11/27/2023 0 Comments Basics of jehovah witness beliefsWhere one stands on who Jesus is, however, may. ![]() Belief in these other issues will not determine where one spends eternity. Insist that you stay on the issue of who Jesus is, because its importance is far greater than whether eternity is spent in heaven or on a heavenly earth ruled by Christ. When they perceive the conversation is not going their way, they may try to detour you into other issues such as the earthly kingdom of Christ. However, it was not my questions that they answered, but theirs! I actually responded, “I did not say that the verse calls Jesus, God, only that it does not say that he was created as you initially indicated.” You’re right.” A series of those and I may end up attending their Bible study group because they answered all of my questions. They responded that earlier in the same verse it says that Jesus is “the image of God,” and since the Bible also says that we have been created in God’s image I could not interpret the statement that Jesus is “the image of God” to indicate that he is God. I showed them that the word “firstborn” could not possibly mean “first created” in this passage. I asked them for Scriptures which in their opinion indicated that Jesus was created. For example, once I was having a discussion with the JWs who had come to my home. This can create an illusion that you stand corrected on the deity issue. JWs may try to answer arguments for the deity that you never raised. When everything has been said and done, you can tell them that they have not provided any good reasons for believing Jesus was created and that you have provided five reasons why he is God, one which even exposes some inconsistencies in their own translation of the Bible. Tell them you would like to hear their reasons for believing Jesus is a creation of God, then you would like their responses to your reasons for believing he is God. However, we disagree on a major point, the deity of Christ, and I would like to discuss this with you.” They will agree without hesitation. You may say something like this: “I admire you for being so diligent about your beliefs. These are sincere and committed people, just the kind you want in your church! When you begin talking with them, limit your conversation to the question, “Who is Jesus?” This is the most important difference between their beliefs and historical Christianity. Remember that it is the Watchtower that has led its followers down the wrong path. You will get nowhere and mistakenly blame their unreceptiveness on their disinterest in truth. JWs are people too! If your attitude is bad, they will shut off their minds as well. Do we listen with an open mind when someone angrily or arrogantly tells us that we are wrong? We shut off our minds to whatever that person tells us. I thank my wife, Debbie, who pointed out my attitude problem to me. I was more excited about “winning an argument” than compassionately sharing the truth and patiently attempting to reveal Watchtower error. Although she initially became quite unpleasant when I let her know that I disagreed with her on the issue, my attitude was bad to begin with. It turned into a heated discussion and I eventually asked her to leave. She was going around the neighborhood with her teenage daughter and I invited them in. ![]() A few years ago, I blew it with a JW who knocked on my door. It is easy to become upset with someone who disagrees with you on so important a subject. Why would they change unless someone soundly shows them their error? That someone may be you! Dare to be different by having a response, which is both biblically sound and loving. This just encourages the Witnesses to believe they are on the correct path. ![]() Unfortunately, most of the Christians who JWs encounter are unprepared and become extremely defensive and unpleasant with them. ![]() Remember Peter’s instruction: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence ” (1 Peter 3:15). When they come to your door, invite them in. Jehovah’s Witnesses are very sincere about their beliefs and well versed in them.
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