This is part of a series on “The Top Ten Questions to Ask Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This series is based partly on what I have successfully used during the past twelve years in discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses and partly on what scholars and researchers suggest. Each question will be fully explained for those unfamiliar with Watchtower teachings and who wish to learn more.

Some of these questions naturally lead to a discussion. Others are more of a “bomb in the lap” question. You simply ask it and walk away, because if the Jehovah’s Witness genuinely considers the question, it has the potential to turn their entire worldview upside down.

A word of warning for those unfamiliar with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower Society teaches a concept known as “Theocratic Warfare.” In practice, this has often been used to justify withholding information or giving misleading answers when dealing with those viewed as opposers. In addition, many individual Witnesses are simply unaware of some of their organization’s teachings.

For that reason, always verify claims using the official Jehovah’s Witness website, JW.org. Before asking a question, make sure you already know what the Watchtower teaches on the subject. That way the discussion can stay focused on documented facts rather than opinions.

My own experience with this occurred when I met a Jehovah’s Witness couple at a literature cart on my college campus. I wanted to share a scripture with them and asked the woman, “You guys don’t believe in worshipping Jesus, do you?” I already knew the answer and had scriptures ready to discuss.

To my surprise, she replied, “Oh, we do!”

I was shocked. “Shall I show you from your own website?” I asked.

She lowered her head and could not meet my eyes. Eventually, she tried to explain it away by saying, “I was just trying to come alongside you.”

That experience taught me an important lesson. Always know what Jehovah’s Witnesses officially believe before asking your question. One easy way to do this is by saying, “I was just reading on your website that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe…” and then letting them respond.

The first question in this series was about Jesus as your mediator. You can read that article here:A Question That Works With Jehovah’s Witnesses The second article was about Jehovah’s Witnesses’ belief in two Gods. One God or Two?

This third question may be the most important of all because it gets to the heart of the issue. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses place their trust in the Watchtower Organization?

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus chose the Watchtower Organization as the one true religion in 1919? What biblical evidence were they shown to convince them of this?

It is important to understand this teaching because it forms the foundation of Watchtower authority. If the claim is true, then Jehovah’s Witnesses have good reason to trust the Governing Body. If the claim is false, then the authority structure built upon it becomes highly questionable.

Interestingly, many Jehovah’s Witnesses today are only vaguely aware of this doctrine. The Watchtower does not emphasize it as heavily as it once did. Nevertheless, it remains a foundational teaching.

What Jehovah’s Witnesses Are Taught

According to JW.org, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that after Jesus Christ began his invisible heavenly reign in 1914, he inspected the religions of the world.

They teach that between 1914 and 1919 a period of spiritual inspection and refinement took place. During this time Jesus supposedly examined religious organizations and determined which group was faithfully serving him.

In 1919, according to Watchtower teaching, Jesus selected the Bible Students, the forerunners of modern Jehovah’s Witnesses, and appointed them as his exclusive earthly channel of communication.

This teaching is tied to their interpretation of Matthew 24:45-47 and the identity of the “faithful and discreet slave.” Today that slave is said to be represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The teaching can be summarized as follows:

• Jesus began ruling invisibly in 1914.

• Jesus inspected all religions between 1914 and 1919.

• Jesus chose the Bible Students in 1919.

• The Governing Body today represents the faithful and discreet slave.

• Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s one true organization on earth.

That is the claim.

Now let us examine the evidence.

The First Problem: Where Is It in the Bible?

The first question I ask Jehovah’s Witnesses is very simple:

What scripture teaches that Jesus inspected all religions between 1914 and 1919 and selected the Watchtower Society?

Notice what I am not asking.

I am not asking whether the Watchtower teaches it.

I am not asking whether the Governing Body believes it.

I am asking where the Bible teaches it.

No scripture mentions the year 1919.

No scripture describes Jesus inspecting all religions during that period.

No scripture says the Bible Students were selected as God’s exclusive organization.

No scripture identifies the Governing Body as God’s sole channel of communication.

The entire doctrine depends upon a chain of Watchtower interpretations built upon other Watchtower interpretations. Once those assumptions are removed, the doctrine has no biblical foundation.

The Second Problem: What Was the Watchtower Teaching in 1919?

The Watchtower claims that Jesus rejected all other religions and selected the Bible Students because of their spiritual faithfulness.

But this raises an obvious question.

If Jesus was evaluating organizations based on their teachings, what exactly were the Bible Students teaching in 1919?

At the time, the organization embraced a number of teachings that Jehovah’s Witnesses today reject.

These included beliefs connected with pyramidology, the celebration of Christmas, and other doctrines that were later abandoned.

If doctrinal purity was the standard by which all religions were judged, why would Jesus select an organization that was teaching ideas the organization itself now admits were wrong?

This is a question every Jehovah’s Witness should honestly consider.

The Watchtower often makes the assertion that Jesus selected the organization in 1919, but assertions are not evidence.

The burden of proof belongs to the organization making the claim.

Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe It?

The real question is not whether there is biblical evidence for 1919.

The real question is why millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it.

The answer lies in the authority structure of the organization itself.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that spiritual truth comes through the “faithful and discreet slave.” Watchtower publications, videos, meetings, and organizational instruction are frequently described as “spiritual food” provided by Jehovah through his appointed channel.

As a result, questioning the teachings of the organization can easily be viewed as questioning Jehovah himself.

The Watchtower has repeatedly encouraged members to trust the spiritual food being provided and to accept organizational direction with obedience and confidence.

This emphasis on obedience is reflected throughout Watchtower literature and even in their music. One of their best-known songs is entitled “Listen, Obey, and Be Blessed.”

The Watchtower of November 15, 2013, made the following statement:

“At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.”

That statement deserves careful thought.

The instruction is not merely to obey when something makes sense. The instruction is to obey even when it does not appear sound from a human standpoint.

When members are taught that the organization is God’s exclusive channel and that its teachings constitute spiritual food from Jehovah himself, many never stop to ask whether the foundational claims have actually been proven.

The Question That Matters

When speaking with a Jehovah’s Witness, I encourage you to ask one simple question:

What biblical evidence convinced you that Jesus chose the Watchtower Organization in 1919?

Not what the Watchtower says.

Not what the Governing Body says.

Not what a convention speaker says.

What biblical evidence convinced you personally?

Then listen carefully.

You may discover that for many Jehovah’s Witnesses, the most important doctrine supporting the authority of the organization rests not on Scripture, but on trust in the organization itself.