Expert: Gordon Cook - 5/26/2010

Question
Hello Gordan

i have been witnessing to a j.w and have seemed to have bought him to a realization that Jesus is God the son, how ever can u explain there understanding on those who havnt accepted christ as saviour will get another chance and, show me from scripture that  its false, i have some scriptures that already condemn that teaching but i would like some more too really condemn that false teaching if you know what i mean.

cheers God bless

Answer
Hi

The JW view that Christ is Saviour is different from the Christian view.
They in a sense do not "accept" Christ as Saviour as someone becoming a Christian would.
That is, prayin for forgiveness , recognising that Christ came and died for our sins, repenting, and asking Christ to come into their life.
They are taught that Christ is only Mediator to the "anointed" ones,those of the 144,000 still on earth.  Therefore its only their association with these "anointed" and being a member of the Watchtower organisation do they have a chance of salvation.

They teach that those, not Jehovah's Witnesses, alive at the time of Armageddon wil be destroyed, so no chance for them.
But those who died before Armageddon will be resurrected, on to Earth and will be given the chance to learn about Jehovah and so they can make the choice to follow Hin or not.

I think scriptures were Jesus speaks about gaining eternal life may help you. As they show that only by accepting Christ and being born-again can a person have salvation.

What did Jesus say about eternal life?

I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again."  John 3:5-7

The Spirit gives life.  The flesh counts for nothing.  The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life.
John 6:63

Whoever hears my Word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned.  They have crossed over from death to life.  John 5:24   

My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:40

I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11

I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.  
John 8:12

Enter through the narrow gate.  Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to eternal life and only a few will ever find it.  Matthew 7:13-14

What good is it for you to gain the whole world and lose your very own soul? Matthew 16:26

I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.  
Matthew 10:32-33

Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you and you with me. Revelation 3:20

In my Father's house, there are many rooms.  If it were not so, I would have told you plainly.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.  John 14:1-3

I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me will live even though they die and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  John 11:25-26

I have told you these things so that in me you will have perfect peace.  In the world, you will have trouble, but take heart!  I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  To the one who is thirsty, I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:6  

Finally, while he was praying to the Father, Jesus said:

This is eternal life:  That they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do and now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.  John 17:3-5

-----------------------------------

If you want some information on JWs a good site is  www.jwfacts.com