A Biblical Church vs JWs
1 December 2013 PM – Matthew 7:15 – Biblical Church – Scott Childs
Introduction: We have all had JWs knock on our doors. We know they are a cult, but just how do their beliefs differ from our own? Many Christians are not able to answer that question.
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Transition: This evening we are going to compare some of the major JW beliefs with those of a biblical church so that each of us will be able to recognize their errors. In this sermon, biblical truth and support verses are in blue.
I. JW Teachings About God
A. God is a single person
1. He must be called his personal name – Jehovah. This is vital for true worship. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we must only address God as Jehovah.
2. He is not a Trinity.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
3. He is not everywhere present.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
B. Jesus is not equal with God
1. Jesus was created by God as Michael the archangel. God used him to them create everything else. He became Jesus during his time on earth and returned to being Michael after his ascension.
2. Jesus is only a god.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
3. Jesus returned invisibly in 1914, and he now reigns invisibly as king on the earth.
C. The Holy Spirit is only an active force
1. He is not a Person (John 14:26)
2. He is not God. (Acts 5:3-4)
II. JW Teachings About Salvation and Eternity
A. Christ’s death
1. Jesus died on a stake not a cross.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
2. He became the ransom sacrifice essential for salvation.
B. Faith plus works is required for salvation
1. A person must have faith in Christ who died for our sins, but they also must keep on doing God’s will.
“This places the Christian in a saved condition, but he must now persevere in doing God’s will and continue to adhere to all of God’s requirements for the rest of his life. Only then will he be saved to eternal life.” (The Watchtower, Dec. 15, 1989, p. 30)
2. Being a JW is required for eternal salvation.
“Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.” Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12
“They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation.” Kingdom Ministry 1990 Nov p.1
The JW organization is never mentioned in the Bible. Christ alone saves us. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
C. Faith will be tested
1. JWs believe we are now in the Tribulation that started in 70 A.D. with the destruction of Jerusalem.
2. The test of true faith will be at Armageddon
“What this means to us today is that those now living in this time of judgment and who fail for one reason or another to take a stand for Jehovah, and are therefore slain by him at the battle of Armageddon, will not be retained in his memory for a resurrection.” Watchtower 1951 Jul 15 p.446
Watch Tower Society publications state that salvation at Armageddon is also contingent on baptism, accurate knowledge of Bible truth, adherence to God’s standards of conduct and morality, use of the divine name “Jehovah” in worship. Salvation – What It Really Means,” The Watchtower, August 15, 1997, pgs 4-7.
3. Those not killed at Armageddon or other divine judgements will be resurrected and tested during the millennium. Those who fail to follow Jehovah during this test will be destroyed with Satan.
Most of those who had died prior to God’s [Armageddon] intervention will gradually be resurrected to a “day of judgment” lasting for the thousand years referred to in Revelation 20. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. The Watchtower, May 15, 2006, p.6
D. Faithful JWs will live forever on paradise earth
The Bible does not say that we are in the Tribulation. It does not say that all who are not killed in a divine judgment will be resurrected and given a second chance to be saved. Salvation is not based on our faithfulness but on our faith in Christ alone. Rewards are based on faithfulness.
III. JW Teachings About the Bible
A. The New World Translation is the best
1. In 1961 the JWs translated their own Bible.
2. They changed many verses to fit their doctrine. http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/nwtontrial.htm
B. It must be read with JW publications
We also strengthen our love for God by studying his Word, by reading Bible-based publications, and by attending Christian meetings. The Watchtower July 2009 pp. 15-19
C. Closed book except to JWs
“From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude…They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching …” Watchtower 1981 Aug 15 p.29
The Psalmist said, Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Simple people can understand the Bible just fine.
IV. JW Teachings About Death and Hell
A. At death, people sleep in the grave
1. Hell is only the grave, and thus all who die go to hell until the resurrection.
Hell (“Sheol” and “Hades” in the Bible’s original languages) is simply the grave, not a place of fiery torment. http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/who-goes-to-hell/
2. Death is the penalty for sin
Death, not torment in a fiery hell, is the penalty for sin. http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-hell/
3. Those who were not killed by a judgement of God will resurrect and be given another chance to believe during the millennium.
B. Those who never become JWs will go to Gehenna
1. Gehenna is for those who are not saved (the JW way)
“Gehenna represented complete destruction without hope of a resurrection.” Adam and Eve went to Gehenna. The Watchtower, May 1, 2005, p.13-17
2. Gehenna is symbolic of annihilation and there is no eternal torment.
To deny the reality of an eternal, literal hell one must close his eyes to the scores of times the Bible uses these terms to describe a place of judgement, torment, and the opposite to heaven. http://www.northsidebaptistchurch.org.au/resources/biblical-issues.html
Conclusion: The JWs are a cult because they deny the deity of Christ and the Person of the Holy Spirit. They add works to salvation, give the dead a second chance, deny a literal, eternal hell, and make their publications necessary for understanding the Bible. JWs attend five meetings weekly to learn their doctrine. Sadly, most Christians do not know their Bible as well as the JWs know their doctrine. We must faithfully study the Bible. You should know what the JWs believe, but it is usually unwise to debate with them. State your faith in Christ and send them on their way.
Song: The Bible Stands, 178