Unleashing Your Faith Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions OFFENCE without being Offensive 8

Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Consistent with a Biblical Worldview Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External AuthorityHold to “Biblical Authority” Claims Mormonism JWs Islam Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Romanism Oneness Homosexuality Abortion Trinity Diety of Christ Gravity Algebra Judaism

Offense

Giving an Answer: Offense Examples Romanism Oneness Pentecostal Jehovah’s Witnesses Mormonism Islam Abortion? Homosexuality? Approach Take up their “accepted authority” to prove the validity of the Bible Demonstrate inconsistencies. Place the burden on them to resolve the inconsistencies. Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Hold to “Biblical Authority” Judaism?

According to Rome Seven Sacraments Baptism Confirmation The Eucharist Reconciliation (penance) Anointing the sick (formerly Extreme Unction) Holy Orders Holy Matrimony Types of Catholics Practicing Catholics Lapsed Catholics Regular attender Catholics Cultural Catholics ‘Just in Case’ Catholics Evangelical Catholics

Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Consistent with a Biblical Worldview Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External AuthorityHold to “Biblical Authority” Claims Mormonism JWs Islam Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Romanism Oneness Homosexuality Abortion Trinity Diety of Christ Gravity Algebra Judaism

(1)the authority and sufficiency of Scripture (2)the doctrine of the Trinity (3)Christ - the person, virginal conception, and two natures of (1)the doctrine of original sin (2)the substitutional atonement of Jesus Christ (3)the gospel message (4)the Doctrines of Grace (5)the nature and foundation of the church, (6)‘covenant’ theology (7)the sacraments What do you believe and why do you believe it?

Founder Charles Taze Russell ( ) – began 1879 headquarters – Brooklyn NY Writings All current WATCHTOWER publications; NWT Bible; Awake! and Watchtower magazines God One person called Jehovah. He is one god in one person (not just one in essence but also one in ‘person’) Jesus The first thing god created. Before he lived on earth, he was Michal the archangel. He is not coming again. Holy Spirit Impersonal holy spirit is not god. Rather it is an active invisible force from God. Salvation Be baptized as a JW. Earn everlasting life on earth by door-to-door work. Heaven limited to 144,000. Death If declared righteous, you must obey Jehovah perfectly for 1,000 years or be annihilated. Other Do not observe holidays or birthdays. Eternal life comes by studying about Jehovah. Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)

Founder Joseph Smith ( ) Founded in New York Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Writings The Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; the Bible (KJV only) God God was once a man, but progressed to godhood. He has a physical body. No Trinity, but three separate gods. Jesus A separate God from the father. Created as a spirit child. Elder brother of all men and spirits. Death didn’t save. Holy Spirit Not God. Influence or electricity-like emanation from God. Holy Spirit different from the Holy Ghost. Salvation Resurrected by grace, but saved by works – Mormon baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, church membrship Death Everyone goes to one of three heavenly kingdoms, with some achieving godhood. Other Worthy men may become gods. No alcohol, tobacco, coffee, or tea. Baptism on behalf of the dead. Missions. MORMONISM (Church of Jesus Christ – Latter Day Saints)

Founder April 1913, at the World-Wide Apostolic Camp Meeting in Arroyo Seco, California - R. E. McAlister Writings Sola Scriptura. Rejects the findings of Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed. God One God who manifests himself in many different ways including Jesus and HS. Heresy of modal ism. Jesus Humanity and the deity of God together, or the humanity alone, but never the deity alone. Holy Spirit Merely a title of God when He manifests Himself differently. Salvation Repentance, faith and baptism (in Jesus' name), receipt of the HS with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Death Belief in heaven and hell Other "holiness standards" in dress, grooming and other areas of personal conduct; water baptism essential to salvation ONENESS PENTACOTALISM (Apostolic or Jesus' Name Pentecostalism’

Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Consistent with a Biblical Worldview Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External AuthorityHold to “Biblical Authority” Claims Mormonism JWs Islam Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Romanism Oneness Homosexuality Abortion Trinity Diety of Christ Gravity Algebra Judaism