AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question Idon't ask to critize I ask these questions because I feel I need to understand I want to believe but I am confused about what to believe some times it apears as if Jesus is God in the bible other areas it appears he is not I would so love to know and understand the truth.
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Followup To
Question -
if Jesue is not God why does it say he is even in the witness bible in about 100 places and the witnesses have removed some of the bible why?as it know one must ever remove any of the bible
Answer -
"why does it say he is even in the witness bible in about 100 places?"
Dont really understand your question could you explain please, who do you mean by "he" as Jesus and Jehovah are in many bibles including the NWT.
"witnesses have removed some of the bible why?"
I have never heard of any of the bible being removed,can you explain please.
"one must ever remove any of the bible"
Yes I agree.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Brenda
ps NO Jesus is NOT Jehovah.
Answer "SOME TIMES IT APPEARS AS IF JESUS IS GOD IN THE BIBLE, OTHER AREAS IT APPEARS HE IS NOT"
Yes, on the surface it may appear confusing but once you examine the context of a scripture and find out who is talking to who and on what subject, it helps to clarify what is actually being said.
We may find some texts that we feel can be read in more than one way, but when these are compared with other Biblical statements on the same subject their meaning will become clear.
1. Now lets take the scripture where Thomas calls Jesus; “MY GOD”, does this mean Jesus IS God, lets see;-
There is no objection to referring to Jesus as “god,” if this is what Thomas had in mind. Such would be in harmony with Jesus’ own quotation from the Psalms in which powerful men, judges, were addressed as “gods.” (John 10:34, 35, RS; Ps. 82:1-6)
At John 1:18 (NW) Jesus is referred to as “the only-begotten god.”
Isaiah 9:6 (RS) also prophetically describes Jesus as “Mighty God,” but not as the Almighty God.
All of this is in harmony with Jesus’ being described as “a god,” or “divine,” at John 1:1 (NW, AT).
Also the context helps us to draw the right conclusion from this. Shortly before Jesus’ death, Thomas had heard Jesus’ prayer in which he addressed his Father as “the only true God.” (John 17:3, RS)
After Jesus’ resurrection Jesus had sent a message to his apostles, including Thomas, in which he had said: “I am ascending . . . to my God and your God.” (John 20:17, RS)
After recording what Thomas said when he actually saw and touched the resurrected Christ, the apostle John stated: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, RS)
So, if anyone has concluded from Thomas’ exclamation that Jesus is himself “the only true God” or that Jesus is a Trinitarian “God the Son,” he needs to look again at what Jesus himself said (vs. 17) and at the conclusion that is clearly stated by the apostle John (vs. 31).
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2. Now let’s take another example of a scripture that may appear as if it is saying; Jesus is God—
Matt. 1:23, RS: “‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman´u-el’ (which means, God with us [“God is with us,” NE]).”
It was not unusual for Hebrew names to include within them the word for God or even an abbreviated form of God’s personal name. For example,
Eli´athah means “God Has Come”;
Jehu means “Jehovah Is He”;
Elijah means “My God Is Jehovah.” But none of these names implied that the possessor was himself God.
Also in announcing Jesus’ coming birth, did Jehovah’s angel say that the child would be God himself? No, the announcement was: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32, 35, RS.)
And Jesus himself never claimed to be God but, rather, “the Son of God.” (John 10:36, RS;.)
Jesus was sent into the world by God; so by means of this only-begotten Son, God was with mankind.—John 3:17; 17:8.
That’s just 2 examples, there are many more, why don’t you tell me the scriptures that you feel say; Jesus IS God, and we can examine them in more detail. Because the bible is in complete harmony from beginning to end, so it will not teach conflicting beliefs, either it teaches Jesus IS God, or it doesn’t.
