Why exactly do Jehovah's Witnesses evangelize?

InChrist said:

If the name “Jehovah” should be used as the Watchtower tells Jehovah’s Witnesses to use it, why is this instruction omitted from the New Testament? Why didn’t Jesus teach His disciples to pray “Our Jehovah” instead of “Our Father?

In whose name should we meet together (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 5:4)?
Demons are subject to whose name (Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18; )?
Repentance and forgiveness should be preached in whose name (Luke 24:47)?
In whose name are you to receive and believe (John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 10:43; 1 John 3:23; 5:13)?
Whose name should we use to ask our petitions (John 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23, 24)?
In whose name is the Holy Spirit sent (John 14:26)?
Whose name and authority was invoked by the disciples in healing the sick and lame (Acts 3:16; 4:7-10, 30)?
Whose name were the disciples forbidden to speak in by the council(Acts 4:17- 18; 5:28)?
In whose name, and no other, do we obtain salvation (4:12)?
Upon whose name did Paul tell us to call (pray) (1 Cor. 1:2)?
Whose name shall be uttered that shall cause very knee to bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10, 11)?
Whose name is above very name (Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9)?
Who are we to be witnesses of–what is His name (Acts 1:8)?

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Great post InChrist! The "Jehovah's" Witnesses are safe when the dragon becomes furious!

Rev 12:17 (ESVST) 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Didn't Jesus say to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed (holy) be thy name? ________
I see at Jesus' prayer at John 17:6 and John 17:26 that Jesus did declare his Father's name.

URAVIP2ME said:

Didn't Jesus say to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed (holy) be thy name? ________
I see at Jesus' prayer at John 17:6 and John 17:26 that Jesus did declare his Father's name.

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onoma: a name, authority, cause
Original Word: ὄνομα, ατος, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: onoma
Phonetic Spelling: (on'-om-ah)
Short Definition: name, character, reputation
Definition: name, character, fame, reputation.
HELPS Word-studies
3686 ónoma – name; (figuratively) the manifestation or revelation of someone's character, i.e. as distinguishing them from all others. Thus "praying in the name of Christ" means to pray as directed (authorized) by Him, bringing revelation that flows out of being in His presence. "Praying in Jesus' name" therefore is not a "religious formula" just to end prayers (or get what we want)!

["According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs, i.e. it is something of his essence. Therefore, in the case of the God, it is specially sacred" (Souter).]
http://biblehub.com/greek/3686.htm

savagewind said:

I think the reason JWs obey the governing body IS fear. They are taught that God expects them to do everything they should and if they do not God will not raise them in the resurrection.

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JW's obey the governing body not out of fear, but ignorance. JW's are the least educated of all the sects of Christianity according to The Pew Research Group. Gullible and uneducated, wanting to belong, and are looking for others like themselves. They want to belong. If the Watchtower tells them to evangelize, they do as their told.

URAVIP2ME said:

Didn't Jesus say to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed (holy) be thy name? ________
I see at Jesus' prayer at John 17:6 and John 17:26 that Jesus did declare his Father's name.

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Yes, Jesus spoke of manifesting the name of God. This sounds as if Jesus had been telling everybody what God’s name was; but is that really what it means? Read through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In all his recorded teaching did Jesus ever tell people that God's name was Jehovah? Did he need to tell them? The 4 Hebrew letters יהוה – YHWH - that made up the name were on almost every page of their Hebrew scriptures.

So what did Jesus mean by “making God’s name known” and “manifesting God’s name”? God’s name didn't simply mean the 4 letters YHWH. I believe it meant His nature and character. Jesus personally made God’s character known. Everything Jesus said and did was a manifestation of God’s nature. His birth, his life, his teaching, his death and his resurrection were all a revelation of God. Jesus was “God manifested in the flesh” (1 Tim 3: 16). This was how he made known and manifested the name of God.

1 Timothy 3:16 in the Greek Interlinear says: ' who ' was manifested in the flesh. The Greek does Not say God. KJV changed who ( he ) to God for Jesus who is the beginning of the creation by God, and Not God. - Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14

djhwoodwerks said:

You recognize Jesus' "substitutes" as Jesus, sent by God.

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Lol. 2 Corinthians 5:20 applies to all Christians. Being a visible representative, following His steps closely and displaying obedience, is a goal for all Christians, wouldn't you say? In line with 2 Timothy 2:23-25, though, I will stop debating with you....its accomplishing nothing.

It seems to me, that you attack the JW Religion, but you don't offer a viable alternative.

djhwoodwerks said:

Really? Grow a beard! See how long that lasts.

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I know some brothers that have beards. One's an elder.

InChrist said:

Kingdom Halls may not pass collection plates, but they do have donation boxes for money don't they? Along with various other ways to solicit money from members. I don't think it can possibly be out of love as the apostles had because they knew the real Savior Jesus, not the Watchtower Michael the archangel concoction. From what I have seen and researched, all the hours of volunteer work for the governing body and the so-called worldwide unity is actually not loving unity, but conformity based in fear.

"The WTS introduced this new donations policy evidently to avoid tax on the sale of its publications. Asking for donations - something condemned for a century - had become acceptable.


Moreover, detailed appeals for donations appeared in WTS publications. Notice how no avenue is left uncovered:


How Some Make Donations to the Kingdom-Preaching Work

• CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK: Many set aside or budget an amount that they place in the contribution boxes labeled: “Contributions for the Society’s Worldwide Work-Matthew 24:14.” Each month congregations forward these amounts either to the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, or to the nearest branch office.

• GIFTS: Voluntary donations of money may be sent directly to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483, or to the Society’s office that serves your country. Jewelry or other valuables may also be donated. A brief letter stating that such is an outright gift should accompany these contributions.

• CONDITIONAL-DONATION ARRANGEMENT: Money may be given to the Watch Tower Society to be held in trust until the donor’s death, with the provision that in the case of personal need, it will be returned to the donor. • INSURANCE: The Watch Tower Society may be named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or in a retirement/pension plan. The Society should be informed of any such arrangement.

• BANK ACCOUNTS: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in trust for or made payable on death to the Watch Tower Society, in accord with local bank requirements. The Society should be informed of any such arrangements.

• STOCKS AND BONDS: Stocks and bonds may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either as an outright gift or under an arrangement whereby the income continues to be paid to the donor.

• REAL ESTATE: Salable real estate may be donated to the Watch Tower Society either by making an outright gift or by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therein during his or her lifetime. One should contact the Society before deeding any real estate to the Society.

• WILLS AND TRUSTS: Property or money may be bequeathed to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania by means of a legally executed will, or the Society may be named as a beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may provide certain tax advantages. A copy of the will or trust agreement should be sent to the Society.

• PLANNED GIVING: The Society has assembled information on “Planned Giving.” Those who are planning to make a special gift to the Society now or to leave a bequest at death may find this information helpful. That is especially true if they wish to accomplish some family goal or estate-planning objective while using tax benefits to minimize the cost of the gift or bequest. This information can be obtained by writing to the Society at the address shown below. (The Watchtower 1994 12/1 page 19)

With shameless appeals like this, one wonders how the WTS could ever have chided other churches! And one wonders how many JWs have willed their few possessions to the multi-billion dollar WTS while leaving their own dependents stranded.


A further point is that 6 million JWs donate their time to distribute WTS publications door to door in what is called “field service” or “witnessing” or “ministry”. This activity is said to be “voluntary” but the teaching is that JWs who don’t do it will be executed by God at Armageddon. JWs who regularly miss field service for entire months also face ostracism in their congregation and - if they try to justify their slackness - excommunication.


Despite WTS writers often implying that the main source of funding is “contribution boxes” in Kingdom Halls, most comes from the efforts of six million JWs who trudge the streets and knock on doors to offer WTS literature.


Furthermore, these same JWs are obliged to buy personal copies of all magazines and books the WTS puts out. The WTS has millions of captive buyers expected to purchase the publications without even looking at the contents!


The WTS produces its literature at minimal cost. Materials are bought in bulk and every step in production is by “volunteers”.
http://www.jwfiles.com/wt_honesty/donations.htm

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In addition to my previous comments, I thought I'd mention, we have relatively small Kingdom Halls, which actually takes more money to care for, in proportion to congregation size. One building, that holds 3,000, would take 15 smaller buildings, that hold 200 each. That takes more money, I.e., less to send to HQ. So the accusation of money-making doesn't hold up under scrutiny. No tithing, either.

Hockeycowboy said:

In addition to my previous comments, I thought I'd mention, we have relatively small Kingdom Halls, which actually takes more money to care for, in proportion to congregation size. One building, that holds 3,000, would take 15 smaller buildings, that hold 200 each. That takes more money, I.e., less to send to HQ. So the accusation of money-making doesn't hold up under scrutiny. No tithing, either.

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Some congregations promise to pay a certain amount to the organization each month. It isn't literally tithing which means 1/10th but it is very similar.

Another thing they do is they let go people from Bethel but they do not provide for them like worldly companies do.

blue taylor said:

JW's obey the governing body not out of fear, but ignorance. JW's are the least educated of all the sects of Christianity according to The Pew Research Group. Gullible and uneducated, wanting to belong, and are looking for others like themselves. They want to belong. If the Watchtower tells them to evangelize, they do as their told.

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"Least educated"....you mean, like, the fishermen, whom Jesus chose? (Compare Acts of the Apostles 4:13) "Gullible," & "wanting to belong"? We certainly aren't gullible, i.e., easily taken in. We've examined the teachings of (most of) Christendom, and found them deceitful and misleading! As for "wanting to belong," being one of Jehovah's Witnesses doesn't win you popularity contests, I can attest to that! When I made the decision to dedicate my life to Jehovah and become one, my Dad had a fit! He said he'd rather me "be anything else" -- his exact words!

Your comments are a little off the mark.

InChrist said:

If the name “Jehovah” should be used as the Watchtower tells Jehovah’s Witnesses to use it, why is this instruction omitted from the New Testament? Why didn’t Jesus teach His disciples to pray “Our Jehovah” instead of “Our Father?

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Is this a serious question?

What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene on the morning of his resurrection?

John 20:17:
"Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’”

I don't know about you but, "my Father and your Father" = "Our Father"....doesn't it?

YHWH (Yahweh, Jehovah) is the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Even when he returned to heaven, Jesus still referred to his Father as "my God". (Rev 3:12) How do you account for that? If Jesus rejoined the "godhead" in heaven, how is it that one part of God still worships the other part of himself? No mention of the third head here either.

Why would Jesus call his Father "the only true God" and not include himself if he was an equal? (John 17:3) He never once called the holy spirit his God. So where is the equality?

Why did he say that Jehovah "alone" should be worshipped? (Luke 4:8) He was quoting Deut 10:20 where the tetragrammation is found.
The Jews knew that Jehovah was "one"...not three. (Deut 6:4)

In whose name should we meet together (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 5:4)?
Demons are subject to whose name (Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18; )?
Repentance and forgiveness should be preached in whose name (Luke 24:47)?
In whose name are you to receive and believe (John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 10:43; 1 John 3:23; 5:13)?
Whose name should we use to ask our petitions (John 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23, 24)?
In whose name is the Holy Spirit sent (John 14:26)?
Whose name and authority was invoked by the disciples in healing the sick and lame (Acts 3:16; 4:7-10, 30)?
Whose name were the disciples forbidden to speak in by the council(Acts 4:17- 18; 5:28)?
In whose name, and no other, do we obtain salvation (4:12)?
Upon whose name did Paul tell us to call (pray) (1 Cor. 1:2)?
Whose name shall be uttered that shall cause very knee to bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10, 11)?
Whose name is above very name (Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9)?
Who are we to be witnesses of–what is His name (Acts 1:8)?

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Who was the one who "sent" Jesus to be the Christ so that people could put faith in his name as redeemer and be saved? (John 3:16) His name isn't a substitute for the illustrious name of his Father. (Matt 6:9)
It is the name given BY the Father to mankind...isn't that obvious? Jesus was "sent" and he is given authority by his superior Father...if he was God he would not need to be sent by an equal part of himself, nor would he require authority to be given to him.....as God, it is already his.

Psalm 83:18 tells us that "Jehovah" (YHWH, Yahweh) is "the Most High over all the earth". Can you get higher than "the MOST High"?

Read Phil 2:9-11 and see what it actually says.....

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (ESV)

The Father in heaven "highly exalted" his son, whom you believe is God incarnate (100% God/100% man) correct?
If Jesus was God, how is it possible to 'exalt him and give him a name above all others'? If he is God and always was, why is such an exaltation even necessary?
And he already has a name above all others. (Psalm 83:18) But nowhere in all of scripture is Jesus ever called YHWH.

And in confessing Jesus as "Lord" (a title shared by others who are not God) it clearly states that this is "to the Glory of God the Father". Jesus did not glorify himself but directed worship and glory to his Father. He is subservient to his God and always was. (1 Cor 11:3)

The apostles knew who their God was.....and it wasn't their Lord Jesus, whom Paul called God's "holy servant". (Acts 4:27-30) Almighty God is nobody's servant.

1 Cor 8:4-6:
"....“there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." (ESV)

I think the NT scriptures are clear that the only name for believers to call upon, identify with, share, and exalt is Jesus Christ.

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I don't think it is saying what you think it does. Jesus is the savior "sent" by his God to save mankind. In his name we can approach the Father in prayer and demonstrate ourselves to be footstep followers of the only savior God sent into the world to redeem us with his blood. Jesus' name is very important, but never more important than his Father's.

blue taylor said:

JW's obey the governing body not out of fear, but ignorance. JW's are the least educated of all the sects of Christianity according to The Pew Research Group. Gullible and uneducated, wanting to belong, and are looking for others like themselves. They want to belong. If the Watchtower tells them to evangelize, they do as their told.

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This is such an ignorant statement. There is no gullibility, fear or ignorance on our part. I was uneducated and ignorant when I was IN church. I never knew how uneducated I was until I began a Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses. They didn't just tell me what they believed but showed me everything the Bible taught on any given subject...using all of the Bible, not just convenient bits of it in the NT.
The church taught me nothing and could not even answer simple questions. Jehovah's Witnesses answered all the questions I had, straight from my own Bible. That makes them the most educated in my opinion.
Public opinion wasn't exactly on side with Jesus either....it didn't make him wrong though did it?

When I go out in the door to door ministry, I meet people just like I used to be....ignorant of just about everything the Bible says. They know all the things their churches teach but not what the Bible teaches....that makes the churches responsible for their members' lack of education and gullibility.

It's not the WT that tells us to evangelize...it's the Bible....so are you doing it? Or do you just want to "belong" to the crowd who tell you that its not necessary? (2 Tim 4:2-5)

Hockeycowboy said:

Lol. 2 Corinthians 5:20 applies to all Christians. Being a visible representative, following His steps closely and displaying obedience, is a goal for all Christians, wouldn't you say? In line with 2 Timothy 2:23-25, though, I will stop debating with you....its accomplishing nothing.

It seems to me, that you attack the JW Religion, but you don't offer a viable alternative.

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2Co 5:20 (ESVST) 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2Co 5:20 (NWT) 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors+ substituting for Christ,+ as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.”


Why has the GB added a form of substitute in verse 20 "twice"? It doesn't appear in the KIT, they just through it in there.


[GALLERY=media, 7400]2co 5 by djhwoodwerks posted Apr 2, 2016 at 8:27 AM[/GALLERY]



Ambassadors (STRONG) g4243. πρεσβεύω presbeuō; from the base of 4245; to be a senior, i. e. (by implication) act as a representative


substitute (ˈsʌbstɪˌtjuːt)
Definitions
verb

1. (often followed by for) to serve or cause to serve in place of another person or thing
2. (chemistry) to replace (an atom or group in a molecule) with (another atom or group)
3. (logic, mathematics) to replace (one expression) by (another) in the context of a third, as replacing x + y for x in 3 x = k gives 3 x + 3 y = k

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that serves in place of another, such as a player in a game who takes the place of an injured colleague
   2. (as modifier) ⇒ a substitute goalkeeper Often shortened to: sub
2. (grammar) another name for pro-form
3. (Canadian) another name for supply teacher
4. (nautical) another word for repeater (sense 5
5. (formerly) a person paid to replace another due for military service

Deeje said:

This is such an ignorant statement. There is no gullibility, fear or ignorance on our part. I was uneducated and ignorant when I was IN church. I never knew how uneducated I was until I began a Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses. They didn't just tell me what they believed but showed me everything the Bible taught on any given subject...using all of the Bible, not just convenient bits of it in the NT.
The church taught me nothing and could not even answer simple questions. Jehovah's Witnesses answered all the questions I had, straight from my own Bible. That makes them the most educated in my opinion.
Public opinion wasn't exactly on side with Jesus either....it didn't make him wrong though did it?

When I go out in the door to door ministry, I meet people just like I used to be....ignorant of just about everything the Bible says. They know all the things their churches teach but not what the Bible teaches....that makes the churches responsible for their members' lack of education and gullibility.

It's not the WT that tells us to evangelize...it's the Bible....so are you doing it? Or do you just want to "belong" to the crowd who tell you that its not necessary? (2 Tim 4:2-5)

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Very good points. "Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses". I have studied the Bible and I do not need anyone else to interpret it for me. That's exactly what I told some JW evangelist when they came to my door on Christmas day. If you need someone to explain to you what a sentence means, you need Watchtower. No insult intended. If you think you or Watchtower has any kind of "secret knowledge" about the Bible that others do not, you are mistaken. Jesus says to treat others as you would treat yourself. To avoid interacting with others because of their beliefs is not the Jesus way. JW's should treat all people regardless of their beliefs the same as they do those who belong to their church. This is the Jesus way. JW's do not follow it. The parable of the Good Samaritan should tell you this.

Deeje said:

The apostles knew who their God was.....and it wasn't their Lord Jesus, whom Paul called God's "holy servant". (Acts 4:27-30) Almighty God is nobody's servant.

1 Cor 8:4-6:
"....“there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." (ESV)

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Do you even realize what you think you're trying to prove here? I don't think so!

1Co 8:6 for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and "ONE LORD", Jesus Christ.

They claim, and you are claiming, there is "ONE LORD", correct? And that is Jesus, correct?

How many Lords are there? "ONE LORD" according to what you highlighted in your post and that Lord is Jesus Christ.

There is only "ONE LORD", and that is Jesus Christ.


Rev 1:8 (ESVST) 8 " I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Rev 4:8 (ESVST) 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Rev 11:17 (ESVST) 17 saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign

Rev 15:3 (ESVST) 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!

Rev 16:7 (ESVST) 7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!"

Rev 18:8 (ESVST) 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her."

Rev 21:22 (ESVST) 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

Rev 22:5 (ESVST) 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.


Are you going to claim there are "TWO LORDS" now?

blue taylor said:

Very good points. "Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses".

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Yes...they are the only ones who teach you what it says instead of Christendom's Bible studies where everyone gets to make a guess about what a scripture might mean. Been there, done that.

I am reminded of the Ethiopian eunuch who was traveling along the road reading aloud the words of Isaiah's prophesy. Philip was directed to the man and asked him if he knew what he was reading....his response is important...

Acts 8:31
"he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." (Acts 8:26-31)

Anyone who requires no one to teach them the meaning of the scriptures is open to the false interpretations of their own understanding....something we are told NOT to do. (Prov. 3:5) Jesus said that we would "know the truth" and that it would "set us free". How can anyone appreciate freedom when they have no idea that they are in chains? Christendom is nothing but a bad counterfeit of the original. Like Judaism before her, she "teaches the commands of men as doctrine." (Matt 15:7-9) Have you ever examined the teachings of the churches or do you just accept them as they are taught and have been for centuries? When you study the Bible it is best to put aside pre-conceived ideas and let the whole of scripture speak for itself. It is a completely different message to the one provided by Christendom's churches. All Christians are NOT going to heaven.

I have studied the Bible and I do not need anyone else to interpret it for me. That's exactly what I told some JW evangelist when they came to my door on Christmas day. If you need someone to explain to you what a sentence means, you need Watchtower. No insult intended.

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You and thousands of others have studied the Bible and come to all kinds of different conclusions about what it means....can you all be right? If you were directed by God's spirit, you would all agree, but it is very obvious to all that you don't. How do you think Christendom got to be so divided? (1 Cor 1:10)

"I think it means" should never preface a passage of scripture. People who teach themselves, have a fool for a teacher. You will never learn the truth that way. That is not the way Jesus taught. He instructed the 12, and they were to carry on teaching others after his departure.The students then became teachers of others. No one was free to interpret scripture for themselves.

If you think you or Watchtower has any kind of "secret knowledge" about the Bible that others do not, you are mistaken.

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There is no "secret knowledge" at all. Just "knowledge" that God said he would provide in this "time of the end" when a cleansing and refining of God's worshippers was foretold. (Dan 12:4, 9, 10) "Insight" was to be granted...but not to the wicked.

If we need no one to help us to understand the Bible and its message, then why are we commanded to preach about it to others? Why not simply hand them a Bible and tell them to figure it out for themselves? We are told to go out to the people of all nations and make disciples...teaching them all that Jesus commanded. (Matt 28:19, 20)

How did Jesus direct the preaching and teaching work after his death? It was through the ones he personally instructed.....they in turn taught others and so on until a congregation of believers, who all accepted the same teachings, was formed. More and more congregations began to spring up as the knowledge spread from one person to another adding to God's spiritual family of Christ's followers. There was no room for "I think".

Jesus says to treat others as you would treat yourself. To avoid interacting with others because of their beliefs is not the Jesus way. JW's should treat all people regardless of their beliefs the same as they do those who belong to their church. This is the Jesus way. JW's do not follow it. The parable of the Good Samaritan should tell you this.

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What makes you think we treat people outside our own religion badly? When was the last time a JW told you you were not fit company or refused to have anything to do with you? We are instructed to "do good towards all but especially those of our own faith." (Gal 6:9, 10) We take the most precious thing in the world out to our own neighbors....."the good news of God's kingdom" (Matt 24:14) We do it in our own time and at our own expense and we will continue in this life saving work until God says it is finished.

Jesus was sent exclusively to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" who were Jewish people that had given up trying to live up to the Pharisaical interpretation of the law.....the religious leaders looked down upon such ones. These ones were "lost" because the shepherds were not doing their job. We too go out to find the "lost sheep". Like Jesus, we preach to all, but those entrenched in Christendom have no need to hear a thing we say...but that is OK. There are many out there who are fed up with an inadequate church system that is not really much good at keeping Christ's commands. They don't preach, as Jesus instructed all of his disciples to do. In fact it was to be conducted as a search and rescue mission. (Matt 10:11-14)

No church has ever sent people to my door to offer me good news about the kingdom. The only ones who come with this message in all nations is Jehovah's Witnesses. This is how I heard the message.

djhwoodwerks said:

Do you even realize what you think you're trying to prove here? I don't think so!

1Co 8:6 for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and "ONE LORD", Jesus Christ.

They claim, and you are claiming, there is "ONE LORD", correct? And that is Jesus, correct?

How many Lords are there? "ONE LORD" according to what you highlighted in your post and that Lord is Jesus Christ.

There is only "ONE LORD", and that is Jesus Christ.


Rev 1:8 (ESVST) 8 " I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Rev 4:8 (ESVST) 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Rev 11:17 (ESVST) 17 saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign

Rev 15:3 (ESVST) 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!

Rev 16:7 (ESVST) 7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!"

Rev 18:8 (ESVST) 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her."

Rev 21:22 (ESVST) 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

Rev 22:5 (ESVST) 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.


Are you going to claim there are "TWO LORDS" now?

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Okay...we are resorting to yelling now, are we? What's up? Not getting away with your shallow arguments?

Well, now I've heard everything.....do you have any idea what the title "Lord" actually means?
Do you know how many "Lords" there are in the Bible?

Here it is from the Insight Book....

"The Greek and Hebrew words rendered “lord” (or such related terms as “sir,” “owner,” “master”) are used with reference to Jehovah God (Eze 3:11), Jesus Christ (Mt 7:21), one of the elders seen by John in vision (Re 7:13, 14), angels (Ge 19:1, 2; Da 12:8), men (1Sa 25:24; Ac 16:16, 19, 30), and false deities (1Co 8:5). Often the designation “lord” denotes one who has ownership or authority and power over persons or things. (Ge 24:9; 42:30; 45:8, 9; 1Ki 16:24; Lu 19:33; Ac 25:26; Eph 6:5) This title was applied by Sarah to her husband (Ge 18:12), by children to their fathers (Ge 31:35; Mt 21:28, 29), and by a younger brother to his older brother (Ge 32:5, 6). It appears as a title of respect addressed to prominent persons, public officials, prophets, and kings. (Ge 23:6; 42:10; Nu 11:28; 2Sa 1:10; 2Ki 8:10-12; Mt 27:63) When used in addressing strangers, “lord,” or “sir,” served as a title of courtesy.—Joh 12:21; 20:15; Ac 16:30."

Please look up the cited scriptures...your ignorance of scripture is showing....again.

Strongs lists the first reference to "the LORD God" in Gen 2:4.

"Gen 2:4
H428 is the account H8435 of the heavens H8064 and the earth H776 when they were created, H1254 in the day H3117 that the LORD H3068 God H430 made H6213 earth H776 and heaven. H8064"

The "LORD God" here is of course "JEHOVAH GOD" because this is where the tetragrammaton appears in the original text. H3068 is YHWH (Yahweh, Jehovah) so in the Hebrew scriptures, there was no "LORD God"....there was only "JEHOVAH GOD"

When Jesus is addressed as "Lord" in the Greek scriptures, his name goes with the title. To the ancient Jews, there was no nameless LORD. They addressed him by name freely, reverently and frequently.....780 times in the Psalms alone.

If men had retained the divine name in their Bible translations, this confusion would not exist. Only an apostate religious system would seek to eliminate the precious name of God from his own word. And only an apostate religious system would seek to make the son of God into God himself when Jesus did not even hint at such a thing. He never once claimed equality with his Father.

Your argument is again made out of ignorance of the scriptures. Perhaps a little more study is in order.

Deeje said:

"I think it means" should never preface a passage of scripture. People who teach themselves, have a fool for a teacher. You will never learn the truth that way. That is not the way Jesus taught. He instructed the 12, and they were to carry on teaching others after his departure.The students then became teachers of others. No one was free to interpret scripture for themselves.

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Deeje said:

There was no room for "I think".

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What about, "we thought"?


*** w13 7/15 p. 3 par. 3 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
3 For a number of years, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 with World War I and that “those days were cut short” by Jehovah in 1918 when the war ended so that the remnant would have the opportunity to preach the good news to all nations.

*** w13 7/15 p. 6 par. 10 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
Previously, we thought that the judging of people as sheep or goats would take place during the entire period of the last days from 1914 onward. We concluded that those who rejected the Kingdom message and who died before the start of the great tribulation would die as goats—without the hope of a resurrection.

*** w13 7/15 p. 11 “Look! I Am With You All the Days” ***
Paragraph 6: This is an adjustment in understanding. Previously, we thought that Jesus’ inspection took place in 1918.

*** w13 7/15 p. 13 “Look! I Am With You All the Days” ***
Paragraph 16: Daniel 12:3 states that “the ones having insight [anointed Christians] will shine like the brightness of the expanse.” While still on earth, they do this by sharing in the preaching work. However, Matthew 13:43 points to the time when they will shine brightly in the heavenly Kingdom. Previously, we thought that both scriptures referred to the same activity—the preaching work.


*** w13 7/15 p. 8 par. 19 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
19 In review, what have we learned? In the beginning of this article, we raised three “when” questions. We first considered that the great tribulation did not begin in 1914 but will start when the United Nations attacks Babylon the Great. Then, we reviewed why Jesus’ judgment of the sheep and the goats did not begin in 1914 but will occur during the great tribulation. Finally, we examined why Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings did not occur in 1919 but will take place during the great tribulation. So, then, all three “whens” apply to the same future time period—the great tribulation. How does this adjusted view further affect our understanding of the illustration of the faithful slave? Also, how does it affect our understanding of other parables, or illustrations, of Jesus that are being fulfilled during this time of the end? These important questions will be considered in the following articles.


The GB got those "truths" wrong, because they "thought"!

Deeje said:

Okay...we are resorting to yelling now, are we?

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I sincerely apologize to you Deeje and anyone else that got the impression I was yelling. I am in no way yelling, angry, hostile, or any other word that might be used. I was only wanting to stress the point of "one Lord". I do apologize, and I am sorry if I came off that way!