Jesus.defender

A cult would say things like: "Avoid independent thinking...questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization. ( ie: the watchtower organisation )" (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22) "Fight against independent thinking." (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 27 ) "All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.( ie: the watchtower )" (The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1994, p. 8.) “Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.” Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock p.94 “Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.” Watchtower Study Edition 2013 Jan 15 p.16 "So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? . . . This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses . . . Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it," (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197). They will make FALSE prophecies: "In subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God has already begun...And that the "battle of the great day of God almighty [revelation 16:14], which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of the earth's present rulership, is already commenced." SOURCE: "The Time is at Hand; 1889. ( note: The 1915 edition of this book changed "A.D. 1914" to "A.D. 1915." ) "...the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced," SOURCE: The Time Is at Hand, 1908 edition, p. 101. "Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures - nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." Zion's Watch Tower 1894 Jul 15 p.226

The "two witness" rule that the watchtower forces upon victims of child abuse in its' organisation is tantamount to turning a blind eye. As if an abuser is going to abuse kids in front of 2 or witnesses?!

Yes, it is difficult to comprehend, isn't it? You need to study Biblical Greek and Hebrew. I know the watchtower does NOT endorse this and does NOT allow independent thinking. also check out this verse that appears in the original language: "Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.". "En arkhêi ên ho lógos, kaì ho lógos ên pròs tòn theón, kaì theòs ên ho lógos." Check out also the word "ὑπόστασις "

As usual, more LIES from you with ZERO proof. the watchtower has LIED to you

Good point. I haven't thought of it that way.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES, the TRINITY and THE WATCHTOWER 117 JEHOVAHS WITNESSES the TRINITY.pdf

The Plain Truth about the Jehovah's Witnesses The Plain Truth about the Jehovah's Witnesses.pdf

Questions to ask your Jehovah's Witness Bible Study Conductor Questions to ask your Jehovah's Witness Bible Study Conductor.pdf

Questions to ask your Jehovah's Witness Bible Study Conductor. Questions to ask your Jehovah's Witness Bible Study Conductor.pdf

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was born on Dec. 23, 1805 in Vermont, USA. In 1820 (aged 14 years) he allegedly received a vision: “...I asked the personages (demons?) who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right- and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the personage (demon?) who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight...”. Pearl of Great Price 2:18,19. He claims a second vision on Sept. 21, 1823 where “a personage (demon?) appeared at my bedside” to inform him of the location of a box containing golden plates buried at Manchester, New York. In 1827 Smith claimed to receive the golden plates upon which the Book of Mormon is alleged to have been written. He claimed to have finished translating the plates on March 26, 1830. On April 6, 1830, at Fayette, New York, the Mormon church was organised, with 6 members. They then moved to Kirtland (Cleveland), Ohio, publishing the book “Doctrines and Covenants”. Smith was imprisoned in Far West, Missouri, for fighting. After escaping, he and his people fled to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he organised a small army. When a local paper, the “Nauvoo Expositor”, published anti-Mormon material, Smith ordered the press destroyed and the paper burned. This act of destruction led to Smith’s arrest and imprisonment. He was sent to a jail in Carthage, Illinois, with his brother Hyrum. On June 27, 1844, a mob of 200 people stormed the jail, shooting and killing Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Mormons consider him a martyr. Brigham Young then took over the leadership. He led the group westward to found Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 24, 1847, which became their headquarters. When Young died in 1877, they had 150,000 members.

JWs believe that God set up the Watchtower Society as His visible representative on earth. JWs are constantly reminded that people are utterly unable to know the true meaning of Scripture without the Society and its vast literature. JWs are expected to obey the WT as the voice of God. (Watchtower, 15 June 57, p 370). The WT says, ‘We must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father, but his organisation as our Mother.’ (Watchtower, 1 May 57, p 274). JWs are not to think for themselves to interpret the Bible. They are to submit their minds to the Watchtower (WT). If a JW disobeys WT instructions, they assume that he is ‘apostate’, and the punishment is ‘disfellowshipping’, whereby his WT friends are forbidden to talk to him. This fear of disfellowshipping is one of the WT’s most effective means of keeping members obedient to its teachings.

JEHOVAH’S NAME or JESUS CHRIST’S NAME. The Watchtower teaches that God’s true Name is Jehovah. They teach that: ‘Sometime during the second or third Century CE, the scribes removed the tetragrammaton (JHWH) from both the Septuagint and the Christian Greek Scriptures and replaced it with κυριος (Lord) or θεος (God)’. Reference Edition of NWT, 1984, p 1564. The Watchtower’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) proves that Jesus is Jehovah God. On page 10,11 of the 1985 KIT, under the heading ‘Restoring the Divine Name, Jehovah’ we read: ‘the evidence (what evidence?) is that the original text of the Christian Greek Scriptures has been tampered with (no proof) . . . Sometime during the second or third centuries CE, the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) was eliminated from the Greek texts by copyists (no proof). Instead of YHWH they substituted the words Kurios (‘Lord’) and Theos (‘God’).’ Note: This is a lie. There is no historical or manuscript evidence or evidence of protest to support this claim. Somebody would have protested such a change.No one did. It never happened. The New World Translation (NWT) is the JW perversion of the Bible made to support their false doctrines. It inserts the name ‘Jehovah’ in the New Testament in the place of God (θεος=theos) or Lord (κυριος =kurios) on 237 occasions, where they believe it refers to God the Father. They often refer to Hebrew translations of the NT to see where this has been done. These are footnoted as J1 to J27. Their dishonesty and deceit is shown by their failure to translate these words as ‘Jehovah’ when it refers to Christ. (eg: Philippians 2:11; Hebrews 1:10). JWs say that the proper use of God’s ‘correct’ name (Jehovah) is absolutely essential to one’s salvation. They quote from their NWT: ‘Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’ Romans 10:13 (NWT). ‘People will have to know that I am Jehovah.’ Ezekiel 39:6 (NWT). JWs believe that because they are the only group who refer to God by His ‘true’ name, Jehovah, they are the only true followers of God. Their claim is false for these reasons: 1) Jehovah is not a Biblical term. It is a man-made term. The Old Testament has YHWH because the original Hebrew only had consonants. Jews feared taking God’s name in vain, so when they publicly read YHWH, they would pronounce it ‘Adonai’ (Lord). Later they inserted the vowels from Adonai (a-o-a) into the consonants YHWH to give YAHOWAH, which became Jehovah. Hence, the word Jehovah comes from a consonantvowel combination from YHWH and Adonai. 2) No-one knows for sure the original correct pronunciation of YHWH. Hence we cannot insist on ‘Jehovah’ as being correct. 3) Jesus never addressed the Father as Jehovah in the New Testament. If JWs are correct that God must be always called Jehovah, then Jesus was sinning by not calling God ‘Jehovah’. When the NWT puts Jehovah in Jesus’ mouth in the NT, it contradicts all the NT manuscripts which don’t have it. QUESTION: Since Jesus never in the NT addressed the Father as Jehovah, why should we? 4) Jesus and the Apostle Paul tell us to address God as ‘Father’: a) Jesus taught us to pray to God as ‘Our Father’, not ‘Our Jehovah’: ‘After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father.....’ (Matthew 6:9). b) Jesus addressed God as Father in His own prayers: ‘I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth’. (Matthew 11:25). ‘O my Father, if it be possible.......’ (Matthew 26:39,42). ‘He said, Abba, Father.......’ (Mark 14:36). ‘ I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven.......’ (Luke 10:21). ‘Saying, Father, if thou be willing.......’ (Luke 22:42). ‘Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;.......’ (Luke 23:34). ‘Father, the hour is come......’ (John 17:1). c) Paul said, ‘we cry, Abba, Father.’ (Romans 8:15). d) The Holy Spirit through Paul said, ‘God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father’. (Galatians 4:6). Here the Holy Spirit of God tells us to call God ‘Abba, Father’, not ‘Jehovah’ QUESTION: If Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Paul all address God as Father nine times (and never as Jehovah) then shouldn’t we call God ‘Father’? 5) No Ancient NT manuscripts contain the tetragram (YHWH) to translate as Jehovah. The Church writers before 325 AD only mention Jehovah once in passing. JWs tell us that most Bible versions deceive people because they omit Jehovah as God’s Name, so the JWs dishonestly add the word ‘Jehovah’ to the NT text, even though it is not in any NT Greek manuscript, ancient version, papyri or lectionary. The WT’s claim that ‘Jehovah’ as God’s name was removed from the NT by superstitious scribes, is a total lie with no supporting historical or manuscript evidence. 6) Whose Name did the early Christians identify themselves with? Was it Jehovah or was it Jesus Christ? Always Jesus Christ, never Jehovah. Who knows more, the Apostles or modern JWs? Consider these examples: a) The Apostles never used the name ‘Jehovah’. b) The Apostles and first century Christians were never called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’. ‘The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.’ (Acts 11:26). c) There is no proof that Jesus or his disciples ever pronounced the tetragram YHWH. JWs claim that when Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me....’ as quoted in Luke 4:18,19, that Jesus pronounced the word ‘YHWH’. This is most unlikely. JWs assume that the religious leaders endorsing Christ’s ‘gracious words’ in verse 22 was because He uttered the name YHWH? Historical records in the Mishnah, from Josephus, and from other sources show the Jews were loathe to allow the name YHWH to be used. The Jews would not have tolerated it being used by anybody but the High Priest.Jesus would have read ‘Adonai’ 7) 119 Bible passages referring to Jehovah, are quoted and applied to Christ in the New Testament (Proof Available) QUESTION: In view of 119 Bible verses applying ‘Jehovah’ to Christ in the NT, what does this tell you about who Christ is? 😎 The New Testament tells us to name the name of Jesus Christ, not the name of Jehovah. Consider these examples: 1. ‘Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’(II Timothy 2:19) 2. ‘I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .’ (I Cor 1:10) 3. ‘Ye are washed,....sanctified,... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus ’ (I Cor 6:11) 4. ‘Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.’ (Col 3:17) 5. ‘That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you....’ (II Thess 1:12) 6. ‘Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves.....’ (II Thess. 3:6) 7. ‘all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.’ (I Corinthians 1:2) 8. ‘Thou holdest fast my name....’ Jesus said to the Pergamos church. (Revelation 2:13). JWs have not held fast Christ’s name, nor have they called upon Christ’s name, nor do they name the name of Christ, nor is Jesus Christ precious to them, because they do not have saving belief in Him. ‘Unto you . . . which believe He is precious’.(I Peter 2:7). QUESTION: Where does the NT tell us to name the name of Jehovah? 9) The New Testament always lifts up Jesus Christ’s name, not Jehovah’s name. Why? Because Jesus Christ is Jehovah God on earth. Christ is 100% God and 100% man. Q1: In whose name should we meet together? ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matthew 18:20) Q2: Demons were cast out by the authority of whose name? ‘Paul.....said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ (Acts 16:18) Q3: In whose name should we preach repentance and forgiveness of sins? ‘And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. And ye are witnesses of these things.’ (Luke 24:47,48) Q4: In whose name are we to believe and receive forgiveness of sins? ‘....through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.’ (Acts 10:43, John 1:12) Q5: By whose name, and no other, do we obtain salvation? Acts 4:10,12 says: ‘by the name of Jesus Christ ... Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ Q6: In whose name should we pray? John 16:23,24; 14:13,14; 15:16 says: ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.’ Q7: In whose name is the Holy Spirit sent? ‘But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name......’ (John 14:26) Q8: In whose name and authority did the disciples heal the sick? ‘His name through faith in his name hath made this man strong’ (Acts 3:16; 4:30) Q9: Whose name did Paul say that we are to call upon? ‘ all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (I Cor 1:2) Q10: Whose name is above every name? ‘God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name .... that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.’(Phil 2:9-11) Paul’s quote about Christ is from Isaiah 45:22-24 where every knee will bow to Jehovah. What is true about Jehovah, is also true of Christ, the Lord of all mankind Q11: According to Acts 1:8, of whom are we to be witnesses? ‘Ye shall be witnesses unto me (Jesus)’ Q12: In whose name were believers baptized? ‘they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus’. (Acts 8:16; 2:38) Q13: In whose name were believers designated? ‘the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch’. (Acts 11:26) Q14: In whose name did the apostles speak? ‘Commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus’ Acts 4:17,18 Q15: In whose name did early Christians suffer? Acts 15:26 says: ‘Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ ‘rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name’Acts 5:41;9:16 Q16: Whose name was Paul to carry? ‘Lord said: He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’ (Acts 9:15) Q17: In whose name did Paul deliver a man to Satan? ‘In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...to deliver such an one to Satan.’ I Cor 5:4,5 Q18: In whose name did the apostles teach? Acts 5:28; 8:12 says: ‘Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?’ 10) Why does WT break their own rule (where the OT speaks of Jehovah), that they do not insert Jehovah in the NT, when the quote clearly refers to Christ? Peter quotes from Joel 2:32 (spoken of Jehovah) and applies it to Jesus in Acts 2:21 and 38. Calling on the name of Jehovah for salvation equals repenting and being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of sins. Conclusion: Jesus shares the nature of His Father and His Name. The absence of YHWH in any NT manuscript demolishes the WT case of introducing the word ‘Jehovah’ into the NT. Question: If God was so concerned about preserving His covenant name, why did the apostles not preserve it in their writings? Question: To imply that the name ‘Jehovah’ is the main name of God that we are to use, contradicts the continued NT use of the name ‘Jesus’ on 900 occasions, while the tetragram YHWH is used nowhere in the NT. QUESTION: Why does the WT not translate ‘Jehovah’ into Hebrews 1:10, I Peter 3:15 andPhilippians 2:11, when the OT passages from which these are quoted refer to YHWH? We are to make the name of the Father known as Jesus emphasized (Matthew 6:9; John 17:26). How do we do it? By recognizing that Jesus Christ was chosen by the Father to embody all the glory and important reputation of that Name.

Appearances of Jehovah in the Old Testament as the Son of God John 6:46 1. To Adam in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:8. ‘They heard the voice of the LORD God walking in…’ 2. To the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:5,7. ‘The LORD came down to see the city and the tower..’ 3. To Abram. Genesis 12:7.‘The LORD appeared unto Abram & said, Unto thy seed will I give this land’ 4. To Abram to make a covenant with him. Genesis 15:17. ‘a smoking furnace & a burning lamp passed’ 5. To Hagar as the Angel of Jehovah. Genesis 16:7,9,10,11,13 6. To Abraham and Sarah to announce the conception of Isaac. Genesis 17:1 7. To Abraham to discuss the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18:1,2,21,33 and 19:24. 8. To Sarah to conceive Isaac. Genesis 21:1-4. ‘The LORD visited Sarah as he had said…’ 9. To Hagar and Ishmael when cast out by Sarah in the desert. Genesis 21:9-21,17. 10. To Abraham when sacrificing Isaac. Genesis 22:10-18,11,15,16. 11. To Abraham’s servant getting a wife for Isaac at Haran. Genesis 24:40 12. To Isaac forbidding him going to Egypt. Genesis 26:1-6. 13. To Isaac at Beersheba after digging wells. Genesis 26:24. 14. To Jacob at the top of a ladder from earth to heaven. Genesis 28:13 15. To wrestle with Jacob and change his name to Israel. Genesis 32:24-30. 16. To Jacob to change his name to Israel. Genesis 35:9. Jacob recounts to Joseph how God Almighty appeared to him at Luz (Gen 35:6) to bless him. (Gen 48:3) 17. To Moses at the burning bush as the angel of Jehovah, as Jehovah God, to go to Pharaoh (Ex. 3:1-18) 18. To Moses to give him signs to prove to Israel that God has appeared to him. (Exodus 4:1-5) 19. To kill Moses in the inn, because Moses neglected to circumcise his son. (Exodus 4:24-26). 20. Recounted to Moses how He appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty. (Ex. 6:3) 21. To Israel leaving Egypt in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. (Exodus 13:21,22). 22. To Israel at the Red Sea as the angel of God to separate them from Pharaoh’s armies. (Exod 14:19,20) 23. To Pharaoh’s armies pursuing Israel in the Red Sea to take off their chariot wheels. (Exod 14:24,25) 24. To Israel, standing on the rock in Horeb, when Moses smote the rock to give water. (Exodus 17:5-7 25. To Israel at Mount Sinai, to give Moses the ten commandments. (Exodus 19:11,17-20). 26. To Israel in the wilderness as an Angel to lead Israel into Canaan. (Exodus 23:20,21,23). 27. To Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, 70 elders at Mt Sinai to give the 10 Commandments. (24:10,11,17) 28. To Moses in the clift of a rock to see God’s back parts. (‘Thou shalt see my back parts’ Exodus 33:23) 29. To Moses at Mt Sinai to get the 10 Commandments. (‘LORD descended in a cloud & stood’ Ex. 34:5) 30. To Moses & Israel in the tabernacle. ‘the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.’ (Exodus 40:34,38). 31. To Moses from the tabernacle to instruct on offerings. (LORD called unto Moses and spake’ Lev.1:1) 32. To all Israel. (‘the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. There came a fire out..’ Lev 9:23) 33. To Moses after the death of Nadab and Abihu. (I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Lev 16:2 34. To Moses in the tabernacle to number Israel. (LORD spake unto Moses..in the tabernacle. Numbers 1:1 35. To Moses in the tabernacle.‘he heard the voice of one speaking to him from off the mercy seat. Num7:89 36. To Israel in the wilderness. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, & the appearance of fire by night.9:16 37. To put Moses spirit on 70 elders. ‘The LORD came down in a cloud and spake unto him..’ Num 11:25 38. To rebuke Miriam for criticizing Moses. ‘The LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.’ Numbers 12:5 39. To all the congregation when Korah led a rebellion against Moses. Numbers 16:19,42 40. To Balaam as the angel of the LORD when visiting Balak to curse Israel. Numbers 22:9,20-35. 41. To Moses before His death in the door of the tabernacle. Deut. 31:14,15. ‘the LORD appeared in tab’ 42. To Joshua as the Captain of the host of the LORD. Joshua 5:13-15. 43. To Joshua and Israel at Bochim. Judges 2:1-4. (‘the similitude of the LORD shall he behold’ Num 12:8 44. To Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian. Judges 6:12,14,16,20,21. 45. To Manoah and his wife to declare the birth of Samson. Judges 13:3,9,13,16-18,20-22. 46. To Samuel as a boy. ‘The LORD came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel.’ I Sam. 3:9-14 47. To Solomon and Israel at Temple dedication in 1004BC. I Kings 8:10,11. ‘glory of the LORD filled.’ 48. To destroy 185,000 Assyrian soldiers surrounding Jerusalem in 710 BC. 2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36. 49. To Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego in a furnace. ‘form of the fourth is like the Son of God’Daniel 3:25

Just believing in someone named "Jesus" means nothing unless we are talking about the Jesus Christ of the Bible. The one, eternal, everlasting, uncreated God. The one who created ALL things. It is like if you know someone called "bob" and i know another person called "bob". Now, can we have a conversation about "bob" without defining WHO we are talking about? No. The mormon, Jehovahs Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, UPCI, etc. "Jesus" is NOT the Jesus Christ of the Bible. Hupostasis or ὑπόστασις which refers to the nature and substance the Father and Son share John 1:1 "Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.". "En arkhêi ên ho lógos, kaì ho lógos ên pròs tòn theón, kaì theòs ên ho lógos." Did Jesus really say He was God? That’s exactly how Jesus’ original audience seemed to take it when He said, “I and the Father are one.” In fact, the Jews were ready to kill Him right there! Why? “Because you,” they said, “a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). On another occasion, He used the personal name of Israel’s God–the name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14)–to refer to Himself. And He even used the Torah for context, so no one would misunderstand Him: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). This would be about wild as telling a Muslim, “I am your God, Allah.” Don’t try that in Saudi Arabia! It’s no wonder the Jews tried to stone Him to death. That was the exact penalty for blasphemy under the Jewish legal system. It was pretty clear to everyone there that He was saying, “I am Israel’s God.” Why Jesus is God? 1.The Apostle Thomas called Jesus God.John 20:27-29: 2. The Apostle Peter called Jesus God.2 Peter 1:1: 3.The Apostle John called Jesus God.John 1:1-3, 4.God the Father called Jesus God.Hebrews 1:8: 5. God the Father called Jesus God. 6.Isaiah the Prophet said the Messiah would be God.Isaiah 9:67. The Jews who crucified Jesus understood Him to be saying that He was equal with God.John 5:18: 8.Jesus called Himself "I AM", the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14).John 8:58-59. 9.Jesus calls Himself "the Alpha and Omega," the title of Almighty God.Revelation 22:12-13. 10. Like God (Gen. 1:1) Jesus created.Colossians 1:16-1711. Like God, Jesus forgives sin.Mark 2:5-7, 10-11:12. Like God, Jesus gives eternal life.John 10:27-28: 13. Like God, Jesus received, receives and will receive worship.Matthew 14:32-33. 14. Jesus said that only God was good; and Jesus was good. John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."Jesus was as good as they come. He was "sinless," "holy," "righteous," "innocent," "undefiled," and "separate from sinners." (Hebrews 7:26) That's pretty good! 15. Like God, Jesus can be present in more than one place at the same time.Matthew 18:20: 16. One of Jesus' titles is "God with us."Matthew 1:23. 17. Jesus' blood is called God's blood.Acts 20:28: 18. Jesus has the same nature as God.Hebrews 1:3a: 19. Jesus spoke as God.Jesus did not speak as one of God's prophets: "thus says the Lord," but as God: "I say to you."Matthew 5:27-29. 20. Like God (Psalm 136:3), Jesus is called the Lord of Lords and King of kings.Revelation 17:14. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. ( WHEN WAS GOD PIERCED? ). And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel (means God Among Us). John 1:1 "Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος ", "En archē ēn ho Logos kai ho Logos ēn pros ton Theon kai Theos ēn ho Logos", "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word" John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." Crossreference with Exodus 3:14 "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." John 10:33 "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." Collossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: " Matthew 4:10 "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Crossreference with Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:11, Matthew 28:9. Isaiah 44:6 "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Crossreference with Revelation 1:17 "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he." and Revelation 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." John 8:24 "eipon oun hymin hoti apothaneisthe en tais hamartiais hymōn ean gar mē pisteusēte hoti egō eimi apothaneisthe en tais hamartiais hymōn" - I said therefore to you that you will die in the sins of you if indeed not you believe that I am you will die in the sins of you

Bible: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5,6. Watchtower: "Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members." Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" (1986) pp.10-11 "So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians." Watchtower 1979 Apr 1 p.31. "The "great crowd" of "other sheep" that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the "little flock" of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant." Watchtower 1979 Apr 1 p.31 "They recognize that they are not spiritual Israelites in the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, nor part of the "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."-1 Pet. 2:9. Yet they do benefit from the operation of the new covenant. They benefit from this just as, in ancient Israel, the "alien resident" benefited from residing in among the Israelites who were in the Law covenant.-Ex. 20:10; Lev. 19:10, 33, 34; Rev. 7:9-15. To keep in relationship with "our Savior, God," the "great crowd" needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites." Watchtower 1979 Nov 15 p.27 Benefiting from "One Mediator Between God and Men"

JEHOVAH’S NAME or JESUS CHRIST’S NAME. The Watchtower teaches that God’s true Name is Jehovah. They teach that: ‘Sometime during the second or third Century CE, the scribes removed the tetragrammaton (JHWH) from both the Septuagint and the Christian Greek Scriptures and replaced it with κυριος (Lord) or θεος (God)’. Reference Edition of NWT, 1984, p 1564. The Watchtower’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) proves that Jesus is Jehovah God. On page 10,11 of the 1985 KIT, under the heading ‘Restoring the Divine Name, Jehovah’ we read: ‘the evidence (what evidence?) is that the original text of the Christian Greek Scriptures has been tampered with (no proof) . . . Sometime during the second or third centuries CE, the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) was eliminated from the Greek texts by copyists (no proof). Instead of YHWH they substituted the words Kurios (‘Lord’) and Theos (‘God’).’ Note: This is a lie. There is no historical or manuscript evidence or evidence of protest to support this claim. Somebody would have protested such a change.No one did. It never happened. The New World Translation (NWT) is the JW perversion of the Bible made to support their false doctrines. It inserts the name ‘Jehovah’ in the New Testament in the place of God (θεος=theos) or Lord (κυριος =kurios) on 237 occasions, where they believe it refers to God the Father. They often refer to Hebrew translations of the NT to see where this has been done. These are footnoted as J1 to J27. Their dishonesty and deceit is shown by their failure to translate these words as ‘Jehovah’ when it refers to Christ. (eg: Philippians 2:11; Hebrews 1:10). JWs say that the proper use of God’s ‘correct’ name (Jehovah) is absolutely essential to one’s salvation. They quote from their NWT: ‘Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’ Romans 10:13 (NWT). ‘People will have to know that I am Jehovah.’ Ezekiel 39:6 (NWT). JWs believe that because they are the only group who refer to God by His ‘true’ name, Jehovah, they are the only true followers of God. Their claim is false for these reasons: 1) Jehovah is not a Biblical term. It is a man-made term. The Old Testament has YHWH because the original Hebrew only had consonants. Jews feared taking God’s name in vain, so when they publicly read YHWH, they would pronounce it ‘Adonai’ (Lord). Later they inserted the vowels from Adonai (a-o-a) into the consonants YHWH to give YAHOWAH, which became Jehovah. Hence, the word Jehovah comes from a consonantvowel combination from YHWH and Adonai. 2) No-one knows for sure the original correct pronunciation of YHWH. Hence we cannot insist on ‘Jehovah’ as being correct. 3) Jesus never addressed the Father as Jehovah in the New Testament. If JWs are correct that God must be always called Jehovah, then Jesus was sinning by not calling God ‘Jehovah’. When the NWT puts Jehovah in Jesus’ mouth in the NT, it contradicts all the NT manuscripts which don’t have it. QUESTION: Since Jesus never in the NT addressed the Father as Jehovah, why should we? 4) Jesus and the Apostle Paul tell us to address God as ‘Father’: a) Jesus taught us to pray to God as ‘Our Father’, not ‘Our Jehovah’: ‘After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father.....’ (Matthew 6:9). b) Jesus addressed God as Father in His own prayers: ‘I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth’. (Matthew 11:25). ‘O my Father, if it be possible.......’ (Matthew 26:39,42). ‘He said, Abba, Father.......’ (Mark 14:36). ‘ I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven.......’ (Luke 10:21). ‘Saying, Father, if thou be willing.......’ (Luke 22:42). ‘Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;.......’ (Luke 23:34). ‘Father, the hour is come......’ (John 17:1). c) Paul said, ‘we cry, Abba, Father.’ (Romans 8:15). d) The Holy Spirit through Paul said, ‘God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father’. (Galatians 4:6). Here the Holy Spirit of God tells us to call God ‘Abba, Father’, not ‘Jehovah’ QUESTION: If Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Paul all address God as Father nine times (and never as Jehovah) then shouldn’t we call God ‘Father’? 5) No Ancient NT manuscripts contain the tetragram (YHWH) to translate as Jehovah. The Church writers before 325 AD only mention Jehovah once in passing. JWs tell us that most Bible versions deceive people because they omit Jehovah as God’s Name, so the JWs dishonestly add the word ‘Jehovah’ to the NT text, even though it is not in any NT Greek manuscript, ancient version, papyri or lectionary. The WT’s claim that ‘Jehovah’ as God’s name was removed from the NT by superstitious scribes, is a total lie with no supporting historical or manuscript evidence. 6) Whose Name did the early Christians identify themselves with? Was it Jehovah or was it Jesus Christ? Always Jesus Christ, never Jehovah. Who knows more, the Apostles or modern JWs? Consider these examples: a) The Apostles never used the name ‘Jehovah’. b) The Apostles and first century Christians were never called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’. ‘The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.’ (Acts 11:26). c) There is no proof that Jesus or his disciples ever pronounced the tetragram YHWH. JWs claim that when Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me....’ as quoted in Luke 4:18,19, that Jesus pronounced the word ‘YHWH’. This is most unlikely. JWs assume that the religious leaders endorsing Christ’s ‘gracious words’ in verse 22 was because He uttered the name YHWH? Historical records in the Mishnah, from Josephus, and from other sources show the Jews were loathe to allow the name YHWH to be used. The Jews would not have tolerated it being used by anybody but the High Priest.Jesus would have read ‘Adonai’ 7) 119 Bible passages referring to Jehovah, are quoted and applied to Christ in the New Testament (Proof Available) QUESTION: In view of 119 Bible verses applying ‘Jehovah’ to Christ in the NT, what does this tell you about who Christ is? 😎 The New Testament tells us to name the name of Jesus Christ, not the name of Jehovah. Consider these examples: 1. ‘Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’(II Timothy 2:19) 2. ‘I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .’ (I Cor 1:10) 3. ‘Ye are washed,....sanctified,... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus ’ (I Cor 6:11) 4. ‘Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.’ (Col 3:17) 5. ‘That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you....’ (II Thess 1:12) 6. ‘Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves.....’ (II Thess. 3:6) 7. ‘all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.’ (I Corinthians 1:2) 8. ‘Thou holdest fast my name....’ Jesus said to the Pergamos church. (Revelation 2:13). JWs have not held fast Christ’s name, nor have they called upon Christ’s name, nor do they name the name of Christ, nor is Jesus Christ precious to them, because they do not have saving belief in Him. ‘Unto you . . . which believe He is precious’.(I Peter 2:7). QUESTION: Where does the NT tell us to name the name of Jehovah? 9) The New Testament always lifts up Jesus Christ’s name, not Jehovah’s name. Why? Because Jesus Christ is Jehovah God on earth. Christ is 100% God and 100% man. Q1: In whose name should we meet together? ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matthew 18:20) Q2: Demons were cast out by the authority of whose name? ‘Paul.....said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ (Acts 16:18) Q3: In whose name should we preach repentance and forgiveness of sins? ‘And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. And ye are witnesses of these things.’ (Luke 24:47,48) Q4: In whose name are we to believe and receive forgiveness of sins? ‘....through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.’ (Acts 10:43, John 1:12) Q5: By whose name, and no other, do we obtain salvation? Acts 4:10,12 says: ‘by the name of Jesus Christ ... Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ Q6: In whose name should we pray? John 16:23,24; 14:13,14; 15:16 says: ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.’ Q7: In whose name is the Holy Spirit sent? ‘But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name......’ (John 14:26) Q8: In whose name and authority did the disciples heal the sick? ‘His name through faith in his name hath made this man strong’ (Acts 3:16; 4:30) Q9: Whose name did Paul say that we are to call upon? ‘ all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (I Cor 1:2) Q10: Whose name is above every name? ‘God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name .... that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.’(Phil 2:9-11) Paul’s quote about Christ is from Isaiah 45:22-24 where every knee will bow to Jehovah. What is true about Jehovah, is also true of Christ, the Lord of all mankind Q11: According to Acts 1:8, of whom are we to be witnesses? ‘Ye shall be witnesses unto me (Jesus)’ Q12: In whose name were believers baptized? ‘they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus’. (Acts 8:16; 2:38) Q13: In whose name were believers designated? ‘the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch’. (Acts 11:26) Q14: In whose name did the apostles speak? ‘Commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus’ Acts 4:17,18 Q15: In whose name did early Christians suffer? Acts 15:26 says: ‘Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ ‘rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name’Acts 5:41;9:16 Q16: Whose name was Paul to carry? ‘Lord said: He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’ (Acts 9:15) Q17: In whose name did Paul deliver a man to Satan? ‘In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...to deliver such an one to Satan.’ I Cor 5:4,5 Q18: In whose name did the apostles teach? Acts 5:28; 8:12 says: ‘Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?’ 10) Why does WT break their own rule (where the OT speaks of Jehovah), that they do not insert Jehovah in the NT, when the quote clearly refers to Christ? Peter quotes from Joel 2:32 (spoken of Jehovah) and applies it to Jesus in Acts 2:21 and 38. Calling on the name of Jehovah for salvation equals repenting and being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of sins. Conclusion: Jesus shares the nature of His Father and His Name. The absence of YHWH in any NT manuscript demolishes the WT case of introducing the word ‘Jehovah’ into the NT. Question: If God was so concerned about preserving His covenant name, why did the apostles not preserve it in their writings? Question: To imply that the name ‘Jehovah’ is the main name of God that we are to use, contradicts the continued NT use of the name ‘Jesus’ on 900 occasions, while the tetragram YHWH is used nowhere in the NT. QUESTION: Why does the WT not translate ‘Jehovah’ into Hebrews 1:10, I Peter 3:15 andPhilippians 2:11, when the OT passages from which these are quoted refer to YHWH? We are to make the name of the Father known as Jesus emphasized (Matthew 6:9; John 17:26). How do we do it? By recognizing that Jesus Christ was chosen by the Father to embody all the glory and important reputation of that Name.

BOTH the FATHER and the SON HAVE the SAME 119 ATTRIBUTES, CLAIMS and MAJESTY. ‘I am Jehovah - that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.’ (Isaiah 62:8). The glory of these 119 attributes are jointly owned by the Father and the Son, and nobody else. Jesus Christ is Jehovah God, equally with the Father, because both the Father and Son alone have the following attributes: 1. both are to be honoured equally (John 5:23) 2. both are the I AM (Exodus 3:14-15; John 8:24,58) 3. both are the Mighty God (Isaiah 10:20,21; Jer 32:18; Psalm 50:1; Isaiah 9:6; Gen 49:24) 4. both own the same throne (Psalm 45:6,7; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 22:1,3) 5. both accept worship (Exodus 34:14; I Chronicles 16:29; Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 28:9) 6. both laid the foundation of the earth (Psalm 102:24-27; Isaiah 48:13; Hebrews 1:10-12) 7. One God has created mankind (Mal. 2:10; Prov. 16:4; Isaiah 44:24; Col 1:16; John 1:3) 8. both are the Shepherd (Psalm 80;1; Gen 49:24; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 5:4) 9. both are from Everlasting (Psalm 90:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Micah 5:2; Hebrews 7:3). 10. both are the First and Last (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:17,18; Rev. 2:8; See p.54).) 11. both are the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 21:5-7; 22:13-16; See p.54) 12. both come and Reward (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11; Revelation 22:12) 13. both are unchangeable (Malachi 3:6: Hebrews 13:8) 14. both have unsearchable riches (Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:8) 15. both are the Holy One (Isaiah 43:15; Acts 3:14) 16. both are omnipresent and fill all things (Psalm 139:7; Jer. 23:24; Eph. 4:10; John 3:13) 17. both are omniscient (Psalm 147:5; Prov. 14:3; John 21:17; John 16:30; Colossians 2:3) 18. both are omnipotent (Genesis 17:1; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:3) 19. both are eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27; Hebrews 7:3; Micah 5:2) 20. both own the everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 7:14; II Peter 1:11) 21. both are Lord of all (Psalm 103:19; Matthew 11:25; Acts 10:36) 22. both are the only Saviour (Isaiah 43:11; Titus 1:3,4; Philippians 3:20; II Peter 1:1; 3:18; Luke 2:11; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 4:12) 23. both are the Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6) 24. both are sinless (Deuteronomy 32:4; Hebrews 4:15) 25. both are in the beginning (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1) 26. both God and the Son are the Judge (Psalm 82:8; John 5:22), but the Father is not the Judge (John 5:22 ‘The Father judgeth no man’). 27. both are our Hope (Psalm 39:7; I Timothy 1:1) 28. both shelter believers under their wings (Psalm 91:2,4; Matthew 23:37) 29. both are our Redeemer (Psalm 130:7,8; Isaiah 44:6; Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14) 30. the glory of both was seen by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:3,5; John 12:41) 31. both are the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:3,4,18; Psalm 18:31; I Corinthians 10:4) 32. both are to be looked to for salvation (Isaiah 45:22; John 1:29; John 6:40) 33. to both shall every knee bow and every tongue confess (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:10,11) 34. the enemies of both shall perish (Psalm 92:9; Philippians 3:18,19) 35. both send the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28; John 16:7) 36. to both shall all men come (Psalm 65:2; Isaiah 45:24; John 12:32) 37. both forgive sins (Exodus 34:7; Mark 2:5,7; Colossians 3:13) 38. both blot out sin (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 1:3; I John 1:7) 39. both still storms (Psalm 107:29; Matthew 8:26) 40. both own the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:20; Romans 8:9) 41. both seek the lost (Ezekiel 34:16; Luke 19:10) 42. to both are applied 10 aspects of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; see page 954) 43. both receive believers to glory (Psalm 73:24; John 14:3) 44. both are our One Master (Malachi 1:6; Matthew 23:8,10) 45. both are served by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; Colossians 3:24) 46. both lead believers to living waters (Psalm 23:2; Revelation 7:17) 47. both correct believers (Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19) 48. both prepare a place for believers in heaven (Hebrews 11:16; John 14:2) 49. both are all in all (I Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 3:11) 50. both are known by believers (Galatians 4:9; Philippians 3:10; John 17:3) 51. both are cleaved to by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; John 15:4) 52. both are the light of the world (Psalm 27:1; John 8:12) 53. both are the Light of the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:19,20; Revelation 21:23) 54. both give eternal life (Psalm 36:9; John 10:28) 55. both are called ‘My Lord and my God’ (Psalm 35:22,23; John 20:28) 56. both are our Righteousness (Isaiah 45:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Jeremiah 23:5,6) 57. both have the same voice as of many waters (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15) 58. both are witnessed to by believers (Isaiah 43:10; Acts 1:8) 59. both own the peace given to believers (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27) 60. both own the gospel (I Thessalonians 2:2; Romans 1:16) 61. both give saving grace (Titus 2:11; Acts 15:11) 62. both are our peace (Judges 6:24; Ephesians 2:14) 63. both are pierced and looked upon (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37) 64. both sanctify believers (Exodus 31:13; I Corinthians 6:11) 65. both give victory to believers (Psalm 98:1; I Corinthians 15:57) 66. both heal people (Exodus 15:26; Matthew 9:35) 67. both equally own the churches (I Corinthians 15:9; Romans 16:16; I and II Thess. 1:1) 68. both own the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33; Rev. 11:15). 69. both are glorified by the Gentiles (Isaiah 24:15; II Thessalonians 1:12; Matthew 12:21) 70. both own the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:6; Philippians 1:6; II Thessalonians 2:2) 71. both give grace to believers (Romans 5:15; Colossians 1:6; II Cor. 8:9; Galatians 6:18) 72. both own the same glory (Romans 5:2; II Corinthians 8:23) 73. both own the same love (John 5:42; II Corinthians 5:14) 74. both own the same Word (Psalm 119:11; I Thessalonians 2:13; Colossians 3:16) 75. both own salvation (Luke 3:6; Jonah 2:9; Acts 4:12; II Timothy 2:10) 76. both were served equally by Paul (Titus 1:1; Romans 1:1);and by James (James 1:1) 77. both own the commandments (I John 5:3; John 14:15) 78. both had their way prepared by John the Baptist (Isaiah 40;3; Mark 1:1-3) 79. both search all hearts (Psalm 139:1; Revelation 2:23) 80. both own the same flock (I Peter 5:2; John 21:15,16) 81. both ascend on high, lead captivity captive, and give gifts to men (Psalm 68:17,18; Ephesians 4:7-10) 82. both are like a Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Mark 2:19,20) 83. both receive the glory of God alone forever and ever (Isaiah 42:8; Galatians 1:4,5; I Peter 5:10,11; II Peter 3:18; Hebrews 13:21; I Peter 4:11; Revelation 1:5,6) 84. both are the source of fruit (Hosea 14:8; John 15:5) 85. both are our source of strength (Psalm 119:28; Philippians 4:13) 86. both give rest for our souls (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29) 87. both shall appear at Christ’s return (Psalm 102:16; Zechariah 14:3,4,5; Titus 2:13) 88. both will come to earth (Isaiah 40:10; Revelation 22:7,12,20) 89. both are to be trusted in (Jeremiah 17:7; Ephesians 1:12; John 14:1) 90. both are our King (Isaiah 6:5; 33:22; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; I Timothy 6:14,15) 91. both will wound their enemies’ heads (Psalm 68:21; 110:6) 92. both take vengeance (Romans 12:19; II Thessalonians 1:7,8) 93. both will be opposed by the Antichrist’s armies (Isaiah 34:22; Revelation 19:19) 94. both will fight against the Antichrist’s armies at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:3; Revelation 19:11,13,21) 95. both will destroy death (Isaiah 25:8; II Timothy 1:10). 96. both receive the faith of believers (I Thessalonians 1:8; Galatians 3:26) 97. both are our life (Deuteronomy 30:20; Colossians 3:4) 98. both are to be prayed to (Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:59) 99. both raised up Christ (Acts 2:32; John 2:19,21) 100.both own all of the other (John 16:15) 101.both enter the east gate of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 44:1,2; Luke 19:37-45) 102.the man on the throne in Ezekiel 1:26 is identified as the God of Israel in Ezek 10:20 103.both names are placed on the same level in the baptism formula (Matthew 28:19) 104.both fellowship equally with believers (I John 1:3). 105.both comfort believers (Isaiah 66:13; Philippians 2:1). 106.both receive doxologies of worship in heaven (Revelation 5:8-10; 5:11,12; 5:13,14). 107.both jointly send grace and peace to the churches (Romans 1:7). 108.both the love of the Father and love of the Son are an equal privilege given to us.(John 14:21) 109.both jointly declare themselves to be Jehovah, “I am the first,& I am the last”(Isaiah 44:6) 110.both come to his temple, ‘the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple.’(Malachi 3:1; Mat 21:13) 111.both are the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; John 1:49). 112. both can be blasphemed (God-Rom.2:24; HS-Luke 12:10; Christ-Luke 22:65; Acts 13:45; 18:5,6; 26:9,11) 113.both are always with all believers (Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 114.both are the one lawgiver (God-Rom.7:22; Christ-Gal.6:2; HS-Rom.8:2; James 4:12). 115.both have the same face (Revelation 22:3,4) 116.both have the same Name (Revelation 22:3,4) 117.both own the same servants (Revelation 22:3) 118.both are the Temple of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22) 119.Heavens are the work of thy hands (Psalm 102:24-27; Hebrews 1:10-12) Since both Jesus and the Father have these same attributes, both are Jehovah God. There are not 2 Gods, but One God in 3 persons. One who has these attributes must be God. The Lord’s Prayer is devoted to worshiping the Father. Jesus conceals His personal glory in this prayer as seen by other Scriptures which are just as true of Christ as the Lord’s Prayer is of the Father.

BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS Watchtower Teaching WT forbids blood transfusions because of Genesis 9:4 ‘But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat’. The WT teaches that a blood transfusion is the same as eating blood, because it resembles intravenous feeding. This doctrine was invented in 1944. Bible Teaching and Historical facts: 1) Thousands of JWs and their children have died because they followed this WT error. QUESTION: Would you really allow your baby to die because of this WT instruction? 2) Most JWs are unaware that their leaders have a history of making medical prohibitions,then later changing their minds to allow them. Examples include: (i) Vaccinations were forbidden by the WT from 1931 to 1952. JWs had to refuse vaccinations because the WT taught that ‘vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made’ (Golden Age, 4 Feb 1931, p 293). Awake of 22 Aug 1965 admitted that vaccinations have caused a decrease in diseases(p.20) QUESTION: How did the parents of children who died from not being vaccinated, feel when the WT reversed its view in 1952? How many of these children died needlessly? (ii) Organ transplants were allowed by the WT up to 1967, but were forbidden in 1967 saying that ‘organ transplants amounted to cannibalism and are not appropriate for Christians’ (WT, 15 Nov 1967, p 702-4, and Awake 8 June 1968, p 21). Hence all organ transplants were forbidden for 13 years, during which time many JWs died needlessly. Then in 1980, the WT changed its mind to allow them saying that ‘organ transplants are not necessarily cannibalistic’ (WT, 15 March 1980, p 31). (iii) Blood plasma and blood particles were forbidden to be used by JW haemophiliacs (Awake, 22 Feb 1975, p 30). Shortly after, the WT changed its mind to permit certain blood particles to be used, but failed to put it into print for 3 years until 15 June 1978, p 30 (WT). Only those haemophiliacs who phoned WT headquarters from 1975-78 discovered the change. Others were left to suffer and die. QUESTION: How long before the WT changes its view on blood transfusions? QUESTION: Why does the WT keep changing its mind on medical issues? QUESTION: Is it right for an infallible prophet of God organisation (such as the WT claims to be) to keep changing its mind. (iv) In 1984, they allowed for a bone-marrow transplant. Bone marrow is the very source of blood. However, they would disfellowship you for receiving a bloodtransfusion. 3) In Genesis 9:4 the context is God forbidding the eating of animal blood (as pagans did), not the transfusion of human blood. A blood transfusion is not intravenous feeding, because the blood so given does not function as food. When one gives a transfusion, it is not a loss of life, but a transference of life from one person to another. It replenishes and saves a life. QUESTION: Since blood is not taken in as food to digest, but as life sustaining fluid, is it not clear that transfusion is different from eating? 4) Leviticus 3:17 ‘You must not eat any fat or any blood at all.’ (NWT) QUESTION: Why do WT leaders forbid blood transfusions but allow the eating of fat? Why not forbid both? The WT is not consistently interpreting the Bible. Leviticus 17:11,12: ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood’. Blood transfusion does not function as food, but simply transfers life from one person to another as an act of mercy. Key: Leviticus 3:17 prohibits eating animal blood, not transfusing human blood. QUESTION: Where is loss of salvation mentioned in Acts 15:9,11 for receiving a blood transfusion? Key: Acts 15:28,29. A blood transfusion uses blood for the same purpose that God intended, (as a life-giving agent in the bloodstream). Drinking blood is not God’s intended purpose for blood Conclusion: Even though JWs try to support blood transfusions with Scripture, their real reason for believing it is blind obedience to the WT. If the WT organisation lifted its ban on blood transfusions, JWs would freely accept them if needed. For the WT to admit they were wrong would cause too great a stir in their ranks. Therefore any changes must be presented as ‘new light’ in order to make it appear that ‘Jehovah’ is making the changes, rather than a few men on the governing body.

HOLY SPIRIT: Is He a PERSON or an ACTIVE FORCE? II Cor. 3:17 Watchtower Teaching: The WT claims that the HS is neither a person nor God, but an impersonal ‘active force’ to achieve God’s will, like electricity or radio waves. Bible Teaching: The Holy Spirit is fully God and has personality as He can be blasphemed. The Holy Spirit has the three attributes of personality, those being: mind, emotions and will. An ‘active force’ does not have personal attributes. The WT’s claim of the Holy Spirit being an active force is disproven if the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit has mind,emotions & will. 1. The Holy Spirit has a mind. (1) ‘He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit’. (Romans 8:27). The word ‘mind’ means ‘way of thinking’, something which is only true of a person. (2) ‘The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.’ (I Corinthians 2:11). QUESTION: How can the Holy Spirit know the things of God if the Spirit does not have a mind? A force does not know things. To know requires a mind. (3) The Spirit searcheth all things’ (I Corinthians 2:10). The Greek word for ‘search’ means to thoroughly investigate a matter, something only a mind can do. 2) The Holy Spirit has emotions (4) The Holy Spirit loves: ‘I beseech you..through the love of the Spirit’.(Rom 15:30 NWT). (5) ‘Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God’. (Ephesians 4:30) The Holy Spirit is grieved (made sad) when believers sin. Grief is an emotion that one feels. A force can’t be grieved. 3) The Holy Spirit has a will. He performs personal acts. (6) The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts ‘to every man severally as he will.’(I Cor.12:11) The phrase ‘he wills’ in Greek means ‘a decision of the will after previous deliberation’. The Holy Spirit chooses which gifts each believer receives. A force has no such will, nor ability to make decisions. (7) The Holy Spirit commands: ‘The Spirit bade me go with them’ (Acts 11:12) (8) The Holy Spirit forbids:‘forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia’.Acts 16:6 (9) The Holy Spirit speaks: ‘The Spirit said to Philip, Go near.’ (Acts 8:29) ‘The Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabus and Saul’. (Acts 13:2) ‘The Spirit speaketh expressly’. (I Timothy 4:1). QUESTION: How do you explain the WT view of the Holy Spirit being an impersonal force, with the Bible’s teaching that the Holy Spirit has a mind that can know, emotions that can feel love and grief, and a will to make decisions? (10) The Holy Spirit testifies: ‘He shall testify of me’. (John 15:26). The same Greek word for testify (or bear witness) used here, is also used of: a) The disciples testifying about Christ in John 15:27. b) John the Baptist bearing witness to the truth in John 5:33. c) God the Father bore witness to Cornelius’ (and Gentiles’) conversion by giving them the Holy Spirit. (Acts 15:8) Just as the disciples, John and God the Father (who are all persons) testified or bore witness, so the Holy Spirit bears witness about Christ. A force cannot bear witness, only a person can. (The Holy Spirit bears witness in heaven and on earth - I John 5:7,8) (11) The Holy Spirit intercedes or prays for believers.‘The Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings’. (Romans 8:26). Just as Jesus Christ (a person) intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), so the Holy Spirit (as a person) intercedes (same Greek word) for believers. A force cannot pray for another; only a person can pray. (12) The Holy Spirit teaches believers. (‘he shall teach you all things’. John 14:26) (13) The Holy Spirit hears. ‘Whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.’ (John 16:13) (14) The Holy Spirit shows us things. ‘he....shall show it unto you’. (John 16:15) (15) The Holy Spirit restrains sin. ‘My Spirit shall not always strive with man’(Genesis 6:3) (16) The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed.‘he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost’.Mk3:29 People cannot be blasphemed. We can only be slandered. Only God can be blasphemed. By Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit being blasphemed means we’ve proved the Trinity. (a) God the Father can be blasphemed. (Revelation 13:6; 16:9) (b) God the Son can be blasphemed. (Luke 22:65) ‘And many other things blasphemously they spake against him’. (c) God the Holy Spirit can be blasphemed. (Matthew 12:31) ‘Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.’ (17) The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3). Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit. QUESTION: Have you ever lied to electricity and asked electricity to forgive you? (18) The Holy Spirit cries in our hearts, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6) (19) The Holy Spirit approves some decisions: ‘It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us’. (Acts 15:28) (20) The Holy Spirit invites people to be saved:‘The Spirit & the bride say Come’Rev 22:17 (21) The Holy Spirit fills us (Ephesians 5:18) just as God may fill us (Ephesians 3:19). (22) The Holy Spirit uses personal pronouns to describe Himself: John 15:26; 16:13;(he): ‘The Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabus. . .’ (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit considers Himself a person, not a personification. Watchtower Objection: The main reason the JWs say that the Holy Spirit is an ‘active force’ is because the Greek word for ‘spirit’ (pneuma) is neuter. Answer: This is faulty reasoning, because 1)the gender of a word relates to the grammatical form of the word, not to its sex or physical gender. Because a word is grammatically neuter does not mean that the object is an ‘it’ or of neuter sex. (Source: Elements of NT Greek, J W Wenham, 1979, p.8). For example, in Greek, ‘children’ is a neuter word, ‘desert’ is a feminine word, etc.and 2) In John 15:26 and 16:13, the neuter noun ‘pneuma’ is referred to by the masculine pronoun ‘ekeinos’ (1565=that one, masculine) recognising the Holy Spirit’s masculine personality. ‘He (ekeinos) shall testify of me’ (15:26); ‘when he (ekeinos), the Spirit of truth shall come’ (16:13). Note: ‘ekeine’ is feminine ‘that one’, and ‘ekeino’ is neuter). (23) The Holy Spirit comforts (Gk: parakletos) believers. John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7. This same Greek word ‘parakletos’ (3875) is used of Christ who has personality in John 14:16 and I John 2:1. ‘Another Comforter’ (Gk: allos parakletos, John 14:16) means ‘another of the same kind’ as Christ, in contrast to ‘heteros’ (2087) meaning ‘another of a different kind’. As Christ has Deity and Personality, so does the Holy Spirit. To comfort requires empathy, understanding, love, compassion and concern for another’s well-being, all being attributes of personality. Conclusion: Hence,the Holy Spirit is a person because 1) He has mind, emotions,& will. 2) Personal pronouns are used of Him. 3) He performs personal acts.4) He associates with the Father and Son in the Baptism formula, Apostolic benediction and as Church Administrator (I Cor. 12:4-6). 5) He can be personally mistreated (tempted, lied to, grieved, resisted, insulted and blasphemed). The New Testament clearly shows the Holy Spirit to have a personality and to be God. (‘Jehovah is the Spirit’ II Cor. 3:17 NWT).

IS JESUS ‘MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL’? Watchtower Teaching WT claims that Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; and I Thess 4:16 teach that: 1) Jesus existed as Michael the archangel before his birth to Mary; then 2) Jesus gave up his spirit existence as an angel when he entered Mary’s womb to become a human; 3) At the resurrection he was recreated as Michael the archangel. They describe Christ’s progressive existence as angel, then human, then angel. ‘Michael, one of the chief princes’ (Daniel 10:13). ‘Michael your prince’ (Daniel 10:21). ‘Michael the great prince’ (Daniel 12:1). JWs think that Jesus must be Michael because of Michael’s authority over other angels as a chief prince. The WT teaches that Jesus Christ was Michael the archangel, who was born as a human, died and was raised up as an archangel again. They refer to Jesus Christ as Michael the archangel. (Watchtower, 15 Feb, 1979, p.31). Bible Teaching: 1) Michael is ‘one of the chief princes’ (10:21), but Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son in John 3:16. ‘Begotten’ in Greek is ‘monogenes’ meaning uniqueone of a kind. Michael being ‘one of the chief princes’ means that he is just one among a group of chief angels. Ask: Where is Jesus called a ‘chief Prince’ in the Bible? Ask: Where is Jesus clearly mentioned in Daniel 10:13? Ask: Isn’t Jesus as ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Revelation 19:16) much higher in authority than one of a group of chief princes? 2) Ask: ‘To which of the angels did God ever say ‘thou art my son’?’ (Hebrews 1:5) 3) The Bible mentions Michael the archangel five times as: 1. ‘Michael, one of the chief princes’ (Daniel 10:13) 2, ‘Michael, your prince’ (Daniel 10:21) 3. ‘Michael, the great prince’ (Daniel 12:1) 4. ‘Michael the archangel . . . durst not bring against him (the devil) a railing accusation, but said The Lord rebuke thee’ (Jude 9) 5. ‘Michael and his angels fought against the dragon’ (Revelation 12:7) Ask: Which of these verses state that Michael is Jesus Christ? None of them. 4) The WT claims support from I Thessalonians 4:16 ‘the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call,with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet’(NWT) Ask: If using an archangel’s voice makes Jesus an archangel, then having God’s trumpet makes Jesus to be God. Note: I Thessalonians 4:16 doesn’t explicitly say that Jesus Himself speaks with the voice of the archangel. When Jesus comes from heaven to rapture the church from earth, He will be accompanied by Michael the archangel. It is the archangel’s voice that shouts, not Jesus’ voice. Jesus doesn’t shout, but Michael does shout. This is like what happens at the end of the seven year tribulation, when Jesus returns ‘from heaven with his mighty angels’ (II Thessalonians 1:7). If angels accompany Christ at the end of the 7 year tribulation, then clearly Michael will accompany Christ at the rapture before the 7 year tribulation, so Michael cannot be Jesus. 5) In Jude 9, Michael did not have the authority to rebuke Satan, but Jesus did have the authority as follows: Jesus said ‘Get thee hence, Satan’ (Matthew 4:10) and ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Mark 8:33) Michael said to Satan,‘The Lord rebuke thee’, proving that the only one with the authority to rebuke Satan is God. So, Matt. 4:10 proves that Jesus Christ is the Lord God. Ask: Since Michael could not rebuke Satan in his own authority, but Jesus could and did rebuke Satan, doesn’t that mean that Michael and Jesus are different persons? 6) All the angels (Michael included) are commanded to worship Christ. (Hebrews 1:6) 7) The writer of Hebrews asks several questions about angels and Jesus Christ, which prove them to be different persons: i) ‘Unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?’ (Hebrews 1:5) ii) ‘To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?’ (Hebrews 1:13) iii) ‘Unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come (millennium)’ (Hebrews 1:13). iv) ‘For verily, he took not on him the nature of angels’ (Hebrews 2:16) v) Does Michael sustain all things by the word of his power? (See Hebrews 1:3). No! vi) Is it right to honour Michael the archangel just as you honour the Father? (John 5:23) 😎 Ask: Do good angels refuse worship? (Certainly). When John fell down to worship the angel, the angel rebuked him, saying ‘See thou do it not ....worship God’. (Rev 22:8,9). The Father commands all the angels (Michael included) to worship Christ. (Heb 1:6). The ‘proskuneo’ worship that angels refuse to accept but say to give to God, the Father commands thissame ‘proskuneo’ worship to be given to the Son. Hence the Son cannot be an angel, but must be God. True Bible students soon discover that Jesus is no mere angel, but God. This lesson must be learnt so they may ‘honour the Son just as they honour the Father’. (John 5:23 NWT). 9) Jesus Christ is unchangeable: ‘Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and today and forever’. (Hebrews 13:8). The WT view of Jesus is that He was Michael who changed to become a man, and who at his resurrection changed back to Michael the archangel. The Watchtower Jesus is changeable. They have a false and different Jesus. 10) Jesus Christ created all the angels, including the thrones and principalities of which Michael is a chief prince of a principality. ‘For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers’. (Colossians 1:16).

John 3:16 - ‘He gave His only begotten Son’. Watchtower teaching: JWs teach that the term ‘Son of God’ refers to Jesus as a separate created being, just as Isaac was called Abraham’s ‘only begotten son’ (Hebrews 11:17), and that Jesus as ‘Son of God’ was not God Himself. JWs claim that Almighty God is the Father of Jesus in the same sense that Abraham is the father of Isaac. JWs claim that God is the senior, and Jesus is the junior - in time, position, power and knowledge. The Bible teaching: Isaac was not Abraham’s ‘only son’. Abraham had begotten a number of other sons, such as Ishmael, Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah (Genesis 25:2). The term ‘only begotten Son’ means that Isaac was Abraham’s unique son. Hence Jesus is ‘the only begotten Son’ in the sense that no-one else is as unique as Jesus. Jesus is alone all that God is. ‘All things that the Father hath are mine.’ (John 16:15). If Christ has all the attributes that the Father has, then Christ is God, because only God has eternality, omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Question: What did ‘Son of’ mean among the ancients? The idea that the title ‘Son of God’ indicates inferiority to the Father, is based on a faulty conception of what ‘Son of’ meant among the ancients. Though it can mean ‘offspring of’ in some contexts, it also carries the more important meaning: ‘OF THE ORDER OF’ It is used in this way as follows: i) ‘The sons of the prophets’ (I Kings 20:35) meant ‘of the order of the prophets’; ii) The ‘sons of the singers’ (Nehemiah 12:28) meant ‘of the order of the singers’; iii) ‘Of the sons of Asaph’ (Nehemiah 11:22) meant ‘of the order of Asaph’. Hence, the phrase ‘Son of God’ means ‘of the order of God’ as a claim to Christ’s undiminished Deity. Ancient Jews and Orientals used the phrase ‘son of’ to indicate sameness of nature and equality of being. When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, His Jewish contemporaries fully understood that He was claiming to be fully equivalent to God. Hence, when Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the Jews said, ‘We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God’. (John 19:7). ‘he said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.’ (John 5:18). Ask: If the phrase ‘son of’ meant sameness of nature and equality of being among the ancients, as historical records clearly show, then what does this tell us about the meaning of the phrase ‘Son of God’? Christ was Son of God before His human birth: i) ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world . . .’(John 3:17). That Christ, as the Son of God, was sent into the world, implies that He was the Son of God before His incarnation. ii) Proverbs 30:4 shows God as the Creator who has a Son: ‘What is his name, and what is his son’s name?’ This speaks of God the Father and God the Son in present tense terms in OT times. iii) ‘the form of the fourth is like the Son of God’. (Daniel 3:25). Nebuchadnezzar threw three men into the fiery furnace, yet he saw the Son of God walking with them in the furnace. The Masoretic Text and Septuagint reads, ‘Son of God’(singular) not ‘a son of the gods’ as in the JW New World Translation and the NIV.

THE 144,000 ANOINTED CLASS and OTHER SHEEP Watchtower Teaching: They claim that only 144,000 JWs go to heaven, as the ‘Anointed class’.(Rev. 7:4 & 14:1-3). They claim that all other JWs are part of God’s ‘other sheep’, and will live forever on a paradise earth. They claim that only the 144,000 are born again as sons of God to share in the heavenly Kingdom. These will have a spiritual existence in heaven, not a physical resurrection, as they claim that ‘flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s Kingdom’. JWs teach that only a few enter this spiritual Kingdom as a ‘little flock’ of believers (Luke 12:32). JWs claim that this 144,000 began with the apostles and was filled in 1935. The WT claims that the 144,000 will rule from heaven over the great crowd on earthly paradise (Rev 7:9), where the earth will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 104:5). The great crowd (Revelation 7:9) is the same as the ‘other sheep’ of John 10:16, who hope to survive Armageddon and enjoy Christ’s rule on a perfect earth. Salvation for both classes is by works of witnessing or distributing WT literature door to door. Consider these verses the WT uses and the correct Bible replies: 1. Luke 12:32 - The ‘Little Flock’ as the 144,000 ‘Anointed class’ Watchtower teaching: ‘Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.’ JWs claim that only this group go to heaven . WT teaches that Old Testament saints such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and prophets are not part of this ‘little flock’, but are part of the ‘other sheep’ of John 10:16, the ‘great crowd’ of Revelation 7:9. Bible Teaching: 1) The WT interpretation of Luke 12:32 violates the context. Luke 12:22-34 shows Jesus speaking to His disciples on earth in the first century, not to another 144,000 anointed class that might develop from 30 AD to 1935. JWs are reading something into the passage that is not there. 2) Elsewhere Jesus referred to His disciples as sheep in His flock: (a) Matthew 10:16 - ‘I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves’ (b) Matthew 26:31 - ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’ (Spoken to the disciples before His crucifixion.) Jesus called His disciples a ‘little flock’ because they were a small, defenceless group that could be easily preyed upon. They need not to worry because Christ would protect them. Ask: In Luke 12:22, who is Jesus speaking to? (His 12 disciples) Ask: Where in Luke 12:32 does it say that the little flock is the 144,000 of Rev 7:14? Ask: How do you know that the 144,000 was completed in 1935? 3) Jesus never once restricted the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven to 144,000 people. Ask: Can you think of any verse in the Bible where Jesus limits the citizenship of heaven to 144,000? 4) I John 5:1 ‘Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.’. The words ‘whosoever believeth’ are open ended, including everybody who believes, not just 144,000. Ask: Doesn’t the ‘whosoever’ in I John 5:1 include everyone and not just 144,000? 5) The Watchtower teaching that Old Testament saints are not part of the heavenly class is wrong, as seen from Hebrews 11:13-16 where Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham all sought a heavenly country (v.16), not an earthly one. 6) Matthew 8:11 shows Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sitting down in the Kingdom of heaven. Ask: Who is right here, the Bible or the Watchtower? Revelation 7:4 and 14:1-3 - Are the 144,000 in the ‘anointed class’? Watchtower Teaching: The WT claims that the 144,000 are a literal number of people, but that 12,000 people from each of the 12 tribes of Israel are not literally national Israel. We ask,‘Why would 144,000 be literal, but the 12,000 in each tribe be figurative?’ WT reply: a) There never was a tribe of Joseph in the OT, even though it is mentioned in Rev. 7:4-8; b) The tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not included in Revelation 7; c) The Levites, not reckoned as an OT tribe, are mentioned as a tribe in Revelation 7. Bible Teaching: 1) Ask: Why does the WT switch interpretation in Revelation 7:4 from literal (144,000 as a precise number of people) to figurative in the last part of the verse where they say the 12,000 do not represent precise numbers of people from each of Israel’s 12 tribes? 2) Women are excluded from this group of 144,000 in Revelation 14:4 ‘These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.’ Masculine pronouns used show that this group are all men. 3) Heaven awaits all who believe in Christ, not just the 144,000. Check these verses: 1. Philippians 3:20 ‘For our conversation is in heaven; . . .’ 2. Colossians 3:1 ‘Seek those things which are above.’ 3. Hebrews 3:1 ‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling.’ 4. Hebrews 12:22 ‘But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem . . .’ 5. II Corinthians 5:1 ‘We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (physical death),we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’ 6. Colossians 1:5 ‘For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.’ 7. Hebrews 11:16 ‘But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly . . .’ 8. Hebrews 10:34 ‘Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.’ 9. I Peter 1:4 ‘To an inheritance . . . reserved in heaven for you.’ 10. Revelation 19:1 ‘I heard a great voice of much people in heaven.’ 11. Matthew 6:20 ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.’ 12. John 12:26 ‘. . . where I am (heaven), there shall also my servant be.’ 13. John 14:3 ‘I go and prepare a place for you...that where I am (heaven), there ye may be also.’ Key: Making a difference between those with an earthly and heavenly destiny has no warrant in the Bible anywhere. 1. God has chosen the poor of this world who are rich in faith to inherit the kingdom, not just the 144,000. ‘Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.’ (James 2:5). There is no distinction made here between 2 classes, only the poor of this world,(more than 144,000). 2. All who believe in Christ receive God’s righteousness. ‘The righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.’ (Romans 3:22) 3. John 10:16 ‘there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ - not two folds, one on earth and one in heaven, but ONE FLOCK (NWT). Ask: How do you reconcile WT teaching of two flocks (WT: one earthly and one heavenly) with John 10:16 which says that all believers will be together in one flock (NWT)? Question 1: ‘Are the 12 tribes of Israel in Revelation 7:14 literal or figurative? Nowhere else in the Bible are references to the 12 tribes of Israel figurative. They are always a literal, ethnic group. Ask: Can you see that the WT interpretation of Revelation 7:4 goes against common usage of literal ‘tribe’ and literal ‘Israel’? Question 2: Why are the OT tribes of Dan and Ephraim omitted in Revelation 7? The OT has 20 varying lists of tribes of Israel. a) Dan’s tribe was omitted because they were guilty of idolatry, and were largely wiped out. (Judges 18:1,30). Dan became one of two centres of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom (I Kings 12:29). b) Ephraim is omitted from Revelation 7, while Joseph and Manasseh are included. Why? Ephraim was also involved in idolatry and pagan worship (Judges 17; Hosea 4:17). Ask: 1) What is the Watchtower’s position on idolatry? 2) If the tribes of Dan and Ephraim were guilty of idolatry, do you think that these tribes should be listed in Revelation 7 as God’s servants? (No). 3) So you agree that there is a good reason for omitting Ephraim and Dan in Revelation 7? 4) Can you see that the Watchtower’s figurative interpretation of the 12 tribes is wrong, because it is based on the rightful omission of Dan and Ephraim? Question 3: Why was the tribe of Levi included in the Revelation 7 list? In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi were not part of the 12 tribes because of their priestly separation under the Mosaic Law. Now that their tribe’s priestly functions have ceased with the first coming of Christ, our Great High Priest, there is no further need for their services as priests. Hence there is no reason for keeping them separate from the other tribes any longer. They will be properly included in the tribal listing in Revelation 7 and 14. Therefore the WT’s view of the 144,000 as a specially anointed class is twisting of scripture. Note: JWs insist that the 12,000 from each tribe of Israel are figurative or symbolic. Question: How is it that the sum of 12 symbolic numbers equals a literal 144,000? How can 12 times a symbolic 12,000 equal a literal 144,000? The total should also be symbolic, according to their reasoning, to be consistent. Their interpretation again gives a contradiction. 3. John 10:16 - The ‘Other Sheep’ 'hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.’ Watchtower Teaching: JWs believe in two classes of people: the 144,000 heavenly class, and the ‘other sheep’, great crowd class who will receive eternal life and live forever on an earthly paradise. Bible Teaching: The ‘other sheep’ in John 10:16 refers to Gentile believers, as opposed to Jews who are the ‘lost sheep of Israel’. (Matthew 10:6 and 15:24). The one flock and one shepherd of John 10:16 agrees with Galatians 3:28 with ‘neither Jew nor Greek . . . ye are all one in Christ Jesus.’ All believers will dwell together as ‘one flock’ under ‘one shepherd’. There will not be one flock of believers in heaven, and one flock of believers on earth. Ask: How do you reconcile WT teaching of two classes, ,when the Bible clearly states that God’s people are one in Christ, and are part of ‘one flock’ under‘one shepherd’? 4. Revelation 7:9 - The ‘Great Crowd’ as the ‘Other Sheep ‘After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude (‘great crowd’ in NWT), which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb . . .’ (Revelation 7:9) Watchtower Teaching: JWs teach that in 1935 God stopped calling people to a heavenly hope with Christ. They say that in 1935 he began gathering a secondary class of believers, outside the body of Christ, who would live forever on earth in the flesh, as the great crowd of Revelation 7:9-17. This is one of the WT’s major doctrines, because it is the basis for convincing JWs that: 1) They cannot become members of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27) 2) They cannot be born again (John 3:3) 3) They cannot go to heaven (II Timothy 4:18) 4) They cannot be baptized by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13) 5) They are not entitled to share in the communion loaf and cup (I Corinthians 10:16-17) 6) They are not in Christ’s New Covenant (Hebrews 12:24) 7) They cannot be fully justified by faith in Christ (Romans 3:26) Hence the WT uses this ‘1935 Doctrine’ to rob its followers of the NT relationship with God. Ask: Where does the Bible teach that entrance to the Christian congregation would be closed in 1935, with a secondary great crowd being gathered after that? Nowhere! They can find no Biblical support for the 1935 date. They refer to Rutherford’s ‘flash of light’ on 31 May 1935 at the Washington JW Convention. Note: The verses JWs cite actually locate the great crowd as ‘before the throne and before the Lamb’ (Revelation 7:9), ‘before the throne of God’ (7:15), and ‘in his temple’ (7:15), all heavenly locations, rather than on the earth as the WT teaches. This is similar to the wording of the only other mention of the ‘great crowd’ in Revelation 19:1 ‘I heard . . . a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven’ (NWT). Ask: Where is this great crowd? In heaven! Emphasize that the WT has taught them wrongly. Jesus in John 17:20-24 prayed that all His present and future disciples would ‘be with me where I am’ in heaven regardless of whether they were saved before or after 1935. Consider the following conversation with a JW: Q1: You: I’ve heard that you believe that you are part of a great crowd who will receive everlasting life on earth, instead of going to heaven. Is that true? Can you show me the Great Crowd in the Bible? JW:Yes, it is in Revelation 7:9,‘look! a great crowd...before the throne and before the Lamb’ Q2: You: But Revelation 7:15 places the great crowd before the throne of God in heaven, doesn’t it? ‘...they render him sacred service day and night in his temple’.(NWT). JW: Well, the throne of God is in heaven, but the great crowd is on the earth. All creation stands before the throne of God. Q3: You:Would you read Rev 19:1 in your Bible to see where it locates the great crowd? JW: It says, ‘After these things I heard a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven.’ Q4: You: A great crowd where? JW: The great crowd is on earth. Q5: You: Is that what the verse says? Read it again. JW: It says heaven, but the great crowd is on earth. Q6: You: How can you say that the great crowd is on earth, when your Bible plainly says ‘a great crowd in heaven’? Conclusion: Ask: Where in the Bible does it say that the great crowd is exempt from heaven? Ask: Where does it say that the great crowd is relegated to live on earth? Ask: Since the great crowd serves God in His temple (7:15), where is God’s temple located? Answer: Revelation 11:19 and 14:17 say ‘the temple which is in heaven

THE TRINITY Watchtower Teaching: JW arguments against the Trinity are: i) If Jesus is God, who ran the universe during the three days that Jesus was dead in the grave? Satan had a great chance to take control. Answer: Jesus’ body died, not His soul or spirit. He along with the Father and the Holy Spirit still ran the universe. ii) If Jesus is the immortal God, He could not have died. Answer: The immortal God, by taking on a mortal body, had His mortal body die. iii) Since God is not a God of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33), it is impossible that the Bible would talk of a God who could not be understood by human reason. JWs claim that the Trinity is incomprehensible and unreasonable. ‘We worship what we know’ (John 4:22). Answer: Man’s lack of understanding has never stopped new discoveries. What percent of the total knowledge of the universe do you possess? (about zero percent). Ask: Could there be something about God that you don’t comprehend?(eg: His Trinity?). iv) The word ‘Trinity’ is not in the Bible. Answer: Neither is ‘Bible’, ‘organisation’, Kingdom Hall’, chocolate, motor car, etc. Say to the JW: ‘By this logic you would agree that Kingdom Halls don’t exist either?’ This is shallow reasoning designed to throw the Christian off guard. If it can be proved that the Bible teaches a certain truth, then naming that truth does not make it unbiblical. We should ask: ‘Is the particular teaching in the Bible?’ v) The Watchtower has misrepresented the Trinity doctrine in order to make its denial more plausible. They erect a straw man that is easily knocked down. They call the Trinity a ‘freakish looking, three headed God’ (Let God be True, p 102) ‘This doctrine of three Gods in one God . . .’ (Studies in Scripture, 1899, Vol 5, p 60,61) Note: Trinitarians do not believe in ‘three Gods in one God’. They believe in one God, with three co-equal persons in the one Godhead. 1. Refuting the Watchtower’s FALSE Quotes of Early Church Writers The Watchtower is quite happy to tell lies by inventing statements allegedly made by six Ante-Nicene Church writers who lived before 325 AD. Page 7 of their publication ‘Should you believe in the Trinity?’ Shows the Watchtower’s claims that these ancient writers taught that Jesus Christ was not God. These quotes are FALSE and INVENTED by the Watchtower. They are easily refuted by the photocopied excerpts of the 10 volume set of genuine Ante-Nicene church fathers quotes that prove these early writers strong belief in and defence of the Trinity. In the Watchtower’s false quotes we notice that: 1) None of these references are given a source, making them nearly impossible to check. It is almost certain that the Watchtower has invented these quotes. 2) Notice the lie of the central bold quote on page 7: ‘There is no evidence that any sacred writer even suspected the existence of a [Trinity] within the Godhead’. We refute this Watchtower lie, and prove beyond doubt that both the Trinity and the full deity of Christ were well known and firmly believed as early as 110 AD as seen from the quotes by the Ante-Nicene (before 325 AD) church fathers which follow the Watchtower quote. The following quotes are from the 10 Volume set of The Ante-Nicene Fathers, translations of The Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325, by editors Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, American Reprint of the Edinburgh edition, revised and arranged by A C Coxe, published by W.B.Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, reprinted in May 1987. The Watchtower’s claim that Constantine and the Council of Nicea introduced the deity of Christ and Trinity doctrines in 325 AD is proven false by these pre-325 AD quotes to the contrary: i) Justin Martyr (110-165 AD),Volume I, page 263: ‘His Son, being God’ Volume I, page 219 Justin Martyr says:: ‘Christ existed as God before the ages’ Volume I, page 264). Justin Martyr says that ‘Christ is Lord and God’. ii) Irenaeus (120-202 AD) Volume I, page 328 not only shows the NWT to be wrong on John 1:1 but also calls Christ ‘God’ iii) Clement of Alexandria (153-217 AD) In Volume 2, p 468, written in 193 AD, Clement clearly quotes the Holy Trinity as Father, Son & Holy Spirit. page 173 iv) Tertullian (200-250 AD) Volume 3, page 598 page 598 Tertullian against Praxeas, Volume 3, p.606 Tertullian correctly quotes John 1:1, saying that Christ is God. (Volume 3, p. 607) Tertullian again quotes the Trinity on a fourth occasion. (Vol 4, page 99) v) Hippolytus (170-236 AD) Volume 5, page 228 mentions the Trinity and quotes John 1:1 correctly. vi) Origen (185-254 AD) Volume 4, page 255. Twice he quotes the word ‘Trinity’, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also on page 258 he quotes the Trinity in ‘Origen de Principiis’, written in 230 AD. vii) Thaumaturgus (205-265 AD) Volume 6, pages 42, 45 2. Is the Trinity a Pagan Concept? No! Because: i) The Babylonians and Assyrians believed in triads of gods, which were three separate gods (polytheism) governing other gods. This is totally different from the Trinity of only one God (monotheism) with three persons within the one Godhead. ii) Triads of gods pre-date Christianity by about 700 years and were far removed from Israel.. iii) Some pagan ideas have some truth in them, such as the pagan Flood legends. Just because pagans spoke of a concept that remotely resembles a biblical concept, does not mean that Christians stole it from the pagans. iv) JWs quote Hislop’s The Two Babylons to support their case, yet they don’t tell us that Hislop believes in the Trinity, as seen from Hislop’s quote: ‘They all admitted a Trinity, but did they worship the Triune Jehovah?’ (p. 90) - About 80% of the sources that the WT quotes are from Trinitarians. This begs the question: ‘How can the WT disprove the Trinity by quoting sources who believe the Trinity? - 15% of their sources are secular works like Encyclopaedia Britannica. - 5% of WT sources are invalid sources of Biblical truth, eg: sceptics, spiritists, Unitarians. - The WT always finds some unknown, obscure person to agree with them. They do not examine the credibility of such sources. Most WT sources have no credibility & no authority. - The WT rarely gives page numbers of its quotes to allow check the source and context. v) JWs claim they represent the ‘faith once delivered to the saints’. They claim that the Trinity idea was introduced in 325 AD. What they don’t say is that current WT teachings have no precedent in history. They do not say who were the JWs of the first three centuries or later. No early church ‘father’ represented their beliefs. The WT is historically bankrupt. vi) The WT, by showing a three-headed god, use the ‘straw-man effect’, where they misrepresent what Christians believe, and then proceed to ‘shoot down’ this ‘straw man’. This is seen in five pictures of three-headed gods which are supposed to represent the God of Christendom. (‘Should you believe in the Trinity’ p 10). vii) The WT is happy to misquote sources to prove their point. Consider page 6 ‘Should you believe in the Trinity’, where they misquote the New Encyclopaedia Brittanica by failing to give the full relevant quote. They stop the quote at the asterisk * ‘The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1976 Edition) correctly states: “Neither the word Trinity, nor the explicit doctrine as such, appears in the New Testament”,’ [*They stop the quote here, ignoring the rest of the article which endorses the Trinity:] ‘nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Old Testament: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord’ (Deuteronomy 6:4). The earliest Christians, however, had to cope with the implications of the coming of Jesus Christ and of the presence and power of God among them - ie, the Holy Spirit, whose coming we connected with the celebration of Pentecost. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were associated in such New Testament passages as the Great Commission: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19); and in the apostolic benediction: ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all’ (2 Cor. 13:14). Thus, the New Testament established the basis for the doctrine of the Trinity.The doctrine developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies. Any early church council disputes were over fine points of Trinity clarification, such as the substance, nature and omnipotence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, never over whether the Trinity was right or wrong. The truth of the Trinity was always accepted. 3. Refuting Watchtowers’ wrong application of I Corinthians 14:33 ‘for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace . . .’ Watchtower Teaching: JWs say that because God is not the author of confusion, the Trinity doctrine cannot be true because it is so unreasonable. How can the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each be God, and yet there be only one God? It doesn’t make sense to them. Bible Teaching: Just because one is unable to fully understand something, doesn’t mean that it is false. i) Finite humans cannot possibly understand everything about the infinite God. ‘How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.’ (Romans 11:33) ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts’. (Isaiah 55:8,9) ii) Can you fully understand how light can be both a particle of matter and a wave form? iii) Can you fully understand how God did not have a beginning? (No) Do you reject the idea? Ask: Should we reject the Trinity doctrine because we don’t fully understand it, when we accept other things about God and the universe which we don’t fully understand. I Corinthians 14:33 means that a church should avoid disharmony in its services by only having two or three prophets speak in a service, and only one at a time. ‘Confusion’ means ‘parts of a whole which are at strife with one another’. ‘Peace’ means ‘parts of a whole acting in harmony’. 5. Refuting WT’s misunderstanding of Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29 ‘Hear,O Israel, the Lord (YHWH) our God (Elohim) is one Lord (YHWH).’ (Deut 6:4) Watchtower teaching: JWs say that, since God is one, He cannot be Triune at the same time. Why would God speak as one person if He were composed of three persons? Bible teaching: The ordinary name of God (Elohim) is in the plural form ‘Hear, O, Israel, Jehovah our Elohim, one Jehovah.’ Deut.6:4 If God had intended to assert a solitary, exclusive type of unity, the expression would have been ‘Eloah’, not the plural ‘Elohim’. It does not say: ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah, our Elohim, one Eloah.’ The use of Elohim (a uniplural noun) means: ‘there is a real plurality, yet Jehovah is one.’ Ask: Who is Jehovah? Is it the Father alone? Is Jesus Jehovah? Is the Holy Spirit Jehovah? If we can find verses teaching that Jesus is Jehovah (or God) and the Holy Spirit is Jehovah, then we have proved the Trinity. i) The Holy Spirit is called Jehovah:‘Now Jehovah is the Spirit’.(II Corinthians 3:17 NWT) ii) Jesus Christ is called God, as follows: (1) ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto’(I Tim 6:14-16) (2) ‘The Word was God.’ (John 1:1) (3) ‘of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ’ (Titus 2:13) (4) ‘the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ’. (II Peter 1:1) (5) ‘if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.’ (John 8:24) (6) ‘Before Abraham was, I am.’ (John 8:58) (7) ‘God was manifest in the flesh’. (I Timothy 3:16) (8) ‘Thomas said unto him, My Lord and My God’. (John 20:28) (9) ‘in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.’ (Colossians 2:9) (10) ‘unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God is forever.’ (Hebrews 1:8) (11) ‘If you publicly declare . . . that Jesus is Lord.’ (KIT: ‘ha Adon’ in Hebrew footnote of Romans 10:9. In the 1961 edition of NWT, p.1453, ‘ha Adon’ = Jehovah). (12) ‘that he (Christ) might be Lord both of the dead and the living’. (Romans 14:9). In verses 6-11 of NWT ‘􀁒􀂋􀂈􀁐􀂆􀀽’(Lord) is translated 7 times as Jehovah, except in v.9. Why? (13) ‘in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.’ (I John 5:20) (14) ‘feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ (Acts 20:28) 6. Notice how God reveals Himself in stages to man: (1) God revealed His Unity as the one and only true God, to refute the nations’ many gods. (2) God revealed the Trinity (Jehovah=Father+Son+HS) in the Old Testament in: ‘Jehovah your God is God of gods (the Father), and Lord of lords (the Son)’. (Deut.10:17). ‘Thus saith Jehovah the King of Israel (the Father),and his redeemer Jehovah of hosts (the Son).Is44:6 ‘God said “let us make man in our image . . .”.’ Genesis 1:26 ‘Jehovah God said, “Behold the man is become as one of us . . .’ Genesis 3:22 ‘Jehovah came down . . . the Lord said, let us go down . . .’ Genesis 11:5,7 ‘the Lord saying . . . who will go for us?’ Isaiah 6:8 ‘What is his name....and what is his Son’s name.’ Proverbs 30:4 ‘the Lord God (the Father), and his Spirit (HS), hath sent me (Jehovah the Son).’ Isaiah 48:16. (3) God revealed the fullness of the Trinity doctrine in the New Testament: Matthew 28:19 ‘baptizing them in the name (singular name, not plural) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ I John 5:7 ‘There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.’ Revelation 22:1,3,4 ‘the throne (of God and of the Lamb) shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him; they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.’ Key:God and the Lamb have one throne, one name, one face and one ownership of servants. II Corinthians 13:14 ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost’. There is one God, but three persons within the Godhead. (4) Early Christians with a strong Jewish background, who knew Deuteronomy 6:4, continually refer to Jesus as ‘Lord’ and ‘God’ (Romans 10:13, I Thess 5:2, I Peter 2:3, 3:15.) They often apply to Jesus many Old Testament texts which refer to Jehovah, such as: a) Jesus Christ in Matthew 3:1-3 fulfils Isaiah 40:3 to‘Prepare the way of Jehovah’ and Elohim. b) Jesus Christ’s glory in John 12:41 is Jehovah’s glory in Isaiah 6:1-5. c) Jesus Christ’s voice as the sound of many waters in Revelation 1:15 is identical to Jehovah’s voice as the sound of many waters in Ezekiel 43:2. d) Jesus Christ being pierced in Rev 1:7 is the same one as Jehovah being pierced in Zech 12:10. e) Jesus Christ being called on for salvation in Romans 10:13, is the same as Jehovah being called on for salvation in Joel 2:32 f) Jesus Christ, the Lamb, is the everlasting light in Revelation 21:23, just as Jehovah ‘shall be . . . an everlasting light’ in Isaiah 60:19,20. Ask:Do you agree that Trinitarians believe Deuteronomy 6:4 that there is only one true God? Ask: Do you understand that Trinitarians don’t teach that there are three gods in the Trinity, but that there is only one God with three persons within the one Godhead? Ask: How do you explain that the early Jewish Christians who believed Deuteronomy 6:4, applied to Jesus many Old Testament texts that were originally written of Jehovah?

The Trinity and Bible Proofs that Jesus Christ is God 1. Matthew 28:17-20 “they worshipped him”, “All power is given to me”, “I am with you always” and “baptizing them in the name (one God) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” = Trinity. 2. In Matthew 3:1-3, Jesus Christ fulfils Isaiah 40:3 to ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah’ and our God. 3. John 1:1 “the word was God” (KJV, NIV), not ‘a god’ (NWT). a) Isaiah 44:8 ‘Is there a God beside me?’ b) The absence of the article before “theos” (God) identifies “word” as the subject (Colwell’s rule)Ans855 ‘The subject is identified by the article (ho logos) and the predicate (theos) without it.’ AT Robertson 5,4. John did not use the word for “Godlike or a lesser god” (theios) to describe Jesus, but used “theos” (God). All early writers disagree with JWs. (Irenaeus,Theophilus, Clement,Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Tatian). All modern Greek experts disagree with JWs. (Zodhiates, AT Robertson, Wuest, Vine, Vincent, Mantey) 4. John 1:3 “All things were made by him” Malachi 2:10 “Hath not one God created us?” Jesus is Creator. 5. John 3:13 “Son of man which is in heaven.” Jesus is omnipresent (on earth and in heaven at same time) 6. John 4:42 “Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Isaiah 43:11 “Jehovah; beside me there is no saviour.” 7. John 5:18 “said God was his Father, making himself equal with God”. John believed it and quoted it. 8. John 5:23 “all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father” Do you honour the Son as God? 9. John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father.” Who did OT saints see who they said was God? Is6:5 10. John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.” Jehovah is “I am” in Exodus 3:1-14. 11. John 8:58,59 “Before Abraham was, I am. They took up stones to cast at him.” Jesus said He is God. 12. John 10:30 “I and my Father are One. They took up stones to stone him.” No stoning if agree with God. 13. John 10:33 “thou being a man, makest thyself God. They sought again to take him (39)”. Why? 14. John 16:15 “All things that the Father hath are mine:” All the Father’s attributes as God are Christ’s. 15. John 17:5 “the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Isaiah 42:8 “I am Jehovah: my glory will I not give to another.” Jesus is Jehovah because he alone shares Jehovah’s exclusive glory. 16. John 20:28 “Thomas said unto him (Jesus), My Lord and my God.” No rebuke for blasphemy or error. 17. Acts 20:28 “Feed the church of God, which he (God) hath purchased with his own blood.” Jesus =God 18. I Cor. 1:2 “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ.” Prayer to Jesus makes him God. 19. I Corinthians 15:47 ‘the second man is the Lord from heaven’ This is Jesus. No man is from heaven. 20. II Corinthians 13:14 is the Apostolic Benediction:“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (II Corinthians 13:14). Why is there a change in the order of the persons of the Trinity, compared to Matthew 28:19, if not to show that in this Trinity none is before or after the other, and none is better than another? 21. Philippians 2:6 “Who being in the form of God (in His pre-incarnate state Christ had the form of God) thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (a prize to be held on to, not a prize to be won. AT Robertson). 22. Colossians 2:9 “In him (Christ) dwells all the fullness (exhausts the limits) of the Godhead bodily.” 23. I Thes 4:14 “them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Jesus returns as God at rapture. 24. I Timothy 3:16 “God was manifest in the flesh.” Jesus is God the Son conceived in Mary. 25. Titus 2:13 “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Granville-Sharp rule: Jesus is God and Saviour. 26. Hebrews 1:6 “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Only worship God. Matt 4:10, Ps97:7 Son is God 27. Hebrews 1:8 “To the Son he saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever’” Psalm 45:6,7. Son is God. 28. Hebrew 1:10 “And (to the Son he saith), Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:.thou art the same.” Son is unchangeable creator. Ps102:24 29. Hebrews 1:13 To which of the angels said he, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 35 30. I John 5:7 “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The heavenly and earthly witnesses in v.7,8 are confirmed in v.9 by God and men. The masculine article (oi) for “that” in v.7 is derived from the masculine nouns “Father and Word” in v.7. 31. Revelation 1:17,18 “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth and was dead;” Jesus = first and last. Revelation 1:11 “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:” Jesus = first and last = Alpha and Omega. Revelation 22:12,13 “I come quickly; I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” Jesus=Alpha & Omega. Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the Almighty.” Jesus = first & last = Alpha & Omega =Almighty 32. Revelation 22:3 “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Both God and the Lamb equally own the throne. Revelation 22:3 “his servants shall serve him:” Both God and the Lamb equally own the same servants. Revelation 22:4 “they shall see his face.” Both God and the Lamb have the same face. Revelation 22:4 “his name shall be in their foreheads.” Both God and the Lamb have the same name. Revelation 20:6 “they shall be priests (of God and of Christ), and shall reign with HIM a thousand years” Revelation 21:22 “for (the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb) are the temple of it.” Both are temple of NJ Revelation 21:23 “for (the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light) thereof.” Both light of NJ 33. God identifies Himself as “us” (a Trinity) in:‘God said “let us make man in our image”’ Genesis 1:26 ‘Jehovah God said, “Behold the man is become as one of us . . .’ Genesis 3:22. ‘Jehovah came down … the Lord said, let us go down.’ Genesis 11:5,7 ‘who will go for us?’ Isaiah 6:8. 34. Exodus 3:14 “I AM hath sent me unto you.” ‘I AM’ is the name of the angel of Jehovah, Jehovah, God (2,4,6) & Jesus in John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I AM” & John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I AM” 35. Psalm 110:1. God told David that David’s son would be David’s God. ‘The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ Jesus applied this to Himself in Matthew 22:41-45 as a question: ‘If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?’ This shows that Jesus Christ would be both a man descended from David and David’s God. 36. Isaiah 6:1-8,5. “Mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts” on the throne in heaven. God asked Isaiah “who will go for us?” (‘us’ = trinity). In John 12:37-41, John said, “These things said Esaias when he saw his (Jesus) glory, and spake of him (Jesus).” Jesus was the King, Jehovah of hosts that Isaiah saw. 37. Isaiah 9:6 ‘Unto us a child is born (human Jesus),unto us a son is given (God the Son): his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God.” Jehovah is Mighty God in Isaiah 10:21;Jer32:18; Ps 50:1 38. Isaiah 44:6 ‘Thus saith Jehovah the King of Israel (Father) and his redeemer Jehovah of hosts (Son)” 39. Isaiah 48:12,13,16 “Hearken unto me…Mine hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens:…Come ye near unto me,..the Lord GOD, and his Spirit has sent me.” Me, mine, my and me is God the Son describing his two works of creation and of incarnation to save man. 40. Ezekiel 44:1,2 “This gate shall be shut…because Jehovah, the God of Israel has entered in by it.” In Luke 19:45-47 Jesus, who is Jehovah, fulfilled this prophecy, entering the east gate on a colt in 33AD. 41. Hosea 4:1 and 5:15. Jehovah will return to ‘my place’ (heaven), till the Jews admit their offence of killing Jesus. “Hear the word of the LORD (Jehovah) (4:1),.I will go and return to my place (heaven), till they (Jews) acknowledge their offence (of killing Jesus), and seek my face: in their affliction (7 year tribulation) they (Jews) will seek me early.” Jehovah the Son came from heaven to be born of Mary as a man, he was rejected and crucified by the Jews. The resurrected Lord Jesus returned to heaven. Jesus will return when the Jews acknowledge their offence of killing Jesus. This occurs after the 7 year tribulation. 42. Zechariah 11:4,12,13. “Thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) my God; (v.4). If ye think good, give me my price; So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (v.12)….I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD’ (Zechariah 11:4,12,13). (silver, temple floor, potter field) These three prophecies were fulfilled in Judas betraying Jesus Christ in Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:3-10. 43. Zechariah 12:9-10. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He is identified as Jehovah God whom Israel pierced on the cross. “I (Jehovah) will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem (v.9). They (Israel) shall look upon me (Jehovah) whom they have pierced.” Jesus fulfilled this in John 19:37. 44. Zechariah 14:3,4,5,9. When Jesus Christ returns to earth on the Mount of Olives, He is identified as Jehovah God (Zechariah 14:3,4). ‘Then shall the LORD (Jehovah) go forth and fight against those nations, And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives (v.3-4)....the LORD (Jehovah) my God shall come, and all the saints with thee (v.5)….the LORD (Jehovah) shall be king over all the earth.’ When Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, two angels told those witnesses present that “this same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-12). 45. In Zechariah 2:8-11, Jehovah the Son states twice that Jehovah the Father has sent Him to Israel. This proves that there are at least two persons in the Godhead, both called Jehovah. “For thus saith Jehovah of hosts (the Son).. (v.8) Ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts (the Father) hath sent me (v.9). ‘I (Jehovah the Son) will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts (Father) hath sent me unto thee.” (v.11). Lesson: Jehovah (the Father) sends Jehovah (the Son). Two persons here are named Jehovah. This clearly proves that Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate state is fully Jehovah God. 46. In Zechariah 3:2 “Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan”. One person in the Jehovah Godhead speaks about another person in the Jehovah Godhead. See Isaiah 48:16 Rules of Grammar dictate that: “Jehovah (the first person = person speaking) said unto Satan (the second person = person spoken to), Jehovah (the third person = person spoken about) rebuke thee.”