Expert: Brenda Martin - 5/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brenda,
I've been reading some of your answers and whilst they are all very biblically sound and seem to contain much sense, I was left with the impression that you think there is some way to heaven other than via Jesus Christ.

You make reference to Christian but also refer to a mormon and the Christian who wrote to you as being of the same faith.

Am I mistaken? Are you a Christian or are you a mormon?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God who was sent from heaven, died on a cross and rose again after 3 days? Do you believe that Jesus is our living saviour?

Many thanks for your time,
Eleanor

ANSWER: "there is some way to heaven other than via Jesus Christ?"

No, not at all; salvation (whether in heaven or on earth)depends on putting faith in Jesus ransom sacrifice. (john 3;16)

"Are you a Christian or are you a mormon?"

I am one of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God who was sent from heaven, died on a cross and rose again after 3 days? Do you believe that Jesus is our living saviour?

Yes to both :¬)

all the best
Brenda






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Brenda,
Thanks for your answers. Sorry if it sounded like I was hosting an interrogation! What's the difference between a 'Jehovah Christian Witness' and a person who is what some call a 'born again' Christian? And are you as a Jehovah's Christian Witness the same as a Jehovah's Witness? Sorry if that's a stupid question. I find all these labels a bit confusing at times.
Thanks for your patience,
Eleanor

ANSWER: Hi there Eleanor, No, not at all, it didnt sound like an "interrogation" :¬)ok so you have asked--

"What's the difference between a 'Jehovah Christian Witness' and a person who is what some call a 'born again' Christian?

Mmm there are so many, but I will list what I feel are the major differences ok--

1.Well first of all JW's use God's name, whereas born again Christians address him as God or Lord.

2.JW's believe that; Jehovah is the almighty Creator, Jesus is his son, & the holy spirit is God's active force. Whereas BA Christians believe God is a Trinity.(3 gods in 1) & all equal.

3.JW's believe that a limited number of chosen ones go to heaven, & Born again Christians believe it is open to all mankind.

4.JW's earnestly endeavor to be no part of the world, as Jesus said would be true of his followers. They show genuine Christian love for their neighbors, but they do not share in the POLITICS or the WARS of any nation.

The above list briefly states some outstanding beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses but by no means all the points on which their beliefs are different from those of other groups.

"Jehovah's Christian Witness the same as a Jehovah's Witness?

Yes.(Isaiah 43;10)

Im happy to answer any further questions these points may raise.

all the best
Brenda












---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your clear and consise answer. I had to smile when you referred to JW's as JW's because my husband gave me a telling off for calling you that when some of your colleagues were in our street a while ago.

You also helped clear up a misconception that I had because I had the impression that JW's believed the way to heaven was to tell as many people about God as possible. When I was in school a girl there was a JW and she did her class speach on being a JW.

Also, if you believe that only a select group can have the option of heaven, why do so many JW's do so much door-to-door evangilsim?

Does the belief that only a chosen few will go to heaven come from Ephesians 1? How do you square this with 1 Timothy 2: 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men

I find it quite interesting because it's all the same bible right?

Thanks for your time,
Eleanor

Answer
HI Eleanor, you asked--"IF YOU BELIEVE THAT ONLY A SELECT GROUP CAN HAVE THE OPTION OF HEAVEN, WHY DO SO MANY JW'S DO SO MUCH DOOR-TO-DOOR EVANGELISM?"

The bible tells us there are 2 hopes; a heavenly one & an earthly one, Jesus spoke of the heavenly group as the “little flock” (Luke 12; 32) & the earthly hope as “other sheep” (John 10;16) so although the ones chosen to go to heaven are a limited & small number, those of the “other sheep” are an un-numbered “great crowd”, all those we preach to have the opportunity to become a part of that “great crowd of other sheep”

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he appeared to his disciples who had gathered at a mountain in Galilee. There, Jesus outlined their responsibility: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:19, 20)

Christ commanded his followers to preach the “good news of the kingdom in all the earth” (Matt. 24:14)

"DOES THE BELIEF THAT ONLY A CHOSEN FEW WILL GO TO HEAVEN COME FROM EPHESIANS 1?"

The entire bible speaks of this “chosen few” how many there are, why they are chosen, what they will do in heaven, who they will rule over, & for how long.

For instance--At Revelation 20:6 we read concerning those who would be resurrected to heavenly life: “They will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” Jesus Christ is the principal king and the high priest, and these faithful ones taken from the earth serve with him.—Revelation 5:9, 10.

"HOW DO YOU SQUARE THIS WITH 1 TIMOTHY 2: 3-6?"

Yes that’s true, Jesus died for ALL, but not all will attain salvation in heaven--Those of ‘the whole world’ are all who will gain eternal life in a restored earthly paradise. (Ps. 37 11, 29) Millions of such approved servants of God now have that earthly hope. They view Jesus as their High Priest and King through whom they can daily gain approach to Jehovah. They rely on Jesus’ ransom, which is available to them, just as it will be to men such as Abraham, David, and John the Baptizer when these are resurrected. (Matthew 20:28) Thus, Christ’s sacrifice will lead to everlasting life for all obedient mankind.

"IT'S ALL THE SAME BIBLE RIGHT?"

Yes they all contain the same message, but I know some people think we “have our own bible” I know I used to think that & so would not look at scriptures in the JW’s translation but stuck to my KJV at that time, until I was convinced they were the same :¬)

Anyway look forward to hearing from you again.

All the best
Brenda