About Janko Expertise I am a qualified minister of Jehovah`s Witnesses and fully capable of answering any or all questions on our faith as well as others too, and the correct understanding of the Bible,which is God`s Word.
Experience My experience with our faith is quite substantial and was introduced to it in the 1960's as a child.
“HOW am I to know for sure that my religion is the true one?” you may ask. “There are hundreds of different religions, and each one claims to be true. I don’t have time to study every religion.”
Is that the way you feel? It is understandable that you may. However, since the many different religions teach conflicting doctrines, it is obvious that not all of them can be true.
The Bible, too, indicates this, for it speaks of “one faith,” and encourages: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.” (Eph. 4:5; 2 Cor. 13:5) The Bible also warns about being misled by false ministers, who “keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness.” (2 Cor. 11:14, 15) Jesus Christ himself said that many persons would be misled into taking the broad road to destruction, and so warned: “Be on the watch for the false prophets.”—Matt. 7:13-15.
It is natural that you should desire not to be misled. But how can you avoid it? How can you know for sure that your religion is the true one? It can be done by finding out whether its teachings are supported by God’s Word, which Jesus said is the truth. (John 17:17) Also by determining the kind of fruitage the religion produces. Fine, wholesome fruitage is an indication that the religion is the true one, whereas bad fruitage is an indication that it is false.—Matt. 7:16-23.
So the test is a relatively easy one to make. If a religion is not in accord with what the Bible teaches, then it is not in harmony with truth. It is not the true religion. (Rom. 3:4) You have nothing to fear in examining your beliefs by the standard of God’s Word, for if you have the true religion you can only be reassured. And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible, then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to eternal life.—John 17:3.
MAKING THE TEST
Following are a few questions that should help you to see whether your religion adheres to the Bible. Answer the inquiries as you read them. Then ponder what the Bible has to say. If yours is the true religion it will be in harmony with the Bible. Since the King James Version is perhaps the Bible most commonly used in English-speaking countries, all references will be from it in making this doctrinal test, though you will find the same truth in any other Bible translation.
First, does your religion teach the “Trinity” doctrine, which claims that Almighty God and Jesus Christ and the holy spirit are three persons combined to make one God? Does it say that the Son, Jesus Christ, is coeternal and coequal with the Father, Jehovah God?
Now consider what the Bible says on this matter: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5) Thus, God is one person, and Jesus is no part of God but is the mediator between God and man. Jesus, too, said: “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29) And of himself Jesus said: “I am the Son of God.” (John 10:36; see also Luke 1:32.) So rather than Jesus’ being God or a part of God, the Bible speaks of him as the Son of God.
Are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus coeternal, as the “Trinity” doctrine claims? Of Jehovah the Bible says: “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Also, it calls him “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.” (Ps. 90:2; Isa. 57:15) Hence he was not born, was not created; he had no beginning. But note that the Bible calls Jesus Christ “the firstborn of every creature,” and “the beginning of the creation of God.”—Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.
And what about their being coequal? Those who teach the “Trinity” believe that they are. But Jesus said: “My Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28) And the Bible, at Mark 13:32, says that the Father has knowledge of important information of which the angels and the Son are ignorant. Obviously, then, Jesus and the Father are not equal. How does your religion compare with what these scriptures teach? It should agree with them if yours is the true religion.
Make the test on another fundamental teaching. Does your religion teach that the soul is immortal, which means it cannot die? Note what the Bible says: “None can keep alive his own soul.” (Ps. 22:29) “He hath poured out his soul unto death.” (Isa. 53:12) “Every living soul died.” (Rev. 16:3) “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4, 20) The Bible answer is obvious. It teaches that souls are mortal, that they can and do die. Does your religion teach that? It should if it is the true one.
Try another question. Does your religion teach that only the wicked go to hell, that hell is a place of fire and that none are resurrected from hell? The Bible says that Jesus Christ was in hell three days and was resurrected from there. In a prophecy concerning him, it explains: “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [sheol]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:31) Also, Jonah was a man that was as in hell and got out alive. When swallowed by a big fish, Jonah said: “Out of the belly of hell [sheol] cried I.” (Jonah 2:2) Where was Jonah? In the fish’s belly, and there was no fire there!
What, then, is hell? Let us see from the Bible. At Genesis 37:35 Jacob, one of Jesus’ forefathers, when mourning for his son Joseph, whom he thought to be dead, lamented: “I will go down into the grave [sheol] unto my son mourning.” Here the American Standard Version leaves the Hebrew word sheol untranslated; the King James Version renders it “grave,” but the Catholic Douay Version renders it “hell.” Obviously sheol, or hell, is mankind’s common grave. And note that the Bible says: “Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.” (Rev. 20:13) Yes, all those in hell are to be resurrected! Does your religion teach this? Since the Bible does, so will the true religion.
Now for another question. Does your religion teach that the dead are conscious? The inspired Scriptures say: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing.” (Eccl. 9:5) “The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.” (Ps. 115:17) So, according to the Bible, the dead are not conscious. However, they have the grand prospect of being raised from unconsciousness by means of a resurrection from the dead.—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.
You can also very easily make the test in connection with other teachings. For example, does your religion teach that Christians are still under the Mosaic law, and that the observance of a weekly sabbath day is therefore binding upon them? (Rom. 6:14; Col. 2:16, 17) Does your religion permit any praying or bowing before images in worship? (Lev. 26:1; 1 Cor. 10:14) Does it allow the eating of blood? (Lev. 17:12-14; Acts 15:28, 29) Does it have a clergy class upon which it bestows titles such as “Father” and “Reverend”? (Matt. 23:9; Job 32:21, 22) The scriptures here cited show that the true religion does not teach or practice any of these things.
It is important that you make such a test. If you are not certain what your religion teaches, then, by all means, find out. Then examine its teachings in the light of God’s Word. See if these are supported by the Bible. If they are not, reject that religion. Locate the religion whose teachings are in harmony with the Bible. Yes, heed the Bible admonition: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”—1 Thess. 5:21.
EXAMINING THE FRUITAGE
The true religion can also be identified by the fruitage it bears. Jesus Christ explained that there is one outstanding feature by which it can be recognized, saying: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Does your religion produce this fruitage of love? Does it inspire its people genuinely to love one another, regardless of the race or nationality to which they belong?—1 John 4:20.
Is it not obvious that, instead of bearing the fruitage of love, the major religions of the world have condoned and even encouraged their members to hate and war against persons of another race or nationality? During wartime millions of persons belonging to the same religion have slaughtered one another on the battlefields, with each side supported by their respective clergy who are also of the same religion! Religions that produce such unloving fruitage are not pursuing the way of love and of true religion. By the fruitage they bear you can identify them to be false.—1 John 3:10-12.
Examine further. Whether the religion that you have been taught is the true one can also be determined by its attitude toward the world. Jesus Christ showed the proper position of true worshipers when he said: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) And his disciple James wrote: “Do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God?”—Jas. 4:4.
The true religion, therefore, obeys these Scriptural instructions and keeps separate from the world. Does your religion do so? Or is it an integral part of the world and its politics? Does it, for example, encourage participation in political elections? If you really desire God’s blessing, you cannot afford to maintain connections with a religion that disobeys Christ’s instructions on these matters.
Continue to examine. Whether the religion that you have been taught is the true one or not can also be determined by its attitude toward God’s name, Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:4, 5) Jesus Christ set the proper example in this connection by publicizing God’s name, explaining in prayer to his Father: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) Does your religion bear this fruitage? Is it particularly noted for its making known God’s name and purposes? The true religion is.
Examine yet further. The true religion can also be identified by its imitating Jesus’ example of giving an important place to God’s Word. It firmly believes that “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.” (2 Tim. 3:16) Therefore, it is particularly noted for its activity of teaching others God’s Word. Is yours? Does your religion provide free home Bible instruction at the convenience of interested persons? The true religion does.
Continue the examination, for there is yet another outstanding feature of the true religion. That is its preaching of the message of God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ also set the example in bearing this fruitage. The Bible explains: “He went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) He also instructed his disciples. (Matt. 10:12-14) And when giving the commission for Christians living in these “last days,” Jesus said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”—Matt. 24:14.
How does your religion measure up? Does it take the Kingdom message to the homes of the people, performing the ministry in the way Jesus and his apostles did? Can its ministers say, as did the apostle Paul: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house”? (Acts 20:20) The ministers of the true religion can, for this is the principal way they perform their ministry.
THE TRUE RELIGION
So there is a way to identify the true religion. First, it can be recognized by its teachings. The true religion does not teach the “Trinity” doctrine; it does not say that man has an immortal soul; nor does it teach that humans will suffer everlasting torment in a hellfire after death. Rather, it teaches that the Father, Jehovah God, is greater than the Son; it says that the dead are unconscious, and it explains that they are resting in their graves until the resurrection. Really, does not the Scriptural truth on just these matters help greatly to identify the true religion?
How helpful, too, is the examination of fruitage! We have seen that the true religion bears the fruitage of love, and that those who practice it refuse to slaughter fellow believers during wartime, regardless of their race or nationality. They keep completely free from worldly politics. They regularly speak about God, and frequently use his name Jehovah. They are outstandingly noted for conducting Bible studies free of charge in the homes of interested persons. And the ministers of the true religion call regularly from house to house preaching about God’s kingdom.
Are you familiar with the religion that fits this description? Is it your religion? If it is not, then it is vitally important that you search to find the true religion.
This will require some personal study on your part. But it is not difficult. God has provided his Word, the Bible, which outlines what is true religion. Study the Bible. Prove what is false and reject it. Prove what is true and hold it fast. After learning what God’s will is, do it. The apostle John revealed how important it is for you to do this, writing: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”—1 John 2:17.
MAKING THE TEST
Following are a few questions that should help you to see whether your religion adheres to the Bible. Answer the inquiries as you read them. Then ponder what the Bible has to say. If yours is the true religion it will be in harmony with the Bible. Since the King James Version is perhaps the Bible most commonly used in English-speaking countries, all references will be from it in making this doctrinal test, though you will find the same truth in any other Bible translation.
There is no such thing as a " true" religion, all are efforts by men to communicate with their version of "God".
First, does your religion teach the “Trinity” doctrine, which claims that Almighty God and Jesus Christ and the holy spirit are three persons combined to make one God? Does it say that the Son, Jesus Christ, is coeternal and coequal with the Father, Jehovah God?
One doesn't have to have a "religion" to teach the Trinity concept. The bible itself clearly present the concept without anyone else needed to explaine it.
Now consider what the Bible says on this matter: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5) Thus, God is one person, and Jesus is no part of God but is the mediator between God and man. Jesus, too, said: “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29) And of himself Jesus said: “I am the Son of God.” (John 10:36; see also Luke 1:32.) So rather than Jesus’ being God or a part of God, the Bible speaks of him as the Son of God.
Yes the bible does say there is only one true God, and there is no other gods and God knows of no others. However Jesus is called "God" and takes most all of the titles for Himself as well, also the Holy Spirit is called God as well. Not three gods but one God revealed three ways. If God is omnipotent (can do anything He wants to do) then is it impossible for Him to take on the nature of man and dwell among us and not still be God?
Are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus coeternal, as the “Trinity” doctrine claims? Of Jehovah the Bible says: “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Also, it calls him “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.” (Ps. 90:2; Isa. 57:15) Hence he was not born, was not created; he had no beginning. But note that the Bible calls Jesus Christ “the firstborn of every creature,” and “the beginning of the creation of God.”—Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.
I suggest you do a word study on the word "firstborn" and find out what it means. (before all things, the source etc.)
And what about their being coequal? Those who teach the “Trinity” believe that they are. But Jesus said: “My Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28) And the Bible, at Mark 13:32, says that the Father has knowledge of important information of which the angels and the Son are ignorant. Obviously, then, Jesus and the Father are not equal. How does your religion compare with what these scriptures teach? It should agree with them if yours is the true religion.
Again do a word study on "greater" . It does not mean better. Like a pres and vice prez of a Co. one is in a greater position but both are still equal as men before God.
Make the test on another fundamental teaching. Does your religion teach that the soul is immortal, which means it cannot die? Note what the Bible says: “None can keep alive his own soul.” (Ps. 22:29) “He hath poured out his soul unto death.” (Isa. 53:12) “Every living soul died.” (Rev. 16:3) “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4, 20) The Bible answer is obvious. It teaches that souls are mortal, that they can and do die. Does your religion teach that? It should if it is the true one.
Better do a good study on this one but first check out the bible view on what the bible teaches man is, it takes body soul and spirit to make a complete man. The body dies but the spirit goes back to the God who gave it.
Try another question. Does your religion teach that only the wicked go to hell, that hell is a place of fire and that none are resurrected from hell? The Bible says that Jesus Christ was in hell three days and was resurrected from there. In a prophecy concerning him, it explains: “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [sheol]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:31) Also, Jonah was a man that was as in hell and got out alive. When swallowed by a big fish, Jonah said: “Out of the belly of hell [sheol] cried I.” (Jonah 2:2) Where was Jonah? In the fish’s belly, and there was no fire there!
Jesus talked more about "hell" then He did about heaven and clearly taught it is not a good place to be in. Your choice to go there or not.
What, then, is hell? Let us see from the Bible. At Genesis 37:35 Jacob, one of Jesus’ forefathers, when mourning for his son Joseph, whom he thought to be dead, lamented: “I will go down into the grave [sheol] unto my son mourning.” Here the American Standard Version leaves the Hebrew word sheol untranslated; the King James Version renders it “grave,” but the Catholic Douay Version renders it “hell.” Obviously sheol, or hell, is mankind’s common grave. And note that the Bible says: “Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.” (Rev. 20:13) Yes, all those in hell are to be resurrected! Does your religion teach this? Since the Bible does, so will the true religion.
Now for another question. Does your religion teach that the dead are conscious? The inspired Scriptures say: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing.” (Eccl. 9:5) “The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.” (Ps. 115:17) So, according to the Bible, the dead are not conscious. However, they have the grand prospect of being raised from unconsciousness by means of a resurrection from the dead.—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.
For true Christian believers to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This is the hope of the believer and the teaching from the Word.
You can also very easily make the test in connection with other teachings. For example, does your religion teach that Christians are still under the Mosaic law, and that the observance of a weekly sabbath day is therefore binding upon them? (Rom. 6:14; Col. 2:16, 17) Does your religion permit any praying or bowing before images in worship? (Lev. 26:1; 1 Cor. 10:14) Does it allow the eating of blood? (Lev. 17:12-14; Acts 15:28, 29) Does it have a clergy class upon which it bestows titles such as “Father” and “Reverend”? (Matt. 23:9; Job 32:21, 22) The scriptures here cited show that the true religion does not teach or practice any of these things.
Some groups that make the claim to be Christians do some of these thing, true believers do not. Some also have titles such as ministerial servants, elders, circuit overseers etc.
It is important that you make such a test. If you are not certain what your religion teaches, then, by all means, find out. Then examine its teachings in the light of God’s Word. See if these are supported by the Bible. If they are not, reject that religion. Locate the religion whose teachings are in harmony with the Bible. Yes, heed the Bible admonition: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”—1 Thess. 5:21. Good advice. Have YOU examined YOUR WT religion on your own and not just what they tell you?
EXAMINING THE FRUITAGE
The true religion can also be identified by the fruitage it bears. Jesus Christ explained that there is one outstanding feature by which it can be recognized, saying: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Does your religion produce this fruitage of love? Does it inspire its people genuinely to love one another, regardless of the race or nationality to which they belong?—1 John 4:20.
All believers should have these 'fruits", and true Christian groups will.
Is it not obvious that, instead of bearing the fruitage of love, the major religions of the world have condoned and even encouraged their members to hate and war against persons of another race or nationality? During wartime millions of persons belonging to the same religion have slaughtered one another on the battlefields, with each side supported by their respective clergy who are also of the same religion! Religions that produce such unloving fruitage are not pursuing the way of love and of true religion. By the fruitage they bear you can identify them to be false.—1 John 3:10-12.
Unfortunately with "sin" in mens hearts these things sometime do happen. At times evil has to be put down and not be allowed to take over mankind. To free those in bondage or even believers can be caught up in a war is sometimes necessary. If they die as believers they are with the Lord. To not help those in bondage or oppressed is not following the bible commands to resist evil, and help the downtrodden. Are YOU aware the WT society supported Hitler in the early part of WW2 and was a member of the UN for years untill some JW's found out and they quit a few years ago.
Examine further. Whether the religion that you have been taught is the true one can also be determined by its attitude toward the world. Jesus Christ showed the proper position of true worshipers when he said: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) And his disciple James wrote: “Do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God?”—Jas. 4:4.
The true religion, therefore, obeys these Scriptural instructions and keeps separate from the world. Does your religion do so? Or is it an integral part of the world and its politics? Does it, for example, encourage participation in political elections? If you really desire God’s blessing, you cannot afford to maintain connections with a religion that disobeys Christ’s instructions on these matters.
God says to obey our "rulers" when ever it doesn't conflict with His word. To not take part in free elections is against the biblical instructions. In democratic countries it is our responsibility. Question has an employer the right to fire a non performing worker? YES.
Politicians are employes of "we the people" and can be fired the next election. If one doesn't take part then one can't complain about the state of our country.
Continue to examine. Whether the religion that you have been taught is the true one or not can also be determined by its attitude toward God’s name, Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:4, 5) Jesus Christ set the proper example in this connection by publicizing God’s name, explaining in prayer to his Father: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) Does your religion bear this fruitage? Is it particularly noted for its making known God’s name and purposes? The true religion is.
The "name Jehovah" is a false name for God invented in 1270 by a Catholic monk.(see Aid to Bible Understanding) Jesus never used it, God never used it, the Jews never used it. Check most all encyclopedias, all will say it is a false name.
Examine yet further. The true religion can also be identified by its imitating Jesus’ example of giving an important place to God’s Word. It firmly believes that “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.” (2 Tim. 3:16) Therefore, it is particularly noted for its activity of teaching others God’s Word. Is yours? Does your religion provide free home Bible instruction at the convenience of interested persons? The true religion does.
Lots of Christian groups follow this advice and do not go beyond or add things to it like the WT does.
Continue the examination, for there is yet another outstanding feature of the true religion. That is its preaching of the message of God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ also set the example in bearing this fruitage. The Bible explains: “He went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) He also instructed his disciples. (Matt. 10:12-14) And when giving the commission for Christians living in these “last days,” Jesus said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”—Matt. 24:14.
To do this one must identify the King of this kingdom. Is he and archangel or a secondary god or Almighty God?
How can one teach the bible correctly if one presents "another Jesus" and not the Jesus of the bible.
How does your religion measure up? Does it take the Kingdom message to the homes of the people, performing the ministry in the way Jesus and his apostles did? Can its ministers say, as did the apostle Paul: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house”? (Acts 20:20) The ministers of the true religion can, for this is the principal way they perform their ministry.
The bible clearly teaches there would be many "false prophets, and teachers" coming to us and to avoid them. Going door to door proves nothing, SDAs and Mormons do this also as well as many Christian groups.
THE TRUE RELIGION
So there is a way to identify the true religion. First, it can be recognized by its teachings.
False religions can be identified by their false prophecies, heretical teachings. Does YOUR religion have a record of "false" prophecies? Does it present the Jesus of the bible or someone different? if so then it is a false religion. JW's have a record of false prophecies for the time of Armageddon, 1874, 1879, 1914,1915,1925 1932, early 40's,1975, 2000 and now anytime, all the time claiming to be the "prophets" of God and hearing direct from Him. How many more do you need to know that there is no light in them. Plus they have killed well over 120.000 people with their unbiblical teachings on blood and have never delt with the thousands of pedophiles within the org. If the org would do to me what it has done to you why would I want to be a JW and have to eternal hope.
The true religion does not teach the “Trinity” doctrine; it does not say that man has an immortal soul; nor does it teach that humans will suffer everlasting torment in a hellfire after death. Rather, it teaches that the Father, Jehovah God, is greater than the Son; it says that the dead are unconscious, and it explains that they are resting in their graves until the resurrection. Really, does not the Scriptural truth on just these matters help greatly to identify the true religion?
How helpful, too, is the examination of fruitage! We have seen that the true religion bears the fruitage of love, and that those who practice it refuse to slaughter fellow believers during wartime, regardless of their race or nationality. They keep completely free from worldly politics. They regularly speak about God, and frequently use his name Jehovah. They are outstandingly noted for conducting Bible studies free of charge in the homes of interested persons. And the ministers of the true religion call regularly from house to house preaching about God’s kingdom.
Are you familiar with the religion that fits this description? Is it your religion? If it is not, then it is vitally important that you search to find the true religion.
This will require some personal study on your part. But it is not difficult. God has provided his Word, the Bible, which outlines what is true religion. Study the Bible. Prove what is false and reject it. Prove what is true and hold it fast. After learning what God’s will is, do it. The apostle John revealed how important it is for you to do this, writing: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”—1 John 2:17.
In case you have never thought it through here is the WT gospel in layman's terms. Please explain these from the Word of God.
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The Watchtower Fairytale
Around the world every day there are thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses calling on homes or standing on street corners offering their magazines and books. Who are these people, what is the message they bring? Is it Christian?
If one gets into a discussion with them one finds they seem to have a knowledge of the Bible, and an answer for everything . They will even bring up points you may agree with, but is there something wrong?
Most Bible-believing Christians have a reasonable view of the overall Bible message, knowing Christ came to save them. Even many non-believers have some knowledge of the Biblical message. But what about these JW's at the door, do they not come with the "Christian" gospel message or do they have another gospel? What do they really believe? Where did they come from, and should one take them seriously and get involved in a "bible?" study with them?
Lets have an overall look at their peculiar gospel:
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In the mid 1800's the Seventh-day Adventist message, focusing on Christ's imminent second coming, was being proclaimed. From within that movement Charles T. Russell and N.H. Barbor were printing articles together proclaiming the date of the Lord's return. In the early 1870's they came to a parting of the ways when Russell insisted that he knew that Christ was coming back in 1874, and Barbor chose another date.
Russell, a small town merchant in his mid 20 's, set out to inform the world of his new light on when Jesus would return. With some experience in the writing and printing business, he set in motion what would become today's "Watchtower Bible and Tract Society," known also as
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's). In the early days, his messages were a mix of orthodox Christianity, SDA teachings and then his own "new light" he supposedly gleaned from the Bible. Since then the movement has had many changes, and every scriptural "new light" they receive brings more changes, and a further moving away from Biblical truth.
What do they really believe? A study of their printed materials reveals a strange interpretation of the Bible. Many JW's have never thought through what they actually believe. So you know, and can share with them in simple logic, let's look at the JW message.
The one GOD, who lives in heaven somewhere near the planet Pleiades is known to them by the name "Jehovah". At a point in time, Jehovah created a "secondary" god known in the heavens as the Archangel Michael.
He was also known as "Jesus", when he came to earth. This god /Archangel Michael was responsible under Jehovah's direction to create everything else in the universe.
When the baby Jesus was to be born on earth the "life force" (whatever that is) was transferred to the baby Jesus and Michael ceased to exist.
This JW Jesus grew up, and at about age 30 began his ministry. Only at age 30 was he "Jesus Christ". About three years later he was crucified on a stake, (not a cross) and died and was buried in a tomb.
While there his body was dissolved into gasses, and disappeared forever. The earthly JW Jesus Christ ceased to exist, but his "life force" was transferred somehow back to the Archangel Michael again in heaven.
A few days later Michael materialized a body, and appeared to the disciples. He made this "spirit body" look like Jesus so they would know he had been resurrected from the dead. Shortly after he returned back to heaven where he remained until he was supposed to return to earth in 1874.
When this date failed, Old Testament Biblical dates were invented by the JW's, and it was figured out it was really to be sometime before 1914 for his actual return. When Christ failed to show up on their date, it was adjusted to sometime after 1914. Not wanting to admit they were false prophets, they got "new light" that Christ had returned "invisibly" in 1914. During this time the leadership claimed to be getting revelations from God via angels. and all the time they claimed their organization was the only true religion on earth directed by God.
Somehow the President of the organization, now Judge Rutherford, was getting more messages at the same time. In 1929 he wrote a book called "Prophecy" and on page 65 he claimed he had "absolute scriptural proof" that Christ had really come back in 1874. This book was faithfully sold to the public until about 1953. By then 1874 had been trashed and replaced with 1914.
Today, every JW overlooking all this confusion, will claim Christ returned invisibly in 1914, and is supposed to come again at the time of Armageddon. Just recently they also stopped teaching Christ would come within one generation of 1914. Time ran out on them again.
This biblical event of Armageddon has been proclaimed by this non-prophet group to occur in 1874, 1879, 1914, 1925, the 1940s, 1975, 00, and now, "any day". This group, who claims to be speaking for God as His only mouthpiece on earth, has indeed a very poor record. The Bible calls such ones "false prophets".
What is their hope for the future? Ask any JW today and they will tell you Armageddon could come any day now, and if you are not a member of their organization you will not have any hope of surviving. All non-JW's will be annihilated, zapped into non- existence. For those who have obeyed every rule of the organization, put in lots of time in the door-to-door work, promoted their books, solicited donations, and attended five weekly meetings--they just may survive armageddon into a demolished world.
If so, it will be their job to clean up all the rubble left, bury the dead (almost 6 billion corpses) repopulate the world, and obey the rules set out by the 144,000 JWs who were good enough to really get to heaven.
At the same time they must preach the WT gospel to all who never heard the WT message before armageddon who will be resurrected (re-created from Jehovah's memory) during a 1000-year period. Any rebellion to these leaders, or anyone failing to accept the WT message during this time, will result in their being immediately annihilated.
At the end of this 1000-year period, JW's believe Satan will be let loose and will deceive many, who will also be destroyed utterly.
Those JW's who survive the 1000- year period will enter "eternity", but will still be subject to all these rules. They will never have "eternal life" as any rebellion will result in a zap, and everlasting destruction.
If you think this is a strange and peculiar "gospel". you are right. Anyone with even limited knowledge of the Christian faith will recognize this is NOT the Bible message.
Jehovah's Witnesses have the wrong Jesus Christ, and a wrong view of salvation, and a wrong view of death and the resurrection.
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Answer Tim,Tim,Tim,
Where have you been,under a rock?This is 2006 not 1870!There has been a refining and a sifting out process ever since C.T. Russell.The light got brighter and brighter about Bible prophecies.We are the only footstep followers of Jesus Christ in this day and age as they were back in the first century.Jeus gave his first commandment to witness
to people when he sent out seventy in twos preaching door to door and house to house about the Kingdom of God and what it means for mankind.We are God's people and Jesus Christ's only true disciples on the earth today,and there is no doubt about it.We are the only ones that have love among themselves and a love for their neighbor and have beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning shears and have learned war no more,which no one else can make that claim.We also do not celebrate the pagan holidays and birthdays and do not teach the false doctrines of the trinity,immortal soul or torment in hellfire as all of Christendom does.We put back God's personal name of Jehovah back in the Bible where it belongs where Christendom removed
because of the power of Satan in their hearts.Tim you are still wet behind the ears when it comes to knowing the truth
but thats the way you like it.I know everything there is to know about the truth and all about our organization and I don't need you to rehash old news to me you stupid fool.Don't bother me with your problems with us,take it to people who think like you and want to hear it.
The True Christian Congregation
Many different religious bodies lay claim to being the one true Christian congregation. How can we determine whether such claims are true or false? What are the origin, purpose and destiny of the true Christian congregation? How can it be identified?
A TRAVELER arrived at a small Midwestern town in the United States on a Sunday morning. Being a regular churchgoer, he asked the first townsman he met: “Stranger, where can I find the X———— church?” The stranger replied: “The X———— church is to be found all over town but they meet over at First and Main Streets.” Though this anecdote is often repeated as an attempt at humor it nevertheless illustrates a point germane to our discussion, for, according to the Bible, the Christian church is not a building of wood or stone but the Christian congregation.
To avoid confusion it seems best therefore to speak of the Christian congregation rather than the Christian church. The terms “church” and “churches” occur some 115 times in the Authorized Version, and in all but one instance they translate the Greek word ekklesia, which means, not a building, but an assembly, a congregation, and more specifically, an assembly that has been summoned, a congregation that has been called out.
While some hold that their religious body alone is the true Christian congregation, others believe that all who lay claim to being Christian together constitute the Christian congregation and that such are just so many different roads all leading to heaven. However, if that were true it would mean that the Christian congregation is divided, and the apostle Paul, an authority on the subject, unequivocally states that Christ is not divided: “Disclosure was made to me about you, my brothers, . . . that dissensions exist among you. What I mean is this, that each one of you says: ‘I belong to Paul,’ ‘But I to Apollos,’ ‘But I to Cephas,’ ‘But I to Christ.’ Does the Christ exist divided?” Clearly those words indicate that the true Christian congregation is not divided into hundreds of contradictory sects and creeds.—1 Cor. 1:11-13, NW.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION
Making for the unity of the Christian congregation is the fact that it recognizes only one head, Christ Jesus: “He is the head of the body, the congregation.” To the extent that the head is in control, the body functions harmoniously. And changing the illustration from a body to a city or temple, we find that the Christian congregation has “been built up upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone.”—Col. 1:18; Eph. 2:20, NW.
Christ made no provision for a clergy-laity distinction in the Christian congregation but said, “Do not you be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for One is your Father, the heavenly One.” However, he did provide for overseers and assistants, missionaries, shepherds and teachers, “with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ.” There was no clergy-laity distinction, because all were preachers. Christ set the example for all to follow, even as Paul shows: “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ.”—Matt. 23:8, 9; Eph. 4:11, 12; 1 Cor. 11:1, NW.
After Jesus’ death we find that a governing body, consisting of the apostles and other mature disciples, resided in Jerusalem. This was consulted when perplexing questions came up, such as the matter of Gentile converts’ being circumcised. After ascertaining God’s mind on the matter it sent letters of instructions to the various local congregations. (Acts 15:1-35) This made for unity in understanding and preaching. It is reasonable to expect that today there would also be a governing body. Only by means of such an instrument could the Christian congregation on earth today be united in understanding and activity.
According to God’s Word the Christian congregation is limited to 144,000 called, chosen and faithful ones: “And I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. . . . These were purchased from among mankind as a firstfruits to God.” That this number is literal is seen from Revelation 7, where it is also given and contrasted with a great crowd from all nations that no man could number. Not that only 144,000 will ever gain salvation, but that only that number will gain the heavenly inheritance as choice “firstfruits.” Jesus called them a little flock and, compared with all mankind, the Christian congregation of 144,000 is a little flock.—Rev. 14:1, 4; Luke 12:32, NW.
CALLING OUT THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION
The very first essential to becoming one of the Christian congregation is a knowledge of and faith in Jehovah God and his purposes, and particularly of his provision for life through the sacrifice of his Son Christ Jesus. And since “faith without works is dead,” one must prove his faith by turning his back on the world and his past selfish course, dedicating himself to the doing of God’s will. Then he must make public declaration of that fact by being baptized, in keeping with Jesus’ command: “Make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.”—Jas. 2:26; Matt. 28:19, 20, NW.
It is from those who have taken the foregoing steps that God chooses the individual members of the Christian congregation. This he does by accepting their dedication, by declaring them righteous on the basis of their faith in Christ’s blood, and then bringing them forth or acknowledging them as his sons by means of his Word and his holy spirit, awakening in them a hope of life in the heavens with Christ Jesus. On the basis of this they now seek “glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance in work that is good.”—Jas. 1:18; Rom. 2:7, NW.
The Christian congregation, as regards Christ’s body, began at Pentecost, when the holy spirit was poured out on the 120 gathered in Jerusalem, Christ Jesus there opening up a new and living way. It follows, then, that none who lived before that time were of the Christian congregation; which fact explains why Jesus said that, although none born of women were greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven would be greater than John. For nineteen hundred years God has been selecting the Christian congregation, and the emphasis that he has caused to be placed on the earthly blessings he has in store for others, particularly since 1931, would indicate the heavenly number is about complete.—Matt. 11:11.
While most professed Christians are familiar with the many promises God’s Word contains regarding the heavenly glory awaiting the Christian congregation, comparatively few are familiar with or take seriously the purpose of the Christian congregation while on earth. Following Christ Jesus is not merely a matter of cleaning up one’s morals, for he had clean morals to begin with. Jesus repeatedly testified, both by word and by action, that the purpose of his coming to earth was that he “should bear witness to the truth.” And so, regarding his followers we are told that God “turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name,” and that this people, his Christian congregation, are “‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”—John 18:37; Acts 15:14; 1 Pet. 2:9, NW.
IDENTIFYING THE TRUE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION
In view of the many denominations that claim to be the true Christian congregation, by what rule, canon or touchstone can we determine which has the right to that claim? By God’s Word, since Jesus said of it, “Your word is truth.”—John 17:17, NW.
Yes, since Jesus accepted the Bible as God’s Word, it must follow that the Christian congregation accepts the inspiration of the Bible. Paul reasoned from the Scriptures, the Bereans were commended for checking by their Bibles everything they heard Paul say; and he wrote Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, . . . that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” And Peter stated that “men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” It follows, therefore, that no religious body that fails to accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God could be the Christian congregation.—2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 17:2, 11, NW.
Further, Jesus said to his followers on the night of his betrayal: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” It follows that all professed Christians who are divided economically, bitterly fighting one another either as employer versus employee or as competitor; or politically, at election time slinging mud at one another; or nationally, in time of war going out to kill one another, such as Methodist killing Methodist, Lutheran killing Lutheran or Catholic killing Catholic, could not be of the true Christian congregation, for they are not loving one another as Christ Jesus loved his followers, by laying his life down for them.—John 13:34, 35, NW.
Helping us further to identify the true Christian congregation are Jesus’ words that his followers would be no part of the world: “Because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” And the disciple James stated that pure worship consisted of keeping oneself unspotted by the world and that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.”—John 15:19; Jas. 1:27; 4:4, NW.
And not only was the true Christian congregation to be unpopular, and no part of this world, but it was to be violently persecuted: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” It follows, then, that all who mix in with the world’s politics and business schemes and who are well thought of by it could not be the true congregation.—2 Tim. 3:12, NW.
Christ Jesus while on earth preached the good news of God’s kingdom and he foretold that at the time of his return and the end of this wicked old system of things “this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations.” This eliminates from the claimants to being the true Christian congregation all those who hold out the governments of man as God’s kingdom or who look to such schemes as the United Nations organization or the World Federalist movement to bring about righteous and peaceful conditions upon earth. And it would also eliminate any whose message is not being preached in all the world.—Matt. 24:14, NW.
And finally, the true Christian congregation must have evidence of God’s blessing upon it. It must grow and prosper in quality and numbers in spite of all the temptations and pressures that the Devil and the world can bring against it. As Gamaliel well said to his associates in the Sanhedrin: “If this scheme and this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” Yes, far from seeking special favors from worldly governments the true Christian congregation will thrive in spite of persecution by such governments.—Acts 5:38, 39, NW.
Having noted the nature of the structure of the true Christian congregation, how it is chosen, its origin, purpose and destiny, and how it can be identified, it is the responsibility of each one who would have God’s approval and gain everlasting life to determine which professed Christian organization “is the congregation of the living God, a pillar and support of the truth.”—1 Tim. 3:15,
