Tag Archives: jehovahs-witnesses

Ask a Jehovah’s Witness If He is Saved

I remember the first scripture I learned and memorized when I was studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The New World Translation in 1977 read, “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the Only true God and the one you sent forth Jesus Christ.” John 17:3. I immediately thought, “Oh, okay, so to gain eternal life I must study. Study equals eternal life.” At the time I was studying in their little blue book, The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life. As I continued to study, I learned about the importance of attending meetings and going out door-to-door in field service. All of these things played a part in attaining eternal life. Being faithful to the end was stressed. Only by faithfully continuing to do these necessary things might I have a chance to gain eternal life.

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What Happens in a JW Bible Study?

What Is a JW Bible Study?

If you have ever studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses, you may be familiar with their idea of a “Bible study”, which is not a Bible study at all but rather a study of a Watchtower publication. Which is actually more of a study of how the Watchtower Organization interprets the Bible.

I recall being offered a free home Bible study by JWs back in the 1970s. The first thing they did was try to introduce their book. I said no, because the JW had offered to answer all my Bible questions. That was the purpose of the visit. So, I pulled out my list. A list of 80 questions based on Genesis and questions I had. I refused to study their little blue book, The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life, until she answered my questions. In those days, JWs were more willing to answer questions than they are today. Today, if you tried that, they would, in all likelihood, tell you they aren’t here to argue, they are looking for “sheep-like ones” (meaning people who will not object or raise too many questions to what’s being taught).

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Question #3: Why Do You Believe Jesus Chose the Watchtower Organization in 1919?

This is the third question in the “Top Ten Questions to Ask Jehovah’s Witnesses” series. This series is based on twelve years of discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as recommendations from scholars, researchers, and authors. New to this series? Start with Part One and Part Two before continuing.

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To Beard or Not to Beard: That is the Question

The Watchtower has claimed to have been “chosen by God” for over one hundred years. This is accepted without question by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who also claim to “only believe what’s in the Bible.” If you ask them, “Where can this be found in the Bible?” you will be met with answers like, “Are you an apostate?” or “Are you interested in learning or are you only here to argue?” or a long host of similar questions. The Watchtower organization so heavily discouraged questions that Jehovah’s Witnesses instinctively know better than to ask them. What happens if they do? The elders may haul them into the back room and “counsel them.” Think of it as a verbal spanking with a warning never to do it again. It could go so far as disfellowshipping, throwing someone out of the organization, and shunning them.

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