For Our Jehovah's Witnesses Friends
Please note: This contains only NWT scriptures and Watchtower quotes (as well as topic headings). There are no negative comments concerning the Watchtower organization or Jehovah's Witnesses.
Instructions: Read each point. For each one that you agree is the truth, place a mental checkmark in the box and then read the next point, and so on. Citations are hyperlinked to their sources.
Square 1. The Bible is the Word of Jehovah.
“All Scripture is inspired of God”
2 Timothy 3:16 (New World Translation)
“2. Bible. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired message to humans.”
'What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?’
“Furthermore, the Bible is “inspired of God.””
'The Bible—A Book From God’’
Square 2. Jehovah does not contradict Himself
(nor can His Light contradict His Light).
“in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie”
Hebrews 6:18b (NWT)
“For I am Jehovah; I do not change.”
Malachi 3:6a (NWT)
"God is not a mere man who tells lies,
Nor a son of man who changes his mind."
Numbers 23:19a (NWT)
“I will not violate my covenant
Or change what my lips have spoken.”
“God does not contradict himself”
‘Are Science and the Bible Compatible?' - Awake!, February 2011
Square 3. The Governing Body is the only divinely inspired channel through which Jehovah communicates His meaning of scripture today.
The article titled ‘Who Is Leading God’s People Today?’ listed below on JW.org states the following:
The governing body then:
- “Christians in the first century recognized that the governing body was directed by Jehovah God through their Leader, Jesus. How could they be sure of this?
- First, holy spirit empowered the governing body.”
- Second, “angels assisted the governing body.”
The governing body in more recent history and today:
- Charles Taze Russel, “used by Jehovah,” stated, “This is not man’s work.”
- “In 1919, three years after Brother Russell’s death, Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave.””
- ““the faithful and discreet slave” is a small group of anointed brothers who make up the Governing Body.”
- “What evidence is there that the Governing Body (today) is filling that role?”
- First, “Evidence of holy spirit. The holy spirit has helped the Governing Body to grasp Scriptural truths not previously understood.”
- Second, “Evidence of angelic assistance.” and “angels are involved.”
So, the governing body today operates the same today as back then (Jehovah > Jesus > Holy Spirit > angels > governing body), thus they are the only divinely inspired channel through which Jehovah communicates His meaning of scripture today.
'Who Is Leading God’s People Today?’ - The Watchtower—Study Edition | February 2017
Other Watchtower quotes concerning the governing body:
“Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave"
'They “Keep Following the Lamb”' - The Watchtower | February 15, 2009
“ The Governing Body could be likened to the voice of Jesus, the head of the congregation. So when we willingly submit to the faithful slave, we’re ultimately submitting to Jesus’ authority and direction."
“If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother."
'Show Respect for Jehovah’s Organization’ - Watchtower May 1, 1957
“Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his “faithful and discreet slave,” made up of spirit-anointed ones ... Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.”
'The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter’ - Watchtower December 1, 1981
“It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.”
'Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?’ - The Watchtower—Study Edition | July 2013
“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.”
The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood’ - The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1994
>>> To further see how the Watchtower organization says that love, trust, and loyalty to the Watchtower organization is the same as to Jehovah himself, click here, here and here.
Square 4. The Watchtower Governing Body teaches faith plus works for salvation.
“This means everlasting life… Many have found the second requirement more difficult. It is to obey God’s laws, yes, to conform one’s life to the moral requirements set out in the Bible.”
'You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—But How?’ - Watchtower 2/15/1983
“Yes, there are various things involved in getting saved. We must take in accurate knowledge of God’s purposes and his way of salvation. Then we must exercise faith in the Chief Agent of salvation, Jesus Christ, and do God’s will the rest of our lives. (John 3:16; Titus 2:14) Salvation is sure for those who follow this course. But it involves persevering right to the end of our present life or of this system of things. Only ‘he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved,’ Matthew 24:13,"
'What We Must Do to Be Saved’ - Watchtower 9/15/1989
“What Is Required to Gain Salvation?
As Jesus told the rich young ruler, we must keep God’s commandments. Doing so brings not only God’s approval but also great joy, for “his commandments are not burdensome”; they are “a refreshment.” (1 John 5:3; Proverbs 3:1, 8) Still, it is not easy to hold on to the hope of salvation.”
'Keep Your “Hope of Salvation” Bright!’ - Watchtower 6/1/2000
“Thus we have the answer to our question, “What must I do to get saved?” If we love God, righteousness and life, not only will we take in knowledge of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, exercise faith in them by dedicating ourselves to God and symbolize that dedication by baptism, but we will continue to make public declaration of Jehovah’s name and will resist temptations and endure persecution until this old world ends. Until the end of our testing we cannot take for granted our being saved; and therefore when someone asks, “Brother, are you saved?” we do not give a categorically affirmative reply, but qualify our answer, “Thus far, yes!”
'Answering the Question, Are You Saved?’ - Watchtower 7/1/1952
* “To be holy refers to a state of being set apart from defilement.”
* “God is holy to the supreme degree.”
* “God therefore rightly sets the standard of what is holy.”
* “Can an imperfect person be holy? Yes.”
* “humans who obey God’s righteous laws can be considered “holy and acceptable to God.""
'What Does It Mean to Be Holy?' - Bible Teachings > Bible Questions Answered
“We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval."
'Have You Entered Into God’s Rest?' - The Watchtower—Study Edition (Simplified) | July 2011
Square 5. The Bible teaches salvation by faith alone.
“By this undeserved kindness you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; rather, it is God’s gift. No, it is not a result of works, so that no one should have grounds for boasting.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NWT)
“For we consider that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law.”
Romans 3:28 (NWT)
“Therefore, no one will be declared righteous before him by works of law, for by law comes the accurate knowledge of sin.”
[ Also ref. Romans 4:3 + Romans 4:5 + Romans 5:1 + Romans 9:30 + Romans 10:9-10 + Romans 11:6 + Galatians 2:16 + Galatians 2:21 + Galatians 3:1-6 + Galatians 5:6 + Philippians 3:9 + 1 Tim 1:16 + John 5:24 + 2 Tim. 1:9 + Titus 3:4-7 ]
Summary:
1. The Bible is the Word of Jehovah.
2. Jehovah does not contradict Himself.
3. The Watchtower Governing Body claims to speak for God.
4. The Watchtower Governing Body teaches faith plus works for salvation.
5. The Bible teaches salvation by faith alone apart from works.
[ Also ref. Acts 17:10-11 + 1 Corinthians 4:6 + Isaiah 64:6 + James 2:10 + Galatians 3:10 + 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 + Galatians 1:8-9 + Matthew 7:15, 21-23 + John 6:28-29 + Colossians 2:13-14 + 1 John 5:13 + Matthew 11: 28-30 + Mark 7:13 ]
"New Light":
“If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now; But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light” but adds to it.”
Charles Taze Russell, Zion’s Watch Tower, February 1881, p. 188
And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. --2 Corinthians 11:14
among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination (light) of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. --2 Corinthians 4:4
Various Related Verses:
However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed. --Galatians 1:8-9
Thus you make the word of God invalid by your tradition that you have handed down. --Mark 7:13
Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light. --Matthew 11: 28-30
For an explanation of the true Biblical Gospel, click here.
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