Hi Rattigan,
Then for centuries the truth got contaminated and diluted. But JWs had the intent of seeking that truth of Jesus. No one else has tried or done that.
That just doesn't match up with reality. All cults claim that everybody else has it wrong and they are the only ones to restore , the truth, true worship, etc.
The early congregation elders who were the 1st, 2nd & 3rd generation disciples of the apostles wrote a lot of stuff to each other. They wrote about the trouble makers and their crazy ideas and how they handled it. They named names and false teachings. So, it is pretty easy to find out who the heretics were, what they taught, and what their thoughts were on the matter.
I recommend this book; pretty easy to read.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not seek the truth of Jesus. Even though Jesus was appointed as Mediator between God and Men, the Watchtower clergy inserts themselves in between man and Christ.
This was a teaching completely unknown to the apostles. And, according to them, they must be cursed for teaching such a new thing:
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1: 8, 9
JW's teach their version of the Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom. But they ignore the Good News of Jesus' Salvation from Judgment and inheritance of immortal life for the average member.
New Testament occurrences of the term Gospel of _______ . | |
Gospel of Jesus Christ (or Christ ) – 12 times | |
Gospel of God – 7 times | |
Gospel of the kingdom – 4 times | |
Gospel of peace – 2 times | |
Gospel of the grace of God – 1 time | |
Gospel of your salvation – 1 time | |
Gospel of the uncircumcision – 1 time | |
Gospel of the circumcision – 1 time | |
Gospel of his Son – 1 time As you can see, the Good News of Jesus , God, Salvation, Peace etc. is mentioned six times more often than the "good news of the kingdom". |
Yet, the Watchtower focuses their entire message on the “good news of the kingdom”. Of course the “kingdom”, as explained by the Watchtower is really just another name for themselves (the visible part therof) in their way of thinking. It is repeated so often in Jehovah’s Witness circles that many will go to the extent and say that the bible is a book of government….. which they are quick to point out refers to their own ecclesiastical authority in modern times.
Finally, JW's ignore the fact stated in Phil 2: 9
"God ... gave him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth"
The highest name in the Universe is not Jehovah, but Jesus. JW's don't like that. But, that has been foundational Christian doctrine from the times of the apostles.
Jehovah's Witnesses are among the worst heretics that Christianity has ever witnessed. Jesus only got angered at religious people when on earth. Religious people should think deeply about the implications of that.
Hope this helps.