? Because when Jesus forgave sins - the Jews understood that only God can forgive sins according to Isaiah 43:25.

In summation: To say that Jesus is Michael the archangel and that God simply gave some of his authority over to Jesus/ Michael - would contradict the scriptures in Isaiah 42:8 where God says that He will not give his Glory or praise to anyone else. We see throughout the Gospel that many people worshiped Jesus and Jesus accepted the worship, he never turned it away. Either Jesus is a blasphemer or He is truly God in the flesh, he simply cannot be just a man, or angel.

His bodily resurrection proves that Jesus' testimony of himself was valid, he was not a blasphemer, rather God in the flesh!

The True Gospel

From, "Studies in the Scriptures' ', Volume 1, page 150, " The ransom for all given by the man, Christ Jesus Does not give or guarantee everlasting life or blessing to any man".

Studies in the scriptures is a watchtower published book. It is plain to see here from their sources that they do not believe the sacrifice of Jesus was enough. They believe that you must work to earn salvation.

Some will argue and say that this is not true, just point them back to the book they pull their doctrine from.

Minister the Gospel of Grace to them, that you must be born again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and that you can be born again if they would only place their faith in Christ alone for salvation. John 3.

Explain to them that no amount of good works will ever be able to credit them to righteousness, that true faith in Christ will bring about a new creature in them, they will have the Holy spirit in them to lead them and help them to live holy lives and do good works for God, but those works are the fruit of their salvation and not the root of their salvation. That if you attempt to earn your salvation by works they are condemned to follow the whole law of God and if they break just one, they are guilty of breaking the entire law of God.

Encourage them to read John 3, Romans 3,4,5. And the book of Galations.