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When
a cult comes knocking, many Christians duck for cover! What a shame. Of all
people, it should be the Christians who know best the Book which
their Heavenly Father has put into their hands! Why should a cult-member be more
familiar with the words of God than a child of God?
This
little article has been written to help you, the Christian, to know enough about
certain doctrines, and about Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) to not only meet them with
confidence, but to also show them where they are wrong in their beliefs.
But
first let me say that it is probably impossible to know everything about JW
thinking. They have so many interpretations, often contradictory, with so many
subtle and vague additions, that sometimes even the simplest and most
straightforward verses can be twisted around to mean almost anything they want.
So
do you give up before you start? No! Over the years, many JWs have been shown
the errors in their beliefs and have been converted - for example William
Schnell, who was totally entangled in the JW movement for 30 years,
but finally came free.
The
main reason why (some) JWs confuse Christians is because (some) JWs really train
themselves. Comparatively few Christians train themselves. How many
Christians do you know of who spend hours learning Scriptures? How well
do you understand your own Bible? Could you show me, going from verse to
verse, why you are a Christian? Could you show me, from Scripture, who
Jesus is, who God is, why Jesus came to earth, where he is
now, and so on? Could you open a Bible right now and point at the Scriptures
which teach about sin, salvation, judgment, baptism and the blood of atonement?
JWs
put many Christians to shame by their zeal too. Motivated by a certain
amount of fear, and a desire to gain a footing in heaven through their
dedicated, hard work, JWs set their sights on the goals held up by the JW
teaching, and endlessly, determinedly visit their neighbours. How often do Christians
visit their neighbours? How often do Christians go out of their way to
witness for Christ?
Jesus
wants Christians to be trained, efficient, confident workers - not hesitant
amateurs. 1 Pet. 3:15. There are some things very good and worth noting in the
ranks of the JW – zeal for one.
But
be encouraged. This book will give you answers to the JWs. Solid Bible answers.
If you learn the right verses, you will be able to meet the JWs at your door,
and answer them in clear terms. They may not want to come back, but then again,
they might be open to instruction!
Most people who belong to a cult think they are right, and everyone
else is wrong. They are in and everyone else is out. If you
are not with them, you are an outsider. If you say you are a
Christian, they may regard you as blind, duped, or part of an evil system. You
must try to show the cult-member that you understand what being a Christian
means, and be as loving as possible, and behave in a good-mannered and
reasonable way.
JWs
interpret the Bible with the help of Watchtower literature. They
use the Bible, but they have to be told by other people what it
means. They have great difficulty actually reading it for themselves.
Which
means they end up believing what they are told to believe.
Some
of their main wrong beliefs are:
1. There
is no Trinity
2. Jesus
is a created being
3. Jesus
was resurrected as a sprit without a real body
4.
The Holy Spirit is not personal, and not God
5.
Salvation is helped by works and not by Grace alone
1.
There is no Trinity.
JWs
don't understand the Trinity, that is, they mis-define it. Because they mis-define
it, they ask Christians silly questions, such as: If Jesus is God, how could he
pray to God? Did he send himself to earth from heaven? How could he say God sent
him? Was Jesus praying to himself? Did he answer his own prayers?
But
when we properly define the Trinity, things become clearer. The Bible teaches
that within the nature of the one
true God (Jehovah, the Father) -
Is.42:8,
43:10, 44:6,8, 45:21, ICor. 8:4 - 6, Neh. 9:6, 1 Tim. 2:4 are three divine
Persons.
The
first Person is the Father, the second is the Son and the third is the Spirit.
Jesus the second Person is able to pray to the first Person. Each Person of the
Trinity (or Triune God) is fully God, and all three Persons partake of the same
nature of God. This is a great mystery, but it is stated in Scripture, so
that, even if we don't understand it fully, we are still expected to believe it.
(Do you understand how a TV works? Do you believe it works, even though you
don't understand how it works you can still believe it works)
JWs have a problem with God. They reduce Him to dimensions which fit
their own reasoning, rather than face the full account of God as expressed in
the Bible, which is not so convenient to their way of thinking.
Now
become familiar with what the Bible says about the fact that there are three
Persons in the one God: Mat. 28:19, Luke 3:21, 22. The Father: 2Pet.
1:17. The Son: John 1:1 (called the Word, or Logos), 8:24, 58, Col. 1:13
- 17, Titus 2:13. The Spirit:Acts 13:2, 10:19,20, Heb. 3:7 - 11, Ps. 95:
6-11, Acts 5: 3,4, Heb. 9:14.
If
you look all these verses up, and think about them, you will be able to show a
JW most of the facts about God's true nature.
2.
Jesus is a Created being.
JWs don't accept the deity of Jesus. They say he was created. They misquote John
1:1. If they do use John 1:1 to "prove" their case, here is an
effective way of showing them their error:
Tell
them this is what they are saying: There is the one true God, Jehovah, and there
is the Word, or Jesus. One big God and one small God. As John 1 says, the Word,
or Jesus "was in the beginning with God" and he "made all
things" and "in him was life", and this Word was "made
flesh" and "we beheld his glory" and v. 18 says Jesus "has
declared" or revealed God, to us.
Now
how can God, Jehovah, possibly tolerate this Jesus, who takes so much glory from
him? Have a look at Is. 43:10, 11, and 44:8, John 17:3 and Deut. 32:39. There is
a contradiction here.
As
John 1 says, Jesus is the creator of all things. Logically, he cannot be the
creator of himself. (Is. 44:24). God created all things. Either Jesus is an
intolerable rival to Jehovah, or he is an equal.
JWs
like to quote Col. 1:15 and Rev. 3:14 to show that Jesus was created. In fact
these verses show the opposite. In Col. 1:15 "firstborn" is Greek (protokos)
and means "the preeminent one, the one with the right to rule".
The
other reference, in Revelation has Jesus calling himself "the Amen",
but this is a title which Jehovah uses for himself. Again, Jesus calls himself
"the true and faithful witness" which is another title used of Jehovah
for himself - Jer. 42:5.
Another
verse JWs use is a statement by Jesus that he is "the beginning of the
creation of God". Here, say the JWs, is proof that Jesus was created, but
the Greek for "beginning" is 'arche’ which means “the source, or
origin, or ruling one” It does not mean that Jesus was created at all.
Another problem JWs have is in understanding headship, or rank. For
example, a husband and wife and two sons may all be equals when it comes to
sharing a meal, or sunbathing, but if they all happen to join the army, they may
be set up in different positions of rank. Rank does not alter a basic equality.
1 Cor. 11 and Philippians 2:1 -11 describe the positions of rank in which
various names are listed. Jesus subjected himself to the Father (Jehovah) and
shared human nature. Why? So he could die for sinners. This humbling of himself
did not in any way alter his equality with the father in the wider, larger
sense. As a Man, Jesus could pray to his Father. As the Son, he could expect to
be received back into the glory he left behind when he took on the flesh.
2.
Jesus is a Created being.
JWs don't accept the deity of Jesus. They say he was created. They
misquote John 1:1. If they do use John 1:1 to "prove" their case, here
is an effective way of showing them their error:
Tell
them this is what they are saying: There is the one true God, Jehovah, and there
is the Word, or Jesus. One big God and one small God. As John 1 says, the Word,
or Jesus "was in the beginning with God" and he "made all
things" and "in him was life", and this Word was "made
flesh" and "we beheld his glory" and v. 18 says Jesus "has
declared" or revealed God, to us.
Now
how can God, Jehovah, possibly tolerate this Jesus, who takes so much glory from
him? Have a look at Is. 43:10, 11, and 44:8, John 17:3 and Deut. 32:39. There is
a contradiction here.
As
John 1 says, Jesus is the creator of all things. Logically, he cannot be the
creator of himself. (Is. 44:24). God created all things. Either Jesus is an
intolerable rival to Jehovah, or he is an equal.
JWs
like to quote Col. 1:15 and Rev. 3:14 to show that Jesus was created. In fact
these verses show the opposite. In Col. 1:15 "firstborn" is Greek (protokos)
and means "the preeminent one, the one with the right to rule".
The
other reference, in Revelation has Jesus calling himself "the Amen",
but this is a title which Jehovah uses for himself. Again, Jesus calls himself
"the true and faithful witness" which is another title used of Jehovah
for himself - Jer. 42:5.
Another
verse JWs use is a statement by Jesus that he is "the beginning of the
creation of God". Here, say the JWs, is proof that Jesus was created, but
the Greek for "beginning" is 'arche’ which means “the source, or
origin, or ruling one” It does not mean that Jesus was created at all.
Another
problem JWs have is in understanding headship, or rank. For example, a husband
and wife and two sons may all be equals when it comes to sharing a meal, or
sunbathing, but if they all happen to join the army, they may be set up in
different positions of rank. Rank does not alter a basic equality. 1 Cor. 11 and
Philippians 2:1 -11 describe the positions of rank in which various names are
listed. Jesus subjected himself to the Father (Jehovah) and shared human nature.
Why? So he could die for sinners. This humbling of himself did not in any way
alter his equality with the father in the wider, larger sense. As a Man, Jesus
could pray to his Father. As the Son, he could expect to be received back into
the glory he left behind when he took on the flesh.
Useful
hints as you speak to JWs:
1.
Be honest.
Tell them you are a Christian. If you really are a Christian, you will be able
to say this with confidence. Born again Christians have an experience from which
they can testify, rather than an argument from which they can make assertions.
The Holy Spirit works in and through Christians to help them when they represent
Jesus to other people - John 14:17.
2.
Do not pay for their literature.
Reason? Because you do not believe in supporting an organization which is
misleading its members. (Would you support an organization which taught that the
Greek gods should be worshipped, or that promoted abortion?) Any free literature
they want to give away can be taken, because that is one less for someone else
to read. Also, if you take something they give, they might take something
you give, such as a gospel tract.
Now
that you have plenty of good answers, from the Bible, you can share salvation
with any JWs who come to your door, without fear of being caught off balance. Of
course, if you want to do an in-depth study of JWs there are quite a few books
available, but the main thing, when countering a cult, is to know the truth,
rather than all the error. It is better to know what God says than to know what
everyone else thinks.
In
a nutshell, if you know the Bible thoroughly, you can handle any
cult, false teaching, or "twisted unlisted'. The main thing is that you
spend time getting really familiar with the key Bible passages, which means you
have to do some work. The good news is the more you put in, the more you get
out. Lazy Christians are easy prey for cults.
Also,
you will come to understand your own faith. A huge proportion of
Christians believe what they do simply because someone told them. They never
checked it up in the Bible. The minister, or Pastor, or some Christian friend,
or someone at a camp . . . can you really trust their word? Make sure – find
it in the Bible for yourself, and get it straight from God!
When
speaking to a JW, always maintain a loving, thoughtful attitude. Don't argue in
an unloving way. It is possible to disagree with a smile. Who knows, but maybe
your gracious manner will speak louder than your words?
Think
of the visit of the JWs as an opportunity to witness. Many Christians find it
difficult to go out and witness to someone. The JWs arrive at your door, eager
to talk about the Bible. Even if you make a complete mess of it, you have lost
nothing. Think of it as good practice. You may find yourself running back to the
Bible, after they have gone, and searching the Scriptures for answers. That’s
got to be a plus. (Does your pastor or whatever get you doing this?!)
Watch
out for this: when you quote or read a verse to a JW, you may assume that they
understand it the same way you do. Usually they don't. You may have to go
through what you say slowly, making sure the same definitions are agreed on by
both you and them. If not, then there is very little common ground on which you
and they can stand.
Be
sure to present the plan of salvation. If the JW never talks to another
Christian, at least you know that you have told them how they may be born again,
and have their sins forgiven, and get into God's kingdom without need of works
to earn an entrance.
16
bits of advice:
1.
Speak lovingly.
People remember how you speak for a lot longer than what you spoke about. Speak
the truth, but speak it lovingly - Eph. 4:15.
2.
Many cults are quite newly sprung up,
and none of them can agree with any of the other cults in every point. Many of
them say they accept what the Bible says, yet they consider everyone else to be
outside their own particular flock. Here is the problem: logically, if any one
of these cults is in fact right, then God has, for hundreds of years, allowed
Christians to be wrong in many vital areas. Why did God wait until only recently
to reveal the truth? Well, he didn't. He revealed the truth a long time ago. It
is the cults who are wrong, not the Christians.
3.
If you get the chance, share your personal testimony.
Tell the JW (or any cultist) how you received Jesus by faith, repenting of your
sins, and entered God's family - all by Grace. The personal testimony is a
powerful blow to a cult, because no cult-member really knows the Lord. None of
them have a personal walk with God. Perhaps you could write your testimony out
and have it ready as a typed, photocopy, to give to people.
4.
Keep to what you know.
Stay in your own territory. The cult-member will try to lure you away, out into
the traps and snares of the cult beliefs. Ignore the lures. Simply don't answer,
or say "Well, that's what you believe", which is a fair way to handle
things, because just because a person believes something, that does not make it
correct. (Hitler believed many things about Jews, but his fanatical confidence
didn't make him correct).
When
you get the chance, keep referring to what Jesus did, what Jesus said, what
Jesus claimed. If your focus is Jesus, you may find that His presence in the
debate decides things for you.
5.
If the cult-member quotes a scripture, get your own Bible
and read the verse out loud yourself, then read the verses before and after it.
Quite often this alone will spoil the cult-member's argument, because a text
without a context can be a pretext.
6.Ask
the cult-member for his or her address.
Some will give this to you. When they have gone, send them some appropriate
literature. Ask them, too, perhaps, if they need any help with their family,
work, whatever, and offer to pray for them. mean it. Do it.
7.
If they offer you literature
tell them you will accept it on the condition that they will receive literature
from you. If they do accept your Christian book or whatever, make sure they say
they will read some of it. If you read some of theirs, you may grow stronger in
your faith, as you compare error with Scripture. If they read some of yours,
they may be saved.
8.
People often join cults because they are insecure.
If you get the chance, tell the cult-member how wonderful it is that God has
accepted you, as you are, into his family, simply because you accepted Jesus
Christ as your own personal Saviour. You didn't have to do anything to get into
God's Family. You were "accepted in the beloved" - Eph. 1:6. All the
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption you could ever need were
freely given to you the moment you received Christ - 1 Cor. 1:30, 31. If you get
the chance, read out Eph 2, Col. 1 and 2, Heb. 10 or Rev. 1;
9.
Every cult reduces the Bible
in some way, from being the perfect, authoritative
Word
of God to something less than this. Some cults think the Bible is incomplete, or
untrustworthy, or defective, or outdated. Ignore these attitudes and quote it
anyway. (What soldier goes into battle, and then asks if the enemy minds if he
uses his sword?) Heb. 1:1,2, 2Tim. 3:15 - 17.
10.
Every cult has its own version of God.
1 John 5:20, Heb. 1:1 - 14, John 17:1-5.
11.
Every cult denies the Biblical Jesus
in some way. As with point 9, just keep quoting your Bible and ignore the wrong
views. For example: There is a difference between truly and fully.
When Jesus was on earth, in human form, he was not fully God. Obviously,
he could not have been, or every person he met would have been consumed, since
"no man can see God and live". But Jesus was truly God. For the
relevant Scriptures: Jesus is truly God John - 20:28 - 31, John 1:1 onwards, and
truly Man - Philippians 2:5 - 11, 1 Tim. 2:5,6.
12.
Every cult has its own particular beliefs
about Mankind, such as, what Man is, where Man came from, where Man goes at
death. These may end up wasting you time as side-issues. Focus on Jesus. Keep
steering the conversation back to Jesus. If you must comment on trivial matters,
just quote the Bible and leave the matter with the listener. Don't try too hard
to explain everything you read. God's Word is alive. It doesn't usually need
much help. (A powerful lion doesn't need defending either!).
13.
Every cult has its own version of salvation.
Usually, a cult cannot rest in the finished work of God. Usually, cult-members
have no assurance of God's love. Talk about these things as much as you can -
Rom. 5:6 - 11. The only "work" God requires of us is to "believe
in" the Son, whom the Father sent - John 6:29. Our salvation is the result
of Grace = the unearned, undeserved, unmerited favour of God - Eph. 2:8 - 10.
What Jesus did for us on the cross is all we could ever need - Heb. 7:25 - 28.
God will finish his work in us himself - Philippians 1:6.
14.
When the Cult-member leaves,
you may feel that you made no impression on him or her. Cheer up. Your love,
your personal testimony, your refusal to turn the time into a heated argument .
. . they will have had some effect. (Several testimonies from ex-cult-members
have testified to the witness, or manners, of a strong Christian as being a
deciding factor in their later conversion). And just think, if every door the
cult-member knocked on was opened by a Christian with the right attitude ...!
15.
After the cult-member has gone,
pray earnestly for them and leave the rest to the Lord.
16.
If the same cult-member returns
three times, you may feel that there is little chance of them changing. You are
quite within your rights to kindly ask them not to return again -Titus 3:10.
If you think back to the day when you were saved, the chances are it was
because God suddenly moved on you. It may have been at a church meeting, or
perhaps someone was witnessing to you, or maybe you were all by yourself and not
really concerned about spiritual things, but wherever you were, something
happened and you went from wondering about God to wanting Him to change you.
That was the act of grace which accompanies all true conversions. It is God’s
work, not ours. It is an act of divine grace. God gives us the power to
understand, to repent, to confess, to live the Christian life. All we do is
choose, and even then there is an element of God’s work, because before we are
saved we are “dead in trespasses and sins”. Obviously, a dead person cannot
make choices. God has to revive us so we can hear Him.
So when you are witnessing to a cult or to anyone at all, just do your job and leave the rest to God. Conversion is definitely not your job, but living for Jesus and sharing the gospel is, so keep to that and God will do whatever else He can.