Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness

"I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” - John 8:18

Who is Jesus a witness of?

"I am the one who bears witness about myself."

Is Jesus your Mediator? Praying in the name of Jesus.

"In the name of" means that we have Jesus' authority to pray to the Father. It doesn't just mean that we use his name in our prayers.

Acts 19:13-16 shows someone using Jesus' name. But more than just using his name is needed: "Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."

Only children of God can rightly claim the authority of Jesus' name. Jesus said to pray "our Father". Not all people are children of God. (1 John 2:29-3:1)

Ephesians 2:18 "For through [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

Those who do not have the Holy Spirit have no access to the Father. Romans 8:8-16 shows that only those who have Christ dwelling in them, who are born again, are children of God. see also John 1:12.

About Jesus and Michael the Archangel:

Lets take a look at the book of Jude:

3Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved^c a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 

*notice it does not say that the Father saved them, 

it does not say that Michael saved them, 

but it says Jesus, Jesus saved them.

 _____________________________________________________________

6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire,^d serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

8Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

9But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

*Let's compare this to verse 4. Verse 4 says that Jesus is our only Lord. 

Now Michael is acknowledging that Jesus has more authority than he. 


In Revelation 22:16 who sent the angel to the congregations? In verse 6, who sent the angel?

Christ Crucified

The key to understanding scripture: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified"- 1 Corinthians 1:23

The Trinity Doctrine and how we know God

When we understand who Jesus is, we understand who God is.

"Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" -- John 14:8-9

This is the affect of the Trinity doctrine on an ex-Jehovah's Witness: 

Instead of seeing God as a distant dictator who sent others to do His dirty work, we see God coming to us, He loves us so much that He was willing to give up His glory, walk among us, eat with us, touch us... and even wash our feet, even when He knew we wold betray Him. The Trinity doctrine causes us to realize that God does not sit on a distant throne giving orders to others and expecting us to struggle, struggle, struggle to Him. No... He comes to us.  Jesus ate dinner with thieving tax collectors, prostitutes, and dispicable cowards. Jesus was not proud, constantly judging in a harsh manner.   Jesus said that He came to save us rather than to condemn or destroy us, and He proved it with His actions. The Trinity doctrine makes us more like Christ because it teaches us who God is.

Does your God wash feet? Love and help sinners? Do you?

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being,- Hebrews 1:3

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself - Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."- John 8:19
The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.- John 12:45

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.- 1 John 5:20

Exercising Faith?

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." Acts 17:24-25; Romans 6:23; Romans 4:5

"For the one who has died has been acquitted from his sin." Romans 6:7

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that dying is a good thing. They base this on Romans 6:7 "For he who has died has been acquitted from his sin." and believe that if you die before Armageddon, you are resurrected into paradise... this is easier for you than remaining faithful during the "great tribulation". This verse is taken out of context. see verse 3:"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" 

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3

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

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 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

From cult to Christ in one scripture...

You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Who is Michael the Archangel?

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Michael the Archangel is the only begotten Son of God, creator and Lord of all.

Let's examine this belief in light of the scriptures.

Daniel 10:13 calls Michael "one of the chief princes". God's only Son- one of a group of princes?

Is Michael the Archangel an angel? One of God's angels?

After you answer that question,

Read through Hebrews 1:

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,

and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings othe firstborn into the world, he says,

p“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

q“He makes his angels winds,

and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

r“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

u“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment,

12 like a robe you will roll them up,

like a garment they will be changed.1

But you are vthe same,

and your years will have no end.”

I have left the cross references in for a reason, so that you may take a look at those scriptures as well. Take your time, then read Hebrews 1 and 2 all the way through. May your search be blessed.

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

   

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8h ESV)

Are you ready for the great tribulation?

"Jesus saves us from the wrath to come"-- 1 Thessalonians 1:10

For some more insight on the great tribulation I recommend that you read Luke chapter 21 all of the way through, paying close attention with an open mind.

May God's Word be a lamp to your step.

Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus is not your mediator.

"Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is … to only 144,000 members" Worldwide Security under the Prince of Peace, p10

“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.” - 1 Timothy 2:5 “Christ is a mediator of a new covenant.” - Hebrews 9:15

Moses was the mediator of the Law covenant between Jehovah God and the nation of Israel. –Insight on the Scriptures under Mediator
Then who is your mediator? 

God’s prophet and channel of communication to the nation of Israel was Moses… Later, the anointed faithful followers of Jesus Christ were to serve as a “faithful and discreet slave” in communicating to Jehovah’s people how to apply Bible principles in their lives. Watchtower 1993 2/1 p. 15

Moses helped the nation of Israel to keep the covenant and to receive its benefits…–Insight on the Scriptures under Mediator The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today come under benefits that flow from that new covenant … by associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant. Watchtower 1979 4/1 “No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6


The scriptures state that Jesus is the one and only mediator. Can you reconcile this with the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

"The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ." (Watchtower, Sep. 15, 2010)

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord"-- 2 Corinthians 4:5

Disassociation Letter

Dear Jehovah’s Witnesses, 

You may be wondering why you haven’t seen us recently. We have been working through some things and thought we would let you know what they are. We know how important it is to “make sure of all things” and “always make a defense for the faith that is in you”. 

1. Who is my mediator?  Who is your mediator? 

"Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is … to only 144,000 members" Worldwide Security under the Prince of Peace, p10 “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 “Christ is a mediator of a new covenant.”Hebrews 9:15

Moses was the mediator of the Law covenant between Jehovah God and the nation of Israel. –Insight on the Scriptures under Mediator  God’s prophet and channel of communication to the nation of Israel was Moses…  Later, the anointed faithful followers of Jesus Christ were to serve as a “faithful and discreet slave” in communicating to Jehovah’s people how to apply Bible principles in their lives. Watchtower 1993 2/1 p. 15

Moses helped the nation of Israel to keep the covenant and to receive its benefits…–Insight on the Scriptures under Mediator The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today come under benefits that flow from that new covenant … by associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant. Watchtower 1979 4/1 “No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6

We have decided to accept Christ as our one and only mediator, as the scriptures state. Can you reconcile this with the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

2. Believing or Exercising?

Another discrepancy: “It is for the reward of eternal life that every last person on earth should now be working… [Jehovah’s Witnesses] are working hard now for the reward of                        eternal life… making themselves eligible to receive the reward of eternal life.”  WT, Aug. 15, 1972

When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. Romans 4:4,5

It is clear that Paul wrote to the Galatians, people who had already accepted Christ’s sacrifice, in order to correct them of their erroneous view of adding works as a requirement for righteousness. “You are parted from Christ, whoever you are that try to be declared righteous by means of law; you have fallen away from his undeserved kindness. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying that a person has life.” For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 3:3,12; 5:4;1 

Upon using the Kingdom Interlinear translation I found that at John 3:16,18,36 and similar Scriptures, the Greek word is “believing”. The word “exercising” has been added in the New World Translation.

3. The Anointed and the Other Sheep Class

 

Romans 8:8… “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. You received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. Everyone who practices righteousness has been born from him. See what sort of love the Father has given us, so that we should be called children of God; and such we are. Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, Romans 8:8,9,16; 1 John 2:29; 3:1; 5:1 A Watchtower recently admonished us to walk in spirit as in Romans 8:1-8. Look at scriptures in context!

The Watchtower says: "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, the Kingdom of God is not just in heaven!!!

"Manifestly, God’s kingdom comes to earth and his will is then done on earth "-- Watchtower 1/1/1959 p.25-29

Look at the parable of the wheat and the weeds. When the wheat are left over: “At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43 Only righteous children of God are allowed in the Kingdom, whether in heaven or on earth.  There is no other sheep class in Romans 8, Matthew 13, or 1 John 3 only two classes of people are mentioned and if they are not Children of God, being led by Holy Spirit and guaranteed a reward then they are not part of God's people at all. I think that apostate doctrines are dooming the Great Crowd of Jehovah’s Witnesses to the fate of no mediator, no Heavenly Father, and no hope. “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” Psalm 37:29 “Everyone who practices righteousness has been born from him.” 1 John 2:29


I also see that if one is a Child of God, then one is part of the kingdom covenant as well. Romans 8:17; There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise. Galatians 3:28,29

4. Is Michael the Archangel Jesus, the only begotten Son of God?

I think that the identity of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine one must get right. If you do not believe that I am you will die in your sins. John 8:24 Everyone that denies the Son does not have the Father either. 1 John 2:23     I  am    ἐγώ εἰμι,  John 8:24  Kingdom  Interlinear.    

Who is Jesus Christ? The Apostle John has this to say about Jesus Christ: he was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God. Look at the context with the quotes. This was John speaking, not the Pharisees, but John saying this at John 5:18. John also has this to say: He that confesses the Son has the Father also. Whoever has the Son has eternal life  Jesus Himself said: in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.. 1 John 2:23; 5:11,12; John 5:23

‘Michael the great prince’ is none other than Jesus Christ himself.— Watchtower 12/15/84 I cannot agree, after reading Hebrews chapter 1 and 2 that Jesus is Michael the Archangel. To which one of the angels did he ever say: “You are my son; I, today, I have become your father”? But with reference to which one of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand, until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet”? Michael the Archangel? For it is not to angels that he has subjected the inhabited earth to come, about which we are speaking. But we behold Jesus, who has been made a little lower than angels, crowned with glory and honor.
 
Insight on the Sciptures, Under Michael: “Scriptural evidence indicates that the name Michael applied to God’s Son before he left heaven to become Jesus Christ and also after his return.” To which name should every knee bow? Michael? No, it is to God’s name. Is it not I, Jehovah, besides whom there is no other God; a righteous God and a Savior, there being none excepting me? By my own self I have sworn—out of my own mouth in righteousness the word has gone forth, so that it will not return—that to me every knee will bend down, every tongue will swear. It is to Jesus. so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord Isaiah 45:21-23 Phil 2:10, 11

“I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth. Who was with me?” Isaiah 44:24 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Hebrews 1:8-10

“You are my witnesses,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “even my servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and have faith in me, and that you may understand that I am the same One. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:10,11 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. John 1:1 Hmmm…


“This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, ‘I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God. And who is there like me? Isaiah 44:6 “‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Happy are those who wash their robes, that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates. Outside are the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie. I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you” Revelation 22:12-16

5. Destroys families and deceives 

In contrast to “No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.” of Awake! July 2009 p.29, “Does the study of the Bible lead to family breakup? No.” We have examples in the Watchtower of parents deciding to obey the organization instead of allowing their natural feelings for their children:  But they love their son so much! Strong emotions might cause them to reason: ‘How can we help our boy return to Jehovah if we severely limit our association with him? Would we not accomplish more by maintaining regular contact with him?’ But what will those dear parents do? Will they obey Jehovah’s clear direction? Or will they rationalize that they can have regular association with their disfellowshipped son? July 15 2011 However, because he did not receive even the slightest communication from any of his family, the burning desire to be with them became one motivating factor in his restoring his relationship with Jehovah. Think of that if you are ever tempted to violate God’s command not to associate with your disfellowshipped relatives. April 2012 Page 12, paragraph 17

No where in the Bible do I see these commands. Once again I remember to obey God: “For men will be having no natural affection, and from these turn away. 2 Tim 3

6. False Christs:

 

I have decided to listen to the Bible and to Jesus, rather than to men, to the writers of the Jehovah’s Witness literature. “But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts.”--1 Peter 3:15 His name should therefore be sanctified, or set apart as holy. -- Watchtower 1991 9/15 p. 7

…the title “Christ” means “Anointed One” --Watchtower 1969 1/1 p. 29 "First, though, these anointed Christians needed cleansing. As Malachi 3:1-5 had foretold, Jehovah God and his 'messenger of the covenant,' Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918." Watchtower 1993 5/1 p. 15

Religious history is also full of charismatic leaders who inspired people to be devoted to them but who brought disaster upon their followers. “Be careful that no one misleads you,” warned Jesus, “for many men will come in my name saying ‘I am the Christ’, and they will mislead many.” (Matthew 24:4, 5, Phillips)—Watchtower 1998 2/15 p. 23

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. Matthew 24:23-25

"The book You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, released last June, and the article “Jehovah Is in His Holy Temple,” published in the November 15 English issue of The Watchtower, prove that Jehovah came accompanied by his Angel of the covenant, Jesus Christ, to the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918."--Watchtower 12/15/55 p. 748

How could we listen to this instead of Jesus Christ? “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:26,27

God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the prophets, has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, For if the word spoken through angels proved to be firm, and every transgression and disobedient act received a retribution in harmony with justice; how shall we escape if we have neglected a salvation of such greatness in that it began to be spoken through [our] Lord. Hebrews 2:1-3For one is your teacher. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ. Matthew 23:8-10 And as for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but, as the anointing from him is teaching you about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27

If you are reading this, we want you to know that we love you. It is our sincere hope that Christ may dwell in your hearts and you will know the breadth and length and depth of His love. We will be bowing our knees before the Father asking for His intervention in your lives. Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 5:43-44

We will no longer associate ourselves with an apostate cult.

Who is Jesus? Is the God of Jehovah's Witnesses his Father?

He is the image of the invisible God, for no one has seen God but the only begotten God has revealed Him. Colossians 1:15; John 1:18

For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. John 12:47

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

“Drink, for this is my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28

Does the Jehovah that Jehovah's Witnesses worship give rest? Does he save the world, or judge it? Is he humble enough to wash his followers feet?

What is the good news?

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 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, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. -- Titus 3:4-7

To Whom Do You Belong?

"To whom do you belong? Which God do you obey?
For just the one to whom you bow Your master is, you serve him now.

You cannot serve two gods; ..."

This is Song 207 in the book Sing Praises to Jehovah that I used when I was an active Jehovah's Witness. It is titled "To Whom Do We Belong?" and 1 Corinthians 6:20 is cited.

So let's answer the question. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says "for ​you were bought with a price."

Who is the Lord that bought us? Romans 14:8-9 answers:

"So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord*. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”

I have also noticed that Colossians 3:23-24 says to "do everything whole-souled as to Jehovah... slave for the master, Christ."

and Ephesians 6:5-7 "You slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters ... as to the Christ, not by way of eye‐service as men pleasers, but as Christ’s slaves, ... Be slaves with good inclinations, as to Jehovah,"

The New World Translation also says that Jesus is "a god". Notice what the song says, "You cannot serve two gods; two Masters cannot share". The song is correct. Matthew 6:24, Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7.

To whom do you belong?

(*Keep in mind that the New World Translation says Jehovah instead of Lord when the Greek word kupiw and kupiou are translated in the first 3 instances of the word in these verses. Luke 17:5, John 20:2, Romans 14:14, and Romans 16:18 are a few examples of the same Greek words translated by the New World Translation as Lord and referring to Jesus. Please consider getting a Kingdom Interlinear Translation from Jehovah's Witnesses so that you can verify the Greek yourself.)

Song 207 To Whom Do We Belong? (1 Corinthians 6:20)

To whom do you belong? Which God do you obey?
For just the one to whom you bow Your master is, you serve him now.

You cannot serve two gods; Both masters cannot share

The love of your heart in its every part. To neither you'd be fair.

To whom do you belong? Which God will you obey?
For one is false and one is true, So make you choice; it's up to you.

Shall Caesar of this world Claim your allegiance still?
Or will you obey the true God today and vow to do his will?

To whom do I belong? Jehovah I'll obey.

This God of truth I'll gladly serve; From paying my vow I'll not swerve.

He bought me at great cost; I've ceased from serving men.

The death of his Son my ransom has won; I'll not turn back again.

To God we do belong! There's no uncertainty.

The unity that he foretold We now experience in his fold.

Just like the fragrant oil Upon the high priest's head,

We find it so sweet together to meet and with his truth be fed.

(Sing Praises to Jehovah, songbook, Jehovah's Witnesses)