Download - Understanding & Evangelizing Jehovah’s Witnesses Source: Cky Carrigan, Ph.D. Interfaith Evangelism,
Understanding & Understanding & Evangelizing Evangelizing
Jehovah’s WitnessesJehovah’s WitnessesSource: Cky Carrigan, Ph.D.Source: Cky Carrigan, Ph.D.
Interfaith Evangelism, www.namb.netInterfaith Evangelism, www.namb.net
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Official Organization called “The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.” (WBTS)
Also known abroad as “The International Bible Students Association” (IBSA)
J.W. Who, When, WhereJ.W. Who, When, Where
Founder - Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)
Presently headed by “Governing Body”
World Headquarters - “Bethel” Brooklyn, New York, NY
J.W. Numbers and LingoJ.W. Numbers and Lingo
Worldwide membership - 5.6 million in 232 countries– N. American membership - 1.1 million
Meeting places called “Kingdom Hall”
Active Participants called “Publishers”
Publications
•The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom
•22 million copies published semi- monthly in 132 languages
•Awake!•20 million copies published semi-monthly in 78 languages
Bibles, etc.Bibles, etc.
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Kingdom Interlinear Translation ( of the New Testament)
Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life
The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived
J.W. History: The Russell EraJ.W. History: The Russell Era
1870: Russell begins Bible study group in PA focusing on End Times doctrines
1884: Russell became president of “The Zion Watchtower and Tract Society, Inc.”– wrote - Studies in the Scriptures - which set
forth his program of theology
Russell was president from 1884 to 1916
J.W. Governance after RussellJ.W. Governance after Russell Four presidents followed Russell till 2001
“Judge” Joseph F. Rutherford (1917-1942) Nathan H. Knorr (1942-1977) Fredrick W. Franz (1977-1992) Milton G. Henschel (1992-2001)
Since 2001, WBTS is organized by a sophisticated plan that separates corporate governance from theological governance to protect its assets
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: The Bible The Bible
Divinely inspired, infallible, scientifically accurate
Canon of 66 books, OT and NT
New World Translation is the most accurate translation of original languages
NWT reflects WBTS theology (i.e., John 1:1)
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: The BibleThe Bible “Governing Body” is the only channel of accurate biblical interpretation
a.k.a. “The Faithful & Discreet Slave”Salvation depends upon association with this exclusive channel of interpretation
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: GodGod
Jehovah is the one true name of the one true God– German (mis)transliteration of YHWH
Jehovah is “spirit being” with a “spirit body” and is not omnipresent
To J.W., the doctrine of the trinity is heretical and a gross misrepresentation of the true nature of God
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: Jesus ChristJesus Christ
Jesus Christ was “created” by Jehovah in ages past as an angel, or a “son of God”– In ages past, Jesus Christ was Michael the
Archangel who created all [other] things
He was born of a virgin, executed as a “ransom for many”
He “became” Messiah at his baptism
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: Jesus ChristJesus Christ
– Killed on a “torture stake,” not crucified on a cross
– Arose from the dead “spiritually,” not bodily
– Returned to earth in 1878?, 1914?, 1915?, 1918?, 1925?, 1975?
– Presently reigning as king in heaven, and will soon return openly
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: Humanity
The spirit of a human being departs at death “life-force”
There is no conscious existence at death “soul sleep”
There is no assurance of salvation, only hope of resurrection
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: SalvationSalvation Heaven and Paradise are different
Heaven is the location of Jehovah Paradise is the “New Earth”
There are two classes of “saved” witnesses
1. “Anointed Class” or “Little Flock”- 144,000 who are so righteous that they bypass spirit unconsciousness at death, spirit goes directly to Heaven est. 8,700 alive today
2. “Great Crowds” - resurrected after Armageddon & the Millennium, then live forever in Paradise (New Earth)
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: SalvationSalvation
Hell is only the place of the dead, not a place of lasting punishment
All the unfaithful will be annihilated with Satan and the demons at the end of the Millennium
Variously predicted to arrive in 1874, 1914, 1925, and 1975
What J.W. believe: What J.W. believe: CultureCulture– Don’t celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Easter,
Christmas, etc.; annual “Lord’s Evening Meal” is only approved celebration
– Don’t vote or participate in civil government
– Don’t pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag
– Don’t volunteer for armed forces, but not because of pacifism
– Don’t have professional clergy
– Don’t accept blood transfusions
First Steps to Evangelizing J.W.First Steps to Evangelizing J.W.
1. Develop sincere relationships first.
2. Let witnesses observe genuine Christianity in you (holy living).
3. Be prepared to use Scripture positively to explain & defend key Christian doctrines. Focus points:
Trinity, Full Deity of Christ, Salvation for all through faith alone
Evangelizing J.W. – Next stepsEvangelizing J.W. – Next steps
1. Gently undermine confidence in WBTS by noting errors in WBTS interpretations about prophecy and changes to key doctrines.
2. Gently undermine their confidence in the New Word Translation. (YHWH)
3. Be prepared to speak as to why J.W. is not an authentic expression of biblical Christianity.
Evangelizing J.W. – ConversionEvangelizing J.W. – Conversion
1. Invite them to test their beliefs by reading Scripture alone, without consulting any extra-biblical materials (Watchtower, etc.) for 30 days
2.2. Make sure the J.W. is able to experience Make sure the J.W. is able to experience conversations within authentic Christian conversations within authentic Christian communitycommunity
Many are refugees from lax SBC churchesMany are refugees from lax SBC churches Are J.W. more fervent in their faith than we are in ours?Are J.W. more fervent in their faith than we are in ours? We have to become a more thorough expression of We have to become a more thorough expression of
authentic faithauthentic faith
Other helpsOther helps
www.ontruth.comwww.ontruth.com
www.4truth.netwww.4truth.net– Belief bulletins, comparison charts, pdf Belief bulletins, comparison charts, pdf
filesfiles
Video resource: Video resource:
Understanding & Understanding & Evangelizing Evangelizing
Jehovah’s WitnessesJehovah’s WitnessesJohn Chandler John Chandler
www.rasnet.orgwww.rasnet.org