Tag Archives: Jesus

Top Ten Questions to Ask Jehovah’s Witnesses

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.

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.

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

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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?

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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?

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