1. Christianity Cults & Religions

3. Key Terms  144,000/”anointed class” – According to Watchtower teaching, 144,000 is the number of Christians living between Pentecost (c. AD 30) and 1935, called the “anointed class” or “little flock,” who will live in Heaven as spirits forever. (the other class of Christians is called the “earthly class.”)  Adventism – Followers of the various movements inspired by the teachings of American preacher William Miller who predicted that the second coming of Christ would take place in 1843 or 1844.  Arianism – Originated in the fourth century AD and argues that Jesus doesn’t share the same essence with God, and thus does not share in the same divine nature with eternity and authority. The Nicene, Chalcedonian, and Athanasian Creeds are primarily responses to this heresy.  Armageddon – According to the Watchtower, this is the final battle between wicked mankind and Jehovah God to end world governments which brings about the establishment of Jehovah’s “kingdom rule” on Paradise Earth.

4. Key Terms  Christ’s “Presence” – Watchtower teaching that the second coming of Jesus already took place invisibly in 1914.  Christendom – Disparaging term used to describe “professed Christianity” – that is, all non-Jehovah’s Witness religions that claim to be Christian – in contrast with “the true Christianity of the Bible.” Viewed as being under Satan’s control.  Jehovah – God’s personal name. Nearly all other Bibles have “LORD” for God’s name in the Old Testament, but the New World Translation renders it “Jehovah” – and even “restores” the divine name to the New Testament.  New World Translation (NWT) – The official Bible of the Watchtower Society. The Watchtower has stated that other English translations have “fallen victim to the power of human traditions… Inconsistency and unreasonableness have been insinuated into the teachings of the inspired writings.” (NWT 1950)  Other Sheep – Another name Jehovah’s Witnesses use for the “earthly class,” drawn from John 10:16.

5. Key Terms  Theocratic Kingdom – Jehovah’s kingdom rule through the Watchtower Society.  Torture Stake – The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus was executed on an upright pole or stake instead of a two-beamed cross. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the cross is a pagan symbol and that using it in worship violates the Second Commandment’s prohibition against idolatry.  Watchtower Bible and Tract Society – The Jehovah’s Witness organization, which is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Its “Governing Body” claims to have sole spiritual authority over Jehovah’s people.

6. William Miller  Born 1782  Was a 19 th Century Baptist preacher  Started Adventism  Through lengthy and elaborate calculations he reached the conclusion that Jesus Christ would return in 1843.  Recalculated and said no it was Oc. 1844 People sold there homes  Miller repented and stopped predicting the coming of Christ.  Died in 1849

7. William Miller Elaborate Calculations

8. Charles Taze Russell  Born February 16, 1852 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania  Raised Presbyterian  Rebelled from religious parents And the doctrine of Hell  Came under Adventist teachings (a group teaching the imminent return of Christ)  Was elected pastor of a Bible study  Began publishing “Zion’s Watch Tower” Magazine  Came to the conclusion that Jesus had invisibly returned in 1874 and said that heaven on Earth would come in 1914… 1915… 1918 (he did this using calculations from the Bible but mostly the Pyramids)  Died in 1916  Succeeded by Judge Joseph Rutherford

9. Charles Taze Russell Pyramid Calculations

10. “Judge” Joseph Rutherford  Born November 8, 1869  Predicted, again, that in 1925 Jesus Christ and the O.T. heroes would come back literally and physically and believed this so much he had a house built for them in San Diego – Beth Sarim  In 1931 change the name from “The Bible Students” to the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” (taken from Isaiah 43:10-12)  Died in 1942

11. “Judge” Joseph Rutherford Beth Sarim

12. The Watchtower Society  18 Million Followers in 200 Countries and Territories  7 Million go door to door on a daily bases  Last year they grew by 3%  Publish 2 main magazines The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (180 Languages) Awake Most widely circulated periodicals on the planet  Publishes books and magazines in over 500 languages  They read the New World Bible Their own translation Began publishing in 1950 by a anonymous translation committee consisted of six men – five of whom had no formal training in biblical languages Altered in nearly 300 places

13. New World Translation  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)  John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only- begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. (NWT)

14. New World Translation  John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.(NKJV)  John 1:1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.(NWT)

15. New World Translation  II Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (NKJV)  II Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, (NWT)

16. New World Translation  Heb. 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2)has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; (NKJV)  Heb. 1:1-2 God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the prophets, (2) has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. (NWT)

17. The Watchtower Society  The 144,000 – “The faithful and discrete slave class” The only people who have the right to interoperate the Bible About 10,000 left  9 men – called the ruling body  Everybody has to agree with everything identically at all times  Salvation is Faith and Good works  Must be a member of Jehovah’s one right organization – Watchtower

18. The Watchtower Society  They teach the trinity is a pagan idea authored by Satan Jesus is a lesser created God Jesus began as Michael the Arch Angel – God’s first and favorite creation Jesus died on a torture stick Resurrected only in spirit The holy spirit is merely an acting forcing (small H and S) ○ Compare the Holy Spirit to electricity or magnetism

19. The Watchtower Society  Unusual Beliefs Refuse Blood transfusions ○ Even their own stored up in advance For decades they waged a war against aluminum utensils Form 1931-1952 they forbade vaccinations From 1967-1980 they forbade organ transplants No military No voting – of any kind No flag salute No celebrating birthdays, holiday, etc. Can not attend any other religious services ○ Including weddings and funerals

20. The Watchtower Society  To Be Saved: Taking in knowledge of Jehovah and Jehovah’s Witnesses (Learning about God) Obey God’s Laws Belong to Jehovah’s one true organization Obey the laws of the organization

21. Biblical Insights  One God Isaiah 43:10 I Peter 1:1-2  The Holy Spirit is God II Corinthians 3:17 Acts 5:3-4  Jesus is God Isaiah 9:6 John 8:58; Exodus 3:14 Colossians 2:9 John 5:18, 23 Hebrews 1:6  Jesus rose physically John 2:19  Salvation is a free gift Romans 6:23

22. 4 Does and 4 Don’ts Does  Jehovah’s witnesses are people Relate to them  Be cautious and respectful  Do ask questions Instead of making allegations  Give a brief testimony They have no personal experiences Don’ts  Don’t assume they know the Bible  Don’t assume there is only one way to witness to J.W Lead from your strengths  Don’t force them to admit they are wrong, corner them, or get in over your head. Its okay to say that you don’t know  Don’t just turn them away

23. More Does and Don’ts Does  Do pray before each encounter with Jehovah’s witnesses and invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the conversation. Ask him to fill their minds and hearts with the truth of his Word  Do approach Jehovah’s Witnesses with humble, loving attitude. Identify with them in genuine concern, and treat them respectfully, realizing they probably wouldn’t have joined had they known all the facts  Do ask the Jehovah's Witness to help you understand how to reconcile their beliefs with the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses are trained to teach, not to listen to you. Questions can be a powerful tool to break through their programmed responses and to get them to “think” for themselves Don’ts  Don’t depend on evidence and argumentation alone. Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you. It’s the Holy spirit’s job to convict of sin, righteousness and judgment.  Don’t approach them with a superior attitude, belittle them or act like you have something they don’t.  Don’t confront Jehovah’s Witnesses in an argumentative manner, trying to “teach” them. Jehovah’s Witnesses believer they have “the Truth” and that you don’t have anything to offer them.

24. More Does and Don’ts Does  Do challenge the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ trust in the Watchtower by showing discrepancies in their own literature.  Do pray to “Jehovah God” with Jehovah’s Witnesses and pray about personal things that re happening in their lives. Emphasize the “Father” aspect of “Jehovah” in your prayer and how he cares for you personally.  Do tell Jehovah’s Witnesses about your personal relationship with Jesus and how he answers prayers and personally works in your life. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe God cares as much for them as he does fore the organization so your testimony can make them hungry for a real relationship with the true God.  Do be available, persistent, and patient. If they’re asking questions, they’re starting to think for themselves. This is the first step in leaving the Watchtower. Don’ts  Don’t engage in deep scriptural discussion too soon. Witnesses are told they can’t understand the Bible apart for Watchtower literature, so their trust in the Watchtower needs to be broken before they can begin to interpret the Bible fore themselves  Don’t pray to “God” or “Lord” without addressing the prayer to “Jehovah” at some point. Jehovah’s Witnesses fear that if a prayer doesn’t have Jehovah’s name, it may end up in Satan’s hands. Also, don’t ask if you can pray with them for healing of sickness (unless they approach you privately). They’re taught that God doesn’t “heal” today, and anything miraculous is done by Satan to deceive the unsuspecting.  Don’t try to force the Jehovah’s Witness to “agree” with you. They’re not allowed to disagree with the Watchtower, so Plant seeds of doubt through your questions and let the Holy Spirit do his work.

25. Quick Review

26. In nearly … places the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible, New World Translation, is altered to match up with Watchtower doctrines.  50  100  200  300

27. In nearly … places the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible, New World Translation, is altered to match up with Watchtower doctrines.  50  100  200  300

28. True or False? According to Watchtower teaching, only the “anointed class” of 144,000 people has the ability and the right to properly interpret the Bible.

29. True or False? According to Watchtower teaching, only the “anointed class” of 144,000 people has the ability and the right to properly interpret the Bible. TRUE

30. According to Watchtower reaching, Jesus was the first thing Jehovah created, and Jesus began his Existence as …  Adam  A perfect human  Michael the Archangel  The second Person of the Trinity  None of the above

31. According to Watchtower reaching, Jesus was the first thing Jehovah created, and Jesus began his Existence as …  Adam  A perfect human  Michael the Archangel  The second Person of the Trinity  None of the above

32. True or False? According to Watchtower teaching, Jehovah’s Witnesses have assurance of salvation because they were baptized in Jehovah’s “one true organization” – the Watchtower Society.

33. FALSE. (Jehovah’s Witnesses do not have assurance of salvation – even after baptism – because they can never know if they have done enough good works to be saved.)

34. When talking with Jehovah’s Witnesses, remember to ask … instead of making accusations.

35. When talking with Jehovah’s Witnesses, remember to ask QUESTIONS instead of making accusations.

36. Other Resources  Jehovah’s Witnesses by Robert M. Bowman, Jr.  Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses by Ron Rhodes  How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watchtower by David A. Reed  Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Questions Jehovah’s Witnesses Ask by Christy (Harvey) Darlington  Jehovah’s Witnesses: Their Claims, Doctrinal Changes, and Prophetic Speculation. What Does the Record Show? By Edmund C. Gruss  Pilgrimage Through the Watchtower by Kevin Quck  Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz Books

37. Other Resources DVD  In the Name of Jehovah  The Witness at Your Door and The Witness Goes Out  Witnesses of Jehovah Internet  Witnesses for Jesus – www.4jehovah.org www.4jehovah.org  Free Minds – www.freeminds.org www.freeminds.org  Facts About Jehovah’s Witnesses – www.jwfacts.comwww.jwfacts.com  Tower Watch Ministries – www.towerwatch.com www.towerwatch.com

38. Next Week