Expert: Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) - 8/31/2006

Question
Michael,
Thank you for your prompt answer.  You stated that there are many areas where JW's stray from what the bible teaches and rely instead on their own version of the bible and the Watchtower literature, but you have only given me one example.  Other than the resurrection of Jesus, what other things does the bible state that they do not believe?
Also, a separate question regarding baptism.  My parents were Catholic and as an infant I was baptised.  We never practised Catholicism though, but did attend church services during my early youth.  As a teenager I chose to be baptised again, I dont even remember which faith the church was.  I did a lot of straying throughout my adult life, and now have come back to developing spirituality in my life and going to church regularly.  Would there be a need to be baptised again at this point?
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Followup To

Question -
I have been approached by JW's at my door in the past and have usually sent them on their way and tossed out their literature.  I was raised withouth much spiritual guidance, but as an adult I have found my way into a blossoming close spiritual relationship with God.  I am happy with where I am at in my walk with God and the direction it is leading my life.  However, I recently met someone and we had several great personal conversations before he told me that he is a recently converted (3 yrs ago) JW, and he is pushing me to join their study groups.  I know next to nothing about JW beliefs and how they differ from Christianity.  I have no interest in going to JW meetings but I would like some bible-based facts that I can defend my faith with while still maintaining an agreeable relationship.  What are the main differences and where does the bible contradict the JW beliefs?  Thank you for your help.

Answer -
Hi Maria!

First off, realize that JWs (and the Watchtower) are a cult. They have created their own translation of the Bible and changed key verses that refer to Jesus and his divinity. So if you do decide to attend, remember that you do NOT share the same Bible, the same view of Jesus, and ultimately the same view of God. They also do NOT believe in an eternal hell which is equally dangerous. I would avoid going to their studies if at all possible, but certainly don’t close the door to them if you feel you want to witness to them. Just be honest – if there is some area that they keep trying to hound you on, tell them that you don’t know the answer but that you will study it more. They will do the exact same thing to you if they don’t know something.

JWs appear to have great bible knowledge, but their thinking and thought process are controlled by the Watchtower. So their bible studies are scripted, stoic, and there is not much room to stray in debate.

As far as their views, the best way to study with them is to focus on Jesus and who he says he is. If you want a simple conversation starter, you can ask a simple question of the Bible: who raised Jesus from the dead?

If you say that God raised Jesus from the dead, you would be right (Acts 2:32 for example.)
If you say that the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, you would be right (Romans 8:11 for example.)
If you say that Jesus raised his own body from the dead, you would be right (John 2:18-22 for example.)

JWs do NOT believe that Jesus’ body was resurrected, and they don’t think Jesus had the power himself to do it. They believe that his body was dissolved into “gas or other form to serve as a memorial to God.” They have many strange views like this. The above example is one of many proofs of the Trinity which they oppose.

If there is any other area that you want to focus on, let me know.

Also, I am not clear if you are a born-again Christian, so I want to be clear on this. Jesus states that in order to enter you heaven, you must be born of water and Spirit:

JN 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Peter understood what this meant when he told the crowds how to be saved:

AC 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

So if you are not born of water and Spirit, I pray that you will consider this. It is the only way to get into heaven. Save yourself from this corrupt generation!

If you need anything else, please let me know…

God bless you!

In Jesus Name!
Michael
www.oflaherty.om/mo.htm  

Answer
Hi Maria!

The biggest and most obvious differences are in regards to Jesus and his divinity. For example, John 1:1, John 8:58, Col. 1:15. If you have a NWT and another Bible, look them up.

To illustrate, Jesus states that we must believe him in order to be saved from our sins.

JN 8:23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Jesus states who he is in the same conversation:

JN 8:57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" 58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Jesus refers to himself as ‘I AM’. If you look at the Greek in both Exodus and John, it is clear that Jesus was calling himself the ‘I AM’ of Exodus. By saying this, he was calling himself God:

EX 3:13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, `What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.' " 15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, `The LORD, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

The Jews reacted to his blasphemy by wanting to stone him. They understood what he was saying.

If you look at the NWT, you will see that they changed the translation to say ‘I HAVE BEEN’. They do not believe that Jesus is God.

Regarding your question of baptism, Peter teaches that the person being baptized must make the appeal to God (1 Peter 3.) So being baptized as an infant does not fit the scriptures in my view. However, regarding you baptism as a teenager, you need to make that determination. Look at Peter’s statement here:

AC 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

If you do not feel you were baptized for the right reasons, then I would certainly encourage you to be baptized. If you feel you repented and were baptized for the remission of sins, then being baptized again would be unnecessary. If you are not sure, then you make the call – but better safe than sorry…

God bless you!

In Jesus Name!
Michael
www.oflaherty.com/mo.htm