AboutBrenton Hepburn Expertise I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I can answer questions on the reliability of the NWT, the so called mind control problems, so called prophecies, and general practices and history of Jehovah’s Witnesses.....
>>>>WARNING<<<<<< ....Please be aware that there are at least ... 3 .... people here who ARE NOT practicing JWs and, (at other times there have been as many as 5.) These ones will, at times, appear to have an agenda against JWs., and will often give answers that are not correct in regard to JW teachings and practices. If you are after a answer from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, please read some of the answers that the various experts have published before choosing someone. If you want to ask them a question that is fine, but if you want a balancing view after asking one of the NON JWs, ask a JW the same question
Experience I have been a publisher since 1964. When I first went on the internet I found a lot of negative information dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses covering prophecy, mind control and what many said was a very bad translation of the Bible known as the NWT. It shook my faith. After may hours researching these topics I could see why some felt that way, but, I was also able to explain why there were these misleading views. I can now set matters straight for anyone that has negative information about Jehovah’s Witness to show them that such information is at best misleading and at worst dangerous lies.
Education/Credentials I have been a student of the Bible for many years, am trying to teach myself Biblical Greek.
Was a public tax accountant for many yrars untill SEP 2009 when I gave it up.
Question Brenton, I went over your answer to John concerning being born again, and I'm sorry, but it has holes in it. There is NOWHERE in Scripture that it says being Born Again is 'optional' for a Christian, or that the new birth is for a select few. Nor does the Bible teach heaven is for a select few. Brenton, you quoted Matthew here:
Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Why not continue with Matthew 5:10-12 about those who are persecuted for Jesus Name sake, and where is their reward? In heaven! Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven...
Let's be fair and not just give partial quotes..read on my friend, their is some real wonderful treasures when you set those 'helps' aside, and just study the Bible on it's own.
1 John 5:1 said anyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is Born of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15 says we are new creatures in Christ [those of us who are Born Again]. Titus 3:5 calls the new birth the "washing of regeneration".
Ephesians 4:24 says we become a "new man" through the new birth [Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:9]
The means of the new birth is open for the "whosoevers" who place their faith in Christ alone for Salvation [John 3:16-17, 1:12-13, 1 John 5:1]
The result of being Born again is to have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith.
2 Corinthians 3:5 says to "examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
According to the Bible if you are not born again, and having Christ's Spirit dwelling in you, you are not even in the faith. Pretty serious stuff.
JW's often speak of putting on the new personality, yet they fail to see in order to do this, one must be Born from above and have the Spirit of God dwelling in them to overcome the world. No wonder so many JW's I have known are living in sin.
I leave you with Romans 8:7-10
"because the carnal mind is ENMITY against God: for it is not subject to the law neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be the Spirit of God dwell IN YOU. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, HE IS NONE OF HIS. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness.
All of Romans 8 is excellent.
The new birth is for all Christians, and the teaching it is not will keep souls from everlasting life in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is very serious. Just think of the consequences if you are wrong on this Brenton. Think of the souls at stake.
I will tell you, I had ABSOLUTELY NO VICTORY over sin until the Lord came and dwelt in my heart through faith. I fully understand why now. I had not the Spirit of Christ spoken of in Romans 8 to overcome.
Answer Hello Laurie
Thank you for your response. I is nice to see that other people read the various answers that are given here. and also take the time for clarification.
First I want to say that I, and JW’s , agree with what you say. Only persons who have been “born again,� thus becoming God’s sons, can share in the heavenly Kingdom.
Now before I give a more indepth answer, I need some more information from you by way of a couple of questions.
Do you think it impossible for ANYONE not beining born aagin to have have Gods Spirit?
Do you think it impossible for Anyone NOT born again to be saved?
Please note that I emphasised the word ANYONE twice. That is going to be the key to my answer, and I will formulate my answer based on your response to those questions.
I think I know what your answers will be so I want clear precise answeres to those questions.
