Here's my latest offering in my on-going spiritual debate with the good elder of my wife's congo...He challenged me with some basic "truths"...My response is hilighted
Here is my challenge to you. Using only your Bible, see if you agree with these basic truths taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- The good news has to be preached before the end comes. Matthew 24:14. This verse speaks of Jesus' return and events of the last days, and I belieive that certain people (not just JW's) are called upon to preach God's word. Please keep in mind that throughout history, Nation has turned against nation,etc...this is nothing new. Matthew 28:19, 20 Jesus rises announces to his dixciples that he is given all power in heaven(which my fie used to say didn't exist, does it now?) & earth and gsve instruction which JW's follow, but it also mentions baptizing in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit (not in the name, or loyalty to an "organization). Acts 10: 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter spoke, Cornielius and those gathered recieved 44...the Holy Spirit falling upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. While these scriptures share what JW's preach, when read in context it says that "not to all(41)...but those chosen by God,..." who also shared in the Last Supper. though Jesus said, "Do this in rememberance of me..." only annointed JW's are allowed to "partake during the Memorial", wouldn't that mean that only they are chosen?
- Conclusion, any verse in the Bible can reference a point of view, or justify a religion, but only through reading the entire context of the information can you make an informed decision of concience.
- These are the last days 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 24:3-13Since our DOB, we wait for a death certificate. That also has gone on for thousands of years, if the end is so near(wait a minute, didn't that change during Sundays' Watchtower?), then if accepted Christ as our personal saviour and were baptised as called for by the Bible, then when the end comes, His will be done. No one on earth is prepared, or qualified to say what fate each or any man will suffer.
- God’s name is Jehovah Exodus 6:2, 3, Psalms: 84:18, Isaiah 12:2 According to these verses, but there is also Yaweh, Allah and mony others. Also, there are many scholars who point to the fact that the NWT replaced the Greek word for God & Lord w/ Jehovah(Examples at the end of the email). So while I believe that if/when I call on the name Jeohovah, I am still speaking to the same God you're speaking with, or that Muslim, Jew, etc.
- Jesus is God’s son (although not equal to God) John 3:16, John 14:28 Luke, 3:21, 22, Matthew 24: 26 Ephesians 2: 5-11. These verses are used by JW's with logical(earthly)arguments to deny the Trinity. It is a doctine, I lean towards accepting because I know that Jesus existed in flesh and Jesus now exists as the spirit, and that spirit came from God, the Father. That leads me to believe that they have a "biological-spirit" connection that makes them one, similar to flesh. Of course that can't happen in the physical world, but I wouldn't begin to make judgements about what God's power, especially when He has not given me the knowledge of it, would you. I agree it's not conventional, but it works for me, becauseI'll only know the truth wen he sees it at the end.
- God’s original purpose was and is for man to live on earth Genesis 1: 26-30, Psalms 37:11, 29, Matthew 5: 5, Yes, I believe that as well, but would you agree that we don't have a clue as to who that will be?
- Only 144,000 go to heaven Revelation 7:1-4 and Revelation 14:1-6, Ephesians 1:8-13 In Ephisians or Rev 7 I found absolutely no reference to the 144,000, there with the Lamb standing anywhere other than on Mt Zion I've read it for the 3rd time in two weeks and still can't make that connection, much less the part about thier rulership. But I'd love to know where it comes from..
- Jesus is the savior of mankind: John 3:16, 17, 1John 4:14, 1John 2: 1,2, I Timothy 2:5,6You'll get nothing but agreement from me here.
- Using any Bible(other than NWT) can you read the last 4 verses of Revelation 22:18-21, would you accept any "supplemental" literature that you did not know came from the mouth of God?
- Reading John 4, can you say that reject what Jesus clearly says, or do you agree?
here's that footnote from YOUR 3RD question...
The Greek word “Kurios” meaning “Lord” is mistranslated in the NWT as “Jehovah” or “Jehovah’s.”Matthew 22:44; 23:39; 23:39; 27:10 Mark 5:19; 12:29; 12:30; 12:36; 13:20 Luke 1:25; 1:28; 1:32; 1:58; 1:68; 2:15; 20:42 Acts 2:34; 2:39; 2:47; 3:22; 7:33; 7:49; 12:11; 12:17; 13:47 Romans 4:8; 9:28; 9:29; 12:19; 14:11; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 3:20; 4:4; 4:19; 7:17; 14:21; 16:7 2 Corinthians 6:17; 6:18; 10:18 Colossians 3:13 1 Thessalonians 4:6 2 Timothy 1:18; 2:19 (twice); 4:14 Hebrews 7:21; 8:2; 8:8; 8:9; 8:10; 10:16; 10:30; 12:6; 13:6 James 4:15; 5:15 2 Peter 2:9; 3:9 Jude 5, 9, 14 Revelation 1:8; 4:11; 18:8; 19:6; 21:22; 22:5; 22:6 Greek word “Kurie” meaning “Lord” is mistranslated as Jehovah.”John 12:38 Acts 1:24; 4:29; 7:60 Romans 10:16; 11:3; 14:6 (three times); 14:8 (three times) Revelation 15:4; 16:7 The Greek word “Kuriou” meaning “of Lord” or “of Lord’s” is mistranslated as “Jehovah” or “Jehovah’s.”Matthew 1:20; 1:22; 1:24; 2:13, 2:15; 2:19; 3:3; 21:24; 28:2 Mark 1:3; 11:9; 12:11 Luke 1:6; 1:9; 1:15; 1:45; 1:66; 1:76; 2:9 (twice); 2:23; 2:24; 2:26; 2:39; 3:4; 4:18; 4:19; 5:17; 13:35; 19:38 John 1:11; 1:23; 1:38; 12:13; 12:38 Acts 2:20; 2:21; 3:19; 4:26; 5:9; 5:19; 7:31; 8:22; 8:25; 8:26; 8:39; 9:31; 10:33; 11:21; 12:7; 12:23; 12:24; 13:10; 13:11; 13:12; 13:49; 15:35; 15:36; 15:40; 18:25; 19:20 Romans 10:13; 11:34 Corinthians 10:21; 10:26; 11:32; 16:10 2 Corinthians 3:17 (twice) 3:18 (twice); 8:21 Ephesians 5:17; 6:4; 6:8 Colossians 1:10; 3:24 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 4:15; 5:2 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2:13; 3:1 Hebrews 12:5 James 1:7; 4:10; 5:4; 5:10; 5:11 (twice); 5:14 1 Peter 1:25; 3:12 2 Peter 3:10 The Greek word “Kurion” meaning “Lord” is mistranslated as “Jehovah.” Matthew 4:7; 4:10; 22:37 Luke 1:16; 1:46; 4:8; 4:12; 10:27; 30:37 Acts 2:25; 8:24; 15:17 Romans 15:11 1Corinthians 10:9; 10:22 2 Corinthians 3:16 Colossians 3:23 Hebrews 8:11 James 3:9 The Greek word “Kurio” meaning “Lord” is mistranslated as “Jehovah.” Matthew 5:33 Luke 1:17; 2:22; 2:23 Acts 13:2; 14:3; 14:23; 16:15 Romans 12:11; 14:4 1 Corinthians 2:16 2 Corinthians 10:17 Ephesians 2:21; 5:19; 6:7 Colossians 3:22 Hebrews 8:11 James 3:9 The Greek word “Theos” meaning “God” is mistranslated as “Jehovah.” Hebrews 2:13 Revelation 4:8 The Greek word “Theou” meaning “of God” or “of God’s” is mistranslated as “Jehovah’s.” Matthew 4:4 John 6:45 Acts 13:44; 13:48; 16:32; 18:21 James 2:23 2 Peter 3:12 The Greek word “Theon” meaning “God” is mistranslated as “Jehovah.” Acts 16:14 The Greek word “Theo” meaning “God” is mistranslated as “Jehovah”. Romans 4:3 Galatians 3:6 Colossians 3:16 James 2:23 I'd like to discuss those questions with you, I'm stuck shopping with Kenya tomorrow. But if you're free Friday, Why don't we get together after work?