Jesus as a Mediator

I-follow-the-narrow-path

I know that Jesus is a mediator... it is written in the bible. I have never heard the JWs tell me that he wasn't. It is written in my bible (in the JW bible), so if they do deny that Jesus is a Mediator--
then why is it written that he is? I don't want to argue at all, because I am just really confused. No JW told me that Jesus was, nor was not a Mediator.
If they think he is not though... what do they say about the bible verse which proves it IN THEIR BIBLE?
I mean... why would they deny something in their own bible?

AuldSoul

Um...b-because they are a cult who sets the doctrines of a human Governing Body ahead of the Scriptures as an authority?

What do I win?

jwfacts

Many JWs do not even know what their teaching is on this.

In 1 Timothy it says that "there is one mediator between God and men", but the Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” pp. 10-11 says “Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”

This is because the leaders want to create a distinction between the leaders and the followers. Most cults teach that Jesus is not the mediator for the followers, but that the leaders are. This gives them more power, as you can not be saved without following the cult leaders. They then use this same reason to justify disfellowshipping or excommunicating people.

The other reason is that Jesus mediates over the new covenant for people to go to heaven. Since the Watchtower tries to say that people (except the 144000) dont go to heaven it has to say that the earthly class are not part of the new covenant and so Jesus is not their mediator. However, the bible never says that people will be ressurected on to earth.

lost_sheep

This is a great question Elizabeth... one i asked a few threads back too....

That thread might give you more insight into what the Witnesses teach. I'll venture to say that the vast majority of JWs do not know this is written doctrine. I am still having trouble getting my mind around it.... it just doesn't jive with the Bible.

Sometimes a simple answer is the best, & i think AuldSoul pretty much nailed this one. He should win a cookie, at the very least. :-P

greendawn

You should not find it surprising that the JWs deny truths present in the Bible, that can and does happen when they get in the way of important objectives, in fact the entire JW set up is a very spurious one with leaders pretending to care about the flock whereas they are just serving their own or their organisational interests.

Jesus is the only mediator and all Christians should be members of his church and not of an organisation of jehovah.

AuldSoul

I-follow-the-narrow-path,

In my opinion, it is very important to remember that religions do not tell you the harshest doctrines or the most difficult doctrines to accept during the initial indoctrination phase.

Do you have a copy of Reasoning From the Scriptures? How about What Does the Bible Really Teach? If so, find where either of these books teaches that Jesus is the mediator for all mankind.

The word "mediator" appears exactly two times in the Reasoning book.

*** rs p. 184 par. 7 Images ***
1 Tim. 2:5, JB: “There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus.” (There is no allowance here for others to serve in the role of mediator for the members of Christ’s congregation.)

At first glance, this seems to support the Christian doctrine of mediatorship (although tucked away in a place no one would think to look for this teaching). However, Jehovah's Witnesses teach that "Christ's congregation" is made up of only 144,000. The "other sheep" benefit only by extension, through being associated to Christ's congregation. Oddly, the verse cited doesn't say a single thing (even in context) about Christ's congregation. It says he is the mediator for mankind. The verse context specifies every sort of person, of every station in life. Even here, in a primary teaching aid, they directly change what the Scripture says to fit their doctrine.

The word "mediator" does not appear at all in the publication What Does the Bible Really Teach?, nor is the Scripture 1 Timothy 2:5 cited anywhere in that publication.

These are two primary teaching aids for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, even in areas where people know nothing about the Bible. The mediatorship of Christ for all mankind is a fundamental teaching of Christianity. The Bible directly states the doctrine, and reaffirms the concept in several different ways. But Jehovah's Witnesses don't actively teach it. Why?

Because, their teaching regarding the mediatorship of Christ is in direct conflict with what the Scriptures state.

Now you know.

Respectfully,
AuldSoul

moomanchu

1 Timothy is also part of the new covenant part of the bible. The JW,s teach that this part of the bible was written specifically to the 144,000.

You see, you weren't supposed to be reading that anyway.

jstalin

w79 4/1 31
• Is Jesus the "mediator" only for anointed Christians?The term "mediator" occurs just six times in the Christian Greek Scriptures and Scripturally is always used regarding a formal covenant.
Moses was the "mediator" of the Law covenant made between God and the nation of Israel. (Gal. 3:19, 20) Christ, though, is the "mediator of a new covenant" between Jehovah and spiritual Israel, the "Israel of God" that will serve as kings and priests in heaven with Jesus. (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Gal. 6:16) At a time when God was selecting those to be taken into that new covenant, the apostle Paul wrote that Christ was the "one mediator between God and men." (1 Tim. 2:5) Reasonably Paul was here using the word "mediator" in the same way he did the other five times, which occurred before the writing of 1 Timothy 2:5, referring to those then being taken into the new covenant for which Christ is "mediator." So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians.
The new covenant will terminate with the glorification of the remnant who are today in that covenant mediated by Christ. The "great crowd" of "other sheep" that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the "little flock" of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant. During the millennium Jesus Christ will be their king, high priest and judge. For more detailed information, see Aid to Bible Understanding, pages 1129 and 1130 under "Mediator"; also God’s "Eternal Purpose" Now Triumphing for Man’s Good, page 160, paragraph 10; also The Watchtower issues of February 15, 1966, pages 105 through 123; November 15, 1972, pages 685 and 686, under the subheading "Leading the Way to a New Covenant"; and April 1, 1973, pages 198 and 199, under the subheading "The New Covenant."

According to the watchtower, 1 Timothy 2:5 doesn't mean what it says.

Honesty

*** w s chap. 1 p. 10 par. 16 The Desire for Peace and Security Worldwide ***

Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.

The WTBTS publication is titled, Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" published in 1986.

That should just about bring an abrupt end of your studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses. If I had known they taught this unbiblical doctrine when I was studying with them I would have ran as fast and as far away from them as possible.

Judas I.

According to their beliefs Jesus was obstructing justice (in their eyes anyway) yet they continue to claim to be following Him. I think their ass got tricked by their own ignorance myself.

Would they still follow and claim to be following a leader who forgives people they want to be destroyed?

Perhaps it is ok until they disagree with His judgement(s).....Then what are they going to do? Kill Him? Disown Him?

Whatever dude.

Jesus as a Mediator

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