The Witness at your door by Lorri MacGregor

Printer friendly version This article is based on the video "The Witness at Your Door". SHOULD YOU DIALOGUE WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES? Some Christians use 2 John 10, 11 to be rude and unresponsive to Jehovah's Witnesses. It reads: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." However, this scripture, in context is not referring to the unsaved Jehovah's Witness at your door who has been deceived by the Watchtower Society. To understand the context we must look to the previous verses. Notice in verse 1of 2 John, that this epistle is written to believers. Verse 7 begins, "For many deceivers have gone out into the world...". Gone out from where? Obviously from the congregation of believers to whom this letter is written. Verse 9 identifies them further as "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ...". This description could well apply to the early leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses who left the historic Christian Church, adopted the Arian heresy, and did not abide in the biblical teaching of Christ. Their followers, however, usually the ones at your door, do not fit into this category of "Deceivers". They are not deliberately misrepresenting Christ, but are thoroughly deceived by their leaders. THE JESUS OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Trinity, deny that Jesus is or ever was Almighty God, and reduce Him to the Archangel Michael in the heavens, only a good man on earth, and again Michael in the heavens after his resurrection. They admit that Jesus is "a god", but not the God. It is these issues that are addressed in the video, "The Witness at Your Door". Admittedly, these issues are dealt with briefly, but usually raise enough questions in the mind of the J.W.'s, that they begin to research on their own. Often they begin to examine scriptures in a recognized translation rather than their altered one, "The New World Translation". Remember, we as Christians, are to bear witness for Christ. We do not have to do the work of the Holy Spirit, that of convicting people of their sin. God will look after that, if we are faithful to let Him. I believe our instructions on witnessing are summed up very nicely in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 "And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will". REMEMBER TO PRAY Do not attempt to pray with the J.W., but pray ahead of time for the next two who will come. If they surprise you, excuse yourself for a few moments and pray before you speak with them. Remember, you must fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons. It is good to take your authority in Jesus' name and bind the spirit of deception operating in their lives, and ask God to help you to say the right things to set them free. Then prepare yourself with a few timely scriptural points. We will now cover the simple gospel presentations used in "The Witness at Your Door". SIMPLE PRESENTATION FOR USE AT THE DOOR It is suggested that you do not attempt to argue right off with a J.W. at the door. Remember, we want them to see Christ in us. Their presentations take 2-3 minutes, so why not do what the video suggests and just smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but say "Please go on". When they are finished ask if you might share something. They usually agree. Have 2 Corinthians 13:5 marked in your bible. Point out that there is a bible test as to whether we are in the true faith or not. Read the scripture with them "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves--that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test". Tell them you are so happy to share that you do not fail the test, for Jesus Christ is "in you". Share your testimony of the indwelling Christ and how your conversion came about. If you want them to come back, take their literature. Prepare for the next visit in advance by praying and preparing a few questions. IS JESUS CHRIST REALLY MICHAEL? This is a weak point in Watchtower theology, so it is good to ask them to show you a scripture that actually calls Jesus Christ, Michael. Of course, there is none. They attempt to establish this teaching by "comparison of scripture". However, use of two key scriptures will cause them to think and look for answers. The first scripture is Daniel 10:13, where Michael is referred to as "...one of the chief princes". Ask them, "Is Jesus Christ ONE OF several others like him?" This question bothers them because they teach that Jesus Christ is unique, and there is only one Archangel--namely Michael. This scripture is plainly declaring that Michael is not unique, nor is he the only one of his kind. Proceed to Jude 9 where Michael the Archangel is disputing with the devil. Point out that Michael did not dare pronounce judgment against the Devil or rebuke him. Ask the J.W., "Did Jesus Christ have the power to rebuke the Devil?" They have to admit that He did! So then, how can Michael be Jesus? For further points on witnessing concerning Michael, please write to us. JESUS CHRIST IS ALMIGHTY GOD We need to make the vital point that Jesus Christ is Almighty God at the very beginning. He is not some secondary god, or one of many gods, but really is the one, true, Almighty, God. Christians believe Jesus Christ is Almighty God manifest in the flesh. What follows is a good presentation to Jehovah's Witnesses. "THE FIRST AND THE LAST" PRESENTATION I title this presentation on the Deity of Christ, "the First and the Last", not only because it uses this term, but also because it uses the first and last chapters of Revelation to prove the point. We begin by reading Revelation 1:8, "I am the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA", says the LORD GOD, who is and who was and who is to come, the ALMIGHTY." (NAS). This scripture teaches us a few points. The "Alpha and Omega" is the "Lord God Almighty", and He is coming. All will agree, but the J.W.'s will point out that their bible inserts "Jehovah" for "Lord". Refer them to their purple Kingdom Interlinear Translation so they can see for themselves that "Jehovah" is not in the Greek text, but is an insertion by the "translators" of their bible. In spite of this, all can agree that Almighty God calls Himself "The Alpha and the Omega". Turn now to Revelation, chapter 22. There are several speakers in this chapter, but we want to single out the "Alpha and Omega" Speaker to see what else He has to say. Insist on reading the verses IN CONTEXT. The Speaker does not change between verses 12 through 16, so let's consider Revelation 22:12-16, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to every man according to what he has done. "I am the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. I, JESUS, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star". (NAS). Only now, with verse 17, does the Speaker change. Therefore the same Speaker, namely the Alpha and Omega, has said all the above things. He is "coming quickly" (agreeing with Revelation 18 read first), He is the "Alpha and the Omega", He is the "First and the Last", and He identifies Himself as "I, Jesus". The Apostle John evidently agrees, for in verse 20 he records, "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen, come Lord Jesus". (NAS) Jehovah's Witnesses will become agitated at this point, insisting that verse 12 is probably Jesus, then verse 13 must be Jehovah, then verse 16 is Jesus again. Rather than arguing, ask them, "Do you agree that in verse 13 the "Alpha and Omega" calls Himself "The First and the Last"? They must agree. Remark that Revelation, chapter one, leaves us in no doubt as to the identity of "The First and the Last". Turn to Revelation 1:13-18. This account is a vision of the "son of man" Ask them who this is. They will reply "Jesus". You will agree. You could take the time to read through the vision, but concentrate on verses 17 and 18, where the Apostle John says "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST, and the living One, and I WAS DEAD, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." (Revelation 1:17,18 NAS). Jesus has here called Himself "The First and the Last", the same as He did in Revelation 22:13, where He also called Himself the "Alpha and the Omega". It is obviously Jesus speaking also in Revelation l8, where He repeats that He is "coming", He is the "Alpha and the Omega" and He is "Almighty God". We'll read Revelation 18 again to fully establish the claims of Jesus Christ, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God (Jesus Christ), who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Jesus Christ is truly Almighty God by His own witness of the fact. Therefore, He is not some secondary god, or one god among many, or the Archangel Michael, nor only a good man. Jesus Christ is Almighty God manifest in the flesh. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD AND ETERNAL 1 Timothy 1:16 & 17 reads, "And for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, JESUS CHRIST might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King ETERNAL, immortal, invisible, THE ONLY GOD, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen." Yes, Jesus Christ is Eternal (not created, as J.W.'s teach), and He is called "The Only God". Point out the location of the "Amen" in these scriptures. J.W.'s would like verse 16 to be Jesus, but verse 17 to be Jehovah. Not possible. There were no chapter and verse divisions in the early manuscripts, and the "Amen" closes the thought. Furthermore, the subject is Jesus Christ. UNDERSTANDING JESUS' HUMANITY & DEITY Jesus is truly God, but He is also truly man. It is the scriptures dealing with His humanity that cause the most distortions in the cult doctrines. Verses 5 and 6 of Philippians, chapter two, begin regarding the humanity of Jesus, Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." (NAS) The phrase "existed in the form of God" means literally in the Greek, He "never ceased being in the form of God". Remembering this point, we continue to the phrase "(He) did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." The cults love to disregard the first phrase and seize on the second, to try to "prove" Jesus inferior. However, in context, Jesus Christ never ceased being God, but rather than grasping after the equality that was His, He chose a course of humanity and humility. Verses 7 and 8 of Philippians, chapter two continues on, "But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance AS A MAN, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (NAS). AS A MAN, DID JESUS LOSE HIS DEITY? The answer to the above question is "Never!" Jesus Christ was not just a good man as some cults teach, He was God manifest in the flesh. He did function totally as a man while on earth, but He was always God. Colossians 2:8,9 warns that false teachers would deceive people on this very point, as do the J.W.'s, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the elementary principles of the world rather than according to Christ. For in HIM ALL THE FULLNESS OF DEITY DWELLS IN BODILY FORM." (NAS). All is all, and full is full, and "all the fullness of Deity" (Godhead, Godship), is dwelling in Christ "IN THE FLESH." IS JESUS INFERIOR TO THE FATHER? The cult groups denying the Deity of Jesus Christ always use scriptures from the time of His humanity, and try to apply them to His Deity. A favorite example is John 14:28, quoting Jesus, "...the Father is greater than I". (NAS). Is Jesus saying He is inferior to the Father? No, if Jesus wanted to say He was inferior, He would have said, "The Father is BETTER than I". The Greek word for "better" means "higher in nature". Jesus did not use that word, since He is not inferior, or lower in nature than the Father, as the cults teach. Jesus used the Greek word for "greater", which means "higher in position". While Jesus was humbled, emptied, functioning as a man, the Father was in a higher position. This would be much like the President and Vice-President of a company. The President is in a higher position than the Vice-President, but by nature, they are both men and equal. If Jesus had been claiming to be only "a god" as J.W.'s and others teach, then He would not have been charged with "blasphemy". Jesus knew He was God, His disciples worshipped Him, eye-witnesses testified to His claims to be God, and the whole church believed Acts 20:28, which tells the elders, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of GOD, which HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.". IN CONCLUSION It is possible to witness to a Jehovah's Witness and prove the Deity of Jesus Christ. This article may be copied for use in personal ministry. Printer friendly version