1.  2007 by David A. Prentice Make Sure to Get the New Notes Make Sure to Get the New Notes

2.  2007 by David A. Prentice copyright 2003 by David Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T. REVISION DATE 09/05/2009 This material is made available by the author at no charge. It may be reproduced for use in a Christian environment such as Sunday schools or Bible classes, but it may not be used for any commercial purposes. www.originsresource.org.

3.  2007 by David A. Prentice It Matters What YOU Believe! It Matters What YOU Believe! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

4. The Islamic Religion

5.  2007 by David A. Prentice n The Quran says crucifixion happened _ crucifixion was invented: BeforeAfter n It Commands Christians & Jews to Disobey the Bible: TrueFalse n The Quran [Does/Does not] support Muslim claims that today’s Bible is corrupted. n The Quran says, it is the Word of God only if there are no contradictions in it. Are there any? YesNo 5:63 5:63 Many!!!

6.  2007 by David A. Prentice n Science [Does/Does Not] back up the Quran. n According to the Quran, the Sky Could Fall: TrueFalse n According to the Quran, the Sun & Moon [Do/Do not] orbit the earth. n According to the Quran, the Quran [is/is not] from God. 22:65 22:65 4:82

7.  2007 by David A. Prentice n Isaiah 29:12 predicts Muhammad, [right/wrong]? n Muslims believe Song of Solomon 5:16 predicts Muhammad because it says, ______________________. “Altogether Lovely” “Altogether Lovely” “Macmad”

8.  2007 by David A. Prentice n The Quran [Does/Does Not] contradict the Bible. n Deut.18 prophesies a future prophet from Jewish brethren. Bible saysQuran Says n The Quran says Jesus [Did/Did Not] perform miracles before 30, does the Bible agree? Yes/No n You are convinced that if we love people, we won’t tell them the errors of their religion. True or False... Jesus Acts 3 & 7 Jesus Acts 3 & 7 Muhammad

9.  2007 by David A. Prentice You did so well! Here’s a Cookie

10.  2007 by David A. Prentice

11. Just Kiddin’, You’ll Get Something Way Better Than Cookies in Heaven!

12.  2007 by David A. Prentice Review is Over!! Movin’ on to Pg. 26

13.  2007 by David A. Prentice EVER BEEN NERVOUS ABOUT TALKING TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS? Me too! Let’s find out how to confront this together.

14.  2007 by David A. Prentice Why Say Anything At All? This is a religion of denial. While claiming to believe the Bible, Jehovah’s Witnesses deny many of the major doctrines of Christianity.

15.  2007 by David A. Prentice Their Jehovah verses Ours To us: “God” = “Creator of the universe” To us: “God” = “Creator of the universe” “God” = title “God” = title Name = JHVH or YHWH (LORD in English) Name = JHVH or YHWH (LORD in English) “New World Translation” uses Jehovah throughout the Old Testament and inserts it into the New Testament “New World Translation” uses Jehovah throughout the Old Testament and inserts it into the New Testament Only one place is okay: Rev. 19:1&3, “Hallelujah” - a Hebrew word which means “Praise Jah,” Only one place is okay: Rev. 19:1&3, “Hallelujah” - a Hebrew word which means “Praise Jah,”

16.  2007 by David A. Prentice Their Jehovah verses Ours n God is Θεοσ (the God) or “Father” n They know Him only as a distant Old Testament figure; we know Him as Father n So if someone tells you next week, “Us Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones to preserves HIS name... n Answer: You know Him as a distant Old Testament figure; We know Him as Father Pg. 26: They / Old Testament Figure / We / Father

17.  2007 by David A. Prentice MAJOR DOCTRINES OF THE WATCHTOWER 1.Salvation: 2.Identity of Jesus: 3.The Trinity: 4.Jesus’ Death: 5.Resurrection: 6.Hell: 7.Heaven: 2-28

18.  2007 by David A. Prentice What They Believe About The Message of Life n God’s Sole Way to Eternal Life = The Watchtower n Anyone who doesn’t submit to its rules & regulations displeases Jehovah n There is no hell but only ceasing to exist if you displease Jehovah n Their message? It’s not about Jesus n Jehovah is setting up a kingdom on the earth = the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and only those who join it can be saved

19.  2007 by David A. Prentice What They Believe About The Message of Life n Some realize Eph. 2:8-10 says eternal life is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ & that no one will be saved by good works but... n Look to “Kingdom Hall” not the Bible n Please Jehovah by doing enough good works (door-to-door preaching, book sales, and other activities prescribed by the Watchtower) n Then you’ll live through the coming Battle of Armageddon & enter into an earthly paradise n If you die before then, Jehovah will re-create you

20.  2007 by David A. Prentice MAJOR DOCTRINES OF THE WATCHTOWER 1.Salvation: the Watchtower is God’s only means of reaching out to mankind. Only those who join and obey it will be saved 2.Identity of Jesus: 3.The Trinity: 4.Jesus’ Death: 5.Resurrection: 6.Hell: 7.Heaven: 2-28

21.  2007 by David A. Prentice What They Believe About Jesus n He is not God n He was known in the Old Testament as Michael the archangel in human form n The first being Jehovah CREATED n After His own creation, He did the rest of the work of creation in cooperation with Jehovah Pg. 27: Watchtower says Jesus is Michael the Archangel Pg. 27: Watchtower says Jesus is Michael the Archangel

22.  2007 by David A. Prentice Jesus Deity or Michael? n This doctrine is a variation of Arianism (1 st condemned in the 300s) n Chapter 1 of the book of Hebrews shows that this belief is false n Witnesses oppose any form of “creature worship” but admit that the angels are commanded to worship Jesus n They say that it’s different with Michael because he’s an archangel n Well, he is a magnificent being but not the Son of God n In Jude 9 Michael tells Satan, “The Lord rebuke you” –If Michael appeals to the Lord, he is not the Lord!

23.  2007 by David A. Prentice MAJOR DOCTRINES OF THE WATCHTOWER 1.Salvation: the Watchtower is God’s only means of reaching out to mankind. Only those who join and obey it will be saved 2.Identity of Jesus: Jesus is not almighty God in human flesh. He is Michael the archangel 3.The Trinity: 4.Jesus’ Death: 5.Resurrection: 6.Hell: 7.Heaven: 2-28

24.  2007 by David A. Prentice They Say Holy Spirit is Like School Spirit because “Spirit” is Neuter in Greek n Greek gender often doesn’t make much sense –Feminine gender: days, olive trees, snow, soldiers’ tunics, a dry quart measure, and rocks –Masculine gender: years, spring rain, bone marrow, labor, barley, and gnats –Neuter gender: olive oil, lilies, dogs, mint plants, snakes, fish, and so on... Including spirits n Often, if a word could be either masculine or feminine, it was given the neuter gender –Greeks believed some spirits were masculine and others feminine Pg. 29: They Deny the Holy Spirit is a Person

25.  2007 by David A. Prentice What’s Jesus/the Word Say about “It”? n“n“n“n“He” nJnJnJnJohn 14:13-14: Jesus uses “He” with the Holy Spirit 2x + Jesus told us in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would speak whatever He hears. How can an impersonal force hear anything? n“n“n“n“The” nMnMnMnMt. 12:31-32, 28:19, Mk. 3:29, 12:36, 13:11 et al.

26.  2007 by David A. Prentice Trinity verses Split n Witnesses scoff at Christians who worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God n However, they believe in two separate Gods n Jehovah is the “Almighty God,” and Jesus is the “Mighty God” Because the organization tells them that Jesus is not almighty God in the flesh n Scriptures say that He is – Let’s see a few examples:

27.  2007 by David A. Prentice Trinity or 2 gods? 1.Mt. 1:23 - Jesus is “THE God” (‘  ) with us 2.The blood that Jesus shed to purchase our redemption was THE God’s own blood (Acts 20:28) 3.Isa. 9:6 - Jesus is “the mighty God.” Jer. 32:18 - Jehovah is “the Mighty God” - exact same Hebrew words 4.Isa. 43:10 - No other gods besides Jehovah 5.2 Cor. 13:5 - Jesus is in every believer at the same time. Only God can be in more than one place at a time! 6.Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:12 - both Jesus and Jehovah are identified as “the first and the last” How many firsts and lasts can there be? (they say 2 !?!) 7.Zech. 2:8-11 - Three times we read that Jehovah would be sent to earth by Jehovah 2-29

28.  2007 by David A. Prentice Why Are they So Dangerous? The obvious message: Jesus and the Father are one in purpose AND being To get around it, the Watchtower’s New World Translation inserts quotation marks to make it seem as if Zechariah is the one who was sent, not Jehovah. It practices similar insertions and distortions every time a passage indicates the deity of Christ. Why? Because the Bible disagrees with the Watchtower’s doctrine. When the Bible disagrees with them the Watchtower decides that they win and the Bible loses. 2-29 Pg. 28: They Deliberately Add Words to alter the verse

29. Ready to Stand up for God? Let’s Practice Some Scenarios

30.  2007 by David A. Prentice Always Keep the Right Motive I Peter 3:15:... Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; “(Name), If you have some questions and doubts about the Bible, God doesn’t mind. I really want to help answer them for you. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll do my best to find out.”

31.  2007 by David A. Prentice #1’s Tell Your Partners: “You should be more tolerant. After all, Muslims and Christians worship the same God”

32.  2007 by David A. Prentice Possible Answer n “Are you sure about that? The god of Muslims, Allah, has no son and tells his followers, they must work to get eternal life n My God has a Son Who died to give me eternal life by His works. I do good works only to please Him not insult Him by working for what His Son freely gives me. n Am I so wrong for wanting to share a free gift with people? n If you knew how to get something for free, I sure hope YOU’D be kind enough to tell ME about it.

33.  2007 by David A. Prentice #2’s Ask Your Partners “Don’t you realize the Fossil Record supports Evolution?”

34.  2007 by David A. Prentice WHO? WHAT? WHAT NOT? HOW? GOD? You Could Use Answer The Question with More Questions HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? 1-25 1. Who says this is fact? 2. What did they actually see? 2. What did they actually see? 3. What are they Not telling you? 3. What are they Not telling you? 4. How can you test this to see if it’s true? 4. How can you test this to see if it’s true? 5. What does God have to say about it? 5. What does God have to say about it?

35.  2007 by David A. Prentice Another Possible Answer n How can you say dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of yrs when they’ve recently found dinosaur bones with blood & tissue still intact? n Did you know they’ve still never found any kind of fossil that is half-way between one kind of animal and another? n So the fossil record disagrees with evolution but not the Bible which says God made each thing to only produce after its kind and tells us Dinosaurs were around a few thousand years ago in the book of Job.

36.  2007 by David A. Prentice #1’s Tell Your Partners: “In Deut. 18:18 & Isaiah 29:12, the Bible predicts Muhammad. So, You Should Convert to Islam.”

37.  2007 by David A. Prentice Possible Answer n Did you read Deuteronomy 18:15? It says the prophet will be Jewish. Not to mention Acts 3:20-26 and Acts 7:35-55 both say it speaks of Jesus n Did you read the verses before Isaiah 29:12? God is saying that when He seals a message, it doesn’t matter if you can read or not, no one will be able to read it. n Have you read Suras 29:27, 35:32, 41:42, 45:16, 46:13, 87:19? The Quran commands Muslims to believe the earlier scriptures – that means the Bible.

38.  2007 by David A. Prentice #2’s Ask Your Partners: “How can any one know for sure that he or she is going to heaven?”

39.  2007 by David A. Prentice Possible Answer n “Read Acts 16:30 – 31... What does it tell you to do to be saved?” n “Read Luke 23:42 – 43... What did this man do to receive eternal life?” n “Do you know John 3:15? What does it say you have to do to receive eternal life?” n From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus promises to give eternal life to all who are convinced that He is the only Way to eternal life. I am convinced He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Are you?

40.  2007 by David A. Prentice Next Up 1.Salvation: the Watchtower is God’s only means of reaching out to mankind. Only those who join and obey it will be saved 2.Identity of Jesus: Jesus is not almighty God in human flesh. He is Michael the archangel 3.The Trinity: Jesus and Jehovah are two separate Gods. The Holy Spirit is a force, not a person 4.Jesus’ Death: 5.Resurrection: 6.Hell: 7.Heaven: 2-28