Category Archives: Questions For JW’s

One God or Two?

If you ask a Jehovah’s Witness, ‘How many Gods do you believe in?’, they will answer and say “One. We believe in the One true God, Jehovah.” And by that, they mean the Father. However, it quickly becomes apparent, once you start asking questions, that they actually believe in many gods. They don’t realize this because everything they believe is compartmentalized and they don’t compare and contrast what they believe. This is how they can believe contradictory ideas. When you show them this, it causes cognitive dissonance. Let me explain.

The conversation typically goes something like this:

Me: How many Gods do you believe in?

JW: We believe in the One true God, Jehovah.

Me: And by that you mean the Father?

JW: Yes, the Father. Do you know that God has a name? Do you know what the name of God is? (JW are very intent on focusing on the name of God. They often revert to this subject because they think Christians don’t know God’s name, which makes them feel superior and special. They like that).

Me: What about Jesus?

JW: Jesus is the Son of God. He is not God.

Me: Isaiah 9:6 and John 1:1 both say Jesus is God.

JW: Yes, but He is not the Father, He is not the Almighty God, He is only the mighty God.

Me: But Jehovah is called mighty God in Isaiah 10:21.

           Only a remnant will return, The remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. NWT

So, you believe in two Gods?

JW: No

Me: Sure, you do. Let’s add this up. You have the Almighty uncreated Father, that’s one, and the little created god Jesus, that’s two.

JW: But we only worship the Father. And besides, the Bible says there are many gods, even Satan is called the god of this system of things.

Me: We weren’t talking about how many gods you worship; we were talking about how many gods you believe in. The Bible teaches there is only one true God. All others are false.

JW: No, the Bible says there are many gods, even Satan is called the god of this system of things:

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Cor. 4:4 NWT

Me: But Satan is not a true God, Satan is a fallen angel, a false god.

JW: Even Jesus said there are gods.

“Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”’?* 35  If he called ‘gods’  those against whom the word of God came—and yet the scripture cannot be nullified— 36  do you say to me whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?” John 10:34-36 NWT

Jesus is quoting from Psalms chapter 82 here and if we examine the next verse, the context becomes clear.

“I have said, ‘You are gods,

All of you are sons of the Most High. But you will die just as men do, And like any other prince you will fall!’” Psalms 82:6,7 NWT

Me: If you continue reading, in the next verse, we can clearly see since these so-called gods will die, they are not true Gods. And since Jehovah God states there is only One True God, these so-called gods must be false.

What kind of a god is Jesus? A true God or a false god?

And this is typically where the conversation ends and they suddenly have to leave. Or they might change the subject. Don’t fall for this!

In my last conversation with a JW, he tried to say there is more than one kind of a true god and go through the definitions of God in the dictionary. He then tried to explain the Son is a different kind of true God. This still leaves them with the belief in more than one God. Which makes them polytheists, or more accurately henotheists.

Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t seem to know the difference between the One true God and the false gods mentioned in the Bible. The Watchtower does this by design since JW’s believe in more than one true God, which contradicts the Bible. This comes as a shock to both JW’s and the Christians who are trying to reach them.

I like to show them Isaiah 43:10,11 since this is their favorite scripture. Sadly, they never read past the first sentence. Discovering God said He created no other gods catches them by surprise.

“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me, no God was formed, And after me, there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me, there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:10,11

This is problematic for them. Here, their own Bible says Jehovah created no other God.

JW’s think it is perfectly acceptable to believe in more than one true God, because of their *altered* New World Translation. Because the Watchtower organization disagreed with the Bible, they translated their own Bible and proceeded to alter it, most notably in John 1:1 which reads:

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

While the Bible is clear, that there is only one true God and JW’s believe in more than one God, I have never seen this work well with a JW. However, we never know what scripture will trouble a Jehovah’s Witness enough to research and start to question the Watchtower organization. And the last time they came to my door, this exact argument unexpectedly took place and their only response was “We have to leave now!” Apparently, it made quite an impact! So, we never know what will work. I always advise Christians who are reaching out to Jehovah’s Witnesses, to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. It’s amazing what happens!

Here is a list of some of the more common verses which clearly state there is only one God. All scriptures are taken from the New World Translation.

  1. Deut. 4:35,39 You yourselves have been shown these things so you will know that Jehovah is the true God; there is no other besides him. Know, therefore, on this day, and take it to heart that Jehovah is the true God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. There is no other.
  2. Deut. 32:39 See now that I—I am he, And there are no gods apart from me. I put to death, and I make alive. I wound, and I will heal, And no one can rescue from my hand.
  3. 2 Sam. 7:22 That is why you are truly great, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. There is no one like you, and there is no God except you; everything we have heard with our ears confirms this.
  4. 1 Kings 8:60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah is the true God. There is no other!
  5. Isaiah 44:6,8 This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.
  6. Isaiah 45:5 This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel+ and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.

Next up will be the biblical teaching that troubled this Jehovah’s Witness.

Salvation How Is It Found?

COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY

How is salvation found? By means of faith or by means of an organization? The Watchtower teaches one must be a member of the organization to be saved through Armageddon. Where is this found in Scripture? 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT of works,  lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8,9 NKJV

Continue reading →

How Can I Be Saved?

ASK BELIEVE RECEIVE

We’ve all been abused by the Watchtower. For most of us those scars are hidden on the inside, we are the “walking wounded.” We’ve lost our families, our so-called friends, our reputation, and have been smeared as “mentally diseased apostates” by the Organization. Some of us have suffered more than others, but none of us walk away unscathed.

After such an ordeal it’s normal to become angry and bitter, and to blame God. However God is not the one who deceived us with the false teachings of the cult. So please don’t throw out the baby with the bath water! If you’ve lost all faith, perhaps your faith was founded in the organization rather than in God.

Continue reading →

Out of the Watchtower-Now What?

FREE

Maybe you have just woken up to the “Truth about the Truth”, that is the truth about the Watchtower. Maybe you’re still researching. If so, I’d like to recommend some basics, do an internet search, Jehovah’s Witnesses and The Royal Commission, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Pedophile’s, Candace Conti, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the U.N. are all good places to start. Reading websites to investigate?  Jwfacts.com is an excellent site, straight to the point, and loaded with information, always accurate.

If you’ve already found out the lies of the Watchtower and are well on your way with the research, you might be experiencing some fear, which is completely natural, but fear not! Life has just begun!

There is normally a period of adjustment after we leave the Watchtower, after all being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not like any other religion, it is a complete way of life. Our entire life revolves around going to meetings and going door to door, preparing for meetings, attending conventions.  Plus, with the law on shunning, most of us lose our families, friends and reputations once we decided to leave the Watchtower Organization.  If only it were attending Church on Sunday’s it would be relatively easy. Unfortunately it also affects the way we think, behave and interact with others. It can take years to learn how to interact with other people, to forge friendships, even to come back to God, as many who leave willingly or are disfellowshipped also lose their faith in God, as their faith was in the organization. After spiritual abuse, the last thing we may ever want to do is step foot inside a Church! But fear not! Attending a Church regularly is not necessary for salvation!

What most Jehovah’s Witnesses who have just left the cult don’t know, is that thousands leave every year while maintaining faith in God. The natural question to ask is, “Now what? Where do I go?”

The Watchtower is slick, they’ve changed the meaning of the bible verse.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom we shall go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:68

Notice that? It’s not a where, it’s a who! It’s the Lord Jesus who has sayings of everlasting life, and the bible promises that those who have faith in Jesus will have eternal life.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Notice that? Salvation is found in no one else. The Watchtower does not agree, the Watchtower says salvation can only be found in the organization.

“If we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation” (Watchtower Magazine, September 15, 1993, p. 22). Not Jesus?

And then say in the WT March 15 2012 pg. 20 “The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth.” Really? Where does the Bible say that?

“Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.” Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19 Again, really? Where does the Bible say that?

Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization.”  Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 “Are You Prepared for Survival?” Again, really? Where does the Bible say that?

“In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience.” Watchtower 2014 Aug 15 p.21. Really? Where is the evidence please? Can you prove that claim?
Notice please what the Bible says about salvation and how it is found.

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Acts 16:30, 31

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”  13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9,10,11,13

In context we see Romans 10 is talking about the Lord Jesus, if we believe in our heart God raised him from the dead we will be saved and everyone calling on the name of the Lord! Which Lord? The Lord Jesus!

Watchtower has inserted the name Jehovah in this verse, so Jehovah’s Witnesses call upon Jehovah to be saved, but the Bible says we must call upon the Lord, and context tells us it’s the Lord Jesus we must call upon to be saved.

God’s spirit is in His word. If we read the bible and pray for Holy Spirit we are well on the path into God’s eternal truth.

The single best piece of advice I could give you is throw out everything the Watchtower has ever taught you. Their “theology” is dreamed up by men who have never attended college, never gone to Seminary, never learned Hebrew or Greek and never learned Biblical Context. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses are completely unaware that you can take something out of context, a single verse, and apply it in such a way as it was never intended by the author! There are classic examples of the Watchtower doing this, which will be covered in future articles. Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson, admitted on the witness stand (Australia Royal Commission Trial) that he is a high school drop out! The same is true for the founder C.T. Russell! Some of our elders, the ones who teach in the congregations were plumbers! How and in what way are these men qualified to teach the Bible?

It can take investigation, time and independent study before coming to a conclusion about what the Bible really teaches. This is okay! We are not saved by having all our teachings correct! We are saved by faith in Jesus! The Holy Spirit will guide, direct and teach you and eventually you will come to sound Biblical understandings. John 14:26, John 16:13, 1 John 2:27. Be patient with yourself! Rome was not built in a day! We cannot undo years of indoctrination in a day, a week a month or even a year! It takes time! But relax, take it easy on yourself, don’t beat yourself up! Learn how to interact with other people, make friends, and choose them wisely.

Most Jehovah’s Witnesses after they leave the cult, are heart-broken, or angry, confused and don’t know what to believe. The last thing they want to do is go to another Church after the abuse of the Watchtower! That’s okay! I’ve found some good sermons online, that I’ve learned from, sitting at home, having coffee, listening and looking up the Bible verses and you can too!

I was afraid after I left the Watchtower. After all, I had been deceived for eighteen years! I *still* believed the lie, that all the Churches had apostatized and were not to be trusted! So I did not go to Church, did not speak with other Christians, there *were no* online Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Communities in those days. So I floundered, all alone, just me, the Bible and Jehovah God. After twenty-two years of that, I discovered the online community. I can’t tell you how much they helped me!  I also can’t tell you how much the sermons online from Churches helped me! Don’t do what I did, don’t isolate yourself for years, mankind was not meant to live alone in isolation. It is a long, lonely, heart-breaking experience. Let others help you!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1598099360430848/

Help Jehovah’s Witnesses Group-for those that have left the organization

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031504066894317/

Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses Support and Recovery-another group for those that have left the organization

http://libbychristianchurch.com/media.php?pageID=5 Great sermons you can listen to online, by Phil Alspaw of Libby Church, he goes through the Bible chapter by chapter each week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrfnjdrDEKs&list=PLB5r2P47beqJUdLxjVNSVdrw7Iy7CMlF1&index=8 The Meeting Place, Bruxy is the pastor, amazing guy, funny, interesting, great teaching!

 

 

 

Which Covenant Are You In?

BLOG PIC YOUR WORD IS A LIGHT

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were under the Old Law Code, given through Moses. There were six hundred and thirteen laws had to be obeyed. The bible says it was our tutor leading to Christ. “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” Gal. 3:24 A perfect law could not be obeyed perfectly by imperfect people, only the Lord Himself could perfectly obey this law.

Continue reading →

Discussing Revelation 1 with a JW

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH

A Jehovah’s Witnesses will typically say that Revelation 1:8 is about Jehovah, not about Jesus. How can we overcome this obstacle? It’s simply a matter of examining the entire context of chapter 1 of Revelation, as this is revealed.

First we examine Rev. 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

Continue reading →

Is Jesus Michael?

Does your religion teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel? Is this correct? What does the bible say?

1)  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Right away we notice Jesus is superior to the angels. Hebrews 1:4
2)” For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father Heb. 1:5

Continue reading →

Is Jesus God?

Who Is Jesus?

This is just one part, of examining what the scriptures say about Jesus. There are So many things that need to be examined, Is Jesus God? Is it proper to pray to Jesus? If Jesus is God why did He say the Father is greater that I am? Why did He always give all glory and honor to the Father, if He is God? Isn’t the fact that He is called the firstborn of all creation prove He was created?

Continue reading →

A Question That Works With Jehovah’s Witnesses

Want to get a Jehovah’s Witness to listen instead of argue? There’s a simple way to do that. Questions, ask the right question and you’ll get his or her wheels spinning. Ask the wrong question and it’ll end up in a game of bible ping pong that quickly goes nowhere.

How do I know this? Simple. I was a Jehovah’s Witness for sixteen years for starters. And I was asked this question while I was door knocking full time. It worked on me, it can work for you too!

It’s important to remember–doctrine’s don’t save, only Jesus saves. Put doctrines on the back burner. You’ll get nowhere with them. Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses are not willing to engage in debate, most are so indoctrinated we can’t reach them. The key to waking up a Jehovah’s Witness is to help them see the Watchtower is not God’s chosen organization. It is not the “one true religion” like they claim. How do we do that?

Continue reading →