Examining Jehovah's Witnesses

[for_his_glory]

(Continue)
Marking
If a member is guilty of breaking a minor rule such as associating with a worldly person (one who is not a Jehovah's Witness) that individual could be marked. This means that other Jehovah's witnesses may only speak to them at the Kingdom Hall (the name Jehovah's Witnesses use for their churches). Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to associate with a marked individual in a social setting.

Blood
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to accept blood transfusions for themselves or their children, believing that this is the same as eating blood and is forbidden by the Bible. Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses have died because of this restriction the Watchtower Society has placed upon its followers. In the past the Watchtower Society has forbidden its followers to get vaccinations or accept organ transplants, many people died needlessly before the Watchtower Society changed its rules and allowed these procedures. They still hold fast to the prohibition of receiving blood transfusions. See the web site "New Light on Blood"

Nationalism
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to salute the flag of any nation, recite the pledge of allegiance, stand for or sing the national anthem, run for public office, vote, or serve in the armed forces.

Holidays
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to celebrate Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, or any other holidays, claiming they all have pagan roots.
Associates
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to associate with non-Witnesses including family. Exceptions are made if the non-Witness family member is living in the same household.
Trinity
They do not believe in the Trinity. Instead, they follow a strict monotheism, in which: Jehovah is the Supreme Being. Jesus is the Son of God, a created being. Christ is believed to have originally existed in a pre-human state as the Archangel Michael. He later took human form as a man like any other person, except that he was sinless at birth and remained so throughout his earthly life. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. They believe that after the crucifixion, Christ died and was resurrected as an invisible, non-material, glorious, spirit creature. They believe that Jesus appeared on earth after his resurrection in a special body that Jehovah created for him.
The Holy Spirit they believe, is not a separate entity, but is simply a force: the method by which God interacts with the world.
Man's Soul
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that a person is the soul the Bible speaks of, and when a person dies nothing lives on, the person is dead and is conscious of nothing. When the time comes for God to resurrect them from the dead He will create a new body for them from His memory.
Hell
They totally deny the existence of the traditional Christian view of Hell. Satan is regarded as having created the concept of Hellfire in order to turn people against God. They believe that hell is the "common grave of mankind" where people go when they die. They are not conscious there. Unbelievers simply cease to exist at death. Believers remain in death until the resurrection.
144,000
The Heavenly Kingdom took effect in 1914 with the invisible enthronement of Christ as King. A little flock or Anointed Class of about 135,300 people currently occupies it. All were selected after Christ's ascension into heaven at Pentecost (33 AD) and during subsequent centuries. The selection of the full complement of 144,000 was completed in 1935. Some 8,700 are still living on earth. They will spend eternity as spirit creatures in heaven with God and Christ and will rule over the other Jehovah’s Witnesses who remain on earth. Those spending eternity on earth are what Jehovah’s Witnesses call the Great Crowd or Other Sheep.
Salvation (Grace vs. Works)
Salvation requires that one accept Bible doctrines as interpreted by the Governing Body, be baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and follow the program of works as laid out by the Governing Body.
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that they believe in the grace of God and that one does not earn salvation by their works. While they give lip service to God’s grace, their actions indicate differently. Consider the policy of making a disfellowshipped person earn their way back into the congregation. Remember you must be a Jehovah’s Witness "in good standing" to survive the end times, and to remain in good standing you must follow the rules and works set out by the Watchtower Organization. If someone breaks a rule, the elders decide whether that person is repentant or not, if they decide they are not repentant they are disfellowshipped. A disfellowshipped witness will not survive the time of the end. Think about it, they are deciding who deserves God’s grace and who does not.
Wherever you find the word grace in most Bibles you will find the term "undeserved kindness" in their Bible. While this may or may not be an acceptable translation of the original Greek word, it gives them a great deal of latitude in their teaching. In the December, 1993 issue of The Kingdom Ministry (a publication for members only) in an article titled "Sow Bountifully but With Discernment" the Watchtower Organization printed this thought "We want to give deserving ones the opportunity to learn of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and the Kingdom hope". This brings to mind some serious questions: How can anyone deserve God's undeserved kindness if it's undeserved? And just what methods would mortal man use to discern who deserves God's undeserved kindness and who does not, are not God's thoughts higher than man's? This statement really shows the attitude of The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society—not all people deserve God’s grace and it is the job of Jehovah's Witnesses to discern who does and who does not. Jehovah's Witnesses constantly boast that they alone are "preaching the good news of the kingdom in all the inhabited earth". Are they preaching in all the inhabited earth or just to the ones they deem deserving?

 

[for_his_glory]

(continue)
Jesus crucified on a stake not a cross
They reject the traditional symbol of Christianity, the cross, as being of pagan origin. They translate the Greek word from the Christian Scriptures "stauros" as "torture stake", and believe that Jesus was crucified on a single upright wooden stake with no crossbeam. They view the cross as an Idol and wearing or displaying one is considered idol worship.

The New World Translation is a translation of the KJV Bible written and published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. It is used and distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The New World Translation that the Watch Tower Society rewrote in KJV form compared to the Holy Bible - KJV
I present this to you as I have been working on this for quite awhile today after downloading the NWT to compare the scriptures. I pray this will open your eyes to the deceit of the Watch Tower Society and their teachings about Jesus.

NWT Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep; and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.
KJV Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
(Cross reference to John 1:1-2, 14)

NWT John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was a god.
KJV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(Notice NWT says “a god” also read John 1:14 as the word became flesh)

NWT Isaiah 9:6 For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(Notice both versions call Jesus the mighty God, everlasting Father)

NWT John 10:30 I and the Father are one.
KJV John 10:30 I and the Father are one.
(Both versions say Jesus and the Father are one as being part of the full Godhead)

NWT Romans 9:5 to whom the forefathers belong and from whom the Christ sprang according to the flesh: God, who is over all, be blessed forever.
KJV Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
(It's the flesh in whom we call Christ Jesus as being fully man and fully God)

NWT Colossians 2:9 because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily.
KJV Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
(All the fullness of the Godhead as all being the Spirit of God as being divine nature that is God)

NWT Philippians 2:5 5 Keep this mental attitude in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, l gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake.

KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(Notice the crucifixion as NWT says stake and KJV says cross. JW's reject the traditional symbol of Christianity, the cross, as being of pagan origin. They translate the Greek word from the Christian Scriptures "stauros" as "torture stake", and believe that Jesus was crucified on a single upright wooden stake with no crossbeam. They view the cross as an Idol and wearing or displaying one is considered idol worship.)

NWT 1John 5:7 For there are three witness bearers, 8 the spirit and the water and the blood, and the three are in agreement.
KJV 1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
(Notice the difference between the NWT says three are in agreement as, KJV says these three agree in one. The three are all a part of the Godhead that is in Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9. NWT Colossians 2:9 uses the words "divine quality dwells bodily and the KJV uses the words "the fullness of the Godhead bodily".)

NWT Rev 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”
KJV Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
(Both are using "the Almighty" as both being God)

 

[Beetow]

.
The old testament predicted that Christ (a.k.a. Messiah) would be promoted to a
high position.

● Isa 52:13 . . Look! My servant will act with insight. He will be in high station and
will certainly be elevated and exalted very much.

The extent of Messiah's elevation and exaltation wasn't fully appreciated until the
new testament wherein it says:

"When he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also
God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above
every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in
heaven and those on earth and those under the ground." (Phlp 2:8-10)

Well; in my opinion "the name" that's above every other name is Jehovah, a.k.a.
Yahweh. (Deut 6:4-5)

If so then Jesus has the God-given right to identify himself as Jehovah, and to be
given obeisance as Jehovah. Refusal to give Jesus the proper reverence due God's
name is very disrespectful.

FAQ: But doesn't Phlp 2:8-10 contradict Isa 42:8 where it says: "I am Jehovah.
That is my name; and to no one else shall I give My own glory"

REPLY: I think it best to understand that verse as saying God won't allow Himself to
be supplanted by a competing deity. I really don't think its saying He wouldn't
willingly share His name and/or His glory with His one and only paternal
descendant, i.e. the son that God loves and admires more than all other creatures:
either underground, above ground, or up in the sky.

● John 3:35 . .The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands.

● John 5:22-23 . . For the Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the
judging to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the
Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
_

 

[jasonc]

Being raised in the hall.i was told that tract society was the 144000 that set doctrine

 

[Beetow]

i was told that tract society was the 144000 that set doctrine

There's a bit of a disclaimer associated with the JW hierarchy that says:

"The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal
matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index
includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural
understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would
produce perfect spiritual food." Watchtower-Study Edition, Feb 2017, pararaph12, under the heading;
Who is leading God's People today?

The Society's hierarchy claims to be neither inspired nor infallible, yet requires its
followers to comply with them as their connection to God.

"That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers
in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual
health and our relationship with God depend on this channel." (Jul 15, 2013 Watchtower,
p.20)

"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." (Jul 15,
2011 Watchtower, Simplified English Edition, p.24)

"[A mature christian] does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor
private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete
confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus
Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." (Aug 01, 2001 Watchtower, p.14)
_

 

[jasonc]

There's a bit of a disclaimer associated with the JW hierarchy that says:

"The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal
matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index
includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural
understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would
produce perfect spiritual food." Watchtower-Study Edition, Feb 2017, pararaph12, under the heading;
Who is leading God's People today?

The Society's hierarchy claims to be neither inspired nor infallible, yet requires its
followers to comply with them as their connection to God.

"That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers
in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual
health and our relationship with God depend on this channel." (Jul 15, 2013 Watchtower,
p.20)

"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." (Jul 15,
2011 Watchtower, Simplified English Edition, p.24)

"[A mature christian] does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor
private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete
confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus
Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." (Aug 01, 2001 Watchtower, p.14)
_

That was in the 80s.

 

[Beetow]

.
● 1Cor 15:45 . . It is even so written: "The first man Adam became a living soul."
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Attempts have been made to apply that verse to Adam's origin and Christ's
resurrection, but I really think we should apply it to both their origins.

In other words, Adam was born into this world as a man whose existence was
dependent upon a source of life not his own, i.e. Adam wasn't self-existent.

In contrast, the Word was born into this world as a man independent of a source of
life not his own, i.e. he was, and still is, self-existent.

● John 1:3-4 . . All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not
even one thing came into existence. What has come into existence by means of him
was life

Also:

● 1Cor 15:47 . . .The first man is out of the earth and made of dust; the second
man is out of heaven.

In other words: Jesus is not only an earthen being but also an heavenly being.

● John 3:13 . . . No man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from
heaven; the Son of man.

● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven

According to John 5:26 and 1John 1:1-4, the Word is an everlasting life which,
according to Gen 21:33 and Rom 16:26, is an indestructible category of life that's
impervious to death. So the Word didn't go out of existence when he came into the
world as an organic being; which means of course that the Word became an organic
being and a spirit being simultaneously at the moment of Jesus' conception.

The Word's binary existence is a hang-up for some folks due to their sincere belief
that it's impossible for the Word to exist as a human being and a spirit being
simultaneously. But the evidence is difficult to refute.
_