Church Membership

Trying to show true doctrine to JWs and X-JWs presents a challenge with church membership. As soon as they find out that you belong to a church, they assume that you illogically accept church beliefs that are unbiblical. A lot of Christian X-JWs let that keep them from ever becoming a member of a church. I let it hold me back for a while.

Finally I decided that I just want to be a Christian and get on with my life. I don't want to be identified to myself and others as an X-JW anymore, so to get over my fear of church membership I had to just jump in. Now I have finished membership classes at church, and I don't think I can do it... I get very nervous, afraid of being rejected if I miss a couple of weeks in a row. I have missed a month now. (I have an autoimmune disease and my daughter has been having chronic digestion problems.) And I feel that when I go back I can't promise to be a church member.

How can you believe in the Trinity after being a Jehovah's Witness?

• Three very important things happened before I came to believe in the Trinity (which is not perfect, as it is men's words and did you know that the words used in the doctrine are said to be used in new ways, so the term person as used in the Trinity doctrine does not mean person in the way we are used to using the term*). 

  1. I trusted in Christ to save me and no longer feared end times because of reading 1 Thessalonians 1:10. 

  2. I realized that my religious leaders were taking Christ's place as my ONLY Mediator from God and told Him, "Lord, I will never listen to them again, only you." 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 2:27

  3. I let go of the need to really understand the doctrine of the Trinity, because 1 John 2:23 says that it doesn't really matter.

  
  I believe in the Trinity now because after receiving Christ I was reading the New Testament and I saw that the Holy Spirit is of both the Son and the Father as they are one. I saw this in  Ephesians 4:4 and Romans 8:9, John chapter 14 and specifically the context surrounding and including verse 23.

  *From the Catholic Catechism: 251. "In order to articulate the dogma of the Trinity, the Church had to develop her own terminology with the help of certain notions of philosophical origin: 'substance', 'person' or 'hypostasis', 'relation' and so on. In doing this, she did not submit the faith to human wisdom, but gave a new and unprecedented meaning to these terms, which from then on would be used to signify an ineffable mystery, 'infinitely beyond all that we can humanly understand'. [Paul VI, CPC # 2.]" 

Evangelizing Jehovah's Witnesses part 1: the law

I have seen a tendency to think that everyone needs the same method of evangelism that involves convicting with the law (usually the 10 commandments) first. Let's compare this method to scripture. 

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Acts 10:34-45

Where did Peter use the law to convict his listeners?

100 Years of Kingdom Rule - THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) JANUARY 2014

100 Years of Kingdom Rule—How Does It Affect You?*

This article is clearly asserting that God's Kingdom was established in 1914. Then what Kingdom was Paul talking about at Colossians 1:13? "For he has... brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

Watchtower: "The first mission of God’s newly installed King was to wage war against his Father’s chief Adversary, Satan." "Jesus then used his kingly authority to appoint a “faithful and discreet slave.”

Jesus: “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them." Matthew 24:26

Watchtower: "Jesus Christ had begun to rule in heaven as King of God's Kingdom in 1914." 

Jesus: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him." Matthew 24:23

I will listen to Jesus rather than the men writing this article! He said not to listen to people who say that they know what he is doing!

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20140115/100-years-kingdom-rule

How do I know that I have been born again?

How do you know you have been born again? The only way to really know is to take God at His Word. To cling to His promises. He says that you are born again when you are baptized into Christ. He says "Whoever eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood has eternal life." So we receive these gifts from Him, and we believe. Why do we believe? Because the Holy Spirit also provides the gift of faith. Is our faith weak? It is okay, our assurance isn't in our own faith. It is in His.


Galatians 3:26: "For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.n 28There is no longer Jew or Gentile,o slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true childrenp of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you."

John 6:54: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." and that, the assurance and conviction, isn't my work at all. It is a gift. "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."

Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for...

When I was a JW faith was something I had to work at... try to believe. I would read and read the literature and pound the belief into my head... also it is like God was a historical figure or a character in a book. I also read a lot on creation science and convinced myself that God must have created things...

But God gave me the gift of Christian faith. His Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. Guaranteeing. It is completely different. It is knowing. It is assurance. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." and that, the assurance and conviction, isn't my work at all. It is a gift. "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22) and this I know from my experience, and my experience matches God's Word.

Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe in Jesus?

•  Jehovah's Witnesses belive that Jesus is a real historical figure, that he created all things besides himself (though they never say that, they always say Jehovah made such and such), they believe that he died and somehow came back (like a cloning). They call him Savior because without his death canceling out Adam's sin we wouldn't have a chance of everlasting life.

  
  Christians believe that Jesus is a real historical figure. That He is begotten of God, eternal. (Micah 5:2) That He created everything, (John 1:3) He is almighty, (Matthew 28:18) His body died on the cross (James 2:26) and the same body was resurrected (John 2:21), They call Him Savior because both His death and His life save us, make us righteous, (Romans 4:25) and we trust Him to save us (1 Thess 1:10). When we worship Jesus we are worshipping God (John 5:23, 1 John 2:23, John 12:44)

When Religion Divides

Jesus did not come to bring peace between people. He came to reconcile people to God. So, when one is a Christian and one is of the devil, there is division. Jesus let us know ahead of time:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.- Matthew 10:34-39

It is not the Christian that is set against the non-Christian. Christians love their enemies and bless them. (Luke 6:27-28) and pray for them. It is the non-Christian that hates.(John 15:19)

Christians can remember Christ's promise:

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. - Mark 10:29-30

Faith without works is dead.

Faith without works is dead. This is used to automatically shut down anything a non-Jehovah's Witness has to say about their faith. After all, they are not going door to door...

Our first response to this was to read the book of James to see what kind of works he was talking about. Caring for orphans and widows. Judging impartially. Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked when you see their plight. Not the works that the cults promote.

Here is another response:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-5

Notice that it is after salvation, and after being justified (declared righteous), and after becoming heirs that this is said in verse 8: "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."

"We all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:3-9

Once again we notice that it is being saved by receiving the gift of God, that enables us to do good works in verse 10: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Jehovah's Witnesses base their teachings on the Bible?

"Logically, to enjoy God’s backing, one must teach only what God reveals in his Word and reject teachings based on human wisdom or tradition." - The Watchtower, June 1, 2001, pp. 12-17

Compare:
"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." - The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1994; p. 8
 

"to rely simply on personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land."- The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, pp. 19-20

"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..." - The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1981, pp 28-29

I AM HE

I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:10

"The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things: ... and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds." Revelation 2:23
Jesus says, "and all the assemblies will know that I AM HE."

The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. John 5:22-23

It is the Son who judges the minds and hearts. It is Yahweh who judges minds and hearts.

”Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. You are my witnesses," says Yahweh, "With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he." Isaiah 43:10

"and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts." Revelation 2:23

Jesus says "unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”" John 8:24

John 18:6 "when He said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground."


Jesus says, "I am He, do not fear." John 6:20 Greek Interlinear

Jesus says, "I am He, do not fear."

Will you listen?

Jehovah's Witnesses feel it is important to identify and differentiate between fornication and adultery

I submit that it does not matter.

Jesus goes further in identifying adultery: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna." (Matthew 5:27-30)

It is important to remember that, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (James 2:10) That is why I feel the distinction between fornication and adultery is not something I would ask about. "For all have sinned" and the "wages of sin is death". (Romans 3:23; 6:23) All we can ever earn for ourselves is death.

But the good news is that Jesus has received that wage for us. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” (Romans 4:4)

See what Jesus says to woman that He Himself identifies as adulterous: "“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10

Yes, fornication or adultery, "the wages of sin is death...

but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Jehovah's Witnesses false prophets? Do they claim to be inspired like prophets?

"The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic." - August 15, 1950, page 263.

Jehovah's Witnesses say that their writers are "spirit-directed":

The second question also reminds the candidate of his responsibility to work with Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization.—WT 06 4/1 p. 24-25

Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or force (Zech,4:6) Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. - Watchtower, 1973 July 1st p.402


There must be agreement among all true Christians, a unified message, if people are to hear what is correct, put genuine faith in the true God and call upon Jehovah’s name with the prospect of being saved. Moreover, one spirit-directed organization must be used in connection with the sending forth of those truthful preachers of the “good news.”—Romans 10:11-15.—WT 84 7/15 10-15

What does Spirit-directed mean?

In order to assist us to acknowledge the provision of strength to stand against an archenemy, we might look to the fine spirit-directed counsel that Paul wrote to the Christian congregation—WT 72 3/1

JEHOVAH’S servants must pay attention to the spirit-directed words of Jesus Christ to the seven congregations named in the Bible book of Revelation.—WT 03 5/15 15-20

But now the receipt by the Antioch congregation of a spirit-directed letter, coupled with this visit of the two “prophets,” had settled the matter. The congregation had reason to rejoice.—Acts 15:2, 22-31.—WT 79 2/15

Reap Blessings Through Jehovah’s Spirit Guided King, public discourse to be delivered at the 2008/2009 “Guided by God’s Spirit” District Convention -- back cover Awake! May 2008

Looks to me like inspired and spirit-directed are synonyms.

"The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic." - August 15, 1950, page 263.

“Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses.” - Watchtower Apr 1, 1986 p.30-31 Questions From Readers

My beliefs

Jesus Christ is the central message of the Bible. (John 5:39-40) Jesus is speaking literally when He says, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.” (Luke 18:31)

The gospel is the power of salvation. (Romans 1:16) The GOSPEL. If your church does not proclaim the GOOD NEWS of what JESUS has done, and is doing, FOR YOU, and instead preaches what you should do, then find a new one.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 For through Christ we all have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18 not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:9

1 John2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

I take Jesus at His Word. I quote scripture without explaining away what He plainly says. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:38 “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:54

I have been a Christian for two years. After a year, I had found a local Lutheran Church Missouri Synod church that agrees with me on these things and I am no longer afraid; I have decided to join and receive the gifts in the church that Christ has prepared for me.

Everlasting cutting-off

Jesus was cut off from the Father, experiencing hell. "Why have you forsaken me?" (Mathhew 27:46) We do not have to experience that when our body dies. (James 2:26) "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" (Acts 7:59)

I found an email my mom wrote me after I told her that I could not stay in a cult.

Mom's words are in green. My reply is in blue, with some scriptures that I typed in black.

What about the scripture that tells us to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together? I obey.


What about the scriptures that tell us to go from door to door to preach about the Kingdom? Could you show me those scriptures please?


Mom, you say that you love me, but if you choose to not have any association with me, is that love? I am following my conscience and I am obeying God and you would shun me for that?




if you choose to not have any association with us, is that love?  My choice is to associate with you. I made that clear.




You can't just use part of the Bible and ignore the rest. Exactly my point. You keep saying that you know scriptures. God's word has power. You think I am lost. Why on earth aren't you trying to save me by using His word? If I am taking things out of context then why aren't you showing me how I am doing that, correcting me?

What about the many scriptures that call Jesus God's son and Jesus speaks of God as his Father?

I did not say that Jesus is not God's son.

Jesus is the Son of God. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus is the Rock. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Jehovah is the Rock. Isaiah 44:6-8 Jesus is the Lord of all. Romans 10:12.  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 



Now if I am taking any of these scriptures out of context, let me know.

What I did say was that Jesus was the only mediator between God and man. I said that Jesus is my mediator. (John 14:6) I said that the Great Crowd of Jehovah's Witnesses do not have Jesus as mediator, according to the Worldwide Security book, the Watchtower and the Insight book. I said that based on John 8:24 the identity of Jesus Christ is very important and could mean your life. I said that Christ's Spirit is in me. "To make known what the riches of the glory of the mystery, this which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) I said that the only way to please God is to have His spirit. (Romans 8:8,9) So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.  However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him.

(John 14:20) In that day you will know that I in the Father of me and you in me and I in you.-- Kingdom Interlinear

I said that God is all-powerful and can be in 2 places or persons at once, and he can be anywhere at the same time. Genesis 18 Then he said: “Jehovah, if, now, I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be taken, please, and YOU must have YOUR feet washed. Then recline under the tree. And let me get a piece of bread, and refresh YOUR hearts. Following that, YOU can pass on, because that is why YOU have passed this way to YOUR servant.” At this they said: “All right. You may do just as you have spoken.” the men seized hold of his hand and of the hand of his wife and of the hands of his two daughters and they proceeded to bring him out and to station him outside the city. Then Lot said to them: “Not that, please, Jehovah! —I am not able to escape to the mountainous region for fear calamity may keep close to me and I certainly die. Please, now, this city is nearby to flee there. So he said to him: “Here I do show you consideration to this extent also,  Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sod′om and upon Go·mor′rah. Jeremiah 23:23, 24  “Am I a God nearby,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and not a God far away? Or can any man be concealed in places of concealment and I myself not see him?” is the utterance of Jehovah. “Is it not the heavens and the earth that I myself actually fill?” is the utterance of Jehovah.

I read a Watchtower quote that said the Son of God is not Michael the Archangel and Bible verses that said that God did not call one of the angels his Son, and he did not subject everything under angels. (Hebrews 1 and 2) I read Isaiah 25:23 and Philippians 2:10,11 But I never said that Jesus is not God's Son.

Is God's name Jehovah?

He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; (Matthew 10:37) "and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength." And I do. Even if that this interferes with your beliefs.

I love you and Dad. I haven't left you. I will not leave you.

Carmen

There are only two classes of people in 1 John 3, Romans 8 and Matthew 13. I choose to be the wheat, in the spirit and a child of God. I see no other approved class or group of people. Do you? It also concerns me very much if you are not considered a child of God.

Why do churches use the term "Services"?

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."- Matthew 20:28

Jesus serves:

1. By proclaiming God's Word:

"Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you." - John 15:3

2. By baptizing:

"Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Ephesians 5:25-27


3. The Lord's Supper:

 "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - Matthew 26:26-28
"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." - Luke 22:2

4. Proclaiming forgiveness:

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." - Luke 7:48

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." - Mark 2:5

The Church serves:  

1. By proclaiming God's Word: 

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” John 21:16

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20

2. By baptizing: 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 28:19



3. The Lord's Supper:

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

4. Proclaiming forgiveness: 

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;" - John 20:21-23


"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake." - 1 John 2:12

How is my Christian religion different from Jehovah's Witnesses?

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that we must try really hard to be good enough to enter paradise. Jesus teaches that He is good enough, and my sins, ALL of them, are forgiven, even though, as a sinner, in reality, I am never good enough. And that he accepts me, and gives Himself to me, not just 2000 years ago when He died, but everyday. Everyday, this Holy One, mingles with me, even me! He gives me His very own perfect blood to cleanse my dirty blood even of the dirt that I have caused myself! He comes to me. He saves me, when I don't deserve it. He lifts me up. It is His work, not mine.

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27) He wants a holy Bride, without blemish, so what does He do? He makes us holy!

My God is nothing like the God of the Jehovah's Witnesses. My God eats dinner with tax collectors and immoral women, He touches the demon possessed, the leprous, the dirty beggars, the Romans and the Samaritans,

He washed His disciples feet!

What is the Gospel? What is Christianity?

What is the Gospel?

1. God loves you!  “14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:16 and context)

 

2. You are a sinner.  “"There is no one righteous, not even one; For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”  (Romans 3:10,23)

 

3. You have earned death. “For the wages of sin is death”  (Romans 6:23) “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” (Romans 4:4)

4. Jesus took our punishment.  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5,11) “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

5. Eternal life is a gift: “For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

6. Jesus rose from the dead.  “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)

 

7. Jesus offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those who believe in Him. “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive” (John 7:37-39)

 

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

 

What is Christianity?

Christianity is the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus Christ.

“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 “Whoever has the Son has the Father also” 1 John 2:23

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-5

Notice that it is after salvation, and after being justified (declared righteous), and after becoming heirs that this is said in verse 8:  ^"The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."

"We all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:3-9

Once again we notice that it is being saved by receiving the gift of God, that enables us to do good works in verse 10:  "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Am I special?

I wanted to share a bit of my feelings when I went from JW to Christian... It was actually difficult to struggle with the realization that I do not have special knowledge, I am no longer a member of an elite group. I cannot feel good about knowing more about God than the next Christian. I had to admit that what God has revealed to me and He reveals to everyone who receives Christ. How humbling! I mean really it was crushing at times!

I also had to admit that my sins put me in the same boat as everyone else. I am a sinner saved, not by any goodness of my own, but the grace of God and the mercy of Christ. I am not special. I am no more special than the child of God sitting next to me in a church pew. You know, the one who has known Jesus since she was 3? Or the one who met Jesus after dating her husband... who started going to church with him and never had to deprogram her mind, never lost any family members for her faith... We are all children of God. All sinners. All saved by Jesus to be joint heirs. All of us.


I am also no more special than the people who are still Jehovah's Witnesses, or those who left Jehovah's Witnesses and never became Christians. I did not figure this out with my superior love for God, or my superior reasoning skills. I am a Christian because the Father called, not because of anything good in me.


Jesus died for them all, just as He died for me. Jesus loves you, just as he loves me. All I do is receive His love. Receive. I am special for that?

All that is good in me is due to He who dwells within.

Spirits of the dead, what does the Bible say?

“When a person dies, he or she does not pass on to the spirit world as many people think.” – Spirits of the Dead by Jehovah's Witnesses page 4

Let’s have a look at what "many people think":


1. They were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

2. But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

3. Rhoda … reported that Peter was standing at the gate. and they kept saying, “It is his angel.”

4. ”In Hades he lifted up his eyes…and he cried out and said”




1. The apostles at Matthew 14:26 
2. Jesus’ disciples at Luke 24:37

3. First century Christians at Acts 12:13-15
4. Jesus at Luke 16:23-24

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses observe the Memorial since they don't believe that Jesus is God? and don't they celebrate Jesus' resurrection?

This is the question I was asked:

What are they observing? That a man (who claimed to be God) died on a tree? Did their version rise from the dead?



The best explanation that I can give you of the Jehovah's Witness belief:

That God's son who is the only being created directly by the Father took the form of a man and died a sacrificial death to break the curse of Adamic sin. When he died he was non-existent, but held in the Father's memory so that his life-pattern could exist again in spirit form.

Though Jesus neither commanded nor blessed any holidays, he did tell us to observe this and only this. 

What is the Purpose of Life?

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and  transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven  and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or  authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:13

For who has  known the mind of YHWH? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.  Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34-36

Why does God call us?

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 John 1:3

And our fellowship is with the Father. 1 Corinthians 1:9

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion. Philippians 2:1

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7
  
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

An example of a Mind Control technique: Information control

Destructive mind control can be understood in terms of four basic components, which form the acronym BITE:

Behavior Control
Information Control
Thought Control
Emotional Control

It is important to understand that destructive mind control can be determined when the overall effect of these four components promotes dependency and obedience to some leader or cause.

It is not necessary for every single item on the list to be present. Mind controlled cult members can live in their own apartments, have nine-to-five jobs, be married with children, and still be unable to think for themselves and act independently. - From chapter two of Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs by Steve Hassan.

Here we see one type of Information Control, access to non-cult sources of information minimized or discouraged:


"False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ to convey to us ‘sayings of everlasting life,’ why should we ever want to look anywhere else?—John 6:68.” – w87 11/1 p.20 par. 16



"Wise King Solomon wrote: ‘Take a warning: To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.’ (Ecclesiastes 12:12) One might add that the reading of many books published today is not only wearisome to the flesh but, frankly, dangerous to the mind.” – w00 10/1 p. 10 par. 9

The Good News of God's Kingdom?

How and when do we enter God's Kingdom?

Jehovah's Witnesses say: 
"Only a limited number are born again. The great crowd does not need to be born again. Their life is earthly, not heavenly." - Watchtower 4/1/1988, p. 4

But wait, what is the Kingdom of God?

    He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14 ESV)

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5 ESV)

A seed to plant with Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are told that if they are not faithful in what is least (obeying the Governing Body about avoiding non-JWs, and going from door to door, for example) they will not be faithful in much, like doing what they need to do to make it through the tribulation. It is this fear that keeps them under the control of the cult.

but 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says "Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come." That fear was broken! It was about a year later that I was saved.

Please share this scripture with Jehovah's Witnesses. They desperately need the good news.

What to say when a Jehovah's Witness invites you to the Memorial

No thanks, I partake of the bread and wine, for I know that Matthew 26:27 says that it is the New Covenant by which I have forgiveness of sins. 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 


Why are still observing the Lord's supper, don't you think Jesus came in 1914? I Cor. 11:26 states, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."


No thanks, I heard that not everyone partakes of the bread and wine, and I would rather gather with people who obey Jesus. John 6:52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Matthew 26:27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 


I get that you hope to live forever on earth, but do you believe that if you die you will be resurrected? Let's look at something that Jesus said we must do. John 6:54

What do Jehovah's Witnesses do to be saved?

Luke 5:22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”

John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

1 John 2:23 Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. John 1:12 to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

Jesus has the authority and ability to judge your heart and to forgive you and give you eternal life. What are you waiting for? Ask him! (John 4:10)

Jehovah's Witnesses, why pray in Jesus' name?

"In the name of" does not mean that we put the name Jesus in our prayer, it means that it is by Jesus that we have the authority to pray to the Father. (Eph 2:18) When I was trying to serve God without being born again I put "in Jesus' name" in my prayers, but had no right to call God Father or pray to Him, and my prayers were not answered. It is only after receiving Jesus (John 1:12) that I can call God my Father and my prayers were answered, and since He is always with me, (John 14:23) I talk to Him all day, every moment, "pray without ceasing".

Redeemed! My testimony

I was in a cult when I first called on Jesus. I read a Watchtower and realized that the writers were taking His place as mediator. I said “I will never listen to those men again, Lord, only you.” And He began leading me. 7 other family members are now freed from life in a cult, and it all started with Jesus.

Before this I had the Bible, and I thought I was a Christian. I was very proud of my Bible knowledge. I felt proud that I was in an elite group, of the only True Christians on earth, as Jehovah’s Witnesses taught me. At the same time I was full of despair because I could never be sure if I was accepted by God. We were told that we might not make it through the Great Tribulation. The admonishment to do more, more, more and to make kingdom preaching a priority made me feel guilty and ashamed of myself anytime I did anything else. I had young kids and health problems and was judged harshly. I had no friends. I slipped into depression, too ashamed to try to approach God in prayer at all. I felt that I didn’t deserve his help. I needed to try harder. I felt like I didn’t deserve to be loved at all.

You see I was both humble and proud, that is how cults work. They kept me full of fear and shame, but you would never know that when I talked about my religion as if I knew more than everyone else.

I believed in the Bible, but that did not save me. I believed in the historicity of Jesus Christ, but that did not save me. I called on Jesus that day and I had no other religion to go to. I called on the Lord that day because I knew that He could save me, I knew that I needed Him to save me. And I trust Him above all others. Only He can guide me. Religious leaders, words on a page, my own understanding of things, cannot guide me, cannot save anyone.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and you can do all things through His strength.

This belief in Jesus, this total reliance on Him has changed my life. I started studying the Bible and simply taking God at his word. I can understand it now! I read Galatians and learned that we are declared righteous due to faith, not works. I read John chapter 14 and understood that God can be three different people and also in all of our hearts. He is all-powerful!

When I grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness I was taught that their God was the Father of Jesus Christ, so for a while it was very hard for me to pray to God the Father. But I can come to Christ as I am. I prayed to Jesus and asked Him to hold me to the light and help me, and He does. Reading 1 John taught me that when I accepted Christ, God adopted me as His child. You know when parents adopt children, they become their own, even if they have attachment disorder or emotional problems; and this is what my God has done for me. Broken, confused, God promises to teach me and love me through it all. I never understood unconditional love, but I do now. I didn’t understand how to feel loved, or how to love myself or others, but God is love. I understand now because I have His Spirit and example.

Being a Christian is not without persecution. During this time, I got emails that my children and I would die in the Great Tribulation and calling me stiff-necked, quoting scriptures promising destruction. My best friend walked out on me for trying to free her. My parents think that I have betrayed and hurt them. As a Jehovah’s Witness I did not pursue friendships outside of the organization and now every Jehovah’s Witness, including family, will have nothing to do with me. But I would give up everything for the love of Christ.

He has answered my prayers time and again. The Holy Spirit grants me wisdom, peace, strength… He supplies me with what I need and my burdens are lifted. In addition, Jesus proves faithful to all of his promises, such as the one at Mark 10:29. As you can see, I now have more friends and family than ever before.

Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized for remission of sins.” I looked up the meaning of remission. There are several meanings and they all apply here.  Pardon or forgiveness, diminution or reduction, release from payment or obligation, the decrease of the manifestations of a disease. My debt has been cancelled.  The washing and the rebirth of the Holy Spirit takes away all stain of sin, and lessons sin’s affect in my life. Because of Christ’s death, I never have to die. Because of His resurrection, I have hope. He is always with me and I am now assured of God’s love and acceptance and I trust Him to save me, always.

I would like to close with a scripture, that fits so perfectly, that when I read it to my daughter she asked if I had written it:

I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant. Oh God, I must have seemed like an animal to you. But even so You love me! You are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven!
Whom have I in heaven but You? And I desire no one on earth as much as You! My health fails, my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; He is mine forever! -- Psalm 73:22-26

Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.

Let's examine this end times prophecy at Joel 2:23.

We see it's fulfillment here in Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Let's read in context and see how Peter describes the last days.

Acts2:14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Yes Peter saw the fulfillment of Joel 2:23.That very day 1,979 years ago everyone who called upon the name of the Lord was saved.