WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR
INTRODUCTION
The group known as the “Jehovah Witnesses” (herein referred to as JW’s) is clearly identifiable as they walk the streets in their evangelistic efforts. Their evangelistic efforts are known throughout the country and their passion to win converts to what they believe to be the true religion of God. However, the JW’s are a cult (I say that kindly) masking as a pious and God-fearing people with the message of salvation. But, upon further review, this group goes contrary to plain passages of scripture with blasphemous claims. Jesus told us to beware of false prophets in sheep clothing (Matthew 7: 15). Jesus also told us that the truth will make us free (John 8: 32). The JW’s teach error. Therefore, the error of the JW’s has led and is leading millions to eternal ruin.
The official Watchtower group invites others to examine the truth and has correctly observed:
If a religion is not in accord with what the Bible teaches,
then it is not in harmony with the truth, it is not the true
religion (Rom. 3: 4). You have nothing to fear in
examining your beliefs by the standard of God’s Word,
for if you have the true religion you can only be reassured.
And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible,
then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to
eternal life. (Watchtower 1 July 1968: 389)
My purpose in this tract is to do the very thing they call on you to do and expose some of the fallacious doctrines taught by this movement—not to simply disagree—but to challenge those doctrines—“When They Knock On Your Door.”
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR: Ask them why they do not believe in the Trinity. JW’s are very bold to point out that the Bible does not teach the doctrine of the Trinity. They joke at the statement that there are three personalities in One and are quick to mention that the word “Trinity” never appears in the Bible. However, their lack of comprehension is something they need to go work on. And, though the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible, the concept and definition of the word is clearly revealed in scripture. When we say God, we are talking about divine nature or essence. There is one divine nature or essence. God (the divine nature or essence) eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is but one God. Though the finite mind cannot grasp the profundity of God’s essence, we should welcome it because God teaches us the truth about His nature. The JW’s do not argue about God the Father, they believe He is one and the only one. The scriptures are plain in that God the Father called Jesus God. “But unto the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever…Therefore God, Your God has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions’” (Hebrews 1: 8-9). The Holy Spirit is God. The JW’s teach the Holy Spirit is God’s active force. But the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person. In Acts 13: 2, 4 we read, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” “So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” As for God, the Bible teaches: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…You have not lied to men but to God’” (Acts 5: 3-4). We are baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28: 19). The Bible clearly teaches the triune nature of God. Something to ask them: When They Knock On Your Door.
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR: Ask them why they do not believe in the Deity of Christ. When it comes to the nature of Christ, the JW’s teach that Christ was a created being and thus not God. However, the Bible plainly teaches that Jesus is God. When I say God, I am not talking about the Father, but that Jesus is co-eternal and possesses the same divine nature as the Father. In John we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1: 1-2). Later, John writes, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1: 14). To avoid this death blow, they insert the indefinite article before it, “a god” in their perverted “New World’s Translation.” Thomas declared that Jesus was God, not a god as they teach. “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘My Lord and my God’” (John 20: 28)! The JW’s are not fair with the Greek text. None of the translations or Greek texts insert “a” as they have done so they change their Bible to fit their ideologies. Finally concerning Christ being God (Deity) notice this scripture: “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20: 28). The passage affirms that God shed His blood for the church. This then means that the One who shed His blood for the church is God. Who shed His blood for the church? Jesus did (Matthew 26: 28)! Therefore, Jesus is God! Something to ask them: When They Knock On Your Door.
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR: Ask them why they do not believe that man is made of both body and soul. The JW’s teach that man does not possess a soul but is a soul. Therefore, they deny the soul of man as a separate entity from the body. Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10: 28). This passage makes absolutely no sense if man is just a soul; for it mentions both soul and body being destroyed. James wrote, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2: 26). James is saying, what this is on the one hand, this is on the other. Without the spirit there is no life in the body. Without works there is no life in faith. James uses both faith and works to produces life. James uses both body and spirit to produce life. Then, Jesus said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26: 41). Something to ask them: When They Knock On Your Door.
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR: Ask them why they believe only “144,000” are going to heaven. The JW’s are skilled experts in interpreting figurative passages to be literal and making plain passages figurative. They take the 144,000 from the book of Revelation in chapters 7: 4 and 14: 1, 3. If taken literally in chapter 7, then you have only Jews of the tribes of Israel which would exclude all Gentiles. If taken literally in chapter 14, then these would all be men who were never married which would exclude many of God’s faithful men. However, even the JW’s are not consistent with their literal interpretation for they say some of the 144,000 can be women! A casual reading of the scriptures refutes this doctrine. Jesus said, “And I say to you that many will come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8: 11). Now what is the significance of this? Jesus said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be in heaven. But, from their literal interpretation, consistency demands the exclusion of these patriarchs because they were never of the “tribes” of Israel! Further, if literally pressed, not a soul from Ephraim or Dan will enter, for they are excluded from the list which means heroes as Joshua (from Ephraim) and Samson (from Dan) will be excluded. And, just the very next verse in Revelation 7: 9, we have, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” This is the trouble the JW’s find themselves in when they pervert the scriptures. The clear facts are that heaven is for all the obedient. The obedient have their names written in heaven, which means they are “enrolled” there (Luke 10: 20; Hebrews 12: 23). Those who forsake all to follow Jesus are promised treasure in heaven (Matthew 19: 21). Christ would have us to rejoice when we are persecuted, for great is our reward in heaven (Matthew 5: 12). Our inheritance is “reserved in heaven” for us (1 Peter 1: 4). Something to ask them: When They Knock On Your Door.
WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR: Ask them why they do not believe in the doctrine of hell. JW’s deny the fundamental doctrine of hell. It is inconceivable to them that God would punish someone eternally. But contrary to belief, the doctrine of hell is alive and not so well. To the wicked, Jesus says, “Depart from Me, you cursed into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…And these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25: 41, 46). According to Revelation 20: 10, the wicked “…shall be punished day and night for ever and ever.” Paul writes about the coming of the Lord, “…in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord…” (2 Thessalonians 1: 8-9). The story of the rich man and Lazarus proves the doctrine of eternal existence. Do not let them (JW’s) tell you this is a parable, for it does not say it is. This story says “a certain rich man” and calls Lazarus by name. Even if it were a “parable” parables teach the truth. Therefore, if it is historical, it has happened; if a parable, it shows what will happen. This narrative proves the existence and consciousness after death and how the rich man was in eternal “torment” (See Luke 16: 19-31). Finally, Jesus says, “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13: 49-50). Something to ask them: When They Knock On Your Door.
CONCLUSION
Space forbids me to go into other erroneous doctrines of the JW’s. They teach error about the Trinity; the bodily resurrection of Christ, blood transfusions, the kingdom, baptism is not for the forgiveness of sins and many other things. This religious group needs to be exposed and confronted with their damning beliefs. We invite your study on these matters and invite the JW’s to put to test their doctrines under the scrutiny of the Bible.
∼By Stacey Mobley
